Here’s a look at today’s news:
The City of Deming Councilors approved an amendment to the Deming municipal code that will raise the pay for the mayor and city councilors. The revised ordinance is scheduled to go into effect in March of 2020 and will consist of an 8 percent increase. The current pay rates have been in effect since December of 2011.
Two classrooms at the Harrison Schmitt Elementary School and the entire student body at San Lorenzo Elementary School participated in the “Native Fish in the Classroom” program that is sponsored by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. The students are provided with a stewardship and science based curriculum, aquariums and Gila trout, and in addition, the fish biologists on the Gila National Forest assist with monitoring and supporting the classrooms. This is the third year that Silver City Consolidated Schools and the Cobre School District have been part of this program. Students took responsibility for the care and raising of fish eggs and young fish. When the all the fish reach the appropriate stage, the Gila National Forest, the Mora Fish Hatchery, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service assist with transporting the fish for the students to release – both in Sapillo Creek and in Lake Roberts. The fish are transported in aerated tanks; moved to special paniers and loaded on a mule to be released in Sapillo Creek in the Gila Wilderness. The fingerlings and the larger four-year old Gila Trout are transported by truck to Lake Roberts.
Last night during their regular meeting, the Silver Consolidated Schools Board of Education approved the relocation of the Opportunity High School to the Silver High School campus. Director of Finance, Michelle McCain presented a report showing the district will have a deficit of just under $300,000 next year and in addition, three proposals were presented that included: eliminating elementary physical education; eliminating elementary counselors; or restructuring Opportunity High School. Silver High School Principal, Shane Coker announced that there is a pod area at Silver High with four classrooms that will be able to serve as OHS classrooms.
With steady progress being made on the underground utilities and College Avenue beautification project, College Avenue will be closed at A Street on either Wednesday, May 23, or Thursday, May 24, 2018. The road will be blocked off at the intersection of A Street, so traffic will be rerouted south to 8th Street and back to College Avenue via North Lyon and B streets. This closure will allow crews from Western New Mexico University to bore under the pavement of College Avenue and make way for campus utilities. Work dates and times are weather permitting and subject to change without notice.
