Here’s a look at today’s local news:
Grant County 4-H has announced that a local student, Randi White, has been accepted into the New Mexico Youth Ranch Management Camp this summer. Attendees will be learning everything about the cattle industry and cattle ranching from standard cuts of beef, to cattle reproduction, genetics, nutrition, animal welfare, in addition to getting practice on preparing and presenting loan proposals to bankers. Randi, will be receiving three credit hours from NMSU towards a degree in agriculture. Grant County 4-H Council President, Justin Billings, is also among the top youth that will be attending this year’s camp.
Owners of short-term rentals in Silver City and throughout the state are now required to pay the same five-percent lodgers’ tax that hotel and motel operators pay, due to legislation passed during the recent session of the New Mexico State Legislature. The new law takes effect January 1st, 2020, and allows municipalities to begin registering such businesses and collecting tax on all rentals of 30 days or less. According to Town Manager, Alex Brown, “the legislation creates a more equitable situation for those who earn income on visitor and guest overnight (or longer) stays.”
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument announced today the summer schedule of ranger-guided interpretive programs. The staff will be offering daily guided tours as well as the popular full moon tours of the dwellings. Programs begin May 24th, (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend) and will run through Labor Day weekend. Full moon hikes will also return in 2019. The program begins at night, taking visitors on a tour of the cliff dwellings under moonlight. This program is different from the standard daytime guided tour, and lasts for 90 minutes. Visitors are required to wear sturdy shoes or boots, and should bring red-lens flashlights or headlamps. Visitors are encouraged to call the Gila Visitor Center 575-536-9461 for reservations, only a limited number of people can participate due to safety concerns.
Graduating seniors from Deming High School have had the opportunity to apply for up to $84,000 worth of scholarships provided by 51 Deming organizations, businesses and private citizens. Yvonne Perales, academic counselor at Deming High School, stated that most of the available scholarships focus in particular areas of study, including a new one this year in technical studies that covers vocations such as health care, culinary arts, science, engineering, math, and other technology based fields.
