Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

The lightning-caused Kerr Fire on the Reserve Ranger District, located on John Kerr Peak 17 miles northeast of Reserve, continues to grow slowly in the pine, oak and juniper-rich habitat.  Smoke may be visible in the surrounding area of Apache Creek, Cruzville, Aragon, and Reserve.  Continental Divide Trail hikers in the area are advised to check in with the Reserve Ranger District office at 575-533-6232 for alternate routes in order to avoid fire activity.  The fire is being managed to reduce the fuel load and help restore healthy regrowth and watershed levels.

Western New Mexico University will induct three educators into the School of Education Hall of Fame next Friday in a private ceremony.  Inductees include Peggy Sue Larisch, who has taught computers and science at Silver High School for 29 years; Roberto A. Martinez who retired after over 35 years as a social studies, Spanish and English as a Second Language teacher and coach for track, volleyball and basketball; and Richard H. Moore, a 33-year high school social studies, science, sociology and physical education educator in the Reserve, Quemado and Lordsburg Communities.

Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is proud to announce that their new Nuclear Medicine (Nuc Med) Camera will be up and ready for patients as early as next week. The new Nuc Med Camera is state-of-the-art and has a much higher resolution than the previous model. In addition, it also has the option to perform tests faster or at the same speed as before, but with the patient requiring less radiation exposure.

Over 30 middle school students from Grant and Luna Counties participated in the Dream Makers Club, which fosters students’ interest in the health care field in hopes they will return as professionals to fill rural New Mexico’s major gap in the health care workforce. Studies have shown that rural students are more likely to enter the health care field, and more likely to return to their roots to practice their chosen profession, especially when they have received support during their formative years.  The Club has chapters in Deming’s Red Mountain Middle School, and Silver City’s La Plata Middle School and Aldo Leopold Charter Middle School.