Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Silver City MainStreet Project received a $5,000 grant from the Lineberry Foundation to be used for operating expenses. Silver City MainStreet has accomplished many projects since 1985, including the downtown street lights, downtown gateway arch, improvements to the Big Ditch Park, numerous beautification projects, and most recently, the restoration of the historic Silco Theater. The Lineberry Foundation is a private, grant-making foundation, committed to supporting charitable organizations in New Mexico and prioritizes making grants that have a transformative impact on the organizations and the communities in which they serve.
This week, the office of New Mexico Governor, Susana Martinez, had announced the appointment of a new Luna County District One County Commissioner to fill the seat vacated by Joe “Oleo” Milo, who passed away last July. Richard Keene, was appointed serve the remainder of the commissioner’s term that ends in 2018. Yesterday, Mr. Keene informed the Governor’s office that he would not be accepting the appointment, citing several personal developments that arose since he applied for the position. The Luna County Board of Commissioners remains a two- person commission until another replacement is appointed by the Governor’s office.
Western New Mexico University’s Bachelor of Social Work degree program was named “2018 Best Online Bachelor of Social Work” on the Students Before Profits Awards list. WNMU’s Bachelor of Social Work degree is available entirely online and is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. In the program, students learn about social justice, dignity and the worth of a person. Since the programs’ inception in 2015, the number students participating has grown from 40 to 200. The “Students Before Profits Awards” recognize colleges and universities that put students before profits and education before the bottom line. The Nonprofit Colleges Online awards committee chose online social work degree programs from accredited colleges and universities with lower-than-average tuition costs.
The New Mexico Department of Health is reminding New Mexicans that it’s not too late to get vaccinated against the flu – in fact, it may be your last chance before flu cases spread more during the winter months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the first week in December as National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination through the holiday season and beyond. State Epidemiologist, Michael Landen, reports that December is when flu season historically starts to peak in New Mexico and nationwide, and the flu cases are expected to be most common now through next March. To find out more about flu vaccination clinics visit nmhealth.org.
