Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt 040823

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponosred by the Silver City Kiwanis Club took place on Saturday April 8, 2023 beginning at 9 a.m. a Penny Park. Groups participating included volunteer face painters, as well as representatives from Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and the Silver City Police Department, the Grant County Sheriff's Department D.A.R.E program and the Silver City Fire Department. They took part helping the kids find eggs, find out information about their organizations, and simply make kids and their parents aware of what the groups do. 

According to various members of the local Kiwanis Club, about 4,000 eggs were stuffed with goodies by members from two clubs of K-Kids and three Key Clubs.  About 15-20 kids participated in each of the 13-14 heats that took place. Planning for this annual project takes a lot of volunteer time, but the Kiwanis Club does it for the kids. 

Bayard discusses abandoned building ordinance

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session March 27, 2023. The work session started with Mayor Chon Fierro calling the meeting to order. Attendance at the meeting included councilors Eloy Medina, and Frances Gonzales. Mayor Pro tem Raul Villanueva and councilor Jose Diaz did not attend.

The work session gives the council an opportunity to ask questions about anything on the agenda.

Larry Ojinaga had been put on the agenda to discuss the updates on the abandoned building ordinance. Ojinaga said, "I can't understand why it is taking so long, you have been doing this since September 2022. Nothing ever gets done." Medina explained to him they have a process they must follow, and it takes time. "It has to be done properly; the ordinance affects a lot of people." Currently the ordinance has been given to the town attorney, William Perkins. Fierro said concerning the property that Ojinaga has concern about, it took them some time to track down the owner. Marlena Valenzuela, town clerk, said after they receive the ordinance back from Perkins, they would have to do public meetings and that would take a few months.

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New Mexico Broadband Office announces award in Silver City

By Mary Alice Murphy

On Friday, March 31, 2023. Kelly Schlegel, director of the New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE), and Sandeep Taxali traveled to Silver City to announce a substantial award to WNM Communications to expand service to Cliff and Mimbres.

Wayne Baxter of WNM Communications said that Covid pushed broadband to the front, with students going to school online and adults working from home. "We look at our service area as a whole."

The area covers about 15,000 square miles, with more than 750 miles of fiber optic.

Schlegel said she has worked in software engineering, aerospace and technology for 42 years with 30 of those years spent with Boeing.

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Santa Clara updated on legislative session by Rep. Luis Terrazas

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held its regular meeting March 23, 2023. Mayor Richard Bauch called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees Olga Amador, Arnold Lopez, and Peter Erickson attended. 

The council approved the agenda for the meeting.

The council approved the minutes from the February 16, 2023, meeting.

The council approved the February 2023 department reports.

Mayor’s report

Bauch said they had finally received the long awaited Toro tractor the village ordered a year ago. The unit comes with several attachments and will make the work for the maintenance department easier. 

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Bayard has special meeting March 24, 2023

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a special meeting March 24, 2023. The meeting started with Mayor Chon Fierro calling the meeting to order. Attendance at the meeting included Mayor Pro tem Raul Villanueva councilors Jose Diaz (phone), Eloy Medina, and Frances Gonzales. The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to New Mexico flag took place.

The council approved the agenda.

The council went into closed session. The closed session had to do with the discussion and update on Louis Gomez Jr., animal control officer and code enforcement.

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Silver High School National History Day students participate in and present at conference

By Mary Alice Murphy

During the New Mexico History Conference, which began Thursday afternoon, March 30, 2023, and continued through Saturday, April 1, 2023, Silver High School National History Day students had an opportunity to talk about their various projects, practice their presentations in front of an audience of local, state and regional historians, as well as mingle with them and talk to them.

During the presentation on Saturday, April 1, three presenters had an opportunity to speak before professional and interested historians. Abigail Henderson talked about her documentary about Anna May Wong, an American actress of Chinese descent. Lizzy McDonald presented her documentary on Dicky Chapelle, a female photojournalist during World War II, including in the battles of Iwo Jima and on Okinawa. She also covered portions of the Vietnam War and traveled to other war zones. Faith Pellegrino performed part of her project portraying Dorothy Parker, a poet, writer and satirist.

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New Mexico History Conference in Silver City 0330-040123

[Author's Note: This photographer and author tried to get to every session and get at least one photo of a presenter. Along the way of navigating the various sessions—35 of them—scattered all over the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, she may have missed some and for sure did not get the names correct for everyone or every session. She was unable to attend the plenary session, the special presentation or the luncheons or banquet. Please if you notice an error in the photo cutlines or in this article, please notify editor@grantcountybeat for a correction.]

 Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

 (part 1)

(part 2)

The very successful and well attended New Mexico History Conference took place on March 30 - April 1, 2023 at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center in Silver City, New Mexico. According to main organizer, Susan Berry, more than 325 people attended and participated in the event. From a participant who said he regularly attends these conferences, this was one of the better attended events.

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Grant County Sheriff's Office arrests suspect on several charges

The Grant County Sheriff's Office arrested Brandon Capshaw on an arrest warrant today, April 4, 2023 at approximately 2:16 P.M. Capshaw was reported as breaking and entering at a residence in Arenas Valley. Earlier this morning a family member contacted the Principal at Jose Barrios Elementary School, reporting to him Capshaw was threatening to hurt the smaller siblings and wanted to alert the school of the threats being made.

The school administration put the school on lockdown-shelter in place for the safety of the students and staff. Capshaw is being charged with; Breaking and Entering, Criminal Damage to Property of a Household Member, Attempt to Commit a Felony, and Trespassing. This is still an ongoing investigation. Sheriff Villanueva stayed in communication with Superintendent Hawkins throughout this incident. As more information becomes available, it will be released.

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