Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest went to Fort Bayard and sang Christmas carols to the residents. Character, conduct, and community service are core qualities of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouting is an asset to the community. Through leadership and service, its members enrich the lives of those around them. For more information on Girls Scout call Annette Toney 538-2481.
The Silver District school board met Tuesday evening, December 15, with all five members present. Gilbert Helton, Grant County Emergency Manager, and Captain Rickie Villalobos of the Silver City Police, informed the board of their findings on the October 19th High School Active Shooter Drill. The two agencies agreed the drill and training was a good one. Gus Benakis, Assistant Superintendent, noted that the drill took place during fall break, son only personnel involved were present. Helton said future work would address evacuation of students and possible negatives.
It is time for the Gila National Forest to revise their existing plan from 1986. Everyone is invited to help develop a new plan that promotes a healthy, divers, and productive Gila National Forest. The goal is to remain inclusive while moving through the collaborative planning process. The Gila National Forest is in the early stages of plan revision that will describe the strategic direction for management of forest resources for at least the next 15 years. Public input, feedback and collaboration are some of the effective ways members of the public can participate in the forest plan revision process. To learn more, visit the Gila National Forest Plan Revision website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/home/?cid=STELPRD3828671.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) worked to secure a two-year delay of a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) known as the “Cadillac Tax,” which would tax high-cost health insurance plans and impact health benefits for thousands of New Mexicans workers. The provision to delay the tax was included in the “omnibus” spending bill that was announced last night by Democratic and Republican leaders that Congress will soon vote on.
U.S. Senator Tom Udall, ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, released the following statement on the finalized appropriations and tax bills released late last night, which will fund the government for the next year and extend a number of tax provisions. The U.S. House of Representatives will vote first on the bills — an “omnibus” appropriations bill and a bill extending numerous tax provisions. If approved, the two bills will head to the Senate where they may be considered as one.
