Front Page News
Andrea Montoya chosen as Deputy County Manager for Grant County
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 19 January 2024 19 January 2024
Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Andrea Montoya, a long-time resident of Grant County, has served as Deputy County Manager to Grant County Manager Charlene Webb for a few weeks now.
When asked why she applied for the job, Montoya said: "I have a passion for working for the government while working toward common goals. I was excited about the growth opportunity, and I believe my overall strengths align very well with this position."
Silver Schools hold title 9 meeting
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a special meeting on December 14, 2023. Members in attendance included Ashley Montenegro and Patrick Cohn. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended. Michelle Diaz, Mike McMillan, and Eddie Flores did not attend.
Sally Marquez, New Mexico Athletic Association (NMAA) director came to the meeting to present to the board what title 9 entailed and answer any questions the audience or board had.
Montenegro said they had a lot of questions about it and Marquez would be open to questions after the presentation.
Santa Clara flea market moves
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting December 14, 2023. Mayor Richard Bauch called the meeting to order. Trustees, Olga Amador, Peter Erickson, and Arnold Lopez attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza didn't attend.
Mayor's report
Bauch said the Bellm Street project had been going well and the village had obtained the extra funding needed to finish the complete project. The modular unit they had purchased to utilize for a commercial building to rent would be arriving soon.
New Business
BPD providing additional patrols
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Roger Lanse
In a Jan. 17, 2024 article, the Beat reported the presence of Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies and New Mexico State Police officers at Snell Middle School. Bayard Police Department Chief Hector Carrillo stated his department was also represented and is working closely with Snell Middle School and Cobre Consolidated Schools to provide extra patrols to ensure the safety of students and staff. These patrols were requested by SMS and CCS staff due to the incident which occurred in Hurley on Friday, Jan. 12, Carrillo said.
Santa Clara Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Production of Child Pornography
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 January 2024 17 January 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, announced today that Michael Rivera was sentenced to 35 years in prison. A federal jury convicted Rivera, 33, of Santa Clara, on July 11, 2023, of one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and two counts of production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct after less than two hours of deliberation.
A federal grand jury indicted Rivera on Sept. 21, 2022. According to the evidence at trial and other publicly available court records, in 2020, Rivera befriended a minor identified as Jane Doe. Doe and Rivera became close. One day in March of 2021, when Doe was 12 years old, Rivera stopped at a convenience store and bought alcohol for both. He then drove to a secluded area of town and parked the car. Rivera then initiated sexual intercourse with Doe in the car. Afterward, Rivera told Doe that she could not tell anyone because he could get in trouble.
Law enforcement patrolling Tri-City schools
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 January 2024 17 January 2024
By Roger Lanse
The morning of Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, a concerned citizen contacted the Beat relative to a police presence that morning involving Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies and New Mexico State Police officers at Snell Middle School's parking lot and entrance doors in Bayard.
A GCSO lieutenant told the Beat, NMSP requested GCSO's assistance at Snell Middle School as a precautionary and proactive measure brought on by Friday's shooting of a 6-year-old boy in Hurley. The Beat was told all the schools in the Tri-City area were receiving similar protection, which would last "a couple of days."
The Beat has reached out to NMSP for comment but has not heard back.
New Mexico State Police officer prevents overdose in Grant County
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 January 2024 17 January 2024
Santa Clara, NM– On January 16th, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., New Mexico State Police officer Joe Sierra was dispatched to an address on Fort Bayard Street in Santa Clara in reference to an apparent drug overdose. Once on scene, Ofc Sierra immediately recognized a male subject unresponsive, but with a pulse, on the ground. Ofc Sierra rolled the male on his side and administered 1 dose of Naloxone (Narcan). The male remained unconscious and a 2nd dose of Narcan was given.
Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce held awards banquet 121423
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 16 January 2024 16 January 2024
Article by Mary Alice Murphy; Photos (below) by Lynn Janes
Silver City-Grant County chamber of Commerce Director Romeo Cruz said: "We're here and we're Grant County Proud to present our annual community awards"
Members of the Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1329 Marine Corps League posted the colors, followed by Kaili Martin singing the National Anthem. Trent Petty gave the invocation.
Cruz thanked Savory Kitchen and Catering LLC for providing the meal.
He then introduced the keynote speaker, Western New Mexico University President Joseph Shepard.