Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

Over 80 entries made up the parade on Friday at Silver City’s Annual July 4th Celebration.  The American Legion Post 18 won first place in the “Floats” division, and Fort Bayard Historical Society and Habitat for Humanity earned second and third.  The TEA Party Patriots took first in the “Motorized” division, followed by Red Hat Ladies and Star Dancers.  Healing Hands Equine Services earned first place in the “Pedestrian/Equestrian” division, and second and third were won by PFLAG and the Silver Spirit Gallery.  Grant County Gold Star Mothers Kay Beeman, Mary Cowan and Mary Lou Grijalva served as Grand Marshals for the parade.

In Deming, three winners were announced for a packed Fourth of July Parade.  First Place went to Luna County, second to Glenn Fenwick, and Deming Blake’s Lot-A-Burger took third.  Fenwick also won the Uncle Sam Look-A-Like Contest following the parade.  The parade ended at the Luna County Courthouse Park where organizers had set up old-fashioned games for kids including sack races, three-legged races, and hot dog and watermelon eating contests.

The Gila National Forest Office will be lifting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions tomorrow, July 8th, at 8 am.  The onset of summer rains and the lifting of fire restrictions will allow forest visitors to enjoy campfires in undeveloped areas once again.  Though restrictions have been lifted, visitors are still encouraged to practice campfire and smoking safety and ensure all fires are cold to the touch before leaving camp or retiring for the night.

A representative from the office of Steve Pearce will visit the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce Office tomorrow, July 8th.  Call the Chamber for more information.

The Jacob Bennett Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will re-dedicate the Historic Marker in Whitewater Canyon at the Catwalk this Saturday, July 12th at 11 am.  The marker describes the history of mining in Whitewater Canyon and was originally placed at the picnic area at the Catwalk on June 5th, 1966.  The historic marker was removed last spring in anticipation of the flooding of Whitewater Canyon, and the wooden sign has since been painted and repaired.  The Daughters of the American Revolution invite anyone who is interested to attend the re-dedication program.

Governor Susanna Martinez announced today an increase in tourism for the state of New Mexico this year.  Overall spending by visitors to New Mexico increased roughly $300 million, or 7% in 2013.  As a result, the leisure and hospitality industry was able to create 1,700 new jobs statewide, plus an additional 700 jobs between January and May of this year.