Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Senator Tom Udall announced yesterday his co-sponsorship of a bipartisan legislation that would enable children’s groups, summer camps, and other youth-serving non-profit associations to gain access to federal criminal background checks on new employees and volunteers. Under current law, organizations, such as Girl Scouts, lack access to the FBI criminal databases. The Child Protection Improvements and Electronic Life and Safety Security Systems Act would give those organizations access to FBI background checks, enabling them to check for violent or sex crimes committed anywhere in the country.
The Mimbres Region Arts Council recently held their annual meeting. After reading the 2013 minutes, a financial report was given, reporting a positive net income for the year. In addition to the financial report, MRAC members recognized outgoing board members, honored volunteers, and introduced the current board members and staff. They also shared two highlights from the past year: MRAC’s receiving of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts and the establishment of an MRAC endowment.
The Cobre School board met on Monday and discussed student identifiable information, limited personnel, food service information and goals for the superintendent. Although much was discussed and it is conceded that students liked the new food better and that more students were now eating in the cafeteria, no decisions were made. Bayard Elementary students were scheduled to begin classes in the newly renovated building Tuesday, August 26. The interior was finished, leaving landscaping to be completed and some more work on the gym, expected to be completed by October 1. With the help of Michael Acosta of WNMU, Cobre is resurrecting its mariachi group. A $200,000 emergency loan will be used to replace the original plumbing under the high school building. The work should begin in about two weeks. During public input time, high school principal Quarrell informed the board of security measures being taken in his building.
The USDA Forest Service Supervisor’s Office has promoted Tracey Weber into the position of Recreation, Heritage, Engineering, Lands and Minerals (RHELM) staff officer for the Gila National Forest. Weber is a longtime resident of Silver City, New Mexico. In 2002, In his new position as the RHELM staff officer, Weber will oversee many aspects of the Gila National Forest, which include the forest transportation system of roads and trails, watershed restoration, construction and maintenance of forest facilities and recreation areas, the lands and minerals program, and the cultural and heritage resources program. One notable high-profile project will be the restoration of the Catwalk National Recreation Trail on the Glenwood Ranger District. The trail, destroyed after flash flooding, is one of the most popular sites on the forest.
