Here’s a look at today’s news:
The Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18, at 409 W. College Avenue in Silver City, is reminding the public that they have a drop box for those wishing to find a respectful final resting place for their tattered American flags. American legion member, Bob Messner, shared that the flags are taken to Terrazas Funeral Home where they are properly incinerated.
The Quemado Ranger District Gila National Forest will begin prescribed burning operations starting the week of September 13th. According to a release, “Two areas have been targeted for prescribed fire. The first is the Baca Slash Pit located northeast of Quemado Lake Subdivision and west of Forest Service Road 13D. The Baca Slash Pit is used by residents to dispose of activity slash generated from fire-wise activities. It is anticipated ignitions will take one or two days to complete. After ignitions are completed district personnel will patrol and monitor the pit. The district is requesting people refrain from adding additional material into the pit, until the slash is out.” In addition, the second area being targeted for prescribed fire is the fuelwood area located in Dead Horse Canyon near the junction of County Road A095 and Forest Service Road 93.
The state Public Regulation Commission voted in a 4-0 decision to reject the proposed $2 billion high-voltage SunZia Southwest Transmission Project. The project proposes to erect two power lines that would intersect across seven counties in southern New Mexico, that include: Hidalgo, Luna, Grant, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, and Lincoln. It was reported the proposal was denied because of unclear information of the exact location of the lines. Since the proposal was declined with prejudice, SunZia can return with a new proposal. An area of great concern is where the power lines would cross the Rio Grande at Escondida, north of Bosque del Apache, that is an environmentally sensitive area.
A project funded by a grant to the Town of Silver City from the US Department of Transportation’s Recreational Trails Program, has started with the installation of trail signs located at key intersections, alerting visitors about hiking and walking trails located around Silver City. According to a release, “the project was conceived and managed by Southwest New Mexico Arts, Culture & Tourism, working closely with local and CDT trail advocates, the NM Department of Transportation and the US Forest Service.” In addition to the Town signs, the New Mexico Department of Transportation has installed signs on Hwy 180 and Hwy 90 directing the public to Gomez Peak, the Continental Divide Trail, Boston Hill, and Dragonfly Trail.
