Here’s some news headlines:

Many people head to the gym at the start of the new year, making a New Year’s resolution to get and stay fit. Did you know that anyone in the state of New Mexico can be a personal trainer? Although trainers that work with sports teams are required to be licensed and registered with the state, personal trainers are not.  It is reported that some personal fitness certifications are not adequate by only offering online tests notes. There are specialty certifications that are acceptable and highly regarded, for example from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. People are encouraged to request what certification a personal trainer has before committing to their services in addition to talking openly about one’s medical history, past injuries and future goals.

The Tu Casa Substance Abuse Facility is scheduled to be completed within the next few months. In addition to facilities in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Tu Casa will be southwestern New Mexico’s first 24/7 substance abuse center and social detoxification facility. Tu Casa will provide medical evaluations, medication-assisted therapy, intensive outpatient, and other counseling services to the community, including family services and after care. The new facility will also have an assigned task force comprised of individuals appointed by the Grant County Commission. There will be two providers from Hidalgo Medical Services, one county commissioner, four community members, and two peers who have suffered from substance abuse, but not within the past two years. The facility is located on five acres at 3200 32nd Street behind the state government buildings.

Western New Mexico University students volunteered with the High Desert Humane Society in fulfilling an assignment for their Public Speaking class last semester. One group prepared a presentation on the services the humane society provides to pet owners and potential pet owners, in addition to encouraging community members to volunteer their time at the center. The other two groups focused on soliciting donations and digital marketing, and daily pet care.

For the holiday weekend beginning Friday December 29th, at 4:00 P.M. and ending Monday January 2nd, at 8:00 A.M, Officers of the Silver City Police Department responded to 67 calls for service, had 135 self-initiated activity, and made 12 arrests including 1 for DWI.

The “Tethered Aerostat Radar System” (TARS) that is usually hovering south of Deming is temporarily down for maintenance as reported by the border patrol. TARS, is a blimp shaped diesel- powered helium balloon that is tethered to the ground to conduct surveillance from the sky with radar and other systems. The balloon is unarmed and remotely operated, in addition to having the capability of spotting aircraft at a range of 200 miles. The aerostats began as a program of the U.S. Air Force in 1978 and was assumed by the Customs and Border Patrol in 2013 and are credited with spotting unauthorized aircraft used by drug traffickers.