Local News Releases

Silver City Ranger District advises visitors to avoid the area during work activities for public safety concerns
SILVER CITY, NM, Feb. 13, 2025 – The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District advises visitors that Public Service Company of New Mexico is maintaining power line infrastructure through the Gomez Peak picnic area beginning this week. The work is expected to take about two weeks to complete.

"While we are not closing the picnic site for this powerline maintenance, I recommend that visitors avoid areas where active tree cutting is occurring," said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney.

Heavy equipment will be present as workers perform maintenance of infrastructure associated with the PNM power line. Work will occur on weekdays until project completion. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

MIMBRES, NM, Feb. 13, 2025 – The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District is planning to conduct multiple prescribed fire projects, including the 250-acre Terry Springs project west of Forest Road 150 and several other units along New Mexico Highway 35 in the Sapillo Campground and Gattons Park area. While no closures will be in effect, smoke may impact campgrounds in the Sapillo and Lake Roberts areas, especially during early morning hours and when ignitions are actively occurring. Implementation of the prescribed burns may begin as early as Feb. 18, 2025, and could continue into the middle of March as conditions allow.

Travel advisories for high winds and blowing dust in Southwest New Mexico have been issued for Friday, February 14, 2025. Current forecasts include sustained wind speeds of 20-30 mph with gusts to 40-50 mph. The highest impact for strong winds and blowing dust will be from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If you must travel, we recommend you monitor local forecast conditions prior to starting your trip and visit www.nmroads.com for current roadway information. Roadway conditions may change quickly, blowing dust can escalate to blinding dust storms as they move quickly through remote areas.

If you are approaching a dust storm or caught in a dust storm, please follow the guidelines below to help you stay safe.

Bayard, NM – February 12, 2025 – The Bayard Public Library is excited to announce new Saturday hours to better serve the community! Beginning Saturday, February 22, the library will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The addition of Saturday hours is part of the library's ongoing efforts to provide greater access to critical resources, programs, and services for the residents of Bayard and surrounding areas in Grant County. These new hours aim to accommodate working families, students, and community members who may find weekday visits challenging.

"We are thrilled to offer Saturday hours!" said Cindy "Renee" Provencio, Head Librarian. "By opening on Saturdays, we hope to give more people the opportunity to explore and access our resources, attend programs, and connect with their neighbors."

Morning Star having a sale!

Judge Thomas Stewart of the 6th Judicial District will speak to Rotary at noon on February 18 at WNMU. The district covers Grant, Luna, and Hidalgo Counties. Stewart will cover matters of current interest in the district.

Prior to his election in 2018, Stewart was in private practice, handling family law, medical practice, personal injury, and estate planning matters in southwest New Mexico. Raised in Grant County, Stewart attended St. Mary's Academy and Cobre High School, before moving on to Creighton University and UNM's School of Law.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

The regular monthly board meeting of the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District will be held Monday, February 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the NRCS Building; 3082 32nd Street Bypass; Suite C; Silver City, NM 88061. The meeting is open to the public.

To request a copy of the agenda or for more information, please call 575-388-1569 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Whitewater Creek habitat restoration project to begin this month
Instream work near Glenwood, New Mexico will limit public access during construction

GLENWOOD, NM, Feb. 11, 2025 – The Gila National Forest, Glenwood Ranger District has partnered with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to implement a fish habitat restoration project along a 0.25-mile stretch of Whitewater Creek, beginning as early as February 20, 2025, continuing through the end of March. The Catwalk Recreation Area and Catwalk National Recreation Trail will remain open during project activities, but there will be no public access to the stream for fishing or other recreation within the marked construction zone.