Here’s a look at some of today’s local news:
According to a release from Western New Mexico University, the WNMU Board of Regents extended President Joseph Shepard’s contract through 2024 at their meeting on Thursday, September 19, in Albuquerque. They also approved the transfer of university golf course equipment to the Town of Silver City, voted to move forward with funding phase three of the Harlan Hall Natural Science building renovation, agreed to purchase 42.4 acres of land for a future facility in Deming, and tabled the president’s 2019-2020 evaluation form and performance goals. Shepard’s contract, which was due to end in 2020, will now expire in June 30, 2024.
Barbara Borden Rios, a native of Deming and annual fair volunteer has been named this year’s Southwestern New Mexico State Fair Parade Grand Marshall. Barbara Borden Rios grew up in a farm and ranching family, has competed in many fairs and horse shows, has been crowned Miss Luna County, and participated in 4-H and FFA showing sheep. Currently, Rios serves as the announcer to the livestock shows which she has volunteered to do since 1996. The Southwestern New Mexico State Fair Parade is scheduled for Saturday, October 5th, starting at 10:00 A.M.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, in association with the Gila National Forest and Heart of the Gila, announces “From the River to the Stars,” a National Public Lands Day event on Saturday, September 28th. The day will kick off at the West Fork Trailhead where, from 10 am to 1 pm, visitors are welcome to join a short river walk to learn about the native plants of the Gila region as well as the non-native species which threaten them. This year Heart of the Gila received a grant from the National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance to provide education on the values of the Gila wilderness and its native plants in addition to providing funds for volunteers to learn about non-native riparian plants and to help remove these species from the biologically diverse canyons of the Gila Wilderness. Heart of the Gila works in partnership with the Wilderness District of the Gila National Forest. National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day volunteer effort for America’s public lands.
