Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The American Hiking Society and Michelob Ultra are sponsoring a contest between 10 nominated trails nationwide, and the winning community will receive a $25,000 grant to be used to support its trail. All it takes is a vote. To help bring this $25,000 grant to Silver City, log on to superiortrails.michelobultra.com and vote for the CDT, Continental Divide Trail, joint entry for Silver City and Chama. You must be 21 to vote, but you can vote every day through October 31st. There’s no purchase necessary. Winning this grant would be another step forward in building Silver City’s Continental Divide Trail credibility as the first Gateway Community.
Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall encouraged New Mexicans to participate in the 10th National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day this Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. MT, and to return unwanted, unneeded or expired prescriptions for safe disposal. The local take-back site in Silver City will be Walgreens, 100 Rosedale Road. The event is sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and provides free anonymous drop–off sites throughout the state for New Mexicans to safely dispose of unwanted medications. Residents can search online by county, city or zip code for the collection site nearest them by going to http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/ or calling 1-800-882-9539.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) is urging the National Guard Bureau near Washington D.C. to conduct an audit to ensure New Mexico National Guardsmen are being properly compensated for their service. After his office was contacted by a New Mexico National Guardsman who said he wasn’t fully compensated for his re-enlistment bonus, Senator Heinrich received confirmation that there was no record of his payment being processed. In response, Senator Heinrich sent a letter to the National Guard asking that it immediately rectify the situation.
The Office of the Attorney General is traveling throughout New Mexico offering free training sessions on Sunshine Laws designed to help government agencies and municipalities better understand the requirements of the state’s Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and its Open Meetings Act (OMA). The training sessions will be held monthly through the end of the year. Attorney General Balderas will attend the upcoming Las Cruces training with attorneys from the Office of the Attorney General.
