Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Orlando Chavez was recently convicted of committing great bodily harm with a vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident after he exceeded the speed limit and passed several vehicles in the wrong lane in July. During the erratic driving incident, Chavez allegedly ran Don White off the road while White was driving a motorcycle. According to witness reports, Chavez made a pass around multiple cars and headed straight for White, causing White to swerve and lose control of his motorcycle. Chavez currently awaits sentencing.
The Gila Native Plant Society recently awarded to scholarships to Christina Camacho and Garrett Hall. Camacho will graduate with a double major in Botany and Cell Molecular Biology from WNMU and is currently exploring graduate school options to study plants. Hall is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Botany at WNMU and volunteers at the herbarium in his free time.
The Bayard City Council, at its Jan. 26, meeting, approved the 2014 audit report by Fierro and Fierro, PA, of Las Cruces. Only one finding, an error in an entry for city travel, was discovered. In other action, a request by Copper Little League President Hector Carrillo for the use of the Little League field for 2015 was approved. Also, a new solid waste collection contract with Southwest Disposal, out of Las Cruces, was approved. The regular consent agenda was approved, including accounts payable, library report, police report, clerk’s report, and the attendance of Bayard Police Chief at the Officer Street Survival Training in Albuquerque in March.
The Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees met on Friday to vote and approve officers. The recommendation was to retain Charles Kelly as Chairman, Pam Archibald as Vice Chairman, and Jeremiah Garcia as Secretary-Treasurer. Also on the agenda included recognition of five employees for years of service and approval of the Open Meetings Act resolution. Board members also heard reports about the GRMC Auxiliary being in need of volunteers, a successful Board retreat, the recent transition of the Emergency Room to Innova, and negotiations for a new fluoroscopy unit in the Imaging Department.
Legislation was filed yesterday which would significantly reduce workers’ compensation in cases when the employee’s death or injury is the result of being drunk or high on the job. Currently, when alcohol or drugs contributes to injury or death, the employee is eligible to receive 90 percent of his or her worker compensation. Under the new legislation, the compensation would be reduced to 85 percent. The legislation is intended to help protect workers and hold violators accountable for their actions.
