Front Page News

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

On a sunny, breezy June Saturday afternoon, many friends of Linda Gray, who recently and unexpectedly passed from this life, gathered in the courtyard of the Silver City Museum to honor and praise Linda and her volunteer work with several non-profit organizations in Silver City.

Silver City Museum Director Bart Roselli said he had worked with her for the past five years. "I knew her as a volunteer. She had a great sense of humor, sarcastic and sardonic. I had a lot of fun chatting with her. She did a little bit of everything, except windows."

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Activities were in full swing at Gough Park on a sunny Saturday morning, June 1, 2024, as part of the Gila Wilderness Centennial festivities. Crowds of people went from booth to booth, visited vendors, and listened to speakers at the park.

The highlight of the day was a cross-cut saw competition to see which teams could cut a disk of wood off a long log in the fastest time. The narrator noted that the process is the best option for cleaning trails in the national forests. He said it is a historical process, but continues to be used in the Gila National Forest today. The teams came from Grant County, Catron County and Albuquerque. [Editor's Note: This photographer could not stay for the final competition to see which team would take home the honors, due to a prior commitment. When she left, the Albuquerque team of a man and woman had the lowest time at 21 seconds. Quarter-, semi- and finals chose the winner. ]

These unofficial Primary election results are from the 39 precincts in Grant County, fully reported, as of 8:50 p.m.on June 4, 2024. They are unofficial results, until certified by the county commissioners at a later date.

President of the United States-Democrat

Joseph R. Biden                              2379
Marianne D. Williamson                 243
Uncommitted Delegate                  254

President of the United States- Republican

Chris Christie                                      26
Nikki Haley                                          92
Vivek Ramaswamy                            12              
Donald J. Trump                            1200
Uncommitted Delegate                   30

President of the United States -Libertarian

Lars Mapstead                                   3
Uncommitted Delegate                    8

By Roger Lanse

According to Milo Lambert, Silver City Fire Department Chief, the Rodeo Road Fire, which blackened about two acres Saturday, June 1, in a 'scrap yard,' on property owned by Verlaine Jones has been controlled but is still burning under a metal canopy 60-feet in from the edge of the charred area. Firefighting personnel cannot yet reach the burning material, including smoldering tires, under the canopy.

The Whiskey Creek Volunteer Fire Department has taken over command of the incident, Lambert said, and monitors the site several times a day. SCFD is also regularly inspecting the site. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and whether citations will be issued await the outcome of those investigations.

Lambert told the Beat a 60-foot firebreak has been constructed around the burn site. A "wild guess" is possibly 40 vehicles and half-a-dozen structures were destroyed in the blaze. WCVFD may have a final count tomorrow, Lambert opined.

Crews are still mopping up and it may take "a couple of weeks" to fully extinguish all the hot spots, Lambert stated.

Video of June 1, 2024 Rodeo Road Fire taken by Jeff Johnson from Memory Lane Cemetery.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Western New Mexico University McCray Art Gallery, as part of the Gila Wilderness Centennial, hosted a photography show by three photographers, using different techniques in their art.

Michael Berman's photos of the wilderness included large pieces divided into equal sections, as well as photos layered on other photos. Jan Haley's photography emphasizes patterns and the changing of the wilderness systems. Phillip Connors said his work is primarily documentary, as he works summers as a fire spotter on the Gila National Forest. 

The current exhibit stays through June 7, 2024, so make an effort to visit. Gallery hours are below the photos.

Article and video by Martha Hamblen

It's the World's First Designated Wilderness. Say that again - The Word's first designated Wilderness. The amazing and majestic Gila Wilderness turns 100 years old this week and it's right in your backyard.

The Gila Wilderness is almost 800,000 acres of mountains, forest, canyons, rocks, creeks, lakes and historical archeological sites. As many in New Mexico and Grant County already know, it's beyond comprehension in its beauty, breadth and historical value.

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Video by Martha Hamblen

The afternoon of Memorial Day, May 27, 2024, the Town and Country Garden Club hosted its final History Live event at Memory Lane Cemetery. The club has now disbanded, but some of the last members wanted to once more host the event they began some years ago.

The club, since the 1960s, had raised money, through its thrift store downtown and other efforts, to keep their adopted special project, the Memory Lane Cemetery, beautified, with its Rose Garden. With the disbandment of the club, a permanent fund remains to maintain the Rose Garden.

The event allows participants to walk through the cemetery and hear from actors portraying figures from the town's history.

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Videos by Al Gamboa

On May 27, 2924, a bright sunny Monday, veterans, family members, and supporters of veterans gathered to take part in the annual Fort Bayard National Cemetery Memorial Day ceremonies to honor those who died in service to country.

The Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 hosted the event, but veterans from the Grant County Veterans Coalition, which includes all local veteran organizations, participated in the ceremonies.

Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean Bearup, Ret., served as master of ceremonies.