Archery, muzzleloader, and early rifle hunting access in the Gila National Forest’s Reserve Ranger District is expected to be impacted by the continued closure of a 4.5-mile segment of Forest Road 141 and the South Fork Campground. The closure, which extends from Rainy Mesa to Eckelberger Canyon, requires hunters and visitors to take detours to reach the Negrito area, Willow Creek, Snow Lake, Gwynn Tank campgrounds, and other nearby sites. Implemented in May 2025 as a public safety measure, the closure prohibits all entry on the affected section of Forest Road 141 and will remain in effect through mid-October, unless the South Fork Negrito Creek bridge replacement project is completed ahead of schedule.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Silver City Pick It Up – Toss No Mas and its volunteers, the August Cleanup event was a great success. This month’s initiative emphasized water quality by safeguarding local waterways from contamination. Twenty volunteers contributed their time and energy, removing an estimated 1,000 pounds of litter and debris from key areas, including San Vicente Creek, Big Ditch Park, Highways 90 and 180, Snake Hill, and the Silver Creek Botanical Garden.
At its recent meeting, the Bayard City Council approved two state capital outlay grant agreements, one designated for the purchase of heavy equipment and the other for trucks for the city’s maintenance department. Councilors also accepted two additional grants: a one-time rural library grant in the amount of $43,859.65 and the ¡Que Linda! grant totaling $86,400. A resolution was passed to adjust the city’s budget to account for these grants and other purchases approved during the meeting.
Last in our news:
The Village of Columbus Mayor along with the Municipal President, Lic. and the President of the Municipal DIF, held meetings in Columbus and Puerto Palomas to review collaborative efforts between Mexico and the United States. Discussions centered on improvements to the levee system aimed at preventing flooding in Puerto Palomas de Villa and at both the American and Mexican customs facilities. The initiative seeks to align the levee construction ensuring that local residents are protected and to mitigate the impact of rainwater and minimize potential damage to homes in Puerto Palomas.
