Non-Local News Releases

This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.

Tussock Moth Outbreak Resulting in Tree Defoliation Sandia Ranger District

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024

Albuquerque, NM, July 15, 2024 – If you are viewing brownish-red discoloration of trees on the eastern slopes of the Sandia Mountains primarily south of the Crest Hwy. (NM-536), it may be the result of defoliation from the Douglas-fir tussock moth. The defoliation occurs within mixed conifer stands affecting Douglas-fir and white fir trees.

To the casual observer, the affected trees may appear to be dying, but those brown branches signal the outbreak of the Douglas-fir tussock moth, a native defoliator whose larvae (i.e., caterpillars) feed on the foliage of a variety of trees species. The caterpillar feeds on the previous year's needles often resulting in defoliation, which weakens affected trees and may be followed by subsequent attacks by bark beetles that may kill the tops or entire trees.

Read more ...

New Executive Director Takes the Helm at Emerge New Mexico

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024

EstelaHernandezALBUQUERQUE – Today, Emerge New Mexico, the most successful recruiting and training program to advance the number of Democratic women and non-binary leaders serving in public office in the State, announces the next stage of its evolution with a new Executive Director, Estela Hernandez.

"I am honored and excited to unite my passions, skills, and strengths to lead Emerge New Mexico and make a lasting impact on the representation of women and non-binary individuals in politics," said Estela Hernandez. "Recent events in our county highlight the urgency of addressing systemic inequalities and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities.

Read more ...

BLM seeks initial input for May 2025 oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024

SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office today opened a 30-day public scoping period to receive public input on three oil and gas parcels totaling 1,261 acres that may be included in a May 2025 lease sale in New Mexico. The comment period ends Aug. 14, 2024.

The parcels the BLM is analyzing, as well as maps and instructions on how to comment are available on the BLM's ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2033311/570 .

Read more ...

Apply for Sandhill crane and pheasant draw permits beginning July 17

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2024 15 July 2024

birdsSANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will begin accepting applications for draw Sandhill crane and pheasant permits beginning July 17 at 10 a.m. 

Applications can be made through your online account or by phone at 888-248-6866. The application deadline for draw Sandhill crane and pheasant permits is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. 

 

Read more ...

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issues statement on deadly shooting at Donald Trump rally

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 14 July 2024 14 July 2024

SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement in response to violence at a rally for Donald Trump in Pennsylvania today:

I'm horrified by today's shooting in Butler, Pa. that resulted in the death of a spectator at a political rally and injuries to others, including former President Donald Trump. I condemn
in the strongest possible terms political violence of any kind.

Read more ...

Senate Republicans Issue Statement Following Assassination Attempt of Former President Donald Trump at Pennsylvania Rally

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 13 July 2024 13 July 2024

SANTA FE—Today, it has been reported that President Donald Trump was shot during a Pennsylvania rally. Secret Service has confirmed the president is "safe."

Senate Republican Leader Greg Baca (R-Belen), Senate Republican Whip Craig Brandt (R-Rio Rancho), and Senate Republican Caucus Chair Mark Moores (R-Albuquerque) issued the following joint statement:

"We are deeply shocked and outraged to learn about the assassination attempt of President Trump. This senseless act of violence is an attack not only on our President, but on the very fabric of our democracy.

Read more ...

Fisher Fire Cibola National Forest July 13, 2024 Update

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 13 July 2024 13 July 2024

July 13, 2024 - Final Update by ABQ Zone Incident Management Team

Reported date / time: July 1, 2024 / 6:25 PM Cause: Lightning Strike Size: 8,043 acres.
Fuels: Oak and ponderosa pine litter. Strategy: Confine and contain Containment: 69%
Fire Behavior: Low Resources: 115 personnel

Location: Remote mountainous terrain of northwest San Mateo Mts. on the Magdalena Ranger District – New Mexico on the Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands. 24 miles southwest of Magdalena, New Mexico.

Read more ...

Traffic Alert White Sands Missile Range July 16, 2024

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 12 July 2024 12 July 2024

US 70 Roadblock

LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

US 70 will be blocked one time on Tuesday, 16 Jul 24, beginning at 12:20 P.M. This block will last approximately one hour, lifting around 1:20 P.M. The block will be located at BLUE Block (2 miles east of the Owen access road, near Mile Marker 172) and YELLOW Block (near White Sands National Park, mile marker 200). San Augustin Pass and Las Cruces gate are NOT affected by this block; however, Nike Avenue is affected.

All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2221/2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation: www.nmroads.com  or call 511.

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.