Front Page News

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

On October 21, 2026, in the courtyard of Gila Regional Medical Center, Chief Nursing Officer Ron Green presented the annual DAISY Award to the nurse chosen from among the nominations made by patients and family members.

"Today we honor Gila Regional's nurses, through the DAISY Award, a recognition of excellence, compassion, and dedication in mercy." Green said.

He gave some background on the DAISY Award. He noted it was established in 1999 by the Barnes family after the loss of their son Patrick, who had battled a serious autoimmune disease. Grounded by his illness, Patrick and his family experienced firsthand the remarkable impact nurses can have on the lives of patients and families. Inspired by compassion and clinical expertise, they witnessed, they, in turn, created the DAISY Foundation as a lasting way to recognize and honor nurses everywhere.

ROAD ADVISORY

FLOODING – Lordsburg Area

Difficult driving conditions, NM 92 eastbound and westbound from mile marker 0, Arizona State Line to mile marker 5, east of Virden is due to flooding. The NMDOT is currently clearing roadway and will notify as conditions change.

ROAD ADVISORY

CLOSURE – US 70 at the Arizona Stateline Area

Closure, US70 westbound lanes at mile marker 0, Arizona Stateline is closed due to flooding in Duncan. Roadways are not passable. Do not attempt to cross.

Detour to Arizona via I 10 at Lordsburg.  

CANCELED.  LOCATED Please find the information on a missing person in Luna County in the PDF below;

Cobre discusses plans for new grades six through twelve school.

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting on October 19, 2026, at Snell Middle School. Board members in attendance included Hector Carrillo, Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana and Agelina Hardin. Dr. Verenice Gutierrez, superintendent,  also attended. David Wilguess did not attend.

Dottie Pfeiffer, a member of Kiwanis came to present the student of the month awards. The students receive a certificate, pen and $15 gift certificate to Wendy's.

Ariana Borrego, Snell Middle School, consistently demonstrates a positive attitude towards learning and exemplifies kindness, generosity and respect for others. This makes her a wonderful role model for her peers.

John Berdon, junior Cobre High School, exemplifies hard work, respect, kindness and leadership in both the classroom and community. He comes to class ready to work and do his best with a positive attitude and has been active in student council. As a power lifter he has qualified for state every year he participated. After graduation he plans to attend college, while continuing his passion for martial arts.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a special meeting September 18, 2026. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Gonzales, Eloy Medina, Gilbert Ortiz and Charles Gray. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the agenda.

Cordell Jones, planning and zoning chair, said they will be requesting a variance by Kenneth Piper at 501 Orchard Street and 109 Vanadium Street. This relates to a piece of property owned by Paul Dusablon II, who had recently passed away. His son Paul Dusablon III now has ownership and has provided a power of attorney to Kenneth Piper.

By Lynn Janes

(Writers note: this article was written using the minutes provided by the city of Bayard.)

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting September 16, 2026. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Gonzales, Eloy Medina, Gilbert Ortiz and Charles Gray. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the agenda.

Public input none currently

The council approved the consent agenda that included meeting minutes, accounts payable, department head reports and employee training and conferences. They included the New Mexico Rural Water Association, annual clerks school, evidence 101 and New Mexico Fire and EMS Expo.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a special meeting September 30, 2026. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Gonzales, Gilbert Ortiz and Charles Gray. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended. Eloy Medina did not attend.

The council approved the agenda.

The council went into closed session to discuss threatened or pending litigation between the city of Bayard and Gonzales Concrete.

The council came back into open session.

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Each year, the Walk for the Heroes, which was started by Mike and Liz Lopez with a walk to Deming from Hurley, continues. For a time, it was based at Western New Mexico University, with a couple of different routes for walkers. The past two years, it has taken place, with a start  at theVeterans' Memorial at Bataan Park to begin a 3-mile walk that goes into Fort Bayard National Monument,, including a route around the outer edge of the Fort Bayard National Cemetery, and a finish back at the Veterans Memorial. 

Some participants ran the 3 miles, but the majority walked the route.

Dina Madrid of live-streaming KDNA Radio SW NM, did a lot of the announcing during the event. A Veterans Coalition Color Guard began the ceremony before the whistle to start the race.

A.J. Britton  came in first and received a flag from Sheriff Raul Villanueva.  The first veteran to finish the race was Dr. Davies of WNMU, who received a Quilt of Valor.