Here’s a look at some local news:
According to the U.S. Forest Service, Gila National Forest, the Quemado Ranger District plans to conduct a broadcast burn starting the week of April 8th, weather dependent. The project plan is for 4,100 acres in the East Centerfire Unit, which is adjacent to Upper Cottonwood Canyon and Freeman Mountain, over a five-day period. Prescribed fire ignitions are anticipated to occur over a five-day period, however, fire personnel will be on scene beyond the five days to ensure the unit is secured. This project is funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Habitat Stamp Program and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Smoke will be visible and could impact private residents in Spur Lake Basin and Centerfire Bog. Smoke will be visible from Highway 32, Highway 60, Luna, and Alpine. With winds predominantly from the southwest, Highway 32 and Apache Creek could be impacted in the early morning and evening hours.
Yesterday, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, signed House Bill 5, called the Education Moonshot Bill. This measure allows the Public School Code to make changes to the public school funding formula. The general fund appropriation for funding public education is $3.25 billion, an increase of $449 million or 16% over fiscal year 2019. In addition, the Governor signed House Bill 129 titled, the School Security Personnel and Deadly Weapons Act. The measure closes loopholes by permitting only school boards and governing authorities to decide who may carry firearms on their school premises only in an open meeting, rather than leaving it up to individual superintendents.
Fifth graders at Cliff School attended a D.A.R.E. – Drug Abuse Resistance Education program graduation on Monday. Participating students received diplomas, t-shirts and other goodies in celebration of completing the classroom lessons facilitated by Grant County Sheriff deputies and Silver City Police officers. In addition, students participated in an essay contest on the topic of “What I Learned in D.A.R.E.” First place winner was Keyanna Golden, and second place was awarded to, Neysa Gutierrez. D.A.R.E. officers are working on expanding the program next to include additional grades at the school.
Deming is holding their 6th Annual Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention March on Friday April 12th at Veteran’s Park. The march, celebrating the “Day of the Young Child” will begin at 9:00 A.M. from Veteran’s Park and continue to the Luna County Courthouse. Last year, nearly 500 families marched in the event to being awareness to child abuse and prevention as part of the national celebration. The event is free and open to the public
