Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
As a reminder, there will be a public meeting to discuss the Highway 90 Bridge Project tonight at 6 pm at the Grant County Convention Center. Residents of Grant County wanting information about this project and plans for traffic diversion should attend this meeting. The re-routing of traffic will have a direct affect on downtown Silver City residents and businesses.
Five new board members were elected to serve at the Thursday meeting of the Grant County Community Foundation. Joining the nine current members are Deborah Frasca of Life Quest, Priscilla Lucero of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, Sandra Riva of International Transactions, Susie Trujillo of the Grant County Health Council, and Justin Wecks – Operations Specialist at Gila Regional Medical Center.
The Deming Headlight office suffered a break-in Saturday evening at the downtown Maple Street address. The night crew of carriers and Headlight Circulation Manager discovered the west cargo bay had been partially opened and what appeared to be ashes from the newspaper were scattered around the building. A suspected arson started small fires around the back shop.
In legislative action:
The House passed a bill that will streamline the New Mexico teacher licensing process, making it easier for quality teachers to become school administrators much faster. The bill, which passed by a bipartisan vote, would allow quality educators to secure an administrative license in a shorter period of time. This legislation will allow Level-Two teachers who complete a Public Education Department-approved preparation program the ability to seek an administrative position. The current six-year licensing process – the longest in the nation — discourages quality teachers from becoming school administrators or even staying in the profession.
The Senate Education committee unanimously passed a bill intended to keep students in school or risk losing their drivers’ licenses if they exceed 10 unexcused absences. The Senate’s Education Panel approved a substitute for Senate Bill 85 after the Committee added a clause that allows for hardship exemptions. The state of Georgia, after passing similar legislation, has seen huge drops in truancy rates as well as a major boost in graduation numbers.
New Mexico lawmakers are seeking compensation for families affected by the July 16, 1945 atomic bomb explosion that happened in the New Mexico desert. Everyone downwind of the blast site paid a heavy price. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich introduced a bill this month to get New Mexico residents their fair share of compensation. The bill would allow anyone who can prove that they were impacted downwind of an actual above-ground explosion to apply to be compensated.
Don’t forget to head out to the Grant County Convention Center tonight at 6 pm for the Highway 90 Bridge Project meeting.
