Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Black Fire, a lightning strike ignited fire located on the southern slope of Black Peak on the Silver City Ranger District, is currently being fully suppressed by fire personnel and multiple aviation resources. The lightning strike tree was immediately identified both from the air and from the ground. The decision to fully suppress this fire was made due to values at risk in proximity of the fire. Those values include a communication site on Black Peak and a private land in-holding with structures. The Black Fire is currently 167 acres and at 20% containment.
Highway 180 was closed last night due to a single vehicle accident that had sparked a 30 to 50 acre fire. The road was opened again around midnight.
In a special meeting of the Silver District School Board all five members met via Skype with Dan Patterson of the New Mexico School Board Association to review how Patterson could help them initiate a superintendent search and learn what the conditions and expenses would be. Patterson told the board they needed to set up a timeline for their activities, select the major qualifications they would use in the selection process, develop the profiles, waivers, background checks, committees and other tools they would soon need, and then the advertising could begin.
The New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity held a meeting July 11th. After much discussion, a decision was made to recommend projects called alternatives 1 and 4 to the NEPA. Alternatives 1 and 4 include a diversion off the Gila Gage. Alternative 1 includes a diversion from the Gila Gage to the Spar pump station and Alternative 4 offers the addition of Winn for carryover storage.
The City of Bayard recently appointed Freddie Gonzales as the new Fire Chief at its July 11th meeting. Reports were also given that irrigation at the cemetery is being installed. The town of Silver City sent men to work on the project at no cost to Bayard. The council also heard of problems with the internet service in town, and is looking into solutions for the problem.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Conscience Protections Act of 2016. Congressman Steve Pearce said the bill “safeguards the First Amendment rights of doctors, nurses, religious organizations, churches, insurance companies, and employers to ensure they are not forced to violated their conscience by providing or funding abortion procedures.” Pearce went on to point out the legislation reinforces that no American can be forced to act in contravention of their beliefs.
