Local News Releases

SILVER CITY, NM, June 14, 2024 Planning a weekend getaway to the Gila National Forest? As summer is in full swing, hot summer days has us all daydreaming of cooler temperatures and water features. The forest anticipates an influx of visitors eager to enjoy the scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. Given the heightened risk of wildfires during the dry season, Gila officials are urging all visitors to prioritize fire prevention and practice responsible recreation to safeguard this treasured forest.

Mimbres Crew receives a morning briefing before going to work on the Whitetail Fire. Photo by: Stephanie Finch SANTA FE The New Mexico Forestry Division's Mimbres Wildfire Crew completed its first field assignment last weekend, performing suppression efforts on the Whitetail Fire south of Silver City, New Mexico.  

The 19-member crew, which recently earned Type-2 wildland firefighting certification, responded to a 54-acre fire south of Highway 90. Based in Socorro, this crew is one of two that the Forestry Division has assembled with the expectation that, over time, they will gain the training and expertise to become certified Type-1 firefighting crews, also known as Hotshots. The other crew is the Pecos River Crew, based in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  

Bayard Police Department

Monday, June 10

Vehicle burglary
East Street
SW Disposal truck was broken into.

Tuesday, June 11

Graffiti
Davis and Ruby streets
At the old movie theater.

Monday, June 10

Welfare check
Rio de Arenas Road 7:30 a.m.
Caller got a 911 text from a named male round 6 a.m. Caller called back to say she just spoke with the male and he stated he was on his way to Las Cruces.

Identity theft
Ocotillo Drive Lower Mimbres
Caller got a letter from SS and they are cancelling her Social Security because someone is using her information. Deputy attempted contact with caller/phone would ring and not allow a voicemail to be left.

Monday, June 10

Unwanted subject
910 Silver Heights Blvd. 12:36 a.m.
Stated two males are blocking the door/wants them removed from the property so they can leave to go home. Officer advised out with Lorenzo Flores/left property.

Criminal trespass warning
703 Silver Heights Blvd. 12:54 a.m.
Caller stated a male with a CTW is trying to go into the building. Officer out with Matias Marquez.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, NM, June 13, 2024 The Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District began implementing the Highway 59 thinning project today, Thursday, June 13. The work zone is along the roadside from milepost 3 at the forest boundary on New Mexico Highway 59 to the Forest Service Beaverhead Work Center at milepost 30.

"This project has been in the works for the past year between the Black Range District and some of our local and state partners. We are glad to finally begin and are looking forward to seeing the progress we make in the next couple of weeks," said Black Range District Ranger Bret Mellott. "Members of the public are asked to be conscious of their environment while traveling on Highway 59 and be on the lookout for our team out there completing the work."

Evidencing a growing movement among New Mexico's counties, the Catron County Commission officially adopted a resolution Wednesday, petitioning the New Mexico Legislature to call for a convention of the states under Article V of the US Constitution. Their action came one day after Otero County took a similar position.  

Commenting on the federal government's wildly out of control spending and jurisdictional excesses, Commission Chairman Buster Green stated, "Our Legislature must step up to address the need for amendments to impose fiscal restraint, limitations on federal overreach, and term limits."

See flyer below for upcoming volunteer meeting for the Red Paint Pow Wow and Indian Market.