Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Deming Rotary Club held their installation of officers recently at the Rio Mimbres Country Club. The incoming president is Mary Lou Cameron, Deming Public Schools Associate Superintendent for Support Services and Community Resources, President-elect is Steve Westenhofer, Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home Chief Executive Officer. Retiree James “Doc” O’Connel will continue to serve as treasurer, and Ruth Stallard of Deming’s United Country Downtown Real Estate will remain as secretary. The Deming Rotary Club is active in events supporting the local youth and community, and meets each Thursday at the Rio Mimbres Country Club.
Earlier this month, a Deputy US Marshall shot and killed a former Deming resident who allegedly threatened the Marshall with a BB gun. Anthony Chavez was on probation on a conviction for transporting people illegally into the US from a 2010 arrest in Luna County, and also had a pending criminal case of vehicular homicide from a 2013 fatal accident. The Albuquerque Police Department is leading the investigation into the shooting, but police did reportedly disclose that Chavez had threatened the officer with the BB gun in his hand.
The Luna County Commissioners will have a regular meeting tonight at 6 pm. The meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse, and an Agenda is available in the Luna County Manager’s Office in the Luna County Courthouse. Several items on tonight’s agenda includes creation of a Luna County Community and Economic Advisory Committee. Also to be discussed combining four volunteer fire departments into two main fire departments.
Nicholas Grijalva Jr. of Mimbres pleaded guilty last week to on count of child abuse resulting in the death of a child under the age of 12 for the death of 3 year old Alizandra Jasso. As part of his plea agreement, seven other charges were dropped, and Grijalva has agreed to a sentence of life in prison.
The Silver City Gospel Mission has a new case worker on staff thanks to a grant from the United Way of Southwest New Mexico. Christina Wolford holds a BS in Social Science and is working on a Masters Degree in Social Work at WNMU. Wolford will be giving Gospel Mission clients one-on-one attention, as well as teaching life skills classes, counseling, helping them fill out various applications and assisting them with job training and employment opportunities.
The Silver City Town Council recently awarded $200,000 in Lodgers Tax Money to local events and organizations. Those who received the tax funds include: the Silver City Arts and Cultural District, the Mimbres Region Arts Council, the Tour of the Gila Bike Race, the Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society, the Silver City MainStreet Project, the Gila River Festival, the Grant County Rolling Stones, the Silver City Arts Association, the Silver City Fiber Arts Festival, the Copper Country Cruizers, and the San Vicente Artists.
