During a recent Silver City Town Council meeting, state legislators provided an update, highlighting key accomplishments and ongoing priorities. Major successes included passage of a medical malpractice reform bill aimed at retaining and attracting doctors, and securing $5.5 million for cancer center equipment at Gila Regional Medical Center, along with approximately $15 million in capital outlay funding for 27 projects across Grant County. Additional funding included $500,000 for local parks and support for infrastructure, education, and public safety initiatives.
Freeport-McMoRan is sponsoring the STEM Scholarship Program, which offers high school students the opportunity to attend the New Mexico Tech Summer STEM Experience, covering full registration costs. The program is designed to help students jump-start careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and is open to those entering grades 10 through 12 who have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA, have completed Algebra I or higher, and submit all required application materials. Applications are due by April 30. For more information and to apply, visit website.
Hidalgo County Commissioner Joel Edwards recently toured the Bootheel region to assess road conditions and meet with crews working on the border wall project. The $2.4 billion project is expected to generate significant gross receipts tax revenue for the county and includes 30-foot primary and secondary walls, an access road, fiber optics, steel mesh reinforcement, and lighting. Construction crews are currently completing 40 to 50 panels per day, with the Hidalgo County portion of the project anticipated to be finished by September 2028.
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The New Mexico Department of Wildlife is urging caution after two incidents of unusually aggressive wildlife behavior involving a bobcat and a fox in the Gila Wilderness of Catron County, raising concerns about possible rabies exposure. Although no bites were reported, officials noted a recently confirmed rabies case in a bobcat in Sierra County and advised the public to avoid contact with wild animals, keep pets vaccinated and leashed, and closely supervise children. The New Mexico Department of Health also recommends seeking immediate medical care and reporting any bites or exposure to animal saliva by calling the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-796-8733.
