Town Council Candidates Must Declare Candidacy on August 29

Two Seats Up for Re-election in November

Silver City -- Two Town of Silver City town council seats are up for re-election this year, and candidates must file a declaration of candidacy form at the Grant County Clerk's office on August 29, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Declaration of candidacy forms are available online at www.sos.nm.gov  under "candidates and campaigns,"  or at the county clerk's office. There is no fee for filing.

Town council district one is currently represented by Councilor Rudy Bencomo, who was appointed by Mayor Ken Ladner in May to fill the vacancy left by former councilor Lucien Farmer, who relocated to South Carolina.  District 3 is currently represented by Councilor Jose Ray, who has said that he will seek reelection, as will councilor Bencomo.

Read more ...

Freeport-McMoRan Investigating Cybersecurity Incident

To download a PDF of the release, please visit the following link: Freeport-McMoRan Investigating Cybersecurity Incident

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: FCX) is investigating a cybersecurity incident affecting its information systems. The Company is assessing the impact and proactive measures are being taken to address the situation. The Company is working closely with third-party experts and law enforcement.

To date, there has been limited impact on production. Transitional solutions are being planned and implemented to secure information systems as quickly as possible. FCX continues to prioritize safety and responsible production practices. A prolonged disruption could impact future operations.

Future updates for stakeholders will be available on fcx.com.

Read more ...

Chip seal operations will close NM 80 beginning Aug. 22, 2023

Motorists should expect delays

LORDSBURG-The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One office will be continuing a maintenance operation project to place "chip seal" pavement on NM 80 in Hidalgo County. The chip seal process is a surface treatment that is placed on the existing pavement. It is designed to seal out moisture and create a more durable surface extending the longevity of the roadway.

Beginning Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the chip seal crew will close NM 80 from Interstate 10 to NM 145 (Goat Camp Rd) for approximately 8 miles. A detour will be in place on NM 338. Motorists should expect delays and will encounter reduced speeds, flagging, pilot car operations, brooming, and lane closures. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for approximately one week, once complete crews will then more the closure from NM 145 to NM 9.

Read more ...

Brittany Alert– Deming Police Department – Ahmmad Alsabh

ahmmad alsabh copyDeming, NM – The following information is for the distribution of a Brittany Alert from the Deming Police Department. Please refer all media inquiries and questions to the Deming Police Department at (575) 546-3011.

The Deming Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating Ahmmad Alsabh (23) who is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 170 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing green pajama pants and white shoes. Ahmmad was last seen on August 8, 2023, at approximately 1:00 p.m. at his residence on East Burch Street in Deming, NM. His direction of travel is unknown. Ahmmad is known to be combative.

Read more ...

Silver City woman arrested in Santa Clara on multiple charges

By Roger Lanse

On Friday, Aug. 4, 2023, a Santa Clara Police Department officer was dispatched at about 10:08 p.m. to 701 Aspen Street, in reference to an harassment complaint. According to a statement of probable cause, a Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority dispatcher told the officer a grey Chevy Silverado was just leaving the residence. The officer advised that he did see the vehicle leaving the address eastbound on Aspen Street then turning left onto Cleveland Street. When the officer activated his emergency equipment to attempt to make a traffic stop, the pickup accelerated through several intersections and a posted stop sign ending up at the eastern dead-end of Spring Street.

Read more ...

Wildfire Notification for statewide fires 081023



Good afternoon,
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on several wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local and federal resources in New Mexico.

State Managed Fires

Hart Canyon Fire
Situation: The Hart Canyon Fire is burning in Colfax County, north of Philmont Scout Ranch. The fire was started by lightning at 1:30pm on August 9, and is burning in mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. Air attack estimates the fire at 15-20 acres and at this time it is zero percent contained. Today, hand crews are working to secure lines set by yesterday's retardant drops.
Resources: 76 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including three hand crews, six engines, two bulldozers and air resources.

Read more ...

Gila National Forest Wildfire Roundup

SILVER CITY, NM, Aug. 9, 2023 – Precipitation has moderated activity on many wildfires across the Gila National Forest, while lightning has sparked others that are being reported and checked. At least 10 new fires were reported to the Silver City Interagency Dispatch Center Tuesday. The following is a summary of fire activity:

Wilderness Ranger District:

The Turkey Fire is the most active wildfire on the forest currently. It is 9 miles northeast of Cliff and estimated at 5,200 acres with 0% contained. Most of the activity is on the east side and still may be visible when fire behavior increases. A Type 3 organization assumed command of the fire Tuesday. A dozer, grader, hand crews and several engines are assigned. Resources will focus on clearing existing trails and roads to contain the fire on the east end as well as road repair work into Forest Road 282. With predicted weather, crews will be monitoring very closely approaching thunderstorms that may impact the area. Road and trail closures are in place.

Read more ...

Multiple NM fires requiring multiple resources 080923

Wildfire Notification #14  

Good afternoon,  
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on several wildfires that are requiring the attention of state, local and federal resources in New Mexico. 


State Managed Fires 
Sunset Fire 
Date / Time/ Situation: All fire lines continue to hold, raising today’s containment percentage to 50%. Yesterday’s activity found one interior smoke and there was no precipitation. The lightning-caused fire started on Saturday, August 5, south of Highway 70 between Capitan and Roswell.  
Resources: 50 personnel are engaged in response, including two hand crews, air attack and multiple engines from local and state resources.  
Weather: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. 
Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures. No structures are currently threatened. 

West Fire 
Date / Time/ Situation: The lightning–caused West fire remains at 200 acres and zero percent containment. Yesterday brought no growth on the fire, and no smoke is visible. The West fire started August 1 on the Double H Ranch west of Magdalena, NM. Fire behavior has been low to moderate backing, flanking, and interior torching.  
Resources: 12 personnel are engaged in response, including one hand crew and three engines.  
Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 84. West wind 10 -15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. 
Evacuations/closures: There are no evacuations or road closures. 

Federally Managed Fires 

Read more ...

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.