Here’s some of today’s news:
Women military veterans and transitioning active-duty personnel are invited to stop by a special New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) women veterans outreach visit to the agency’s Grant County/Santa Clara Veterans Service Office tomorrow located at 11990 Highway 180 East from 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. DVS Women Veterans Program Manager Amanda Somerville will be available to answer questions and help women veterans file for the many VA and state veterans benefits including ones available exclusively for women veterans. No appointments are necessary and women veterans are encouraged to bring their DD-214 separation papers to help facilitate any immediate assistance with benefits claims. In addition, participants can also apply for damaged, lost, or stolen DD-214’s.
The Western New Mexico University Foundation celebrated the group of 40 donors who joined the President’s Society during its inaugural year, committing to give at least $1,000 in unrestricted funds annually, with a reception, a lecture, a recognition wall reveal and an al fresco dinner on campus. According to a release, some of the inaugural President’s Society members gifted as much as $75,000 in this first year, while many of the gifts were between $5,000 and $10,000 apiece. Each inaugural President’s Society member is named on a decorative wall in Castorena Hall. Designed by the WNMU Foundation’s Kacie Peterson, the wall features copper sheets donated by Freeport McMoRan, Inc., New Mexico Operations and handmade tile commissioned from Syzygy Tile in downtown Silver City. In addition, centered on the wall is the artwork that was gifted by Pete Nebbia, titled “Cloud” that serves as a symbol of perseverance through the journey of life and all that WNMU offers the region.
The City of Deming and the Luna County Early Childhood Coalition have partnered together and secured a Community Development Block Grant award of $675,000 to build an all-inclusive playground in Deming. The funds will help create a 4,800 square- foot playground area at Voiers “Pit” Park that is located on North Country Club Road. The inspiration for this project was initiated by local parent, Gloria Orozco, whose son Fabian, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The park will be built to accommodate children of all physical abilities including those with special needs. Construction of the park is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2019.
Today was the registration deadline to participate in the 2018 General Election. In addition, County clerks began sending absentee ballots, and in-person voting started at each county clerk’s office during normal business hours. Countywide early voting begins on October 20th and ends on November 3rd and the mid-term general election is on Tuesday, November 6th.
