Here’s a look at today’s local news:
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, executed a line item veto last week for funding directed to the local Tour of the Gila Bike Race and further funding to launch a men’s baseball team and women’s soccer team at Western New Mexico University. Lt. Governor Howie Morales, has stated he wishes to meet with District 28 state Senator Gabe Ramos, in addition to organizers of the Tour of the Gila and other stakeholders in order to revisit funding options for the vetoed items.
A teacher at La Plata Middle School in Silver City, Dayna Jones, has been nominated for the “Hannah E. MacGregor History Teacher of the Year Award.” The MacGregor Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by James F. Harris, in honor of his sister and is awarded to one middle and one high school teacher annually. Mrs. Jones is the junior division nominee from New Mexico. The two $5,000 awards are presented to teachers who demonstrate a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the National History Day Contest.
The Grant County Strong Committee hosted a celebration at the Bataan Park pavilion last weekend to thank the local citizens that represented miners, business owners, sportsmen, and residents who attended and spoke up at the February Grant County Commission. The commission addressed opinions regarding the legislative mining bills HB 220 and HB 255 in addition to 2nd amendment rights. Both mining bills were defeated during this past legislative session. District 38 State Representative Rebecca Dow addressed the crowd along with Grant County Sheriff Frank Gomez and County Commission Chair Chris Ponce.
Local area unemployment statistics for not seasonally adjusted February were released and showed the following numbers: Grant County with 5.1 percent, down from 5.7 percent for January; Hidalgo County with 4.0 percent, down from 4.6 percent in January; Catron County with 7.4 percent, down from 7.5 percent in January; and Luna County at 17.6 percent, up from 17.4 percent in January. At 3.2 percent, the counties of Eddy and Los Alamos jointly had the lowest unemployment rates in New Mexico during February. Both Hidalgo and Union had the next lowest, at 4.0 percent each. Luna County had New Mexico’s highest unemployment rate at 17.6 percent.
