Front Page News

[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of the Grant County Commission first work session of the month held April 9, 2024. It begins with the second presentation.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The second presentation at the Grant County Commissioner April 9, 2024 work session came from Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dan Otero and Chief Behavioral Health Officer Dr. Teresa Arizaga.

Otero said he would address three levels of information. The first would be an overview of the hiring levels for the different departments of the organization, including medical care, primary, dental, behavioral health and family support services.

Photos Courtesy of Jody Ossim; Article by Susan Bryant

On May 2, united in prayer, more than 150 people attended the Grant County National Day of Prayer event at Gough Park. Attendees gathered from many different congregations, along with many who have no church affiliation, in order to pray. More than 20 churches from various denominations and communities across Grant County supported the event.

The National Day of Prayer has a history that dates back to 1775, when the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. Over the years, many called for a day of prayer, including President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. President Harry S. Truman established the first National Day of Prayer in 1952 through proclamation. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended the law, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer. Since then, every United States President has proclaimed the event.

[Editor's Note: This is part one of the Grant County Commission first work session of the month held April 9, 2024.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

With no public input at the April 9, 2024 Grant County Commission work session, the first presentation came from District 29 Rep. Luis Terrazas, giving an update on the 2024 legislative session.

"It was another wonderful session," Terrazas said. "They are always good, as well as brutal. We did a good job with capital outlay for Grant County this year. One of the most important things in every session is for legislators to work together. We have to make sure we do not double fund anything. I am the one representative from Grant County, but we are actually represented by two senators, Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill and Sen. Crystal Diamond Brantley. We had conversations to make sure we were listening to the Prospectors (the county resident-driven lobbying organization) and our citizens to determine what is most important to not just one of us. We collectively brought $8.3 million to Grant County. The support we have from the county manager and the elected officials is very important and we thank you. We are only as strong as the support we get from all our constituents."

By Frost McGahey

This confusion was caused by both the County Clerk's office and Ballotpedia.

The Ballotpedia website read that the NM primaries were only partially closed and that Independents could vote if they declared which party they wanted to vote for. That information has not been taken down.

The county clerk's office is not as up-to-date.

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting April 9, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ken Ladner, Mayor Pro Tem Guadalupe Cano, Rudy Bencomo, Nicholas Prince, and Stan Snider.

Council comments

Cano said she had attended trail days, and they had a lot of hikers that attended. "It was a great experience. This was the 10th anniversary, and we were the first gateway community." She cautioned everyone that Tour of the Gila would be coming up and to watch out for bike riders. Cano had received a lot of phone calls about the problems downtown and many people have been concerned. "We are concerned also and are trying to figure out ways to legally deal with it." She wanted people to know they have a process and sometimes it takes time, but they will be working on it and to please be patient.

Photos by Lynn Janes; Article by Mary Alice Murphy

The Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon featured two speakers.

The first speaker, Grant County Community Foundation Director, Bernadette Smyth, talked about the importance of non-profits to the economy of the state and the country. "Non-profits are the best kept secret from an economic perspective. People think they are just touchy-feely and they do wonderful things, but they generate $4.22 billion in economic activity, which is 3.2 percent of New Mexico's gross product. Non-profits provide $2.85 billion in salaries and benefits, the third highest sector in the state. That grew 11 percent in the period between 2008 and 2018. Non-profits provide about 10 percent of the jobs in the private sector and bring in twice as many jobs as manufacturing."

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and to continue on May 1, 2024, New Mexico Workforce Solutions, with help from their sponsors and local help from Freeport McMoran, brought a semi-truck trailer to Silver High School.

Shane Stephens, Silver School project coordinator for the Innovation Zone grant, said the truck full of simulators, some of which cost more than $100,000, was being used by groups of 30 students at a time to let the students explore the potential of different careers.

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting at Central Elementary School on April 22, 2024. Board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, Angelina Hardin, and Emmarie Heredia. Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended. David Terrazas didn't attend.

Dottie Pfeifer with Kiwanis presented the students of the month awards.

Ismael Dominguez a senior at Cobre High School, maintains a GPA of 3.88 and participates in cross country and baseball. He has always been motivated, positive and willing to help others.

Iraceli Hinojosa,, a student at Snell Middle School, maintains a 3.87 GPA and is always conscientious of others and helps them.