Here’s a look at some local news:
The New Mexico Department of Health has reported that that reported suicides have increased 6.7 percent from 2017. According to the NMDH, 535 people died by suicide last year. Mental Health experts told the Albuquerque Journal that 2018 marked the highest suicide rate on record since the state began keeping track of the information in 1999. In addition, the Violence Policy Center of New Mexico reported that the state has the 4th highest rate in the nation in 2017.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham presented the City of Deming and Luna County with the 2019 Governor’s Humanitarian Award during a ceremony at the governor’s residence in Santa Fe. According to a release, the Governor called the city of Deming and Luna County “shining examples of humanitarianism” and the “very best of New Mexico’s compassionate spirit” Monday night as she honored them for caring for immigrant families and children who were abandoned at the border by federal immigration officials. The town of 14,000 responded by opening a humanitarian shelter at the county fairgrounds, then filling it with cots and stockpiles of donated diapers, toiletries and clothing for the new arrivals, who were mostly from Latin America. The governor and her staff visited Deming to support the response efforts in May.
The Western New Mexico Board of Regents will be meeting to discuss asset disposal, a capital projects transmittal for Harlan Hall, acquisition of land and existing structures, and the president’s 2019-2020 evaluation form, performance goals and contract. Regents Janice Baca-Argabright, Dr. Carl Foster, Jerry Walz, Dr. Mary Hotvedt and Tim Stillman, will represent their respective committees, and WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard, Vice President for Business Affairs Kelley Riddle and Board Chair Baca-Argabright will present some of the action items.
A Southwestern design to be painted at the intersection of Kelly and Bullard Streets in Downtown Silver City is planned for Sunday, September 22nd. The project has been planned for last weekend, but because of heavy rainfall, it was rescheduled.
