Here’s a glance at today’s news:
The Town of Silver City has again extended the deadline to receive design submissions from the public for “Welcome to Silver City” signs that are planned to be placed at three separate main entrances to town. Silver City Mayor, Ken Ladner, is encouraging anyone who is interested in participating to submit their design by following guidelines that are available on the town’s website www.townofsilvercity.org. The submission deadline has been extended to August 31st.
New Mexico regulators are to hear testimony this week over proposed PNM rate increases which is comprised of 9.2 percent over the next two years. The Public Service Company of New Mexico is seeking $62.3 million from customers to compensate for capital investment costs, which includes revenue losses from more energy-efficient appliances, maintenance to coal and nuclear power plants, and other changing customer behaviors.
This past Saturday, The Silver City Fire Department, Gila Regional EMS and the Air Methods Flight crew – Native Air were out at the Silver City Wal-Mart doing a Back-to-School supply drive to help local schools. Members of the public were able to view emergency vehicles up close and personal as well as having the opportunity to visit with various emergency personnel. The Native Air helicopter was also available so adults and kids alike could climb on board and take photos.
The New Mexico Department of Health was in Bayard last week to train health care workers, members of the law enforcement community, social workers and educators on the important topic of suicide prevention. A fact sheet was presented that showed the suicide rate in New Mexico has been more than 50 percent higher than the U.S. rate, with those rates increasing 32 percent from 2005 to 2015, and 17 percent from 2013 to 2015. Dr. Amanda Lopez- Askin, conducted the training based on the QPR Institute, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. This training will offer hope through positive action.
Deming Public Schools teachers have resumed collective bargaining for the first time since 1999. The Public Employee Labor Relations Board at its meeting on August 1st in Albuquerque, certified the teacher’s union name change from the Deming Education Association to NEA-Deming.
