Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

The Town of Silver City Animal Control Officer wants to remind everyone that there is an ordinance banning dogs from Gough Park in Silver City.  All dogs, with the exception of medical assistance service dogs with the proper identification are banned from the park by City Ordinance.  The Animal Control Officer will be in Gough Park during the July 4th holiday event enforcing the ordinance.  There will be a Puppy Day Care set up in the parking lot of the Silver City Annex Building (Washington Federal Bank) to accommodate the dogs that show up at Gough Park.  There will be no charge for watching your pet while you enjoy the Independence Day Celebration in Gough Park.  The Puppy Day Care will have shade and water for your dog, and an attendant will be on-site the entire time for the safety and care of your pet.

In sports news, with the new fiscal year starting today, the Western New Mexico University athletic program will get set for the official move to the Lone Star Conference.  The Lone Star Conference currently has an 11-member league.  Member institutions have collected 75 NCAA team national championships since 1982.  WNMU will participate in their first Lone Star Conference game on September 10th when the Mustang football team plays at Eastern New Mexico University.

New state laws went into effect today.  Notable regulations include the issuing of public emergency-response alerts for developmentally disabled people who go missing; tougher sentencing guidelines for some repeat DWI convictions; periodic disclosure reports on expenditures of political lobbyists; legislation to prevent Texas doctors who treat New Mexico patients from being sued in New Mexico’s patient-friendly courts; the funding of low-interest loans for local drinking water infrastructure projects, and the ability of licensed liquor stores to fill and sell carry-out jugs of beer, or growlers.

If you plan to buy your own fireworks this holiday weekend, keep in mind that ground audible and aerial fireworks may be sold within the corporate town limits only during the period of June 30 through July 4 between the hours of 9 am and 10 pm.  Also, be courteous to your neighbors and obey the law: fireworks are not to be shot off after 10 pm, except on the 4th of July and weekend nights, excluding Sunday, when this curfew is extended until midnight.  Fireworks are not permitted on National Forest Property.  Only certain fireworks are restricted, and these restrictions are in place for the protection of the public and the land.  Of course, don’t forget to turn your eyes to the sky at dusk on the 4th for the town of Silver City’s fireworks display.  The town does intend to shoot off fireworks, weather permitting.  Be safe, and have a fantastic 4th of July!