Front Page News

By Roger Lanse

A small, contained, electrical fire in or near the ice cream freezer at Walmart sparked dispatch of the Silver City Fire Department to the store at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. According to SCFD Chief Milo Lambert, although flames were present, the fire was extinguished rapidly before the overhead sprinklers had a chance to go off.

Lambert gave kudos to the Walmart staff who had the building evacuated of customers and staff prior to the arrival of SCFD. Lambert said, "It was the best job of evacuation, very smooth and competent, allowing my firefighters easy access to all areas." Nine SCFD members rolled on the fire.

By Mary Alice Murphy

[Editor's Note: I didn't get all the names of the speakers or commenters. If you recognize someone and know their name, please send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll correct it.]

At a community conversation addressing fire, Rep. Luis Terrazas brought together representatives of area municipalities, Grant County, volunteer fire departments, municipal fire departments and representatives from federal agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service.

Terrazas opened the community conversation by thanking everyone in attendance. He noted recent news had featured not only the Rodeo Road fire locally, but the wildfires in Ruidoso.

By Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist

Results of the school bond vote have some voters perplexed. The $25 million bond increasing property taxes 23 ½ percent passed with 2,134 for and 1,817 against - a difference of 317. That was the short bond question with the 4.1 mill levy.

The longer, existing bond with the 2 mill levy failed with 1,774 votes against and 1,707 in favor - a difference of 69. Its failure will save the taxpayer in property taxes about ½ of what the passage of the other bond will increase.

The odd thing was that 470 fewer people voted for this bond.

[Editor's Note: This is part 2 and the final article of a two-part series on the GRMC June 26, 2024 board meeting. It will cover the administration reports and actions taken after the executive session.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The next portion of the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees June 26, 2024 meeting began with administration reports.

Chief Nursing Officer Ron Green said that starting July 4 and running through July12, Gila Regional surgical services would be operating in a limited capacity due to the installation of a new washer for surgical tools. He said all elective surgeries would take place before or after those dates and only GI scopes and emergencies would be treated. He noted it was a fairly extensive process to put in the washer and the drains and things of that nature.

 Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

WWII Veteran Bill Harrison

Harrison and Rotary Club member Maggie CallowayWorld War II 102-year-old Veteran Bill Harrison served as the honored member at the Rotary Club of Silver City bake sale on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at the Makers' Market in Gough Park. 

Several tables at the booth were covered by baked goods of every description, cookies, brownies, quick breads,  cupcakes, cheesecake, and other goodies. This photographer left when the sale was set to last for more than two more hours. The number of items for sale had dwindled by then. 

Photo Courtesy of Carolyn L. Resnicke

The photo was taken from partway up Boston Hill looking south-southwest to south about 9:52 p.m.

 GRMC Board Chair Dr. Fred Fox, left, and CEO Robert Whitaker, right, recognized Lenora Naumann for her 15 years in environmental services.Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

At the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting on June 26, 2024, Board Vice Chair Betty Vega read the mission statement, Member Jason Amaro read the vision, and Member Will Hawkins read the values.

Chair Dr. Fred Fox read the purpose of the hospital from the New Mexico Hospital Funding Act. He also said that he participated in a New Mexico Department of Justice Open Meetings Act training. He said one of the procedural aspects he would like to change is that they publicly announce those who are attending remotely. He noted that HealthTech's Patrick Banks was attending remotely.

By Roger Lanse

A Silver City Police Department officer was dispatched Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, to a welfare check at the Super Snappy (1810 N. Swan Street) to a report of a Silver City Care Center resident being there in a wheelchair with someone from the SPIN (Support People In Need) House.

According to an SCPD incident report, the officer identified the two females as Lenore Woodward in the wheelchair and her sister Christine Obutelewicz. 61, who showed a Philadelphia, PA address, in addition to Grant County. Woodward told the officer she was okay but was scared and wanted to go home. The administrator of the SCCC arrived and pushed Woodward away from her sister and next to the officer's patrol unit.