Community News

Mario Lopez Kirker
Father, Veteran, New Mexican.

Mario L. Kirker was born November 26, 1925 in Santa Rita, Grant County, NM now referred to as "Born in Space" to residents of the area. The town of Santa Rita was located on top of what is now the open copper pit years ago; there was too much copper under the town so many of the homes were moved to other small towns in the area. The mine was the home of the former Kennecott Copper Corporation, Phelps Dodge and now Freeport-McMoRan. Mario was the oldest of the five (5) boys and one (1) sister born to Juan and Rita Kirker.

Mario attended kindergarten and first year of elementary school in Santa Rita beginning in 1934. The Santa Rita building was considered an exceptional school structure at the time due to its red brick along with running water, electricity and dual outhouses behind the building, one for each sex. The most difficult obstacle encountered was the language barrier. Many students conversed in Spanish while the teachers spoke English. Students were discouraged from speaking a "foreign" language; those caught were disciplined with a paddling.

WNMU Writer-in-Residence JJ Amaworo Wilson speaks to the audience at the Banned Books Week event at J. Cloyd Miller Library, Sept. 17, 2024SILVER CITY, NM—Western New Mexico University recognized Banned Books Week on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with an event in J. Cloyd Miller Library.

Miller Library Director Samantha Johnson opened the event by speaking about how the American Library Association created Banned Book Week over forty years ago to call attention to the increase in challenges to books in libraries, bookstores and schools. "Unfortunately," she said, "we are still dealing with the problem of censorship in libraries today, as well."

(Photo L to R) Local DAR members Margaret Shoemaker, Suzan Garrison (DAR Southwest NM District Director), Brenda Tozier, Gail Firebaugh Smith, Cecilia Bell, Chapter Regent Lucy Whitmarsh and Diane LeBlanc with guest speaker Dr. Thomas Chávez and American Legion Post 18 members John Sterle, Ron Ogelsby and Charlie LeBlanc.SILVER CITY, NEW MEXICO: Thomas E. Chávez, PhD, gave an exceptional and interesting presentation to a large audience on "Spain and the World War that Resulted in the Independence of the United States" on September 19, 2024 at The Murray Hotel Ballroom in Silver City. Attendees learned how Spain and France played significant roles in the United States gaining its independence from Great Britain. He also noted other lesser-known American Revolutionary War patriots who served in what is now the State of New Mexico.

SILVER CITY, NM – Going to college was never part of the plan when WNMU undergraduate Kelly Snyder was younger. "I dropped out of high school when I was like fifteen," said Snyder. "I grew up outside of Philadelphia, and I pretty much lived on the streets for a long time in Philly."

After having her two daughters, however, Snyder knew she needed to make a change in her life, so her first move was to leave Philadelphia and settle in New Mexico. "I just got tired of everything [in the city], the rat race and everything," she explained. "I just needed to get out of there and change my lifestyle."

By Frost McGahey

Eddie Flores, who is running County Commissioner for District 4, spoke to voters on Monday, September 14th. Billy Billings is not running again because he is term limited. Flores speech started off with a question.

"Why are the roads so bad in this county? There's got to be a way to improve them. Chip sealing is only a temporary solution," he said. One woman declared that she gets a cracked windshield every time they do chip sealing on her road.

Members of the first graduating class of WNMU Law Enforcement Training Academy stand with Director Gil Najar at the academy's 50th anniversary celebration, Sept. 11, 2024. Pictured (L-R) are Karl Wiese, Fred Radosevich, David Schuetz, and Najar.SILVER CITY, NM—Western New Mexico University celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its Law Enforcement Training Academy on September 11, 2024 at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center.

Those in attendance were welcomed by Director of the Law Enforcement Training Academy Gil Najar and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Jack Crocker.

Crocker emphasized how the academy has not just contributed significantly to public safety in southwest New Mexico but to the state as a whole. "Many [graduates] have gone on to be leaders in law enforcement and are keeping our communities safe," he said. "We are continuing to serve the community and the state [by graduating] well trained officers who move into the community and serve in leadership positions as well as protect us."

Phase One of Historic Project Nears Completion

Silver City -- As if by magic, the old Waterworks property has been transformed from abandoned and forlorn, to beautiful, vibrant and verdant, thanks to an abundance of hard work, creative vision and community support, much of it expressed through volunteer labor and donation of materials and equipment. Those volunteers will be honored September 20 from 11 am to 1 pm, the first community open house at the property, located immediately north of Jose Barrios Elementary School on Little Walnut Road. The public is invited to bring lunch, enjoy light refreshments and music, and tour the revitalized property.

Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner will open the celebration with a few remarks and a presentation of certificates of appreciation to dozens of volunteers, including Youth Conservation Corp (YCC) crew members, whose many hours of work have been invaluable, not only on the Waterworks grounds, but also in the major clearing, planting and hardscape improvements at the Silva Creek Nature Trail, which forms the western boundary of the Waterworks property, connecting it to Penny Park and town amenities.

Thursday, September 19, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
201 North Hudson Street, Silver City, NM 88061

The Silver City MainStreet Project and the Murray Ryan Visitor Center are excited to announce they will be hosting a Newcomers Open House as part of "Welcoming Week" on Thursday, September 19, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Visitor Center, located at 201 North Hudson Street, Silver City, NM.

"In addition to being a resource for out of town visitors, the Visitor Center is often the first stop for new residents," said Sharla Lefkowitz-Oberg, Executive Director of the Silver City MainStreet Project. "We have wanted to hold an open house to provide an opportunity for those who have recently relocated to our community to come together and connect. When I found out about 'Welcoming Week,' it seemed like the perfect opportunity to host this event. I'm excited about the opportunity for networking and connection that the open house provides, and I'm honored that we are part of the 'Welcoming Week' initiative."