Here’s a look at today’s local news:
The Grant County Commission approved a preliminary budget during a special meeting yesterday. In addition, Chairman, Chris Ponce made a motion to accept the resignation of County Attorney, Abigail Burgess effective July 15th. Discussion followed regarding whether to hire a replacement or to go with a contract attorney. Commissioner Harry Browne, made a motion for county manager, Charlene Webb, to move forward with an RFP and in negotiations to seek favorable terms to the county if the contract was to be terminated. The motion was unanimously passed.
The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District plans to conduct a broadcast burn beginning June 3rd, conditions permitting. The project is the Elks Pasture Unit, which is planned for 320 acres and is located south of NM Highway 35, west of Camp Thunderbird; west of the private land along Ponderosa Road, off Forest System Road 4085Q (Elk Pasture Road). This project is funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Smoke and flames will be visible for several days afterwards and smoke impacts will affect New Mexico Highway 35.
Over the Memorial Day holiday, U.S Border Patrol agents took more than 2,200 individuals into custody that were crossing into the U.S illegally in the El Paso sector. Groups were apprehended near the Antelope Wells Port of Entry in New Mexico’s bootheel region, and the geographic area between Executive Boulevard and Midway Street in El Paso. The groups were again comprised of mostly Central American families and unaccompanied children.
New Mexico Counties has awarded nearly $227,000 in funding to 10 grant recipients, including Grant County, for community wildfire protection plan updates through the 2019-2020 Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant Program. According to a release, the program provides assistance to local governments, tribal entities, and non-profits throughout New Mexico’s at-risk communities. Through a partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, NMC has awarded more than $6 million in grants since 2005. The New Mexico Counties is a non-profit, nonpartisan association representing New Mexico’s 33 counties since 1936.
