The Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Melissa Ochoa as its new executive director, with a focus on supporting local businesses and strengthening the community’s economy. Ms. Ochoa brings experience in business management, marketing and community relations, along with a background in Deming. In her new role, she plans to help guide the Chamber’s efforts to connect businesses with resources, promote local commerce and encourage networking and economic growth throughout Luna County.
The Grant County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to consider a proposed one-year moratorium on data center development during its regular meeting October 22, at 9 a.m. at the Grant County Administration Complex. The proposed ordinance would temporarily restrict data centers and directly support infrastructure in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners will also hold a public hearing on proposed fiscal year 2027 solid waste fees and consider a $66,800 agreement for emergency response software serving county fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies. The meeting is open to the public.
Western New Mexico University has announced the launch of a new Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Certificate Program to prepare students for careers in tree care, forestry and urban environmental management. The program combines classroom instruction with hands-on training in tree biology, pruning, pest management, soil and water conservation, and equipment safety. The initiative is part of a broader five-year, $5 million urban forestry project aimed at improving tree cover and green spaces in communities including Silver City, Bayard, Hurley, Santa Clara, Deming and Lordsburg.
The Gila National Forest has reopened trails and areas around Quemado Lake following recent rainfall that brought fresh water into the drainage system. The increased water flow has cooled lake temperatures and reduced cyanobacteria levels, lowering potential health risks to people, pets and livestock. The New Mexico Environment Department’s Water Quality Bureau, which has monitored the lake since last fall, reports that recent water samples showed microcystin toxin levels below advisory thresholds. However, visitors are still encouraged to use caution and avoid water that appears discolored or has visible algae scum.
Last in our news:
According to reporting by Source New Mexico, a federal appeals court is reviewing the legal protections for Mexican gray wolves living in New Mexico and Arizona. During arguments before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, conservation groups challenged the federal government’s classification of the wild population as “nonessential” to the subspecies’ survival under the Endangered Species Act. Federal attorneys defended the classification, citing the captive breeding program and its potential role in restoring the population if necessary. The case could influence future wolf management and conservation efforts across the Southwest.