Here’s a look at today’s news:

This year’s Silver City Christmas Lighted Parade themed “A Storybook Christmas,” featured many decorated floats as it ran through downtown Silver City last weekend. Among several categories, the winners were presented as follows: In the commercial category, the first place winner was Freeport McMoRan’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”; second place was farm equipment manufacturer, Agmechtronix; and third placed was awarded to Freeport McMoRan, with “A Minion Miner’s Christmas.” In the civic/non-profit category, the High Desert Humane Society took first place, with second place being tied and going to the Guadalupe Montessori School, Aldo Leopold Charter School, and Hidalgo Medical Services. In addition, Tommy Castillo won first place in the individual category.

The Silver Consolidated School Board of Education met last week in Cliff and heard several presentations in addition to approving an addendum for the 2018 to 2023 Facilities Master Plan. The plan includes improvements and additions to the Ben Altamirano Sports Complex. The district administration will also present requests concerning four capital outlay projects during the Prospectors legislative forum at Western New Mexico University on December 6th. The presentation will include an upgrade to the district’s phone system and replacement of some school vehicles.

The Nonprofit Resource Group is holding a brown bag lunch training next Wednesday, December the 5th at Western New Mexico University’s Miller Library Meeting Room at 1:00 P.M. The topic of the training is nonprofit board structure and governance. Participants will learn a nonprofit board’s role in governance and board members roles and responsibilities. The training will also touch on traditional and new ways to structure committees for optimum effectiveness. The brown bag lunch is offered at no cost, but participants must RSVP to (575) 957-0035.

With the holidays approaching, there is a higher risk of mail theft including packages, gift cards and cash in addition to pre-approved credit card statements, bills and checks that contain personal identification information. In order to prevent mail theft, individuals can follow several tips that include: avoid sending cash or gift cards by choosing to use a secure check or online payment; do not leave mail overnight, even a utility bill contains valuable information; consider having holiday packages delivered to your place of employment or have them delivered to a trusted neighbor or arrange for pickup at the post office.