Here’s a look at today’s news:

The U.S Border Patrol contacted Gila Regional Medical Center yesterday morning and notified the ER that a total of 62 patients would be arriving for medical care from Antelope Wells through the Lordsburg station. The Border Patrol agents delivered the patients, 6 to 10 at a time, that were composed mostly of families, often a parent with children. Most of the patients are being treated for malnutrition, dehydration, and exhaustion.

The Southwest Regional Science Olympiad Competition will be held at Western New Mexico University on Saturday, January 26th.  Approximately 400 middle school and high school students from two dozen schools in southwest New Mexico will compete at the WNMU campus in the Intramural Gym, Harlan Hall and the Phelps/Dodge-Martinez building. The Science Olympiad teams compete in categories such as Earth and Space Science; Physical Science and Chemistry; Technology and Engineering; and Inquiry and Nature of Science. The individual events, 25 percent of which are new or different this year, have names like Battery Buggy, Mission Possible, Mousetrap Vehicle, Mystery Architecture and Wright Stuff. Part of the nationwide competition, the top teams from here will progress to the state tournament, and likewise to national. The events will run from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and the public is invited to attend.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, has appointed Gabe Ramos to replace now Lt. Governor, Howie Morales, to the office of state senator for New Mexico District 28. The district, comprised of Grant, Catron and Socorro counties, chose Ramos as their preference to fill the seat. Catron and Socorro County commissioners submitted a unanimous decision, with Grant county commissioners submitting their decision with a 3 to 2 vote. Last week the state requested that the counties submit additional names for consideration. The three counties replied to the request stating they had met and chose Gabe Ramos as their candidate for the position and that he should be appointed now in order to properly represent the district for the 2019 Legislative session. Ramos’s term will go through 2020 when the next general election will be held.

AND

During the first day of the New Mexico State Legislature in Santa Fe, District 32 Representative, Candie Sweetser, was appointed as a member to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee. In addition, Representative Sweetser is serving as Vice-Chair of the House Agriculture and Water Committee. District 32 is comprised of Luna, Hidalgo, and a small portion of Grant County. The state legislature is currently operating in a 60-day session that ends on Match 16th.