Front Page News

By Frost McGahey
[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of several articles, which have been done through an emailed questionnaire. This series covers only the local contested races in the Primary election. For the General Election every contested race candidate will receive a questionnaire a month or more before the General Election, for publication prior to early voting.

As a public service the Grant County Beat is asking Candidates questions so voters can determine who they want to vote for in the coming Democrat primary, June 4, 2024. Since there are no Republican contested races, the focus is on the races in the Democrat Primary. This is only a partially closed primary so Independent and Declined to State can vote in it.]
Patrick SnedekerMatt Runnels

 1. If a local, how long has your family been here?
Patrick Snedeker: 
62 Years

If from somewhere else:
Matt Runnels:
I chose to move my family from Roswell and raise my kids here in 2001, but my family has owned property here since 1959.

2.  What do you like best about Grant County?
Patrick Snedeker:
The people, our four gentle seasons, our beautiful geography and natural resources, our university and it's educational and recreational offerings, our downtown area, our restaurants, our healthcare services, and our quality of life.  

Matt Runnels:
I believe in diversity of the population and believe the Best People live here. The weather is wonderful! 

Lordsburg, NM – A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) passing through the Lordsburg Port of Entry was found to contain drugs after being inspected by officers.

On April 28, 2024, at around 1:15p.m., an NMDPS Transportation Inspector requested NMSP assistance for a cargo inspection on a CMV at the Lordsburg Port of Entry (POE). The trailer to the CMV was locked and the driver did not have a key. It was learned the trailer was picked up in California and headed to Georgia. NMSP officers arrived on scene to complete the cargo inspection with the transportation inspector.

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session and regular meeting, on April 15, 2024, in Cliff. Members in attendance included Ashley Montenegro, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn, Mike McMillan, and Kimberly Klement. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended.

Work session

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting April 8, 2024. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina and Councilors Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales, and Gilbert Ortiz.

Public input

Chuck Gray, chairman beautification committee, came to address the council and let them know the recent Bingo had 107 adults and 22 kids attend. They had received $3,680 and after payouts cleared $1,760 and an additional $200 from the concession stands. He added they appreciated the support of the council.

Dixon wins Gila Monster Race VeloImages for Tour of the Gila 2024

By Rebecca Reza, RadioTour

Silver City, NM — Elizabeth Dixon clenched victory on the final Gila Monster Road Race to wrap a tough, five days of racing in Silver City. The FOUNT Cycling Guild rider finished over a minute ahead of the Tour of the Gila 2024 overall leader, Lauren Stephens of Cynisca Cycling. Dixon's teammate, Eleanor Wiseman finished third to wrap the podium. 

 Having not only hung onto the New Mexico True leader jersey, Stephens used the fifth stage to increase the margin of her win as well. "This feels really incredible to do so well in this race. My first time here was in 2012, and it's a race that makes you decide if you really want to bike race or not. I kept at it, and here I am many, many years later, winning the race." 

Paredes wins Gila Monster race Photo by VeloImages for Tour of the Gila 2024

By Rebecca Reza, RadioTour 

Silver City, NM — Team Medellín's Wilmar Paredes conquered the Gila Monster Road Race presented by Gila Regional Medical Center, cresting the finish for victory over a minute ahead of second place Ian Lopez of Aevolo Cycling and Tyler Stites in third for Project Echelon. On the final stage of Tour of the Gila 2024, the Colombian also secured the King of the Mountains classification and polka-dot jersey.

Stites crossed the line a short time later celebrating his first overall victory at a UCI race, with a 54-second margin ahead of Team Medellín's Walter Vargas and Paredes in third. "The team was just amazing today," Stites said. "I didn't touch the wind a single time until the last 200 meters. We controlled the race from start to finish, which made it easy on me. This win is big for me and the team; it's the team's first UCI GC victory which was a big goal for us this season, so we're very happy."

All photos by Paul Michaud for the Grant County Beat

The Tour of the Gila ended the  2024 event with the Gila Monster. The UCI Women had the same race leader, Lauren Stephens, throughout the five days of this year's Tour of the Gila. She pulled out the final win and her team Cynisca were the Team Champions. See the final winners in the slide show below.

All photos by Paul Michaud of the start and finish of Stage 5, the 103-mile UCI Men's race, the Gila Monster April 28, 2024. The race is the last of the five days of the 2024 Tour of the Gila.