Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees recently announced the acquisition of Innova Medical Associates services beginning January 1st, 2015. The purpose of bringing Innova in to GRMC is to improve the quality of service the hospital provides. Innova will oversee care providers including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in the emergency room, but services will be available to the entire GRMC staff. According to CEO Brian Cunningham, approving the contract with Innova improves the hospital’s ability and quality for on-call doctors, and will allow doctors to have some days when they would not be on call.
First New Mexico Bank was targeted in an attempted robbery earlier this month. Though nothing was reported as missing, employees notified police that several items had been tampered with. According to the report, the robbers also attempted to break into the vault door, but were unsuccessful. The incident is still under investigation.
The New Mexico Legislature Military and Veterans Committee met on Monday at the Grant County Business and Conference Center to listen and discuss a wide range of veterans’ issues. Topics discussed included a 2010 survey, the need for better support services for local veterans, substance abuse support, and affordable housing. Additional issues included environmental health, economic health, and a recent legislation that allows private health care providers to offer services to veterans, though the process hasn’t become reality yet.
Southwest New Mexico and far east Texas are under a Flash Flood Watch through 6 am tomorrow morning, according to the National Weather Service. Abundant moisture is pushing into the region. The moisture will combine with an upper level storm system and generate numerous thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Rainclouds are expected to be capable of 1 to 3 inches of rain in an hour, and could lead to flash flooding – especially of normally dry arroyos, low water crossings, and other flood-prone areas. Areas under the Flash Flood Watch include Otero, Sierra, Dona Ana, Luna Grant and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico, and El Paso and Hudspeth Counties in Texas. Monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. Be careful and have a safe evening.
The high speed chase through Hidalgo and Grant Counties that occurred over the weekend resulting in two men being arrested and two women being handed over to the US Border Patrol is now being blamed for a vehicle accident. A Luna County Sheriff’s deputy and another car collided during the chase. As a result, two of the three children in the car, as well as both adults, were airlifted to El Paso for medical treatment. The deputy and one of the children in the car were not reported as injured.
