Here’s look at some local news brought to you by Silver City Radio.

At the time of this report, the New Mexico Department of Health, announced 9,723 New Mexico COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. There have been 263,665 tests performed statewide In addition, sadly there has been 435 COVID-19 related deaths recorded statewide. Positive COVID-19 cases in Grant County are at 16 with 2,163 tests administered, Luna County increasing to 27 cases and 1,798 tests administered, Catron County remaining at 2 with 119 tests administered, and Hidalgo County with 3 confirmed cases and 350 tests administered.

The United States Forest Service is reporting today that the “Tadpole Fire” is approximately 6,800 acres at 15 % containment with 188 personnel working on the fire. The protection point on the east side of the fire is to keep the fire on the east side of NM Highway 15 with Sheep Corral Road as the northern boundary of the fire. Prep on Sheep Corral Road and NM Hwy 15 has been completed to secure containment lines. Today’s operations included the continued holding of Forest Road 282, chipping operations, and monitoring fire progression. For fire information, you may call 575-313-4678, seven days a week from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. For more information on air quality, visit nm tracking dot org forward slash environment forward slash air forward slash fire and smoke.

Jury trials in magistrate court cases resume this week in the Sixth Judicial District of Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties. Jury trials in district courts in the three counties will restart in mid-July while precautions will be implemented to protect the health and safety of jurors and all others from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the safety practices include:

  • Masks are required for anyone entering a courthouse in addition to temperature checks and health question screenings will be administered to all entering the building
  • Jurors selected for a trial will receive a cloth mask and hand sanitizer.
  • Jurors will be seated in the juror box and gallery of a courtroom to maintain proper spacing.
  • Witnesses in a jury trial held in a magistrate court building will be asked to wait in their vehicles until called by cell phone to testify by court staff or their attorney.

Through at least July 14th, magistrate courts in Silver City and Bayard will hold trials in the Grant County Courthouse in Silver City. The Lordsburg Magistrate Court will conduct jury trials at the Hidalgo County Courthouse in the community. The Deming Magistrate Court will hold jury trials at the Luna County District Court in the community.

Make sure to tune in weekdays to Silver City Radio each morning starting at the 10:00 hour for a fire update from the U.S Forest Service Gila National Forest. Silver City Radio is working hard to keep you informed with the latest news.

Thank you for listening to Silver City Radio.