Here’s a look at today’s local news:

New Mexico Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, has signed legislation to create a state ethics commission to increase transparency in state government. Senate Bill 668 establishes a New Mexico Ethics Commission in state law, a measure approved by 75% of voters as a constitutional amendment in last November’s election. Senate Bill 668 creates an independent state agency with seven commissioners who will have jurisdiction to enforce compliance with state laws covering campaigns, governmental conduct, lobbyists, gifts, and financial disclosure by state officers, state legislators, employees, candidates, lobbyists, government contractors, and bidders.

The Village of Santa Clara has hired, Steven Gallegos, to serve as a sergeant on the Santa Clara Police Department. In addition, the Village of Santa Clara Trustees approved a transfer of funds from code enforcement to allow an increase in police officer pay. The officers will now also be responsible for code enforcement duties. Gallegos, joins Police Chief Lonnie Sandoval, and officer Cesar Torres in serving the Santa Clara community.

The Gila National Forest is looking for high school students, juniors and seniors, who are interested in a “call-when-needed” summer job that will provide an environment to learn about Fire Management and the Forest Service. This season, the Gila National Forest hopes to sponsor up to five 10-member crews who would respond to and help with manual labor tasks in a fire camp setting, and provide assistant to fire management teams with the logistics of camp set-up and maintenance. A recruitment meeting will be a recruitment meeting on April 9th at 7:30 p.m. It will be held at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Convention Center, located at 3031 U.S. Highway 180 East in Silver City. All applicants must bring a pen, two (2) legal forms of identification, and bank account information (to include routing and account numbers.) In addition, all crew members must be 17 years of age by June 1st and still enrolled in high school. Spring 2019 graduates will be allowed to apply.

The Cancer Support of Deming and Luna County Inc. is reporting that over $27,000 have already been collected in advance of their annual Celebration of Life Cancer Walk. This year’s 14th annual event is scheduled for Saturday morning, May 4th at Voiers “Pit” Park in Deming. So far, eighteen teams have signed up and the ‘Cancer Warriors” that will be leading walk are Red Mountain Middle School Librarian Amanda Baca, and former Deming High graduate and standout Lady ‘Cat athlete, Clarissa Sanchez.