Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The New Mexico State Police dive team and the New Mexico Border Patrol dive team are searching the Mimbres River between Mimbres and Deming for the body of Maria Grijalva, who was reported missing on Sunday evening. A neighbor called around 7 pm Sunday to inform officers that Grijalva had gone for a routine swim in the river and had not returned. Search and Rescue responded immediately, and the dive teams and a Border Patrol Helicopter joined the search Monday morning.
WNMU President Joseph Shepherd announced recently that by Fall 2015, an improved fitness center will be open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. Shepherd hopes to bring together the university and the community by creating a recreation and entertainment hub at WNMU’s campus. The $3 million project will be funded by a student fee of $10 per credit hour, as suggested by students, and construction will begin this fall. The project would take the existing pool and create two 25-foot Olympic sized training lanes, and also include a shallow area to be used for water fitness classes. Other changes include adding a fitness center, an outdoor basketball and volleyball court, a social space, and upgraded locker rooms. Construction of the theater in Light Hall is also expected to be completed this year.
Friends of the Volunteer Center are hosting a party to benefit the certified commercial kitchen at the Commons. The Commons kitchen has been approved by the NMENVD, and now the Volunteer Center is raising money for the “guts” to make it work. Contributions to the Commons kitchen are tax deductible. To get involved, head to the Volunteer Center this Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for tasty hors d’oeuvres, great drinks and entertainment.
The Disabled American Veterans Tony Viramontez Chapter 2 recently held a bowling tournament in Deming to raise funds to keep their vans rolling to VA hospitals and centers. The 9-8 No Tap Bowling Tournament saw overwhelming support from the community. 12 teams of five players were at the Deming Starmax entertainment complex to play, and when all the scores were tallied, Steve Dupree’s team won the tournament team championship.
Governor Susana Martinez’ administration recently proposed to re-impose and broaden work-related requirements for New Mexicans to qualify for food stamps. A 20-hour-a-week work requirement used to exist for childless adults to get food stamps, but the requirement was suspended in 2009 due to the national recession. The administration plans to restore the 20-hour-a-week work requirement, as well as implementing a new requirement for low-income parents and other caregivers of children over 6 years old. Adults would now have to search for a job or participate in community service to obtain assistance. Before, food-stamp eligible parents have been exempt from job search requirement. Pregnant women and those considered physically or mentally unable to work will remain exempt. The proposal would go into effect starting in October.
