Community News

Western New Mexico University has developed 8-week-long courses for those looking to complete their coursework in a timeframe shorter than a semester. The courses include undergraduate, graduate, and career training in both in-person and online formats.

Classes begin October 13, 2025. More information is available on the university's website, www.wnmu.edu. 

Entrance gate made by Daniel Morgan in 1998.      photo Cordelia RoseOn Friday on August 15, 2025, the NM Department of Cultural Affairs, Historic Preservation Division's Cultural Properties Review Committee entered the Mogollon Cemetery in the NM State Register of Cultural Properties. This project has been in the works since January 2022.  Below is a summary of the significance of the cemetery and the State Register nomination. 

 Mogollon Cemetery is a site of historical significance as it served the listed silver and gold mining towns of Mogollon and of Fannie Hill Mill and Company Town during their productive period 1887-1942.  Mogollon Cemetery remains little changed since its founding in the late 1880s when the first gold was discovered in 1887 by Frank Vingo at the Fannie Hill Mine. 

 Mogollon Cemetery is one mile north of the mining town of Mogollon in rural Catron County, New Mexico. It is located at the end of Fannie Road C-040 and along Forest Service Road 40560 in the Gila National Forest. The cemetery is a 2.3-acre, unplanned cemetery with 207 identified burial sites. These include burial mounds often covered with rocks; handmade grave markers; commercial stone markers; family plots with wood-and-metal fences; and a mass burial mound covered with rocks. The wooded site includes few clearings and no formal landscaping; burials are reached by unplanned foot paths.

Therese the Jewelry Lady cuts the ribbon for her downtown store surrounded by employees, chamber members, Mayor Ken Ladner and tChamber Director Romeo Cruz. (Photo Courtesy of SC-GC Chamber of Commerce)

A Grant County Chamber of Commerce new member ribbon cutting took place at "Gems," a downtown store owned by Therese the Jewelry Lady at 218 N. Bullard Street.

Gila Basin Irrigation Commission
August 13, 2025
Minutes

As Written by B.J. Agnew, GBIC secretary 

The August 13, 2025, meeting of the Gila Basin Irrigation Commission was called to order by Chair David Ogilvie at 6:07 pm in the Home Economics Room at Cliff Schools in Cliff, New Mexico.

Present: David Ogilvie, Beau Bruton, Lester Ivins, Debbie Ivins, Neil Kaspar, Rose Shoemaker, Zac Runyon, Martha Cooper, Martin McMillan, Peter Russell, Gregor Hamilton, Wendel Hann, Dusty Hunt, Destry Shelley, Esker Mayberry, Gaylene Agnew, BJ Agnew, and, via zoom, Patrick Fox.

A new mural has been added to the Town of Silver City's art collection in the downtown/historical district. The latest creation is featured at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church property on its Kelly Street boundary.

This special artwork was inspired, created and painted by several parisioners. It features children from the local community who reflect many races, cultures and interests.

With many parishioners and guests in attendance, Father Oliver Obele formally dedicated this special mural on August 24. It can be seen at Kelly Street (between Bayard and Pinos Altos streets), directly south of the Sixth Street Elementary School playground.

2025 Prospectors Passign the Gavel Ceremony with Carlos Lucero (Past President) passing to Romeo Cruz (New President)On August 14, 2025, The Grant County Prospectors officially passed the gavel to the organization's new officers. This special ceremony highlights accomplishments by leaders from this past year and welcomes in the new team for the 2025-26 term. The new officers include: President - Romeo Cruz, Director of the Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce; 1st Vice President - Bart Roselli, Director of the Silver City Museum; 2nd Vice President, Priscilla Lucero, Southwest Council of Governments; Secretary - Misty Pugmire, Retired and Treasurer of Community Partnership for Children; and Treasurer - Vladimir Gnilozubov, Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisor.

Banquet group photoCopper Country Senior Olympics closed out their 2025 season with their Annual Awards Banquet August 8 at the Grant County Veterans' Convention Center. About 200 participants and guests were in attendance for dinner catered by Las Divas. Music, dancing, and comedy provided entertainment, and the keynote speaker was NM Lt. Gov. Howie Morales. Participants received medals and T-shirts.

We are excited to share with you all that we have been up to! Southwest New Mexico ACT exists to preserve, enhance, and sustain rural economic development initiatives and the creative economy in southwestern New Mexico. We spearhead community collaboration through cultural and historic preservation; sponsor and engage the region in arts and cultural events; inspire and promote outdoor recreation, education, and tourism initiatives.

Southwest New Mexico ACT

We would like to welcome Lucy Whitmarsh who has returned to swnmACT as our new Executive Director of out board of directors. Lucy is a member of the swnmACT founding Board of Directors from when swnmACT was incorporated in 2014. Also we'd like to welcome Cate Bradley who has joined the swnmACT team as a member of the board of directors. Meet the swnmACT team!: https://www.swnmact.org/aboutus

What We Are Up To Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Celebrates Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund with N.M. Leaders New Report Shows Legacy Fund Supporting 185 projects in All 33 N.M. Counties Silver City, N.M. On July 17, 2025 a coalition of New Mexico organizations released a report for the first fiscal year of the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund - New Mexico's first state funding source for land and water conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture and working lands, historic preservation and wildlife species protection. The first year success was celebrated at an event at the Waterworks Site in Silver City on Thursday, July 17 with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, House Appropriations & Finance Chair Rep. Small (D-Las Cruces), and local leaders in Grant County. Learn More About the Legacy Fund: https://www.enchantmentfund.org/map

Five Points Initiative In 2019, a handful of community-minded visionaries birthed the Five Points initiative - a project that connects five Grant County communities by way of restoration of historic buildings and surrounding lands, and ultimately connecting these sites by a multi-modal trail. This project involves five distinctive historic properties located in proximity to U.S Highway 180 with significant potential to become the driving force behind community development and economic development; connecting and sharing heritage, cultures, and creative initiatives. This restoration project will serve as a visual and action-based means towards re-energizing our rural communities in Grant County. The intent of this initiative, beyond renovating physical structures, is to elevate and celebrate the pride of our complex culture and history, uniting and inspiring Grant County residents to work collaboratively and creatively towards a common goal, Juntos Podemos (Together We Can)! Current Five Points Sites across Grant County: The Historic Waterworks Site, Silver City The Whiskey Creek Zocalo, Arenas Valley The Bradley Hotel, Santa Clara The Union Hall, Bayard The Hurley Train Station, Hurley The development of each site is driven by local community history, cultures and people sharing stories, and is a collaborative effort between local municipalities, community members, businesses, non-profits, schools, and supporters. Learn more about Five Points: https://www.swnmact.org/five-points-project

Grant County CO.STARTERS Between 2020 and now, Grant County CO.STARTERS, under the administration and coordination of swnmACT, has hosted a total of FOURTEEN 10-week cohorts, equipped 107 program graduates, and celebrated the opening of 47 local businesses!!! Throughout this year, we have hosted a 10-week cohort in the Spring, a CO.STARTERS "Generator" program for local youth, another one 10-week cohort will be held in the Fall, AND a Grant County CO.STARTERS meet and greet hosted in the Main Street Plaza at the Makers Market on September 13th from 10 AM - 2 PM! If you have an idea for a business and are interested in entrepreneurship, the next CO.STARTERS Cohort will be from 10/7/2025 - 12/9/2025. SIGN UP TODAY to reserve your spot! Register Today! https://www.swnmact.org/co-starters Grant County CO.STARTERS is a collaborative effort between swnmACT, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, and Grant County.

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