Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
A Red Flag warning is in effect through 8 pm this evening for strong winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service in El Paso has also announced a fire weather watch through early Tuesday evening. Very high to extreme fire dangers are expected. And fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
The Silver City Kiwanis Club, on Saturday, held its annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids from teens to toddlers. Kids not only could find eggs, some which brought them prizes, but they could also get their faces painted, have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny and receive free books. All this excitement in Penny Park, where when the children weren’t hunting for eggs or waiting in line, they were taking advantage of all the things they could climb on.
Builders Club is a student-led community service organization that operates under school regulations and draws its members from the student body. The Kiwanis Club of Silver City, composed of like-minded, service-oriented people from the community, is serving as the club’s sponsor. Cindy Lee, an instructor at Snell Middle School is serving as the Faculty Advisor, and Irene Carbajal (both Snell instructor and Kiwanian) is the Kiwanis Advisor.
The Silver City Public Library is looking for ways to meet the needs of the communities it serves, and is asking community members to fill out a short survey and tell library staff what you want and need in a library. Research shows that library patrons are still borrowing books, but they are also expecting libraries to fulfill a new role as community space that offers access to technological tools, digital literacy, and other services. The survey will be available through June 1st, and is available online at https://silverictypubliclibrary.wordpress.com or by emailing ref@silvercitymail.com, or by calling 538-3672. Paper copies are available at the library, town hall, HMS, and other locations.
Ten veteran or military-related bills have been sent to Governor Susana Martinez for possible signature into state law as the result of being passed by the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives during the 2015 New Mexico Legislature.
HB-203 Veteran and Active Military Discounted Hunting and Fishing Licenses Provides a 50 percent discount on any hunting or fishing license to all veterans and active duty military personnel.
HB-220 Increased National Guard Insurance Eligibility and increases the eligibility limits for members of the New Mexico National Guard for life insurance through the Federal Service Members’ Group Life Insurance Program from $250,000 to $400,000.
HB-320 Limit Homeowner Restrictions on Flag-Flying proposes to amend the Homeowner Association Act to specify that an association shall not adopt or enforce any restriction related to the flying or displaying of flags that is more restrictive that the applicable state law or county or municipal ordinance.
HB-327 National Guard Assistance Eligibility changes the requirement for New Mexico National Guard members and their families to be eligible to receive assistance pursuant to the Income Tax Act rather than the active service in the global war on terrorism. Eligibility would now require deployment overseas for a period of 30 or more consecutive days.
HB-427 Resident Tuition Rates for Veterans’ Spouse or Child extends in‐state tuition to the spouse or child of a veteran of the Armed Forces who is eligible for benefits under the federal Post‐9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any other federal law authorizing educational benefits for a veteran or the dependents of a veteran.
SB-144 Military Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Registry Act seeks to provide outreach, education and advocacy for New Mexico service members and veterans who have been exposed to open burn pit smoke or other airborne hazards during their service in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, the Gulf War 1990‐1991, or other conflicts or theaters that may later be identified.
SB-248 Property Owned By Disabled Veterans Exempt From Special Benefit Assessments exempts the property of a disabled veteran— including the joint or community property of the veteran and the veteran’s spouse—rom special benefit assessments if the property is occupied by the veteran as the veteran’s principal place of residence.
SB-318 Extension of Sunset Dates for Occupation and Military Boards delays the sunset termination dates for several military and occupation boards, and extends the term of their existence.
SB-448 Makes Military Acquisition Programs Deductions Permanent bill deletes the sunset date of June 30, 2016 from the gross receipts deduction for receipts from transformational acquisition programs performing research and development, test and evaluation services at White Sands Missile Range.
SB-506 Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Options, the veteran or surviving spouse may either: (1) maintain the exemption on the transferred residence or (2) move the exemption to the new principle place of residence regardless of the statutory deadlines for applying and claiming the exemption.
