Here’s a look at some news:
Spring has arrived and visitation is beginning to increase on the forest. The weather in southwestern New Mexico has been quite varied, with high winds, minimal moisture and increasing high temperatures. Gila National Forest officials are reminding visitors to always practice campfire safety by following some simple guidelines: Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five (5) feet in all directions; make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out; never leave your campfire unattended and put it out at night; avoid making a campfire during the windy part of the day; and make sure your campfire is out, by drowning it with water and stirring with dirt, making sure all burned materials are extinguished.
For the second consecutive year, total payments to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will surpass a quarter of a trillion dollars, which includes an increase of nearly $20 billion from last year, according to data reported in the Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. New findings from the report show the growing burden of Alzheimer’s on people living with the disease, their families and caregivers, as well as society at large. The number of older Americans is growing rapidly, so too is the number of people living with Alzheimer’s and the subsequent impact to the nation’s economy. By 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion.
Students at Calvary Christian Academy graduated from the Grant County D.A.R.E Program this week. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program works with students from kindergarten to 12th grade to teach them the value of staying away from drugs, alcohol, violence and gangs. The Grant County Sheriff’s Department coordinated the program for both the Silver and Cobre Consolidated School Districts. Six Calvary students were awarded D.A.R.E backpacks and other gear, in addition to two students being finalists in the essay contest. Lacey Lewis and Emma Rudd created essays describing their personal experiences during the 10-week D.A.R.E program. Sheriff Raul Villanueva awarded the final essay prize to Lacey Lewis, who received a mountain bike as her reward.
The Luna County Youth Prevention and Advocacy Coalition is hosting a community meeting to address underage drinking and discuss plans to create parent party patrols during graduation time in May. The Luna County Youth Prevention and Advocacy Coalition played an instrumental role into putting the “Social Host Ordinance” into law that holds adults responsible who host parties whereby underage drinking is permitted. Other New Mexico communities that have enacted this ordinance are Espanola, Santa Fe and Moriarty. The Deming meeting is tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m. at the Luna County Sheriff’s Office, located at 2462 J Street in Deming’s Industrial Park area.
