Front Page News

[Editor's Note: This part 2 and final article on the GRMC Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 28, 2023. it begin swith the report from CNO Ron Green.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

The second update at the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 28, 2024 came from Chief Nursing Officer Ron Green.

Green said: "An update on our nursing resident program—all six of our residents passed the state boards and will finish their residency program toward the end of March and will be given the freedom to be out on the nursing floor by themselves pretty soon."

According to the New Mexico Secretary of State website, these are the Grant County candidates for the primary to take place on June 4, 2024. Write-in candidates may file on March 19, 2024

Candidates for each office are listed below:

State Senator District 28 (4-year term)
Siah Correa Hemphill, incumbent DEM
Gabriel J. Ramos, Former state senator REP

State Representative District 39 (2-year term)
Gabrielle Begay, DEM
Gilbert Guadiana, DEM
Luis M. Terrazas, incumbent REP

By Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist

On June 6, 2023, Frances Gonzales, a member of the Bayard Town Council and the Grant County Democratic Party, was arrested because she made a false report about an attempted break-in at her home. This report occurred during a May City Council work session where her comment could be reasonably interpreted as critical of the Bayard Police Department and, specifically Bayard Police Chief Hector Carillo.*

The break-in was investigated by the Bayard City Police and found to be false. Gonzales was charged with a misdemeanor, arrested, and released on her own recognizance. Her release was approved by Judge Hector C. Grijalva.

 On March 10, 2024 at approximately 11:14 A.M., deputies responded to the area of 97 Quail Run Road, in regards to a non-responsive five-year-old female. Deputies did perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation while waiting for EMS. Life-saving measures performed on the five-year-old child were unsuccessful. Another child, seven years of age, was transported by ambulance to Gila Regional Medical Center for various medical concerns.

Grant County Sheriff's Detectives were called to the scene and an active investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has any information relating to this case, please contact the Grant County Sheriff's Office at 575-574-0100 or Central Dispatch at 575-388-8840

Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Veronica Maynes receives from GRMC Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Fred Fox an award for her 20 years of service with Beginning Years.

At the meeting held Feb. 28, 2024, Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Fred Fox invited board members to read the mission, vision and values, and said the three are what drives the oversight of the hospital.

"In addition, the Hospital Funding Act cites as its purpose: To provide appropriate and adequate hospital facilities for the sick of the county," Fox quoted.

This editor has decided to start a new category, which is listed under the Community menu tab as Citizen Journalist.

Citizen Journalist is a new category for the Grant County Beat. It will contain photos and information about our community. It will not be used for advertising. The content is purely from you, the readers, and does not reflect the opinions of this publication or the editor. 

However, all publication of materials will be at the discretion of the editor. The contributor grants permission to The Beat for us to reuse the photos or information at our discretion and photo and/or authorship credit will be included in other uses. 

The Beat totally appreciates the tips, the suggestions, the photos, etc. that you share with the Beat. Now you have a chance to have your name and photos and short articles published for all to see. 

We hope you enjoy this new feature.

Photos and article by Lynn Janes

On March 8, 2024, at 9:00 am, many local officials, residents, and students came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new recreation center that will be located on 32nd Street and Silver Street behind the La Bonita Bakery. Although the morning was brisk and cold many people showed up to celebrate the long planned and anticipated project.

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, opened the ceremony and welcomed everyone. They started with the presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag.