Suspect arrested and charged in structure fire causing two deaths

Suspect in structure fire resulting in 2 female casualties has been arrested and charged. On December 5, 2023, at approximately 7:33 P.M., a tip was received by the Santa Clara Police Department on the whereabouts of Cassandra Brazeal. Cassandra Brazeal was a person of interest in regards to a structure fire on November 28, 2023. Santa Clara Police Officers made contact with Cassandra at one of the apartments on Mineral Street in Santa Clara.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office arrived on scene and transported Cassandra to the Sheriff's Office for questioning. Cassandra was then placed under arrest and transported to the Grant County Detention Center where she is currently being held and awaiting arraignment. Cassandra is being charged with two counts of murder in the first degree and aggravated arson. No court date has been set at this time.

Grant County Commission held work session 111423 and began regular meeting 111623, part 4

[Editor's Note: Grant County commissioners held a short special meeting right before a long work session on Nov. 14, 2023. This is the fourth of a series of articles covering the work session. it continues with a review of the regular meeting agenda for Nov. 16, 2023 and will include decisions made, as well as public input, proclamations and presentations.]

Photos((later in the article) and article by Mary Alice Murphy 

County Manager Charlene Webb led the review of the Nov. 16, 2023 regular meeting agenda at the Nov. 14, 2023 work session.

Carlos Lucero, Western Bank vice president led off public input at the regular meeting. "I want to thank you for giving Western Bank the opportunity to bid for banking services to Grant County."

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Grant County Commission held work session 111423, part 3

[Editor's Note: Grant County commissioners held a short special meeting right before a long work session on Nov. 14, 2023. This is the third of a series of articles covering the work session. it continues with county director reports.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

Following the first county reports from the Detention Center, the Finance director and the Planning director, Emergency Manager Scot Fuller presented his report at the Grant County Commission work session on Nov. 14, 2023.

Fuller said he had completed the memorandum of agreement with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) but said he had not yet submitted the additional paperwork the agency had requested for IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) so the county could get access to Code Red for testing. He said, as of the end of October, all wireless providers are required to submit everything in 13 languages for alert transmission. "Also each county will be allowed two tests a year without FCC permission."

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Jingle and Mingle at WNMU Dec. 1, 2023

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy, below the Read More

Western New Mexico University held its annual Jingle and Mingle at Old Graham Gym on Dec. 1, 2023.

Originally slated for Regent's Square, due to the rainy, chilly, weather, about 2 1/2 hours before the event was set to begin, everything was moved inside the gym to keep the performers, elves and Santa Claus, participants, decorations, as well as the kid's activities and the hot chocolate and decorated trees for voting all dry and warm. Outside, a contained fire let kids and adults make their own s'mores. Also available were tamales.

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Holiday Market continues on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy (below)

The annual Holiday Market took place today, Dec. 2, 2023, and will continue tomorrow, Dec. 3, 2023, from 11a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center.  Lots of people visited the market today to purchase Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Vendors offered a variety of goods, from jewelry to paintings to photographs to digital art to different types of fabric art, such as woven, knitted, felt, bright silk clothing, and wood carvings and furniture. See the photos below to learn what artists will be present and the variety of their wares. 

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Sheriff Detectives seek information on person of interest in deadly fire

Sheriffs' Deputies responded to a structure fire resulting in 2 female casualties. Victims have been identified as 60 year old Sara L. Maes and 78 year old Mary Lou Maynes. On November 28, 2023 at approximately 11:49 P.M. Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of 600 W. Lincoln in Santa Clara, NM in regards to a structure fire.

The Grant County Sheriff's Detectives were called and started an active ongoing investigation. New Mexico State Police Criminal Division arrived to assist in processing the scene. Grant County Sheriff's Detectives have identified a person of interest named Cassandra R. Brazeal, 34, in connection to the fire.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office is requesting any information on the whereabouts of Cassandra or any information relating to the fire. New Mexico Fire Marshal's Office has an active ongoing investigation as to how the fire started and is still undetermined what the cause of the fire was at this time.

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Grant County Water Commission will present to Prospectors

By Lynn Janes

On November 28, 2023, the commission had a regular meeting at the Silver City Annex building.

Karl Pennock of RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Program) and Raymond De la Vega of Stantec plan to meet in the next few weeks to work on the financial analysis, so the commission will have the numbers at the January meeting.

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments director, spoke about some potential increases in housing that would affect the numbers. Lucero also said with her meetings and speaking with people on the state level she felt that possibly they would not have to provide a match for the project, and it would be funded in full. 

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Silver Schools will hold a Title 9 public meeting

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session and regular meeting on November 20, 2023, at the Cliff Schools. Members in attendance included Ashley Montenegro, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn, and Mike McMillan. Eddie Flores didn't attend. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended.

Work session

Cindy Barris, assistant superintendent, went over the graduation profiles for both Silver High School and Cliff High School. She listed the mission and vision statements of both. Cliff had an acronym to describe their profile GRIT, general knowledge, robust character, independent thinking and thriving future. Silver's profile included cultural coherence, community contribution, skill mastery, digital literacy, and lifelong learning.

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