Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Gila National Forest has released the final updates on Wilderness Ranger District Wildfires. The Corral Fire is estimated at 20,240 acres and is showing low behavior. Crews have been working to ensure the fire does not cross Diamond Creek. The area has been black-lined and no new growth is anticipated. The Straw Fire is 9,360 acres in size and is 70% contained. Further growth is not anticipated. The Copperas Fire 1 mile west of Copperas Mountain is 48 acres in size and was considered 100% contained as of July 3rd just before noon.
The Round Fire on the Aldo Leopold Wilderness is roughly 7,400 acres in size. Fire behavior remains minimal and continues under the supervision of a Type 4 organization. Rehabilitation efforts have begun, including reseeding, rehabbing roads, and rebuilding fences affected by the fire. There are no area, road or trail closures relating to the Round Fire at this time.
On Thursday, June 29th, Mimbres Memorial Hospital broke ground on a 16,000 square foot addition to the Mimbres Professional Building. The ceremony was held in the lobby of the campus’s new medical office building at 905 S. Eighth Street just north of the construction area.
Rumors of delays at the new Deming High School were officially confirmed by the district on Thursday. Deming Public Schools announced a one-week delay to the start of the school year. In a statement, the district said “because of some unforeseen delays in construction, road work around the high school and… weather delays, Deming Public Schools will push back the start of the school year to August 14th.”
On Thursday, June 29th, Border Patrol agents at the Las Cruces Immigration Checkpoint on I-10 were conducting immigrations inspections when they observed a 2011 Toyota Corolla enter the inspection area. The license plate returned with an “Armed and Dangerous” alert in connection to a possible homicide in League City, Texas. 41 year-old Sayantan Ghose, a US Citizen, was directed to the secondary area for further investigation. Records checks revealed Ghose was wanted for questioning in connection to a double shooting that occurred earlier in the week leaving one man dead and a woman in the hospital. New Mexico State Police took custody of the subject, who awaits extradition and criminal charges.