Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a re-dedication ceremony of the Historic Marker at the Catwalk this Saturday. The marker was originally dedicated in 1966 and was recently repaired and reinstalled. The historic sign was taken down when flooding of Whitewater Canyon was anticipated. Patricia Barger, New Mexico Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Committee Chair, spoke at the re-dedication about the significance of Historic Preservation and specifically about the preservation of the historic marker at the Catwalk. The marker describes historic mining activity in Whitewater Canyon.
PNM awarded five local organizations with $15,000 grants to create public green space at the monthly Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce meeting. The grants were awarded to the Office of Sustainability to create a meaningful space at the office, a parklet, which will collect rainwater to irrigate native plants. Spirit of Hidalgo accepted the funds to create a town square next to City Hall. The Silver City Gila Chapter of the Native Plant Society and the local Audubon Society Chapter will create a small amphitheater for education and add visual impact to a railroad water tank at the Silver Creek Botanical Garden. The Southwest Regional Housing Authority plans to repair the fountain in Lordsburg, and the Volunteer Center plans to create a community group to sustain a trail over a bridge, with benches, trash receptacles, and native plants to reclaim a trashy area.
In state news, NMSU’s Board of Regents will vote on July 23rd about whether to raise the grade point average (GPA) standards at the school. The changes would include raising the qualifying GPA from 2.5 to 2.75. School officials say the change would improve graduation rates, and the school would be more competitive when it comes to enticing out-of-state and foreign students to attend. The school isn’t trying to be exclusive or change its diversity, but they hope the change will help students be more successful. UNM recently made similar changes to raise their minimum GPA. The new requirements will likely see a short-term drop in the number of freshmen at both universities.
Silver City MainStreet is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Big Ditch Day this Saturday, July 19th from 9 to 1 pm. There will be guided hikes through Big Ditch Park, a Lion’s Club Breakfast, Discovery Hunts, Historic Interpretations, the Ecology of the San Vicente Creek, music by the Big Ditch Crickets Dance Band, and much more. All of this will take place on Saturday from the Market Street Pedestrian Bridge to the Farmer’s Market in Big Ditch Park.
22 athletes age 50 and over will head to Roswell this week for the 36th NMSO Summer Games. This year is National Qualifying events for the 2015 Games in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This group of seniors from Grant County is expected to bring home a lot of medals because they compete well in their events. Opening Ceremonies will be held this Wednesday at the NMMI Alumni Park in Roswell.
