Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Children, Youth and Families Department in Grant County recently received a donation of 50 duffel bags from the Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA hopes to be able to repeat the donation with CYFD in Luna and Hidalgo Counties. According to Mayra Solis of CASA, when children are taken into protective custody by CYFD, they often do not have any way to store their personal belongings. The hope is for the bags to be used for the kids so that they do have a way to keep all of their things together while in CYFD custody.
The recently renovated community center in Bayard held a dedication ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the completion of the project, funded by the USDA Rural Development Office. According to Bayard Mayor Charles Kelly, the Community Center received a much needed upgrade thanks to the grants and loans of the Rural Development Office. In attendance at the dedication ceremony were State Senator Howie Morales, and State Representative Rudy Martinez, as well as Mayor Kelly and USDA Director Terry Brunner.
The Silver Schools Board met yesterday and heard from the Truancy Model and JPO Programs. Concerns included cooperation with the schools, grades and attendance and tutoring from the Truancy Model program, and the JPO program expressed concerns with parental and home visits, contracts with the parents to improve with children’s needs, and law enforcement measures. The board also received information on the student enrollment number, which is down 88 students from last year, and could remove as much as $600,000 from present budget figures for the School. Other reports included improvement efforts over the summer and free breakfasts and lunches for all elementary schools, the back pack program to supply children in need with weekend food, and recent improvements made to the schools.
The Deming Medical Community Duck Royalty Pageant officially signaled the start of the 35th annual Great American Duck Race Thursday at the Deming Public Schools Auditorium. Duck race fans came out in full force as two contestants challenged for the queen/king category and a grand prize of $850, a one-night stay in the Faywood Hot Springs Resort and a limousine ride to and from the resort. Ducky Williams (Codi Keeler) was crowned as the 2014 Great American Duck Race Duck Queen. The contestants for all age groups were judged by Deming Medical Community physicians based on costume originality, waddle, routine and for the king or queen division, an interview question. The top winners by age division received cash prizes from 1st New Mexico Bank.
