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Grant County Commission hears county reports at work session 051121, part 2
[Editor's Note: This is part 2 of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session and regular meeting May 11 and May 13.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
After a presentation and public input at the May 11, 2021 work session on concerns about expansion of the Freeport-McMoRan Tyrone Mine, which can be read at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/64924-grant-county-commission-hears-concerns-at-work-session-on-mine-expansion-051121, commissioners heard county reports.
Road Department Foreman Joe Grijalva said the department is doing patching to prepare for chip sealing. "We have blades running, but without precipitation, it's hard to get much done, so we're also trimming trees."
District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce said he appreciated Grijalva for looking at concerns from residents.
The next to speak was retiring Planning and Community Development Department Director Michael "Mischa" Larish. He said Priscilla Shoup, who is replacing him in the position, had begun the job the previous day. "She's busy learning information from me."
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Candy Luhrsen holds a sign. One of the organizers, John Foldan is in the background.
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Don Luhrsen in the back stands with his sign, as Charles Hubbard in front holds a sign
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Rachel Valenzuela holds on to the Distress sign in the wind.
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Partially hidden are Cat Maley and Gaye Rock, with Greg Maley holding a Reopen NM sign.
Reopen NM Protest 051521
Rebekah Stevens, one of the protest organizers, and Mary Walker hold signs.
Saturday, May 15, 2021, three New Mexico municipalities, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Silver City, took part in the worldwide Reopen Protest to open up from COVID-19. Organizers Rebekah Stevens were on had with signs, and others joined their effort. During the short time this photographer was there, many horn honks and hand waves supported the protest.
In addition to several different protest signs, several flags flew, including an upside down American flag, which signaled a distressed country; a thin blue line flag supporting law enforcement; a flag with a green stripe supporting the military; and a Don't Tread on Me flag.
Gila National Forest: Doagy Fire, Black Range Ranger District 051521
MAY 15, 2021
Location: Northeast of Beaverhead Administrative site; near Doagy and Corduroy Canyons, Sierra County, NM
Start Date: May 14, 2021 Size: ~180 acres Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, grass, and pinyon juniper
Resources: 30 personnel, which includes five (5) Forest Services engines, two Forest Service hand crews
Summary: The Doagy Fire is burning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest. There is moderate activity on this incident. The strategy for this fire is to manage the lightning-caused fire by allowing it to play its natural role on the landscape By consuming and reducing forest debris, the Doagy Fire will promote a healthier forest and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires to surrounding communities. Objectives include minimizing the impact of fire on wildland firefighters, and public safety, and protecting the natural resources.
Fire information can be found on Inciweb and nmfireinfo.com . For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website.
Grant County Commission hears concerns at work session on mine expansion 051121
[Editor's Note: This is likely to be the first of a multi-part series of articles on the May 11, 2021, work session and May 13, 2021, regular meeting.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
When it came time for public input at the Grant County Commission work session on May 11, 2021, three residents of subdivisions near the Tyrone Mine had comments for the commissioners on a planned Freeport-McMoRan expansion of the mine.
The residents of subdivisions near the mine were informed recently that a new open pit mine, Emma, would be opened to the north of their homes and the Little Rock Mine would be expanding to south of some of their homes.
In a letter to the commissioners, they asked the Grant County Commission to consider several issues that the residents feel will severely impact their physical and financial health once work begins on the pit. They also presented at the work session.
Ronald Perry, a resident of the Oak Grove community, spoke in public input. His background is in the physical and biological sciences. "We support a resolution to establish an ordinance to ensure that the health, safety and property values of Grant County residents are protected from mining operations." He said three neighbors would also be speaking in a presentation.
Grass fire endangers homes
Fire off Cardinal Lane endangered homes, but no one injured. Photo by Mary Alice Murphy
Article by Roger Lanse
On Friday, May 14, 2021, at about 5:33 p.m., eight minutes after they received the call, Silver City Fire Department firefighters responded to a reported grass fire in the arroyo on the east side of Cardinal Lane. According to Capt. Nathaniel Schwarz, the fire scorched about two acres, burning some large cottonwood trees and threatening several homes.
Schwarz told the Beat that three units and six people from SCFD were on the fire, while another three units and 10 people assisted from the Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Department. The Silver City Police Department sent units and officers to provide traffic control.
No structures were damaged, Schwarz said, although one RV partially melted because of the heat. No injuries were reported.
The fire was extinguished in about two-and-one-half hours and firefighters left the scene at 8:03 p.m.
New Mexico COVID-19 update: 223 new cases, totaling 200,650 - 051421
One additional COVID-19 death
SANTA FE – New Mexico state health officials on Friday announced 223 additional COVID-19 cases. Per the state Department of Health, the most recent cases are:
75 new cases in Bernalillo County
4 new cases in Chaves County
4 new cases in Cibola County
8 new cases in Curry County
16 new cases in Doña Ana County
1 new case in Eddy County
1 new case in Hidalgo County
1 new case in Lea County
3 new cases in Lincoln County
1 new case in Los Alamos County
5 new cases in Luna County
9 new cases in McKinley County
10 new cases in Otero County
1 new case in Quay County
4 new cases in Rio Arriba County
2 new cases in Roosevelt County
5 new cases in Sandoval County
36 new cases in San Juan County
17 new cases in Santa Fe County
2 new cases in Sierra County
1 new case in Socorro County
2 new cases in Taos County
5 new cases in Torrance County
8 new cases in Valencia County
2 new cases among individuals held by federal agencies at the Otero County Processing Center
The Department of Health on Friday reported one additional death in New Mexico related to COVID-19: