Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The newest member to the Silver School Board, Mike McMillan, turned in his resignation recently. Board President Trent Petty said McMillan wished to be released, as his wife wanted to apply for a position in the district – which would have resulted in a conflict of interest. Now the board will start over again, taking its time to advertise the vacancy and set up the process of informing the public and selecting another member. Regular Board elections will happen between December and February, when the usual elections are held.
According to recent reports from the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, the official unemployment rate decreased significantly in Grant County between August and September. In September, 6.6 percent of the labor force were actively looking for jobs, down from 7.2 percent in August. Nine New Mexico counties reported higher jobless rates last month, but in the southern portion of the state, only Luna County, reported at 10.9 percent and tied for the state’s highest rate., was worse than Grant County. Hidalgo County’s rate fell from 6 percent in August to 5.3 percent in September.
Grant County Commissioners at their recent meeting heard from Rydeski and Company Insurance regarding the total amount they saved by not insuring with the state. According to his report, they saved an overall $435,000 in premiums from what they would have spent on the state plan. In their Thursday meeting, the Commissioners will: consider transferring a Ford Taurus Station Wagon from Senior Services to Grant County DWI; Hear the Silver city Arts and Cultural District director present his quarterly report on tourism, the visitor center, and marketing; approve or disapprove a proclamation naming October 2014 as Dyslexia Awareness Month, discuss a memorandum of agreement between the NMDOT and Grant County concerning Corre Caminos; and consider a grant agreement which combines End Driving While Impaired, Buckle Up/Click it or Ticket, and 100 Days and Nights of Summer grants into one payment for the Sheriff’s Office.
According to a Luna County Sheriff’s Office report, two senior women foiled a burglary Monday morning. A 71 year old woman noticed a suspicious car in her 79 year old neighbor’s driveway. The neighbor approached the 19 year-old suspect, Rene Saenz, and threatened to call 911. He reportedly grabbed her phone and fled. The 71 year-old reportedly then fired five shots at the car as it drove away, and the two called law enforcement. Luna County Undersheriff Arturo Baeza stated “We do not want residents taking the law into their own hands. Luckily no one was hurt in this incident.” However, thanks to a description of the suspect, his car, and license plate number, Luna County Sheriff’s Office found Saenz at his home, arrested him, and took him into custody without incident.
