Here’s a look at today’s news:
In Deming, a 10 Year Reunion for all past and current GRADS students is taking place on Thursday, December 20th from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. in the new Deming High School Library. The state program called New Mexico GRADS, stands for “Graduation, Reality, and Dual Role Skills.” The GRADS system works to improve the outcome for students dealing with high risk pregnancies, and out-of-wedlock births. In addition, the program provides on-site childcare in 35 schools statewide, allows teen parents the opportunity to earn college credit in child care, and offers professional courses to enhance student employability. The stated mission of GRADS is to support young parents for success.
The Grant County Commission announced the slate of candidates for the State Senate vacancy that will be left by District 28 State Senator, Howie Morales. Morales, now Lt. Governor-elect, will resign his seat at the end of the year. The slate of interested candidates are as follows: Brandon Perrault; Cindy Renee Provencio; Gabriel J. Ramos, Sr.; Karen Canaday Whitlock; Mary E. Hotvedt; Michael A. Carillo; Siah Hemphill; and Simon G. Ortiz. The Commissioners will meet with the interested candidates in a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 3rd, at the Grant County Administration Building, whereby they will participate in a question and answer session led by the Board. The District 28 seat serves Grant, Catron, and Socorro counties.
In collaboration with the New Mexico Human Services Department and the University of New Mexico, Hidalgo Medical Services has been awarded a multi-million dollar, multi-year grant to support a new program through the U.S. Health and Human Services Department Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This program is called “Bridges to Wellness” and will address the critical behavioral health needs seen in southwestern New Mexico. According to a release, “the primary purpose of Bridges to Wellness is to significantly increase collaboration between behavioral health and primary care providers in rural New Mexico. This move will improve access and utilization of integrated care and increase health promotion services aimed at improving the overall health and wellness of adults in New Mexico with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders who have chronic physical health conditions.”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s staff will have mobile office hours tomorrow in Lordsburg from 10:30 A.M. to 12 noon at the Ena Mitchell Senior Center located at 532 De Moss Street, and in Silver City from 1:30 to 3:00 P.M. at the Silver City Senior Center located at 205 W Victoria Street. Staff will be on hand to assist residents who have questions regarding social security benefits, medicare, immigration, veteran’s benefits, student loans, and other federal programs. All are encouraged to attend.
