Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District lifted the Buzzard Fire Temporary Area Closure effective 1:00 P.M. yesterday. A release from the U.S. Forest Service has stated: “Visitors need to use caution in any area that has been recently burned. Rolling rocks are always a hazard in a burn area as monsoon rains may loosen materials that may be holding them. Trails may have hazardous trees whose root systems have been weakened by fire and often, burnt branches and tops fall from these trees and could cause serious injury or death.” The Buzzard Fire Temporary Area Closure initially took effect on May 25th.
Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent, Audie Brown, reported on the status of armed guards in schools during a board meeting this week. Cooperative Educational Services, that serves as a joint effort of the state’s school districts, is looking into providing security services for schools on a contract basis whereby additional information regarding this option will be provided in September. The item of school security personnel should be discussed during the upcoming state Legislature session, but in the meantime, Silver Schools will have law enforcement substations located at two schools, that include, La Plata Middle School run by the Silver City Police Department, and the Cliff School run by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department. In addition, an update was issued to the board announcing that security cameras, intercoms, and locking systems have been installed at each school campus in the district.
New Mexico Department of Agriculture Standards and Consumer Services inspectors have launched a “chile blitz” across the state to make sure processed and fresh chile products sold to businesses and consumers are compliant under the New Mexico Chile Advertising Act. Governor Martinez signed the Chile Advertising Act law into legislation in 2011 during a visit to the Pepper Pot Restaurant in Hatch, citing that New Mexico’s chiles are a central part of the state’s culture and economy. Under the law, it is forbidden to knowingly advertise or sell chiles that claim they are from New Mexico, but are actually from out of the state. In addition, the law does not allow vendors to sell chile from other states using images recognizably from New Mexico.
The American Civil Liberties Union and Somos un Pueblo Unido, an immigrant rights organization founded in Santa Fe in 1995, announced a settlement with the state concerning individuals seeking a driving authorization card or alternative ID card. The settlement eases some of the identification requirements as well as requiring that state motor vehicle offices provide reasons and an appeal process for individuals whoare denied the cards. This settlement does not affect requirements for state driver’s licenses that demand more stringent federal security rules.
