Here is some local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.

At the time of compiling this report, the New Mexico Department of Health, announced a new total of 165,835 New Mexico COVID-19 confirmed positive cases statewide, an increase of 691 new cases. In addition, COVID-19 cases recorded locally are as follows: Grant County has increased 10 new cases for a total of 1,206 positive cases; Luna County has increased 27 new cases for a total of  2,700 positive cases; Hidalgo County remained at a total 288 positive cases; and Catron County remained at a total of 70 positive cases. There are currently 605 COVID-19 hospitalizations statewide.

Rural Relief Small Business Grants are available in the next round that runs from January 26th through February 2nd. Eligible businesses must be located in a rural community which is defined as having a population of 50,000 or less. The grant supports small businesses and enterprises affected by Covid-19 across the country, especially those in underserved communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women, and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital. To apply, visit https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/rural-relief-small-business-grants/. Non-profit organizations are ineligible for the relief funding program at this time but may be eligible for later rounds of funding.

This Saturday, January 23rd, the Silver City Museum and the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning are hosting a free virtual event regarding the history of the 1918 Spanish Flu in Grant County. Local historian, Stephen Fox, will speak about the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918-19 in Grant County, accompanied by a slide presentation. The presentation includes research into two Silver City newspapers at the time may give a possible explanation of why there were two separate waves of the virus in Grant County. Interested attendees can register at http://silvercitymuseum.org/199/Museum  or for more information, call 575-538-5921.

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