Here’s a look at some of today’s local news:

 

According to the Gila National Forest Service, Silver City Ranger District personnel have opened five campgrounds as of April 1st. The campgrounds are as follows: Iron Creek Campground; Upper Gallinas Campground; Railroad Canyon Campground; and Cherry Creek Campground, located off NM State Highway 15. Gila National Forest officials are reminding visitors that weather and conditions can change suddenly in the high country and to be aware of potential hazards in campgrounds and on forest roads. In addition, visitors are always responsible for practicing campfire safety guidelines. In addition, the Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District has opened the Mesa Campground. The Mesa Campground is nestled on the mesa above Lake Roberts. It is a first-come, first served campground, with 12 sites with water and electric hookups and 12 tent camping sites. Visitors are reminded that there is no longer a RV dump station at the Mesa Campground.

Members of the Santa Rita Volunteer Fire Department were called to a fire in Hanover on Friday that burned a home and additional structures. Personnel from Bayard, Fort Bayard, Whiskey Creek, and Santa Rita, battled the blaze that eventually burned 1.5 acres. There were no injuries reported although one fire fighter was treated at Gila Regional Medical Center smoke related issues. Silver City Fire Department personnel were called out to another fire on Friday located near 14th and Corbin Streets along the creek area. The fire was contained to brush and burning stumps and could have possibly been a homeless campsite. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Students of Kiwanis Key Club from Silver and Cobre High Schools attended their annual Southwest District Convention last weekend in Albuquerque. The convention, comprised of over 400 students from Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, gathered to elect 2019-20 district officers, compete for leadership awards, and attend valuable workshops. Silver High student, Reagan Barragan, who served as District Bulletin/Digital Media Editor was awarded the 100 Hours of Service Award. In addition, Anayah Peru, of Silver High School, was awarded the Robert F. Lucas Lt. Governor Achievement Award. John Gonzalez, President of Cobre High School Key Club, accepted his club’s 10 Year Anniversary banner patch from Key Club International Trustee, Foster Hillis. Final honors go to Amber Bednorz, of Silver High School Key Club who was elected as Key Club Copper Division Lt. Governor and will oversee Key Clubs from Grant County southward to Las Cruces.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham joined with legislators and community members at Albuquerque Studios to sign a bill that will work towards booting the film industry and provide economic growth and opportunity for New Mexico communities. Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Nancy Rodriguez of Santa Fe, will double the annual film credit cap and make significant investments in the film credit backlog. The bill also creates incentives for productions to film in areas around the state outside of the Santa Fe-Albuquerque corridor, unlocking the potential for our rural communities to participate and tap into this growing industry.