Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The New Mexico Attorney General’s Office is seeking victims of a former Silver City resident who has been charged in federal court with possession of child pornography. John Henry Bevel, Jr., a current resident of Las Cruces was charged in October with sexual exploitation of children and has since been taken into federal custody. This remains an active investigation and anyone with information about children that may have been victimized by Bevel, Jr., should immediately call the Office of the Attorney General at 505-717-3542 or La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services at 575-524-3437.
The Village of Columbus, along with New Mexico Department of Transportation, Deming Public Schools, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, Luna County and the City of Deming will hold a public meeting to provide information on the ongoing NM 11 36-Mile Corridor Study, from the U.S./Mexico Border to NM 26. The project team is inviting residents and businesses to come and view the preliminary alternatives, and will answer any questions the public may have regarding this project. The meeting will be held this evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center at 2300 East Pine Street in Deming. For more information, call 575-652-1358.
Here is a little history of the iconic “Kearney Mine” Christmas star that is on display in our area. The original Kearney star was constructed and displayed back in the 1940’s. Mine employees requested that a Christmas star be hung high on the headframe for community to view over the holiday season. Employees built an eight- foot star from two by fours and connected colored lights to the frame. The star was replaced by a 10-foot steel version with lights operated by solar panels and batteries. The Kearney star will be lit and attached to the Kearney mine headframe located along Highway 152 near Santa Rita, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
The 27th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade entertained visitors in downtown Silver City last Saturday, with over 20 float entries and a visit from Santa Claus. The parade began at 7:00 p.m. and made its way down Broadway, continuing on Bullard, and finishing up on Pope Street. This year, the judges determined winners in four categories that included School, Nonprofit, Commercial, and Individual. In the School category, Silver High School Band took first place, Guadalupe Montessori/Aldo Leopold Charter School was awarded second place, and Western New Mexico University took third place. In the Nonprofit category, Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church took first place, the U.S. Forest Service won second place, and the Grant County Farm and Livestock Bureau received a third- place award. In the Commercial category, the Republican Party was awarded first place, Taylor Truck and Auto won second place, and Freeport McMoRan received a third- place award. Finally, for the Individual category, first place was awarded to Crystal Bloomfield, James Flores received second place, and Robert McDonald won third place.
