Congratulations to Ezra Hernandez, who was officially sworn in as a police officer for the Deming Police Department on Thursday, December 5th. Officer Hernandez is scheduled to attend the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy in Santa Fe beginning January 20th. Prior to his time at the academy, he will undergo training within the department, working closely with his field training officer. This hands-on experience will be crucial as Officer Hernandez works toward becoming a fully certified officer.
In Grant County news:
The Bayard-Pride Beautification Committee is thrilled to announce the return of the City of Bayard’s “Annual Holiday Decorations Contest” for its residents. This festive tradition promises to bring even more holiday magic to the community, with judging taking place on the evenings of December 19th and 20th. To add to the excitement, five cash prizes will be awarded to the most creative displays. The city is calling on all residents to get creative and spread holiday cheer by participating in this Christmas competition.
The Gila Regional Medical Center’s Cancer and Auxiliary group recently received a generous donation from students at Harrison Schmitt Elementary. The students launched a fundraising initiative called “Pennies from Heaven,” during which they collected change over the course of a month to support cancer patients. Through their efforts, the students raised a total of $838, which will be used to provide more than 100 patient lunches through the Auxiliary.
The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District, is evaluating conditions in preparation for the controlled burning of slash piles in the Little Walnut, Fort Bayard, and Pinos Altos areas throughout the fall and winter. The Pinos Altos Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) project area encompasses the Gomez North unit in the Little Walnut area and Burn Blocks 1 and 6 in the Bear Creek Drainage, located north of Pinos Altos near the Continental Divide Trail. Additional slash piles may also be burned within the Fort Bayard administrative site. A total of 195 acres are slated for prescribed fire, aimed at reducing hazardous fuel loads and protecting nearby communities. These activities are scheduled to take place between now and the end of February, depending on the availability of firefighting resources and favorable weather and fuel conditions that support the desired fire behavior.
