Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The New Mexico Department of Transportation reopened the roadway to the Gila Cliff Dwellings earlier this afternoon. NM 15 had been closed from mile post 42 to 43 due to debris after the area was covered by running water. The debris has been cleared, and the roadway is now opened.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Sunday morning across much of northeastern Grant County. A series of upper level storm systems are expected to bring heavy snow and strong wind to the areas above 6,000 feet, including the southern Gila Highlands and Black Range and affecting the cities of Silver City, Lake Roberts, Kingston, and Fort Bayard. The New Mexico Department of Transportation closed Highway 152 through the Black Range before 10 o’clock this morning in anticipation of heavy snowfall due to forecasted weather. Check out NMRoads.com for the most recent road conditions before traveling.
Members of the South-West Investigative Fugitive Taskforce yesterday arrested Estevan Banegas, one of New Mexico’s most wanted fugitives, at his girlfriend’s home in Salem, NM. Banegas was wanted for a Probation Violation for Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Aggravated Battery, and Resisting/Evading Law Enforcement. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Expedia recently released a list of 20 places better during the off-season of travel, and Silver City made the list. Silver City was recognized for boasting mild temperatures and stretches of the great outdoors in every direction. Also on the list are well-known tourist hot-spots such as Key West, Florida; Bigfork and Glacier National Park, Montana; Davenport, Iowa; Las Vegas, Nevada; Rapid City, South Dakota; Santa Barbara, California; and Corpus Christi, Texas.
In sports action, the Western New Mexico University women’s basketball team lost 52-105 against Number 11 Angelo State University in Lone Star Conference action on Thursday evening. The Lady ‘Stangs play on Saturday at Texas A&M Kingsville beginning at 4 pm Central Time.
The Mustangs also lost on Thursday night 61-97 to Angelo State University. The men’s team also plays on Saturday before the women’s team, against Texas A&M Kingsville beginning at 2 pm Central Time.
In legislative action, the House of Representatives unanimously voted to require legislative agencies to endure the same budget cuts experienced by New Mexico’s state agencies when they passed a compromise amendment to House Bill 1 earlier today.
