Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Silver City Police have charged 37- year old Donald Vincent, with the murder of Clyde Perry. The victim was discovered in the early morning of June 22nd in the 200 Block of F Street in Silver City, lying in the road and unresponsive. Perry was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso, and pronounced dead on June 23rd. An investigation determined that the cause of death was homicide, and with the assistance of the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, Donald Vincent, was eventually located in Truth or Consequences. Vincent is being held without bond at the Grant County Detention Center after being charged with an open count of murder.
The Grant County Commission, during a special meeting on Tuesday, chose new applicant, Advanced Air, over current provider, Boutique Air, to provide essential air service to Grant County. Grant County Airport Manager, Rebekkah Wenger, reported that the USDOT will make a transition decision within the next month. If Advanced Air is to receive the new contract, Boutique Air will service the area until December 31st.
New Mexico Public Education Department announced that the latest test scores show a 2 percent increase from last year in reading and math proficiency for New Mexican students. The numbers show more than 31 percent of students tested this spring are proficient or better in reading and more than 21 percent are proficient or better in math. The increase was noted from 2015, when students began taking standard assessments developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC. Since 2015, reading scores have increased 4 percentage points and math with nearly 5 percentage points.
Cliff High School is currently receiving new gym flooring that should be in place by the start of the 2018-19 school year. A leaky roof caused structural damage to the flooring leading to the complete removal of the old floor materials. The majority of the pieces were taken by area residents as a memento celebrating the past victories in the gym.
Governor Susana Martinez, announced this week that New Mexico has set a new tourism record with figures showing that 35.4 trips were taken in New Mexico in 2017. The 2016 record breaker was 34.4 million. In addition, 1,700 leisure and hospitality jobs were added to the economy last year for a total of 100,000 jobs statewide. The Governor also gave credit to the “New Mexico True” brand for increasing awareness that New Mexico is a unique and special tourist destination, and further added that an additional $1 million will be added to the existing $50 million budget to continue support of the brand.
The Grant County Community Health Council is sponsoring a short 10-minute survey on a range of health topics. The 2018 Community Health Assessment will assist in securing grants and public programs that will benefit the health of Grant County residents. Visit grmc.org and scroll down to click the link with the Grant County Community Health Council logo and take the survey!
