Fire department funding was the primary focus of Thursday’s Grant County commission meeting, with approval granted for a $191,300 water tank for the Fort Bayard Fire Department using a combination of state rollover funds, county fire funds and the fire chief’s administrative fund. The commission also approved $196,000 in state rollover funds for the purchase of 60 multiband radios for the Pinos Altos Fire Department. In other business, the county submitted applications to the Colonias Infrastructure Fund seeking funds for regional infrastructure projects, including improvements to Ridge Road, Broken Arrow Road, Crum Road and Frank Road.
A federal appeals court has ordered the U.S. Department of Education to continue the School-Based Mental Health Services Grant, restoring potential funding for Silver Consolidated Schools. The ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds earlier decisions finding the department’s cancellation of the grants unlawful and sends the case back to district court to set new deadlines. The district had been awarded $5 million under the program created through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, with half of the funding still unspent when discontinuation notices were issued. While the decision is a significant win, the department could still appeal or reassess the grant based on performance.
Grant County Sheriff’s Office officials are alerting residents to a recent rise in online and phone scams that are targeting the elderly and have led to substantial financial losses. These scams, part of a nationwide trend, often involve fraudulent calls, texts, or emails pretending to be from government agencies, banks, or trusted companies. Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, educate vulnerable family members, and report any suspected scams promptly to law enforcement.
In New Mexico Wildlife news:
For the 2026–2027 license year, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife will reduce the number of Persian ibex licenses in response to the most recent population data, citing the need to support long-term herd stability and preserve future hunting opportunities. As part of the changes, female and immature ibex licenses will be discontinued, the number of either-sex licenses will be reduced, and the over-the-counter ibex hunt will be eliminated. The adjustments are intended to ensure sustainable management of the species moving forward.
