Front Page News

[Editor's Note: I apologize for several things. One, I should have paid attention to my professional and personal instincts which told me to get the other side of the story. Two, I should have not published it without further research. Three, I will personally belatedly get more information from Chief Portillo.]

Calls Out Grant County Beat Inaccuracies

Silver City -- Recent articles published in the Grant County Beat on July 24, July 29 and August 6 have obfuscated the truth, made numerous, unsubstantiated claims, and used highly questionable reporting to falsely portray me as an ineffective leader, and worse, sow seeds of doubt about the Silver City Police Department and town management. It's time to set the record straight. This rebuttal addresses only the July 24 omissions, half-truths and inaccuracies. I will address subsequent falsehoods in future statements of fact.

By Roger Lanse

The Beat has secured additional information in reference to the shooting on 12th Street, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at about 5:20 p.m.

According to Silver City Police Department Chief Freddie Portillo and Capt. Antonio Carrillo, the shooting occurred on 12th Street near the Food Basket parking lot and was from a vehicle, the description of which has not been released.

Regan Joseph Morales, 30, of Silver City, the shooter, was located by officers at the scene.

On September 3, 2025, at 1720 hours, Silver City Police Officers responded to reports of gunshots in the area of 12th Street.

Grant County Regional Dispatch informed the officers that they received multiple calls about a shooting in this area.

A witness contacted Central Dispatch, stating they observed the shooting and met with officers in the Food Basket parking lot. The witness described the shooter's clothing description. The suspect was later identified as Regan Joseph Morales.

Photos and charging documents below

Lordsburg, NM I Aug. 30, 2025 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman Wheeler announced today that ten individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a drug and contraband distribution network operating within the Hidalgo County Detention Center in Lordsburg, New Mexico.

The investigation began when a District Attorney's Office investigator, while reviewing inmate phone calls for an unrelated case, identified suspicious conversations involving prison inmates and a detention center kitchen worker. This discovery prompted a deeper investigation, revealing a broader criminal operation.

Grant County, NM- On August 31st, 2025, at approximately 3:09 PM, District 12 Officer Walker Eby responded to a call concerning a vehicle that had overturned on its side due to flooding on Stephens Road, near Buckhorn.

Upon arrival, Officer Eby observed a woman, a six-year-old child, and their dog sitting on their vehicle, which had been overturned by dangerous flooding currents. Officer Eby collaborated with the Grant County Sheriff's Office, the Cliff Volunteer Fire Department, and local residents to devise a rescue plan.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley had a regular meeting August 12, 2025. Mayor Ed Stevens, Robert Candelaria, Pete Ordonez and Aron Phillips attended. Mayor Pro Tem Reynaldo Maynes did not attend.

Public input

Anselmo Tellez said it had been a while since he had come but he had seen a drastic change. He thanked the mayor and councilors. He said they have been appreciated. Tellez had seen on the agenda the consideration for Darlene McBride, town clerk, to attend a housing summit in Albuquerque. He thought it would be a wonderful idea. He had been involved in the housing industry for thirty years. Recently people have been receiving their insurance renewals and have noticed them going through the roof. Tellez said AI has been involved and he had talked to his insurance agent and said it was called 360 AI. It tells them what to charge. He wanted more than McBride to be sent if the budget allowed. "It will be a wonderful investment into the future."

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Carnitas, Musica y Mas took place at Gough Park, beginning Friday evening, Aug. 29, and continuing Saturday Aug. 30 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 31, from noon until it was due to end at 5:45. The event included several food vendors, a beer tent, craft vendors and organizations including security and law enforcement.  

The organizer Jose Ray confirmed that all the performers and vendors stayed to the end, in spite of showers during the afternoon. 

To pause the slide show, mouse over the image.

Photographs by Mary Alice Murphy 

The Red Dot Studio Tour led visitors to 18 different studios of artists in everything from painting to jewelry to clay to wood to re-imagined clothing  in Silver City and the surrounding area. A preview of the artists' work was set up at Light Art Space for the viewing ahead of time. A brochure offered a map of the studios, along with a brief description of each artist's work.