Here is a look at local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.

At the time of compiling this report, the New Mexico Department of Health, announced a total of 23,579 New Mexico COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. In addition, COVID-19 cases locally impacting the area are as follows: Grant County remains with 72 total cases and 30 recovered; Luna County remains at 257 total cases with an increase to 93 recovered; Hidalgo County remains at 93 total cases with an increase to 46 recovered; and Catron County decreased to 5 total cases.

State District Courts in six counties have launched a pilot program that enables members of the public to pay online for court case copies. The new system can help reduce the number of individuals visiting the courthouse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fourth District covers north-central New Mexico and the Sixth District encompasses Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna counties, with district courts in Silver City, Lordsburg, and Deming. The links to the online payment portals are available on the district court’s websites in addition to system instructions and a list of fees that can paid electronically. Although the court will not receive any portion of the credit card fee, the processing vendor will be charging a 3.45% fee on the amount of the electronic payment.

According to a recent report, New Mexico has reached a 54.2% response rate from households that have responded to the 2020 Census online, by mail, or by phone. Grant County has reached the 49.9% total mark with 37.6% responses completed by using the internet option. Everyone living in the United States and its five territories are required to be counted in the U.S. Census every ten years. Data derived from the 10 questions determines how billions of dollars for key public funding are distributed throughout the country. In addition, employees of the U.S. Census Bureau take a lifetime oath to protect all the information that is collected. Households that do not respond to the census will receive a follow up visit in person from a U.S. Census Bureau employee. The deadline for census responses is September 30th. Grant County residents can complete the 2020 Census by going to GrantCountyCensus.com.

This has been a look at some local news. Thank you for listening to Silver City Radio.