Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Eight post offices in Grant County have been affected as the US Post Office seeks to cut its budget. The reduction of hours is expected to affect Hachita, Buckhorn, Cliff, Mule Creek, and Hanover, while Post offices in Gila, Mimbres and Faywood have already experienced cuts. Most rural post offices around the state will be open 4 to 6 hours per day, though a dozen offices will have open windows for only two hours each day.
The Cobre School Board met new San Lorenzo principal, Michael Koury, at their August 11th School Board Meeting. Also at the meeting, the board discussed a budget adjustment for the fresh fruit program for elementary schools in the district, and also approved the open meeting resolution for the new school year and a legal notice for the board’s 2014-15 year meetings.
Rusty’s RV Ranch in Rodeo near the Arizona border recently went Solar thanks to installation by Albuquerque’s Consolidated Solar Technologies. The 204 solar panels provide almost 100% of the park’s electricity. Rusty’s is located on 40 acres of land and specializes in stargazing and astronomy, which is made easier by the park’s remote location in the Chiracahua and Pelocillo Mountain area.
Local Kiwanis members attended their annual Southwest District convention last weekend. Robert Carson, long-time Kiwanian from Silver City, was elected as “Governor-Elect” for the incoming Kiwanis year 2014-15. Then in 2015-16, he will advance to Governor of the Southwest District, which is a district that covers all of New Mexico, Arizona, and El Paso with 18 divisions and 118 clubs. Lori Bonomo was installed as “Division 7 Lieutenant Governor” where she will advise and help to lead Kiwanis clubs in Silver City, Deming and Las Cruces. She serves as CKI Kiwanis Advisor for WNMU CKI and Cobre Key Club. She also is chairman of the Kiwanis Club of Silver City Terrific Kids recognition program that seeks to recognize youth in 10 elementary schools in the area, is chairman of the Kiwanis-Rotary Bike Rodeo, Christmas Gifts to Fort Bayard Patients of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia unit and helps with almost all Kiwanis service projects. On the district level, Lori Bonomo serves as Human and Spiritual Values District Chairman.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officers are cracking down on people who visit some state lands without a permit. The permit, known as GAIN, or Gaining Access into Nature, is required of anyone over 18 who doesn’t have a hunting, fishing or trapping license and wants to recreate on State Game Commission wildlife management areas — including sites in Pecos Canyon, McAllister Lake, Edward Sargent, Rio Chama, Bear Canyon and a dozen other properties around the state. The GAIN permit is required for anyone who wants to watch wildlife, hike, bike, take pictures, ski, snowshoe or horseback ride. The GAIN permit costs $20 for one year or $9 for a temporary permit, good for five days. The permit includes a fee for habitat management and a vendor fee. Adults recreating on state property without a GAIN permit or a hunting, fishing or trapping license can be fined between $50 and $500 and can be jailed for up to six months.
