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By Lynn Janes
On January 7, 2025, the board held a regular meeting virtually at Western New Mexico University. Dr. Joseph Shepard, president of WNMU, opened the meeting. Mary Rae McDonald, executive administrator WNMU, did roll call for the regents. Board of regents, President Mary Hotvedt PhD, Danel Lopez PhD, Dal Moellenberg and Lyndon Haviland PhD did not attend and had resigned. Trent Jones did not resign and attended.
Due to not having a quorum the meeting could not continue by approving the agenda and acting on any items on the agenda.
Shepard wanted to clarify that Jones holds the designation of secretary and treasurer for the board of regents. He thanked him for his continued participation. Without Jones the university would not be able to conduct financial requirements needed. One being they could not provide refund checks to students.
ROAD CLOSURE
CRASH – Lordsburg Area
I-10 eastbound lanes are closed at milepost 24(Lordsburg) due to weather and roadway conditions. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and watch for emergency personnel, and equipment. Please expect delays.
ROAD ADVISORY
Severe Driving Conditions in Deming Area
Deming Patrol has reported roadways as severe driving conditions. Please drive with caution, reduce speed, and obey all posted traffic signs. The NMDOT is sending out plow trucks and will continue to monitor. This event will be updated as conditions change.
ROAD ADVISORY
CRASH – Deming Area
I-10 eastbound lanes are closed at milepost 108 due to a crash. Traffic is being detoured onto NM 549 at milepost 102 (Aklea) to milepost 116 (Lazy E/NM 549). Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and watch for emergency personnel, and equipment. Please expect delays.
January 6, 2025
Silver City, NM — Today, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent Western New Mexico University (WNMU) from disbursing a $1,909,788 severance payment to departing President Dr. Joseph Shepard. In seeking to prevent a gross misuse of funds appropriated to support the education of Western’s student population, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) argues that the Board of Regents acted “contrary to its fiduciary duty to the university, pledged public funds for a severance payment that is not supported by an employment contract, is not accompanied by legitimate consideration to the State, and is unconscionable as a violation of public policy and the public interest.”
Upper Gila River Valley-Southern Gila Foothills/Mimbres Valley-
Southwest Desert/Lower Gila River Valley-Lowlands of the Bootheel-
Uplands of the Bootheel-Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Eastern
Black Range Foothills-Sierra County Lakes-Northern Dona Ana
County-Southern Dona Ana County/Mesilla Valley-West Slopes
Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-East Slopes Sacramento
Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Otero Mesa-Central Grant County/Silver
City Area-West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-East Central
Tularosa Basin/Alamogordo-Southeast Tularosa Basin-
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