The National Weather Service has reported that all of Grant County remains in severe (D2) drought status, with moderate to severe drought conditions firmly in place across Southwest New Mexico. The Gila River is running slightly below normal, while the Mimbres River has dried up and is expected to remain dry through the spring and early summer. Periods of elevated fire danger are possible in February as winds increase, although Energy Release Components (ERCs) across the Gila National Forest are currently below normal for this time of year.
Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services’ Executive Director and SANE Coordinator spent time at the Roundhouse alongside New Mexico legislators and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (NMCSAP), advocating for survivors across the state. During their visit, they met with lawmakers to emphasize the importance of maintaining $2 million in the state budget dedicated to sexual assault services statewide and to build support for House Bill 151, which would reform the civil statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse. They also attended Grant County Day, where they highlighted the critical importance of GRO funding and its role in sustaining essential services in rural communities.
Yesterday, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham joined local leaders, business owners, and residents in the City of Deming and across Luna County to hear updates on community progress and ongoing development efforts. The governor highlighted her administration’s support for these initiatives through nearly $8 million in capital outlay funding, which is being invested in critical Luna County projects, including the development of an Emergency Operations Center and the expansion of learning center daycare facilities to better serve local families and strengthen community infrastructure.
In Hidalgo County news:
Hidalgo County 4-H sent senior members to the New Mexico 4-H Senior Leadership Retreat, a three-day event focused on leadership development and connection among youth across the state. As part of the retreat, members submitted State 4-H Portfolios documenting their growth and service, which are competitively judged to select delegates for the National 4-H Congress. For the third consecutive year, a Hidalgo County member was chosen, with Haidyn Barnard selected to represent both the county and New Mexico at the 2026 National 4-H Congress this fall. Congratulations to Haidyn.
