Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Three people were arrested in two separate shooting incidents over the weekend. The first shots were fired early Saturday morning at the Memory Lane apartments. A 15 year old boy was shot in the ankle and air-lifted to El Paso for treatment. The owner of the apartment, Jessica Guerrero was arrested and charged with two counts of child abuse, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and selling or giving alcohol to a minor. Josh Villa, a person of interest in the shooting, is still being sought. In a separate incident, two other men were arrested after shooting at two vehicles as they drove by. Phillip Ray reportedly told police he had been shot at by the drivers of the vehicles, and that he and his friend, Michael Salaiz, fired back. The two were arrested, and police have issued a warrant for Corey Maldonado for shooting from a motor vehicle.
WNMU President Joseph Shepherd surprised students when he showed up as the instructor for a developmental math class this semester. Dr. Shepherd noted he wants to “position himself in an active learning environment that allows him to view the university from an instructional perspective and step into the faculty’s shoes to better understand the challenges they have.” He says it also gives him an opportunity to better understand the students’ experiences at WNMU.
The Silver Consolidated School Board met last Thursday to listen to and discuss employee grievances and review the 2014-15 school year budget. Despite enrollment being the lowest it has been in the past four years at only 2,962 students, the school retained its approximately $24 million budget from last year. Salaries for school employees take up $14 million of the budget, retirement funds add up to $1.8 million, medical insurance for employees is $1.4 million, and thousands of dollars are also distributed for dental, vision, medicare, and other costs. Additional funding is also granted for training, school supplies, and service fees for career courses at WNMU. A copy of the audit records is available for anyone who chooses to see them.
The Thirteenth Annual Honoring Our Heroes 9/11 Patriot Day Memorial is scheduled for this Thursday afternoon from 2 to 7 pm. Memorial Boards listing every name of the 3,355 victims at the World Trade Center; the Pentagon; Shanksville, Pennsylvania; and Flight 93 will be available for view. The memorial will also feature newspaper clippings from September 11th 2001 and a powerpoint presentation depicting over 150 images of the devastation. The community is invited out to honor these men, women and children at Gough Park, once again from 2 to 7 pm. Walk throughout the Park alongside friends, neighbors, and family to show your respect and support.
