Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The New Mexico Department of Transportation has posted an alert regarding Interstate 10 Exit 85 in Deming. FNF Construction, Inc. will be continuing roadway rehabilitation on Interstate 10 in Deming, and today the eastbound Exit 85 on/off ramps will be closed due to paving on I-10. The westbound on/off ramp will remain open. Detours will be in place at exit 82A/B. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, use extreme caution, and be cautious of personnel in the area. Hours of operation will be from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm. For updated information go to: New Mexico Department of Transportation at nm roads dot com.
The Silver City non-profit, LifeQest, Inc., will be closing its doors on May 10th after being an active part of the community for the past 45 years, in addition to being the sole provider for Early Intervention services for Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties for 30 years. LifeQuest provided services to adults with developmental disabilities. Last year, the New Mexico Department of Health awarded an additional provider the ability to provide contract Early Intervention services in the four- county region. That provider had been the sole therapy contractor for LifeQuest for the previous two years. The new contractor was awarded an Early Intervention contract by the state and most of the therapists and trained staff left LifeQuest to work for them. Since that time, LifeQuest has not been able to sustain their program. The LifeQuest buildings on Pope Street in Silver City and on Gold Street in Deming are both for sale. LifeQuest CEO, Debra Frasca, has assured a smooth transition for all clients to other provider agencies in the area.
The Village of Santa Clara approved a joint powers agreement with Grant County Regional Dispatch to provide funding for services. The county has been allocating a portion of the county-wide gross receipt tax to fund the Dispatch, but there still is not enough funding to cover administrative and operational costs. The Joint Powers Agreement requests that all seven entities that are served by Dispatch to pay a share of the costs based on usage. The entities are, Grant County, Silver City, Bayard, Santa Clara, Hurley, Gila Regional Medical Center and Western New Mexico University. The county and Silver City have already been providing regular funding. The Village of Santa Clara will use funding traffic tickets to pay their share.
On the “National Day” calendar, today is National Garlic Day. Garlic is a member of the lilly family, along with onions, leeks and shallots. It is considered an herbal remedy for colds, and it has been suggested to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Modern science has proven garlic’s antibiotic properties. Gilroy, California is known as the Garlic Capital of the World. Will Rogers was once quoted as saying it is “…the only place in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on a clothesline.”
