Front Page News

Photos and article by Lynn Janes

A group of patriotic citizens came together to fly the American Flag, Trump flags and show their pride for America. A few weeks ago, this group had done the same thing only this time the number participating was triple the previous number. They met at the Horseman’s Rodeo Arena and went as a group through town ending up at the Walmart parking lot. 

The event had a large turnout. Some had flags flying from the bed of their trucks and some flew them out of the windows of their cars or had them attached to their vehicle. No matter how they displayed their flags they all did it so show their love of their country. Due to traffic lights, the parade became broken up into many parades. 

By Roger Lanse

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue responded to a garage fire below MM 5, at 4603 Highway 15. PAVFR Chief Ed Downard told the Beat the stand-alone garage, a couple hundred feet away from the residence, was a total loss as was a charred vehicle inside. He said the probable cause of the blaze was a welding spark.

PAVFR, together with the Whiskey Creek Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Grant County Fire Chief Roger Groves, rolled nine vehicles and 16 firefighters to the fire. No injuries were reported. Wild lands surrounding the garage were not affected, contrary to an earlier report.

By Roger Lanse

Black smoke and several fire engines were reported along Highway 15 up toward Pinos Altos Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at about 4 p.m. A call to U.S. Forest Service staff revealed a new fire in that area was on State land.

A New Mexico Forestry Division coordinator was contacted who told the Beat that a structure fire had spread to about one-quarter acre around the building and forward progress had been stopped. Firefighters from the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire and Rescue were on scene, the coordinator said.

By Roger Lanse

When Silver City Police Department officers responded to a disturbance complaint at the Hudson Street Snappy Mart, 206 N. Hudson Street, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at about 5:56 p.m., they observed two males arguing behind the cash register. According to a SCPD incident report, one of the men, Vincent Sandoval, 26, of Silver City, told an officer he just wanted to get his phone and go home. The officer informed him he was not going to be allowed to leave since a strong odor of alcohol could be detected on his breath. The phone was found by officers and returned to Sandoval, who advised he was under probation.

Meanwhile, a second officer was speaking with the other male identified as Akmal Awwad, 37, with an Albuquerque address. Akmal advised he did not want to press charges and just wanted Sandoval to go home.

By Roger Lanse

Pamela Reipold, 55, of Silver City, was heading west on Highway 180 at MM 96 (1 mile east of Mangas) on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at about 9:24 p.m., when she was surprised by a large animal crossing the highway in front of her from the south. According to a Grant County Sheriff's Office accident report, Reipold was travelling 55-60 mph and because of darkness collided with the elk causing damage to the front driver side of her vehicle – fender, headlight, grill, and hood -- and killing the elk on impact. Deputies could see elk hair lodged between the hood and fender.

According to the report, Reipold's vehicle was still driveable. There were no human injuries and no EMS response.

By Roger Lanse

Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to Gila Regional Medical Center on Oct. 1, 2024, at about 6 p.m., to a reported gunshot wound. According to a GCSO offense report, a male patient, Navarre Gulick, 33, of Mimbres, had been taken to the hospital from "somewhere in Hanover," by a friend as Gulick had accidentally shot himself in the right upper thigh with a .22 caliber handgun.

Photos and video by Lynn Janes

The annual Southwest Print Fiesta took place October 10-14, 2024 and had workshops, exhibitions and a steamroller press Workshops and places to view and purchase the artwork went on throughout the event.

Steamroller printing takes a long process to set up. They lay down the print blocks, position the paper and put several layers of material and then plyboard on top for the steamroller to drive up on.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley held a Special meeting September 30, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, Mayor Pro Tem Nanette Day, councilors, Reynaldo Maynes and Keana Huerta.

The council did not pass the agenda. Maynes made a motion and Day and Huerta opposed.

The meeting had been for a closed session to discuss the police department.

The next regular meeting will be October 8, 2024, at 5:00 pm.