Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Despite the encouraging news that New Mexico is working it’s way back out of the drought conditions thanks to the rains we’ve gotten this summer, it isn’t all good news across the state. Even in our little corner of the southwest, roads are closed due to damage and debris from the flooding. NM 152 near Kingston, already damaged by last summer’s Silver Fire, was closed when the road was almost completely washed away. Last weekend, NM 211 near Gila and Cliff closed due to debris washing up onto the roadway. A detour has been set up to allow access around the area. Though the NMDOT is uncertain how long it will take to clear the debris, it is estimated it will take a few weeks before crews can safely clear the area.
The Arizona woman who escaped her car when it was trapped in a flood returned to the scene this week. She found her car about half a mile from where she had gone of the road. Although the driver sustained no injuries and managed to walk to safety in the flooded Bear Creek, her car was totaled when she found it days later. She was caught in the flooded creek in the early hours of Monday morning.
Saturday, September 27, 2014 is Free Fishing Day across the state and everyone is allowed to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license. New Mexico State Parks invites you to enjoy a day of free fishing at a park near you. Regular entrance fees apply. State Park officials remind you to always make safety your number one priority—be prepared on the water and always wear your lifejacket! FREE boating safety classes are offered around the state and on-line throughout the year.
An agreement was filed with state regulators today that, if approved, would allow PNM to build 40 megawatts of new solar next year, a $79 million investment in green energy. By 2016, PNM will have enough solar power to serve 40,000 average homes. Today, PNM has eight operating solar centers plus three more under construction. PNM customers also benefit from wind and geothermal energy. PNM has used the power generated by the New Mexico Wind Energy Center since 2003 and will add more wind power from the Red Mesa Wind Energy Center starting Jan. 1, 2015. PNM is the first utility to use energy from the Dale Burgett Geothermal Plant. The agreement filed today must be approved by state regulators. A public hearing will be held next month.
Community members are invited to enjoy the newly renovated Light Hall Auditorium beginning Saturday, October 4. Movie screenings are scheduled at no cost to community members on Saturday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. A newly created website, http://www.movies.wnmu.edu , is available for moviegoers to see film titles, show times and prices. Beginning Friday, October 10, movie showings will be offered to the community each weekend at a minimal cost. WNMU students will be admitted for free to each showing, community students will be admitted at $1 per showing and adults will be admitted for $2 per showing. Concession sales will be available. During the week, the auditorium will be used as an education space for lectures and performances.
