Happy Thanksgiving 2023!

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Aysia Salas visited with American Legion veterans

aysia 7364Aysia Salas at American LegionPhotos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

Aysia Salas, an appointee to the West Point Academy, who will graduate in May 2024, visited with at least 25 American Legion veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, at their regular coffee and doughnuts morning.

aysia and parents 7369 2Melissa, Aysia and Chris SalasHer father, Chris Salas, introduced her and said she graduated from Silver High School in 2018. He said she was the second female from Grant County to receive an appointment to West Point and the fourth student from Grant County. "She was recruited as a track athlete. She won the state championship here six or seven times in hammer and shot put. Last year at West Point, she was the Patriot League champion"

"The strength of her diploma will match up with Harvard, Brown and other Ivy League schools," he said. "She's doing good work there. I like to brag on her; it's not really bragging as it's the truth. She wanted to come here and share with you about West Point and what she is doing there."

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Farmington shares their community solutions

Photos and article by Lynn Janes

On November 2, 2023, three officials from Farmington came to Silver City to share what they have done in their community to solve the substance abuse, mental health challenges and homelessness. They had invited the public and officials in our area to attend the presentation at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center.

The officials that came down to talk with the attendees have been directly involved in the solutions they have used in their community. They included: Julie Baird, deputy city manager of Farmington; Brandon Heard, deputy chief of administration Farmington fire department; and Kristine Carlson-Werito, regional behavioral health clinic administrator. They all brought a different perspective to the discussion. Each spoke about Presbyterian medical services, Totah Campus of Care, JIP (joint intervention program) and the sobering center.

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Grant County Water Commission views two plans

By Lynn Janes

On October 26, 2023, the Grant County Water Commission held a regular meeting at the city annex building.

Karl Pennock of RCAC (Rural Community Assistance Program), has continued to work on the water projections. The communities have continued to gather the information on funding and possibility of new users. He plans to have the information ready for the November meeting.

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments director, introduced Maya Clifford, Interstate Stream Commission (ISC). Clifford said she had been hired three months ago and she will be helping the commission obtain funding for design and any other assistance. They have had a lot of discussion in the region with the major stakeholders collecting information. The next thing will be to facilitate an internal survey with Water Trust Board members and early next year have recommendations to the ISC.

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Excited to be GRMC permanent CEO

whitaker 7358GRMC CEO Robert WhitakerBy Mary Alice Murphy

Robert Whitaker arrived in Silver City as Gila Regional Medical Center's new permanent chief executive officer a few weeks ago. He has hit the ground running, meeting with local physicians, hospital staff and community members.

"Why excites me most to be at Gila Regional? The people, the community, the geography, the opportunities we have with this facility, its medical providers and staff," he replied. "We have a great medical staff here. I've enjoyed meeting the physicians and I still have a few to talk to, but what a great group of physicians."

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Tamal Fiesta y Mas took place at Fort Bayard 111823

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy (at end of article)

The Sixth annual Tamal Fiesta y Mas hosted by the village of Santa Clara took place in a new venue, the old parade ground at Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark. The fiesta featured a car show from Viejitos Car Club, music by Mariachi Luna Lena de Las Cruces and Ballet Folklorico in the morning. The piñata bust began late morning, and after the three piñatas had been beaten up enough that candy and balls came out, the Chancla Toss and awards ceremony took place. More dancers performed ballet folkloric, and the Illusion Band finished the event. 

Lots of vendors offered tamales in bulk to take home, or individually smothered or not, to eat for lunch. Baked goods were also on hand for sale. 

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GRMC Board of Trustees held monthly meeting 102523

Photos (at the end of article) and article by Mary Alice Murphy

After Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees members read the mission, vision and values of the hospital and approved the agenda at their monthly meeting on Oct. 25, 2023, the trustees recognized several people for their years of service at the hospital.

Samineo Barion received recognition for his 5 years of service in Rehabilitation Services; Zeidy Jordan for serving 5 years in the Cancer Center; Dr. Gregory Iwaasa for 5 years in Gila Foot and Ankle; Brenna Brown for 10 years in Beginning Years; Maria Ortiz for 15 years in Dietary; and Denice Baird for 25 years of service in regulatory compliance during her second stint at Gila Regional.

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Traffic Alert US 180 Roadway Resurfacing Grant County Nov. 20-22, 2023

SILVER CITY - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office in cooperation with Mountain States Constructors, Inc. (Contractor) will be continuing with roadway resurfacing and median paving along US 180.

Starting Monday, November 20, 2023, the contractor will be resurfacing the median just east of Silver City from milepost 117 (west of Arenas Valley) to 115.3. Various daytime lane closures will be in place on both the eastbound and westbound lanes as needed. This resurfacing project is expected to be completed by the 22nd of November, weather pending.

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