SILVER CITY, NM – The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents held a special meeting virtually on Monday, July 21, 2025. Present at the meeting were Regents Steven Neville, John V. Wertheim, J. Dean Reed and Keana Huerta.

The meeting began with Chair Neville inviting Regent Wertheim to provide an overview of the Regents' wish to contract with the Santa Fe law firm of Ortiz and Zamora. Wertheim stated that the law firm would be providing counsel as the Board of Regents navigated the litigation brought by the New Mexico Department of Justice.

Wertheim explained that the university would maintain its current legal counsel, and Ortiz and Zamora would provide additional guidance to the Board of Regents for a limited duration.

Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team MARCUS CORNWELL – INCIDENT COMMANDER

Notification for Public Health and Safety

 Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Turkeyfeather Wildfire Management Returning to Gila National Forest

Acres: 24,128               Location: 22 miles south of Reserve, NM                  Containment: 25%

The Turkeyfeather wildfire received widespread, wetting rains over the weekend and into Monday. That, along with the predicted monsoonal moisture that continues in the area and minimal fire behavior, means that the Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team will turn the management of the wildfire back to the Gila National Forest at 0600 tomorrow (Wednesday, July 23, 2025). Work will continue on the Turkeyfeather wildfire, but at a smaller scale.

Goose Fire Update Tuesday July 22, 2025

Reported date: July 9,2025          Containment: 0%          Cause: Lightning/Natural                 Size: 3060 acres

 Personnel: 193                  Fuels: Timber, Brush                          Strategy: Full Suppression

Fire behavior: Backing, Creeping, Smoldering

Operations: Yesterday, firefighters continued constructing handline on the northeast corner of the fire toward the Gila River and improved nearby helispots to support helicopter operations. Hose lays were completed and charged with water in the northeast section to strengthen control lines ahead of planned operations. Masticators worked northward from the fire’s southeast corner to reinforce indirect lines, while crews mopped up and secured previously burned areas along the southern edge. Light to moderate rainfall occurred over the fire area, and additional precipitation is forecast for today.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

[Editor's Note: The article to accompany this photo essay will come later.]

Silver City's new Henry V. "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center held a ribbon cutting on July 17, 2025, while the New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, whose father the center is named after, were in town with the state cabinet members to meet with citizens to hear their questions and answer them. at a Cabinet in Your Community session, which was held later in the evening.  

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Increased moisture combined with a weak disturbance aloft will lead to an uptick in thunderstorm coverage across southern New Mexico today and Tuesday. Heavy rain rates and will lead to an increased risk of flash flooding, especially for burn scars, mountain canyons, and arroyos.

Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range-
Including the cities of Lake Roberts and Kingston
247 PM MDT Mon Jul 21 2025

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

HIGH WIND WEATHER ADVISORY:
High wind warning in Hidalgo County, visibility is low in areas due to blowing dust. High profile vehicles please use caution. The NMDOT will continue monitoring the roadway. This event will be updated as conditions change.