Jaime D. Rodriguez 

April 7, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Jaime D. Rodriguez, 29, has been sentenced to 38 years for the murder of Ruben Morales

Judge Jarod K. Hofacket found that all offenses qualified as Serious Violent Offenses meaning that Rodriguez will serve 85% of the 38-year sentence imposed by the court. Rodriguez was awarded 952 days of presentence confinement credit, equivalent to approximately 2.7 years.

In January 2026, a Grant County jury found Rodriguez guilty of Second-Degree Murder, Tampering with Evidence (third-degree felony), Child Abuse (third-degree felony), and four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon (fourth-degree felonies). A 5-year firearm enhancement was imposed on the 2nd Degree Murder count and the Child Abuse counts. A 3-year firearm enhancement was imposed on one of the Aggravated Assault Counts. A 1-year Habitual Enhancement was imposed on each of the 7 counts.

Smoking, fireworks, campfires, open burning, gas flares are prohibited

SANTA FE – Amid unseasonably hot weather and dry fuel conditions, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Forestry Division is enacting statewide fire restrictions in New Mexico to reduce the risk of wildfire starts.

"Fire restrictions are about individual actions that protect our communities as a whole," said EMNRD Acting Secretary Erin Taylor. "Nine out of 10 wildfires in the state are caused by humans, which means 9 out of 10 wildfires can be prevented. We're asking that every resident and every visitor take extra precautions during a particularly risky wildfire season."

These restrictions respond to persistent dry and warm conditions across the state: Conditions heightened by low humidity, high winds and abundant dry fuels across our forests and grasslands. The level of wildfire danger poses a threat to public safety, life, property and natural resources across New Mexico.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The Kiwanis Club, with helpers from the high school Key Club, held their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Penny Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026.  Kids of all ages, along with their parents for the smaller ones, searched for "hidden" eggs, most of which had candy in them, and others had special prizes. 

Among other groups taking part in the festivities, the Silver City Fire Department had  Deputy Chief Eloy Vasquez, Battalion Chief Preston Johnson, Lt. Jerry O'Neil, Fire Inspector Mike Cox, Lt. Eugene Rodriguez and Firefighter Barber Erickson on hand. The Silver City Police Department was already closing up shop at about 11 a.m. because they had given away everything they brought. Their members and others posed. They included SCFD Vasquez, Child Charlotte Sherman, Tonie Romero, Wanda Snyder, Patrolman Thomas Hernandez and Lt. Manny Jaurequi.

Local youth Reece McSpadden has recently earned a significant achievement in the western performance horse industry, qualifying for the National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance National Championships. The event will be held May 13–17, 2026 in Guthrie, OK,  at the renowned Lazy E Arena, bringing together top competitors from across the country.

Reece, the daughter of Eric and Katee McSpadden of Silver City, will compete in a full slate of demanding events that showcase the versatility of ranch horses. Her classes include ranch cutting, cow work, reining, ranch riding, ranch trail, and ranch conformation—each designed to test both horse and rider in real-world ranch skills and precision horsemanship.

Ruben Chavarria, Jr

April 2, 2026 Silver City, NM – Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Ruben Chavarria, Jr. has been sentenced to 66 years, he was given confinement credit for time served. He will still serve 61 years, 3 months, and 19 days in the New Mexico Department of Corrections following his conviction for multiple felony offenses involving the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13.