Community News

The Kiwanis Club of Silver City celebrated students honored as Terrific Kids for September at San Lorenzo Elementary School.  Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Silver City, Terrific Kids is a student-recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance. "Terrific" is an acronym for Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable! Besides getting a certificate, each child is given a packet of terrific kids gear for them and their parents. 

Those honored are: back, Grayson Montes-3rd, Jenta Gulick-4th, Joliegh Ford-5h, Harper Runyan-1st. Front, Elias Benavides-Pre-K, Laityn Schmidt-Kinder.  Missing is Clay Jenkerson-2nd

Silver City, NM- Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is proud to announce the appointment of Annette Verovich, RN, as its new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). With over a decade of nursing experience and a deep commitment to patient-centered care, Verovich brings a wealth of clinical expertise, leadership, and a passion for community health to her new role.

Verovich has served HMS in several key capacities, including Nurse Supervisor, Quality and Safety Coordinator, Infection Control, and, most recently, Interim Director of Nursing, where she led initiatives to improve care delivery, staff development, and patient safety. Her leadership was instrumental in launching the Lead MA program and supporting the onboarding and mentorship of new clinical staff. 

The 16th annual Wreaths Across America program for the Fort Bayard National Cemetery is underway.

Members of the Grant County community are invited to remember and honor veterans buried at the cemetery during the Christmas holiday season. Wreath placing will be held on Saturday morning, December 13 at 9:00 (Specific Requests) and 9:30 (General). The WAA Remembrance Ceremony will follow at 10:30.

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) invites the community to attend Cobre High School's Homecoming football game against Hatch Valley High School on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 PM.

As part of its Gila Regional CARES initiative, GRMC is sponsoring free admission to this special event, underscoring its commitment to supporting local schools and fostering community spirit.

"We're honored to support Cobre High and provide an opportunity for families and fans to come together and celebrate our students," said Robert Whitaker, CEO of GRMC. "Homecoming is a meaningful tradition, and we're excited to help make it accessible to everyone."

GRMC encourages all community members to attend, show their school pride, and cheer on the Cobre Indians in what promises to be a memorable night.

WNMU Student Board of Regents Keana Huerte works on one of the Nursing School's medical robots. Keana is a Level Three nursing student at WNMUSILVER CITY, NM—Keana Huerta, Student Regent of Western New Mexico University, is on a mission to ignite a deeper connection between the college, its students, and the broader community. Unanimously voted into the position by the New Mexico State Senate, Huerta is focusing her efforts on fostering a campus environment where every student feels the same excitement she does about the university. 

Huerta's journey to the Board of Regents is a testament to her commitment to her community. A lifelong resident of Grant County, she served as a Councilwoman for the Town of Hurley from 2022 to 2025. Her passion for public service and dedication to WNMU led Huerta to her current role as Student Regent. 

SILVER CITY, NM — Dr. Jennifer Johnston, an associate professor of psychology at Western New Mexico University (WNMU), used her one-year sabbatical in Winchester, UK as a launchpad into a groundbreaking field of research, reshaping how we understand the human brain.

Her time abroad was a period of intense productivity, focused on pioneering research, networking with global scholars, and authoring a book poised to change the field of psychology.

SILVER CITY, NM—Western New Mexico University (WNMU) has launched a comprehensive nationwide search for its next president. The president serves as the institution's chief executive officer and reports directly to the WNMU Board of Regents. The new president will guide the university through a pivotal period of renewal and growth, ensuring its sustainability and mission in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

The search committee will be co-chaired by Board of Regent Vice Chairman John Wertheim and Treasurer Dean Reed. Members of the search committee also include representatives of the WNMU faculty, staff and students, including Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia West, WNMU Faculty Senate President Gregory Robinson-Guerra, Staff Senate President Bartholomew Brown, Associated Students of WNMU President Carlos Carranza, Assistant Vice President of Student Life April Burt, and Randy Gomez from WNMU Facilities, with two additional members representing the WNMU faculty to be named at a future date. Comprising members of the public will be Grant County Commissioner Chris Ponce, Town of Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent William Hawkins, Bart Roselli representing the Silver City Chamber of Commerce, Former State Rep. Candie G. Sweetser, WNMU Alumni Board member Evangeline Zamora and Javier Marrufo from LULAC.

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is proud to announce a new partnership with the Silver City Food Co-Op, aimed at supporting healthier lifestyles for hospital staff and the broader community. This collaboration is part of GRMC's Semi-Sweet September initiative, which encourages mindful eating and reduced sugar intake.

As a gesture of support, the Co-Op is offering a discount on yearly memberships and two shopping coupons to all GRMC employees during the month of September. This exclusive benefit makes it easier for staff to access fresh, local, and health-conscious products, reinforcing GRMC's commitment to employee wellness and community engagement.