Front Page News

By Roger Lanse

Friday, Aug. 29, 2024, at about 10 a.m., Bayard Police Department officers were dispatched to 711 Fahey Street in reference to Brandon Capshaw, 21, of Bayard, who was there requesting the neighbor to call police. Responding officers advised they responded to a call with Capshaw the day before and was told by him he did not want to give any information on what had happened, although he was beaten up and was cleared by GRMC-EMS.

According to a BPD offense report, Capshaw completed an interview and a written statement at BPD on 8/29/24, which said Jesse Madrid, 24, and Bryson McNeill, 37, both of Bayard, came to the house the day before, 8/28/24, and accused him of stealing a black box containing $500 worth of fentanyl. When Capshaw denied the accusation, he stated they held him down and stole his car keys and phone and Madrid stole his vehicle, a 2007 silver Pontiac, and parked it at 719 Lusk Street.

By Mary Alice Murphy, using the minutes received from Gila Basin Irrigation Commission Secretary B.J. Agnew.

Gila Basin Irrigation Commission Chair David Ogilvie called the meeting to order at the Cliff Schools Computer Lab.

A quorum of members attended, with representation from the Upper Gila Irrigation Association, the Fort West Irrigation Association and the Gila Farms Irrigation Association. The Gila Hot Springs Irrigation Association, the Riverside Irrigation Association and the Grandpa Harper Irrigation Association were represented by proxy.

After approving the minutes, the members also approved the bank balance of $437.95.

By Roger Lanse

On Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, at about 7:04 a.m., a Grant County Sheriff's Office deputy was dispatched to Lampbright Road in Mimbres in reference to a shooting call. Learning the victim, Zeb Ortiz, 44, of Mimbres, was at another location, the deputy met Ortiz on Bounds Ranch Road about a mile north of Highway 152 between MM 10 and 11.

According to a GCSO offense report, Ortiz stated he had finished working with irrigation water across Highway 152 from Rudy Sepulveda Jr.'s house at 6588 S. State Highway 152. As he drove past Sepulveda's driveway in his 1994 tan GMC pickup, "he heard a loud gunshot and the bullets impacted his truck," from Sepulveda shooting at him. Ortiz said he considered stopping but drove away instead. Deputies inspecting Ortiz' vehicle stated the marks from the "bullets" appeared to have been made by shotgun pellets. The pellet impressions were noted along the driver's side door, truck bed, and the left front wheel. The left front tire was also going flat. Ortiz was certain Sepulveda had shot at him twice. Twelve pellet marks were counted on his vehicle.

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a special meeting August 15, 2024. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees, Olga Amador, Peter Erickson and Ralph Trujillo attended.

Lopez asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Mario Kirker, a World War II veteran and resident of Santa Clara.

This meeting had been called because of an agenda item that had been tabled at the last meeting. This would be a time for questions on both sides.

Representative Luis Terrazas attended to answer question from the council about his project. He said he appreciated the moment of silence for Mario Kirker.

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting on August 12, 2024. Board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, David Terrazas, Angelina Hardin, and Emmarie Heredia. Superintendent Michael Koury also attended.

Administration – principal – directors reports

Food service had not been available for her report.

Katelyn Church, technology director, had a report for the board. Currently they have been having problems with Power School rollover but will have it resolved by the end of the week. She has 32 percent of the staff trained for cybersecurity.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting August 12, 2024. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Pro Tem Eloy Medina (phone), councilors, Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales and Gilbert Ortiz. Martha Salas, city clerk/treasurer also attended.

Public input

Hector Carrillo, police chief, wanted to give recognition to the co-op workers they had. They had completed every task asked of them and did it without hesitation. It had been a successful project and reflected well on Bayard. Carrillo said he had invited them all to come back and work for the city.

By Mary Alice Murphy

The survey can be taken online at this URL https://surveys.holleranconsult.com/s3/GRMCCHNA or in person, as they were at the townhalls.

On Tuesday, Gila Regional Medical Center held two townhalls to answer questions about its Community Health Needs Assessment, which is ongoing until the deadline of Sept. 20.

GRMC Chief Executive Officer Robert Whitaker led off the session by introducing several hospital employees in attendance, including the Associate Administrator Matthew Stephens, and the consultants from Holleran, who are leading the assessment project.

By Roger Lanse

On Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at roughly 4:59 p.m., Silver City Police Department officers spotted a blue 2005 Dodge Durango with three male occupants, later identified as the driver Daniel Gomez, 54; John Castor, 76; and Salvador Vasquez, 43; all of Silver City. According to an SCPD incident report, one of the officers knew the driver had a driver's license that was invalid or revoked, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, which was traveling at a high rate of speed, in the area of 12th and Grant streets.