GRMC Townhall 011024

Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

ceo whitaker at townhall 011024GRMC CEO Robert Whitaker led a townhall for about 70 people and talked about the hospital and in this photo about his future concerns.

Gila Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Robert Whitaker opened the townhall at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center on Jan. 10, 2024, by introducing himself as the new permanent CEO for the hospital.

He said he would talk about what is happening at the hospital, and he looked forward to answering questions at the end. "Pay attention, because there will be a test at the end," he chuckled.

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Hidalgo Medical Services Demystifies "False" Editorial

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) continues to serve our patients and our community and to make the needed changes to serve the community effectively within the current challenging healthcare environment by adapting and being proactive to provide good quality healthcare. Similar to most healthcare systems and businesses in this difficult economic environment, HMS has its share of challenges and opportunities. In response to the recent Editorial in the Grant County Beat, we wanted to provide factual information to demystify the article's content.

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, HMS was the primary provider of testing and vaccinations; this increased demand for services led to its phone systems reaching capacity. Often, the call demand led to an inability to answer the calls due to phone line capacity being reached or an inability to answer the calls in a timely manner due to the volume of calls entering the system. HMS took the situation seriously and, listened to the feedback from the community and immediately began researching available phone systems, and worked with our local phone carrier to determine the best solution.

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Freeport-McMoRan Announces Leadership Transition

To download a PDF of the release, please visit the following link: Freeport-McMoRan Announces Leadership Transition

  • Kathleen Quirk to become Chief Executive Officer
  • Richard Adkerson to continue as Chairman of the Board

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) announced today the appointment of Kathleen L. Quirk as President and Chief Executive Officer to be effective at the annual meeting of shareholders on June 11, 2024. Ms. Quirk will assume full responsibility for executive management of the business reporting to the FCX Board of Directors.

Richard C. Adkerson will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors, supporting the leadership transition and Freeport’s business on strategic matters of significance to the company.

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2023 Grant County 4-H Awards Banquet held 012324

The Grant County 2023 4-H Awards Banquet took place on Jan. 23, 2024 at the Grant County Extension Office. Extension Agricultural Agent Jessica Massengill and Extension Family, Consumer Services Agent Lauren Baker welcomed the guests. For the awards portion, please see the PDF below:

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Grant County Independent Voter Registrations Still Strangely High.

By Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist

When the Grant County's Clerk's office was asked to give the number of Independents* registered to vote, it was discovered that they are now lumped in with Others for a total of 4,092. Independents until recently were separated out. Others include the Green Party and other small parties that usually totaling 77 to 130 voters. Both the Democrat and Republican voter count has remained stable.

The total number of registered voters as of January 2024 is 20,254. Since the adult population of Grant County is 20,839, that signifies a registration rate of 97%. According to Pew Research the national average is 66%. Democrats are 10,092, Republicans 5,692, and Libertarians are at 185.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 010924 and regular meeting 011124, part 6

[Editor's Note: This is part 6 and the final article of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024 and the regular meeting on Jan. 11, 2024. This continues the work session review of the regular meeting agenda and the decisions and actions taken at the regular meeting.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

County Manager Charlene Webb continued the review of the Jan. 11, 2024 regular meeting agenda at the Jan. 9, 2024 work session.

After the approval of minutes came the Financial report dated Jan. 2, 2024. Financial Officer Linda Vasquez gave the report at the work session. Expenditures totaled $3,859,872.41 including two pay periods and the clothing allowance and the LERF (law enforcement retention fund) for the Sheriff's Office, totaling $516,521.95. Extraordinary expenses are shown in the graph below:

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One minor arrested after Bayard fight

By Roger Lanse

A Bayard Police Department officer was dispatched to a reported group of juveniles fighting near the Mi Ranchito store at about 4:17 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. When the officer arrived, he encountered three male juveniles, a 15-year-old and two 13-year-olds, walking along Central Avenue, the two 13-year-olds bleeding from their faces.

According to a BPD incident report, one of the juveniles ran from the officer, ignoring his commands to stop. Pursuing on foot, the officer caught up to the fleeing juvenile near the post office and immediately smelled the odor of alcohol coming from the 13-year-old male. He was detained and placed in the back of the officer's patrol unit.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 010924 and regular meeting 011124, part 5

img 7501Grant County Planning Director Randy Hernandez receives recognition of his 15 years of service to the county from County Manager Charlene Webb.

[Editor's Note: This is part 5 of the Grant County Commission work session on Jan. 9, 2024 and the regular meeting on Jan. 11, 2024. This begins the work session review of the regular meeting agenda.]

Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy

County Manager Charlene Webb at the Jan. 9, 2024 work session began the review of the regular meeting agenda for Jan. 11, 2024. The first items were to elect a chair and vice chair for the year. At the regular meeting, the commissioners elected unanimously District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce to continue as chair. The vice chair position went to District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina, again unanimously.

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