The City of Lordsburg and Hidalgo County have been awarded New Mexico Fire Protection Grant funding for projects scheduled in 2026. The City of Lordsburg received $347,500 to acquire a new Wildland Brush Truck, a specialized firefighting vehicle designed for rural and wildland environments, noted for its compact size, four-wheel drive capabilities, and maneuverability on difficult terrain. Hidalgo County was awarded $500,000 to complete critical improvements to the fire station on DeMoss Street, along with an additional $25,000 stipend to help offset volunteer call-out costs.
The New Mexico State Geologist and director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech announced that contractors will be deployed throughout this month and in December to conduct low-altitude aerial geophysical surveys in several regions of the state. The first flights began on November 15 in Las Cruces, with additional survey operations scheduled to commence near Silver City and continue toward Lordsburg and southward for approximately 15–20 days. A helicopter equipped with specialized instruments will fly at an altitude of roughly 100 feet, collecting geophysical data along predetermined flight paths.
The Village of Columbus announced that recent water testing conducted by the Emerging Contaminants Program (ECP) within the Water Protection Division of the New Mexico Environment Department confirmed that the community’s water supply is clear of detectable levels of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), as well as all other contaminants included in this testing cycle. According to ECP, the PFAS compounds sampled were either non-detect or present at levels below existing regulatory thresholds, indicating that the Village’s drinking water meets all applicable safety standards.
In New Mexico news:
New Mexico students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the Art of Conservation New Mexico Fish Art Contest, an initiative that encourages young artists to highlight the beauty and significance of the state’s aquatic species. Entries may feature any fish found in New Mexico waters, from native Rio Grande trout to the vibrant bass inhabiting the state’s reservoirs. Special recognitions include the New Mexico Native Trout Award for artwork depicting Gila trout or Rio Grande cutthroat trout and the Mighty Minnow Award for kindergarten participants. The submission deadline is January 31, 2026. Visit, website for more information.
