Here’s a look at today’s local news:
A brush fire located on U.S. Highway 180 West between Silver City Cliff was extinguished by volunteer firefighters Tuesday afternoon. Tyrone Volunteer Fire and Rescue personnel arrived at the scene located between mile marker 103 and 105 and discovered 3 separate fires. Grant County Sheriff’s Officers and New Mexico State Police assisted in directing traffic while the fires were contained. The total fire burned under 2 acres of land and it is possible that it was ignited by a vehicle dragging a chain or other item.
In New Mexico legislative news, Senator Clemente Sanchez of Grants, created a state minimum wage proposal that would raise the minimum wage to $9.25 an hour starting in October. The amount would increase to $10 in April of 2020, and then to $10.50 in 2021 and cap out at $11 in 2022. In addition, this proposal does not contain the directive that the minimum wage change annually based on inflation, but does allow employers to pay $8.50 an hour to high school students. The proposed bill is headed to a vote on the Senate floor and if passed will go to the House of Representatives.
The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting that flu activity remains at a high level across the state with the rate of flu-related hospitalizations in New Mexico being the second highest among states that participate in CDC’s influenza hospitalization tracking. In addition, the overall rate of laboratory-confirmed flu hospitalizations in New Mexico is nearly double that of the other participating states. The rate of hospital admissions among children aged four and younger is particularly high. For the current flu season, New Mexico has a rate of influenza-related hospital admissions for this age group, 3.2 times greater than the other participating states. Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Kathy Kunkel, has stated that “families need to take seriously the threat that flu can have on their health and get their flu vaccination today. It’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Two Deming senior citizens captured medals at the Arizona State Senior Swim Meet last month in Phoenix. Yenny Van Dinter and Pamela Gulbrandson, competed in the meet despite freezing temperatures that covered most of Arizona at that time. Gulbrandson, won three silver medals by competing in the 200-yard freestyle and the 50- and 100-yard breaststroke. Van Dinter, captured gold in the 50-yard breaststroke and she took silver in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. The two senior athletes are now preparing for the Dona Ana Swim Meet on Saturday March 16th in Las Cruces.
