Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, Grant County experienced a major increase in unemployment last month. The jobless rate in June was reported at 7.6 %, up from 5.8% in May. The unemployment rate for May was the lowest it has been in years. Grant County had the 12th highest unemployment rate in the state for the month of June, but Luna County topped the list with a 14.6% unemployment rate. In Hidalgo County, 6.4% of people are reportedly looking for work.
July 25 marks the anniversary of the day the Colorado River was officially re-named from the “Grand” to the “Colorado.” Silver City will be one of 5 western cities hosting a celebratory event and day of action as part of Colorado River Day, a region-wide movement to honor the waterway that serves as the backbone of the West’s economy and a critical drinking source for millions. The event will be held this Friday from 1:30 to 6 pm at Gough Park, and will have a focus on the Gila River, the last free-flowing river in New Mexico.
An Albuquerque man recently found a New Mexico Lottery ticket worth $385,000 in the backseat of his car. Dennis Romero had been driving around with the winning ticket in the backseat of his car since May 29th, not even knowing it was worth anything. He claimed his prize yesterday and vowed to “check his tickets more often”. All profits for the sale of New Mexico Lottery games fund the Legislative Lottery Scholarship, an in-state college tuition assistance program. New Mexico Lottery has raised $610.4 million since 1996. To learn more about the scholarships, visit www.nmlottery.com.
Youth from Grant County’s 4-H program recently competed at the 91st Annual New Mexico State 4-H Conference in Las Cruces. The nine students who competed earned first place in Hippology, second place in Ag Presentations, third place in the wildlife category with an individual fourth place in wildlife, a fourth place individual in Entemology, fifth in Horticulture with a sixth place individual winner, and sixth place in Horse Judging. Congratulations to Grant County 4-H members!
Southwest Bone and Joint will offer $5 sports physicals for high school student athletes this Friday from 1 to 3 pm. Pick up a physical form for your student at Southwest Bone and Joint Institute, 1268 E. 32nd Street, or download the form from “southwest bone and joint dot com.” Students are asked to wear shorts and a T-shirt, and complete the medical history before arrival at the physical. Call 534-1919.
The Silver Youth Leadership Team held a pool party last Friday evening to help raise awareness on teen dating violence. The Silver Consolidated Schools received a grant of $30,000 last year from the New Mexico Public Education Department to combat teen dating violence. The money is used for activities by the Silver Youth Leadership Team, who can lead their peers in raising awareness of this problem. According to reports, 1 in 9 New Mexico teens reported being hit, slapped or intentionally harmed by their dating partner in 2009. The Silver Youth Leadership Team has been taught how to recognize the signs of teen dating violence and can help link teenagers who need help to the appropriate resources to help them end a violent relationship.
