Here’s a look at today’s local news:
In a special meeting of the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, Chief Executive Officer, Taffy Arias, reported that the hospital is serving 13 to 14 immigrants at a time entering the ER accompanied by Border Patrol officers. Approximately 250 individuals have crossed the border, mostly comprised of people from Guatemala and Honduras. GRMC Chairman, Mike Morones mentioned that our border is not heavily used and that immigrants crossing into New Mexico suffer from harsher conditions because of traveling through the desert. In addition, it was reported that the Border Patrol agents have been very professional and the patients have been very nice and are treated the same as any patient, however when they are detained, there is an added level of security.
A Christmas night house fire was reported on Gold Street in Silver City and detectives have confirmed it was caused by arson. The homeowner returned from a family gathering to find her front door open and the interior of the home filled with smoke. According to a report, arriving officers smelled lighter fluid in addition to discovering lit and unlit matches. The incident remains under investigation.
According the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the state’s seasonal adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in November 2018, unchanged from October, but down from 6.0 percent a year ago. Locally, the unemployment rates that have not been seasonally adjusted for November 2018 are as follows: Catron County at 6.5 percent, up from 6.1 percent in October, but down from 7.8 percent a year ago; Hidalgo County at 3.8 percent, up from 3.6 percent in October and down from 5.0 percent a year ago; Grant County at 4.9 percent, up from 4.7 percent in October but down from 5.8 percent a year ago; and in Luna County at 11.9 percent, up from 7.8 percent in October, but down from 14.8 percent a year ago.
The Grand Master of Masons of New Mexico, Adam L. Hathaway, came to Grant County to conduct annual installation ceremonies. Officers were officially installed in four Grant County Masonic Lodges for the ensuing year in celebration of the festival of St. John the Evangelist. The Masters for the up-coming year and their respective Lodges are: Billy Dugger of Silver City #8; Jason Hamilton of Mimbres of #10; Roger Morris of Santa Rita #44; and Tedd Walters of Hurley #55. In addition to Grand Master Adam Hathaway, Jeff Larkin Marshall and Secretary, Val Brahm, assisted in installing the new officers.
