Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
At its Tuesday, Sept. 8, Silver City town council meeting, District 3 Councilor Jose Ray Jr. stated, “I want to pursue, if possible, with the town council behind it, mayor and staff, about the territorial charter that we once had here. This charter was in effect and it legalized gambling and legalized ladies of the night. I would like to see it bring (sic) back to see how far we can go with this. Due to the mining planning to shut down or lay off people, I think it would be a good opportunity to look into it. We could probably create some jobs. More people employed by the city, and numerous things. I would like to know why, or who, or when, it was taken out. I know that I‘m going to step on some people’s toes. I know that some people aren’t going to like it. But, I think that sometimes we have to think outside the box. We can’t always count on the mining.” Ray also suggested that the police department have two officers in each patrol unit due to the many assaults against police officers throughout the nation.
Western New Mexico University has announced September 21 as the opening date for its new fitness center in the Brancheau P.E. Complex. The fitness center features the newly remodeled swimming pool and locker rooms that will be available for the public through monthly memberships. Community members may purchase membership access at the Business Office in Castorena Hall for $50 a month. Monthly membership includes access to the pool, locker rooms, Intramural Gym and racquetball courts. Access to WNMU students, faculty and staff is free. Fitness Center hours are 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. The swimming pool is open for WNMU students only from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The United States Surgeon General today issued a call to action to address major public health challenges such as heart disease and diabetes. Step It Up! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities articulates the health benefits of walking while addressing the fact that many communities unacceptably lack safe and convenient places for individuals to walk or wheelchair roll.
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports in 2013, the most recent year for which full data are available, 41,149 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. One area of concern about suicide rates is teens. The number of suicides for teens in the United States in 2013 was around 4600 – that’s an average of 12 per day. Fortunately, the New Mexico Department of Health recently completed a report examining teen suicide trends over ten years in our state and found suicide attempts declining by 35 percent over the decade.
