Front Page News

The question on the front page of the ballot, which was the 25 million request, will raise everyone's property tax by 4.1 mils

For 2134 Against 1817

The question on the back of the ballot, which would have renewed the continuing general obligation bond of 2 mils for maintenance of schools, was defeated.

For 1707 Against 1774

By Roger Lanse

According to Silver City Police Department Chief Freddy Portillo, SCPD officers confirmed a female was shot in the leg by a male assailant, close to the Western New Mexico University campus, on Alabama Street near the intersection of Alabama and Gordon streets. The attack took place on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024, at about 4 p.m. The male suspect has been identified but neither that information, nor the victim's name, is being released at this time. Portillo stated officers are actively searching for the male suspect. The victim was transported to Gila Regional Medical Center by EMS.

SILVER CITY, NM –A shooting occurred near the Western New Mexico University campus in Silver City on Thursday, August 20, 2024, causing the university to issue a shelter-in-place warning to students, faculty and staff. The shelter-in-place advisory has since been listed.

The suspects in the shooting are still at large and driving an older white Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme or similar model. One occupant has extensive face tattoos. If seen, the public is advised to dial 911 immediately. Do not approach this vehicle.

[Editor's Note: This is the eighth and final of a series of articles on the June 11, 2024 Commission meeting and the June 13 regular meeting. It continues and concludes the work session review of the regular meeting agenda and decisions made at that meeting.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The June 11, 2024 Grant County Commission work session continued with the review of the June 13, 2024, regular meeting.

The discussion continued on the agreements, resolutions and bids and requests for proposal.

The next agreement considered the safety net care pool fourth quarter payment, which County Manager Charlene Webb noted comes before the commissioners every quarter and the payment comes from a gross receipts tax increment.

[Editor's Note: A final attempt to clear up some continuing confusion on the Silver Schools Bond issue ballot what is due in the clerk's office today before 7 p.m. If you have not returned it today, Aug. 20, 2024 is the deadline.]

The example calculations for the school bond increases published in the Grant County Beat on August 9, 2024 are unclear.

https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/silver-schools-bond-would-increase-property-taxes-by-23-1-2-to-25 

The first item was a 4.1 mil increase. Mil refers to the thousandths, so in actual numbers it is .0041. That was implicit in the example but confusing.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Gough Park in Silver City hosted the Fourth Annual Knights of Columbus Car Show on Saturday, Aug, 17, 2024. At noon, the organizers had registered 78 cars, ones belonging to local owners and some from Tucson, El Paso, all over New Mexico and even a couple from California, encircled the park. Food trucks and vendors of other goods filled the park. Music filled the air, and people visited and admired the old and newer cars on display.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The Gila Native Plant Society held a native plant sale on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in the parking lot across from Gough Park. Several vendors, local and two from Arizona, brought many different varieties of native plants for people to purchase for their yards. 

Lone Mountain Natives has sold native plants for many years, and it was nice to see other local outlets, such as Gabriel's Nursery from the Lower Mimbres and Whiskey Creek Zócalo with their plants. Blooming perennials and annuals that often reseed, and  everything from small trees to shrubs to single blooming plants for the season, cacti and succulents were in pots and ready to carry away. Almost everyone could find something that they simply had to buy to take home. 

By Mary Alice Murphy

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is preparing to invest in water projects in the southwest New Mexico four counties of Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron. The listening session at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center took place on Aug. 14, 2024 to collect input on a proposed pilot funding cycle to open later this year.
 
[Editor's Note: For the history on the source of funding and the permutations the process went through before arriving at this point, please read starting with "The funding comes from the New Mexico Unit Fund..."and continue to the end.]

The NMISC seeks feedback from local governments, including counties, municipalities and villages, as well as from irrigation districts and acequias, and local community water and utility boards. The deadline for feedback is Aug. 30, 2024.