Here’s a look today’s news:

Hidalgo Medical Services has been recognized as a New Mexico Performance Excellence Award (NMPEA) Piñon Level Recipient. As a Piñon Level recipient, HMS has demonstrated initial commitment to long-term process improvement, sustainability, efficiency and excellence. HMS will be receiving the Piñon Award at the upcoming Quality New Mexico Learning Summit and NMPEA Awards Ceremony in April 2018.

The New Mexico Department of Health joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in encouraging New Mexico families to take time this Thanksgiving holiday to discuss your family’s health history. National Family Health History Day was created in hopes of sparking the important conversations that don’t always happen in families but are always useful for understanding health risks and preventing disease for ourselves and our close relatives. Having a family health history with negative health diagnoses does not mean that you or your family members will definitely have the same illness, but it is important that you talk with your doctor about steps that you can take to lower your chances of having the same illness too.

Beginning December 1st, the New Mexico Department of Transportation will be closing the gates located on NM 159 seasonally. The lower gate at mile post 12.3 and the upper gate located at mile post 22.6 will be CLOSED due to expected winter weather conditions making the roadway impassable. The traveling public is asked to use US 180 to NM 12 (Reserve) to NM 435 (Reserve Beaverhead Road) for access into Willow Creek, Snow Lake and the Gila National Forrest.

Members of the “PNM Forerunners” donated 120 pounds of aluminum pull tabs that will be given to the Ronald McDonald House for recycling. The tabs were mostly collected from the Southwest area. “PNM Forerunners” is an organization of retirees from PNM Gas and Electric Company and Texas New Mexico Power Company. Ronald McDonald House through a network of local Chapters helps families with sick children by providing support and resources when they need it the most.

In other news, feel free to drop off a new and unwrapped toy for the annual Toys for Tots drive at Arby’s in Silver City. When you drop off a toy, you can get a free roast beef sandwich.