By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting March 24, 2026. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Simon Wheaton-Smith and Councilors Nicholas Prince, Stan Snider, Victor Nanez and Angela Salaiz.

The council approved the agenda.

Council comments

Salaiz and Nanez did not have any comments.

Snider spoke to the newly formed reuse and recycle committee. They had their first meeting the past Friday. One of the goals proposed by the committee had been to analyze the refuge stream, direct recyclables and the landfill. By diverting recyclables from the landfill space would be saved and extend the life of the landfill. He mentioned some other ideas. The next meeting they will be electing a chair, secretary and review grant opportunities. It will be held March 27, 2026, at the Little Toad Brewery.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

The Southwest Fiber Arts Collective held its annual Tapestry of Talent fashion show on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the Hearth.

The event was chaired by Lisa Rush, with a committee of helpers. Bill Nolde again served as master of ceremonies.

Eighteen local models showed about 120 pieces created by members of the SWFAC. The annual fashion show gives the creators a chance to show and sell their work, thereby creating a source of income for the artists.

ELEPHANT BUTTE — Today, Attorney General Raúl Torrez released a 224-page investigative report finding that New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department has systemically endangered the children it is sworn to protect — returning children to dangerous homes, obstructing oversight, and losing at least seven children to preventable deaths since the investigation opened in April 2025. Simultaneous with the report, AG Torrez announced a lawsuit to narrow the Children's Code confidentiality statute.

Senator Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte) has introduced CYFD reform legislation every session since taking office in 2021, including bills to establish a best interest of the child standard (SB 207, 2023; SB 4, 2025), to narrow CYFD's use of the Children's Code confidentiality clause (SB 84, 2025), to create an independent Office of the Child Advocate (SB 373, 2023; HB 5, 2025), and to reform CYFD's reunification-first policy (2023, 2026 session).

Senator Brantley issued the following statement:

Attached is the latest graphical Drought Information Statement. This product will be updated on May 7th or sooner if necessary in response to significant changes in conditions.

• Severe (D2) drought status affecting Southwest New Mexico. No drought status for Far West Texas.
• Record warmth, below normal precipitation in March.
• Drought conditions for Southwest New Mexico expected to persist in April with near normal precipitation and above normal temperatures.

National Drought Information Statement Website

U.S. Drought Monitor

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.