Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The search continues today for Maria Grijalva, who was reported missing on Sunday when a neighbor said she went for a swim in the swollen Mimbres River and had not returned. Although the New Mexico State Police Department pulled out of the investigation, the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, along with Grijalva’s son from Los Angeles, California, are continuing the search. The Sheriff’s Office are still searching along the river between Mimbres and Deming on horseback and ATVs.
Western New Mexico University is hosting a public forum on August 13th at 5:30 for community members to give input regarding campus lighting updates. One of the universities sustainability goals is a complete LED lighting upgrade on the exterior of all campus buildings and parking lots in an effort to enhance a sense of wellbeing, safety, clarity and energy efficiency across campus. Community members are invited to share ideas that will help maximize the goal of enabling the university to be a more night-sky friendly campus to the community.
Deming Animal Guardians is hosting a Petpourri 4 Party fundraiser at the Luna Rosa Winery in September. Proceeds go to the Deming Animal Guardians, who focus on assisting indigent pet owners to be able to take proper care of their animals. They make spay and neuter surgeries more affordable for low income pet owners, and also assist with medical emergencies for pets and pet food. The Deming Animal Guardians are a volunteer, work-from-home organization who work closely with the Deming Humane Society. To learn more, go to www.demingalguardians.org.
In a news release from the Governor’s office, Susana Martinez announced a new program for communities to identify funding opportunities in one centralized location to help with their job creation efforts and assist small business development. The program, FundIt, brings local, state and federal funding agencies together to analyze and compare proposals for capital projects like downtown revitalization, housing projects, business incubators, industrial parks and infrastructure development. FundIt was designed to help communities fund their projects from start to completion and utilize tax dollars efficiently.
For our local farmers, the USDA Farm Service Agency Announced that farmers can enroll in the Cotton Transition Assistance Program beginning next week through October 7th. The Cotton Transition Assistance Program provides interim payments to cotton producers during the 2014 crop year until the Stacked Income Protection Plan, a recent insurance product, becomes available. Cotton producers are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency Office early in the enrollment period. For more information visit a local FSA office, or go online to www.fsa.usda.gov.
