Here’s a look at today’s news:
Yesterday, a bill to raise pay for New Mexico teachers passed the House Education Committee and now heads to the House Floor. Senate Bill 119, sponsored by Senator Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque, would increase minimum salaries for all teacher levels. Funding for the pay increase is included in this year’s budget. This bill was created with input from legislators and key community members. New Mexico is ranked 49th in education. These pay raises should help to keep good teachers in the state, and make New Mexico more attractive to quality teachers.
Hunters who applied for New Mexico special-season bear and turkey permits can currently check their draw results on the Department of Game and Fish website. Efforts to develop a more efficient draw process have enabled the department to release the results one week early this year. The department will send emails to successful applicants and permits will be available for printing in customer accounts by today. Successful applicants must purchase a 2018 bear or turkey license with tag(s) separately. Licenses will be available online, by phone and at license vendors and NMDGF offices beginning March 22nd. Visit wildlife dot state dot nm dot us, or call toll-free at (888) 248-6866.
Officers of the Grant County Association of Educational Retirees installed their 2018 Officers this month. The association is an affiliate of the New Mexico Association of Educational Retirees, a group that supports and advocates for public education. The newly installed Grant County Officers are: Virginia Robinson, President; Jewell M. Burke, Vice President; Martha Stewart, Secretary; Richard Lawyer, Treasurer; Don Trammell, Chaplain; Chairperson in charge of Volunteers, Priscilla Mathena and Member at Large, Ted Burke. Membership is open to all retirees who are members of the Educational Retirement System. For additional information, call 575-538-5754.
A fire broke out in a rear annex apartment yesterday afternoon at the Conway House apartment building, located at Texas and 7th Street in Downtown Silver City. Silver City firefighters were on the scene within 2 minutes of the initial phone call. Fire Chief, Milo Lambert, reported that the fire was contained in an apartment in the rear annex and in the process of extinguishing the flames, the apartment below sustained a collapse and some water damage. There were no injuries reported and the historic building, built by Judge Thomas Conway in the 1880’s, did not suffer major damage. An investigation of the incident is currently underway.
Deming City officials are notifying residents that there will be repair work on 8th Street for a drainage improvement project that is expected to run through May of this year. Diamond Construction will be working on drainage ditch improvements along the west side of South 8th street from West Florida to West Hickory Street. Drainage improvements will include concrete replacement at street intersections at Locust, Walnut, Olive and Hickory. Along with driveway improvements at private entrances south of Walnut Street including temporary traffic control. The work will require temporary modifications and rerouting some street traffic both vehicle and pedestrian. For more information, call Deming Public Works at 575-546-8848
