Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

Grant County Sheriff’s Officers yesterday afternoon took part in a D.A.R.E. Carnival for children aged 6 to 14.  Children had the chance to meet with the D.A.R.E. Lion and play games with visiting D.A.R.E. Officers.  The D.A.R.E. Carnival was part of a conference that local and state agencies have been taking part in as part of a ten week program.  Grant County Sheriff’s deputies want to offer the D.A.R.E. program in the schools.  D.A.R.E. officers have also been asked to provide their curriculum to boy scouts, cub scouts, El Grito Head Start, and other organizations.

The Silver Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:30 to select one of four applicants to fill the district 5 seat on the board, recently held by Debbie Eggleston.  This will be an open meeting, and allows opportunity for the candidates to present a case to the board discussing why they should be selected to fill the position.  Whoever is selected will hold the position until the next election in January.

The New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators recently inducted Dick Pool retired Superintendent of Silver Schools, into their hall of fame.  The Hall of Fame Award is presented to a New Mexico educator who has mad a significant contribution to education and to the Coalition.  Mr. Pool was the co-chair of the NM Funding Formula task force, and also a former Superintendent of the Year for New Mexico.  The other Superintendent inducted this year is Mike Phipps, a former Superintendent in Artesia.

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect over southern New Mexico and Far West Texas through the morning of Saturday, August 2nd.  Storms will be able to produce heavy rainfall, and excessive rain runoff will have the potential to produce flooding along drainages, arroyos, and small streams.  Additionally, poorly drained low lying areas and roads will see increased puddles of water.  According to the National Weather Service, the rainy pattern will persist through Saturday for all affected areas of southern New Mexico and far west Texas, and continue over portions of Southwest New Mexico on Sunday.

Robert McDonald was recently confirmed as the next U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  McDonald is recently retired after 33 years as Chairman, President, and CEO of Proctor & Gamble.  McDonald is a graduate of West Point, and served as U.S. Army Captain in the 82nd Airborne Division.  He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal from the U.S. Naval Academy.  McDonald was confirmed by a vote of 97 to 0.