Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
At the Grant County Commission meeting held last Thursday, Commissioner Gabriel Ramos nominated Commissioner Brett Kasten to remain in the chairman’s seat. Ramos and Commissioner Ron Hall agreed that Kasten has been doing a good job in the position. Assessor Raul Turrieta gave his annual report of the previous year. It included items such as the moving of the Mapping Department to the Planning Department in 2015. He noted that many recorded property documents had not been processed in 2014. Turrieta sought the help of the state Property Tax Division and hired the retired mapper on contract to assist with processing the 2014 documents.
An 81 year old Deming man pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Archaeological Resource Protection Act. According to a Department of Justice press release, Quarrel admitted to removing several pieces of broken Mimbres pottery from the Indian Wells site on federal land in Luna County on Sept. 30, 2013. Under the terms of a plea agreement, the man will be sentenced to two years of probation, required to pay $4,250 in restitution, and will be banned from Bureau of Land Management lands for two years.
The International Dark-Sky Association Designates First U.S. International Dark Sky Sanctuary In New Mexico. IDA is pleased to announce the designation of the Cosmic Campground as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. It is the first such designation in the U.S., and the first IDA International Dark Sky Place designation of a U.S. Forest Service location. International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are public or private lands possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights. Their dark nighttime conditions are specifically protected for their scientific, natural, educational or cultural value, and are often located in some of the most remote and undeveloped parts of the world. Sanctuary designations are made by IDA to increase awareness of these fragile sites and promote their long-term conservation. The new International Dark Sky Sanctuary is a 3.5 acre (1.42 hectare) site in the Gila National Forest of western New Mexico, U.S. Located between the Gila Wilderness and the Blue Range Primitive Area, the Cosmic Campground is situated in an exceptionally dark part of the lower 48 U.S. states. It features a basic infrastructure to support campers and offers a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the night sky.
In sports action, despite a 62-54 loss on Friday night, the Western New Mexico University Men’s basketball team earned their first win of the season against Chadron State College on Saturday night. The Mustangs won 74-70 in overtime. The Mustangs will play at Fort Lewis College on Friday and Adams State University on Saturday with games starting at 7:30 both nights.
The Lady ‘Stangs lost a 59-48 game on Friday night and a 61-53 game to Chadron State on Saturday night, and are currently 6-10 for the season and 4-7 in RMAC play. The Lady Stangs will play at Fort Lewis College on Friday and Adams State University on Saturday with 5:30 start times.
