Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Earlier this week, a pedestrian was fatally struck by a Commercial Motor Vehicle on Interstate 10 near mile post 10, just west of Lordsburg. The investigation conducted by the New Mexico State Police, has indicated that the commercial vehicle was traveling east in interstate 10 and for unknown reasons, Brandon Ragulen, 26 years of age of Los Angeles, California, was struck in the middle of the roadway. The Office of the Medical Examiner pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. The driver of the CMV was not injured and is not currently facing charges.
With influenza activity remaining steady across New Mexico since the beginning of the year, the New Mexico Department of Health is reminding New Mexicans that it’s not too late to get their flu shot. Since October, the department has investigated six flu outbreaks in facilities around the state. Children age four and younger have been hospitalized for influenza at a higher rate than at this time last year, or any year since the 2009 pandemic. There have been 19 influenza related deaths in adults this year in New Mexico. Reports show that influenza activity has not yet reached its peak for the 2018-19 season in the state. It is urged that everyone six months and older who have not yet gotten vaccinated should get their flu vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves for the rest of the flu season. The Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for the following high-risk groups: Pregnant Women, children younger than 5, people ages 65 and older, people suffering from chronic medical conditions.
Western New Mexico University Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Isaac Brundage and HMS CEO, Dan Otero, have signed an agreement to offer student health services at HMS sites. According to a release, “WNMU was previously able to offer students some medical services and mental health counseling but no dental care. Under this new agreement, students will be able to access medical, mental health and dental care at HMS sites around the region. As WNMU student fees cover health service expenses, registered students who pay tuition and fees are eligible to receive five medical visits, 15 mental health visits and one dental visit to HMS annually. Additional visits or outside referrals and services will be seamlessly provided and billed according to the students’ insurance or income levels, as the students will have become established patients of HMS upon their first visit.” In addition, the HMS Main Clinic is located 3 blocks from campus and students carrying a Mustang I.D. can get free rides on Corre Caminos which has routes to HMS locations on a regular basis.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation has posted an alert for NM 152 beginning today. The gates on NM 152 (Black Range) from milepost 21 (approximately 5 miles east of San Lorenzo) to milepost 39 (Kingston) are closed due to expected winter weather conditions making the roadway impassable. The roadway and gates will continue to be monitored with the expectation of reopening on Monday March 4th or sooner if storm does not produce the anticipated affect. For updated information visit the New Mexico Department of Transportation at nmroads.com.
