Front Page News

Photos  and article by Mary Alice Murphy

[Editor's Note: Th is part 1 of the reception.  Writing this article has been a challenge that this photographer and author has been working on for weeks, but her notes and the audio have been hard to decipher and she has had to do a lot of research to make sure of correct spellings of names and places.]

Beginning at 2:30 p.m. and ending at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, 84 years after the death of Private Jose Garcia Jaurequi, as a Japanese prisoner of war as part of the activities ,including Bataan Death March, in the Philippines during World War II, a memorial reception in his honor took place in Silver City, NM at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. 

Dr. Larry Jaurequi, a nephew of Jose, organized the event, with the help of the Silver City LULAC Council 8003. Fred Baca of the council served as master of ceremonies. 

The Grant County Sheriff's Office has been made aware of a phone scam in which individuals are impersonating Sheriff's Deputies.

Scammers are spoofing the Grant County Sheriff's Office phone number, making it appear that the calls are coming directly from our office. These callers may falsely claim that you have an outstanding warrant, missed a court date, or have unpaid tickets, and may attempt to pressure you into making an immediate payment.

Please be advised: The Grant County Sheriff's Office does not contact individuals by phone to demand payment for warrants, missed court appearances, or unpaid citations.

If you receive one of these calls:

Grant County has terminated the fire restrictions for the unincorporated portions of Grant County this morning effective today at 10:00 am July 21, 2026. Thank you

Roger Groves

Gant County Fire Chief

Temporary Closure on the Gila National Forest

Flooding events close Ben Lilly and Willow Creek campgrounds

(Reserve, NM, July 20, 2026) — The Gila National Forest is issuing a temporary closure order for the Ben Lilly Campground and the Willow Creek Campground, in effect from 6 a.m. on July 21, 2026 through October 16, 2026 (or until rescinded). This order serves to protect public health and safety as monsoonal flood events have become hazardous in this area.

MAP below

For your safety:

Do not enter closed areas. Barricades and signage are in place for public safety.
Monitor official channels. Check Gila National Forest social media and website for updates.
Know before you go. Check current conditions before traveling.
Stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid low‑lying areas and follow all posted warning signs.
The Gila National Forest is working with the National Weather Service (NWS) in Albuquerque for further information on future rainfall events and flash flood risks over recent burn scars. If additional closures are needed, updates will be provided through news releases and the official channels noted above.

Under this closure order, the public is prohibited from entering all National Forest System lands, trails, and roads in the closure area. Violation of the order is a Class B misdemeanor and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Federal, state, and local officers, firefighters, members of an organized rescue team, and any others authorized by Forest Service permit are exempt from the closure order.

Please visit the Gila National Forest's Alerts page for the full closure order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts 

About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has, for more than 100 years, brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.

July 20, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announces Indictments of;

• Apolinar Quesada - Count 1: 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Penetration (Child under 13)
• Ezekiel L. Morales -Count 1 & 2: Homicide by Vehicle.
• Eby Leedro - Count 1: Agg. Fleeing Law Enforcement Officer.*
• Vincent Sandoval (1) - Count 1: Agg. Fleeing Law Enforcement Officer. Count 2: Criminal Damage to Property (Over $1000), Count 3: Possession of Stolen Motor Vehicle.*
• Vincent Sandoval - (2) Count 1 Commercial Burglary, Count 2: Criminal Damage to Property (over $1000), Larceny.
• Joshua Turrieta - Count 1: Agg, Fleeing Law Enforcement Officer, Count 2: False Imprisonment.
• Jan Westmoreland- Count 1: Agg Assault (Deadly Weapon)
• Bartholomew Roselli - Count 1: False Imprisonment.*
• Rudy Padilla - Count 1: Possession of Controlled Substance (Meth).

*Asterisk indicates additional Misdemeanor charges not shown.

Press Release – July 15, 2026

Sacaton Fire Transfer of Command

Acres: 9,861                                                                                              Start Date: June 21, 2026

Location: 15 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                  Personnel: 123

Containment: 80%                                                                                Cause:Lightning

Summary: This afternoon, Gila Las Cruces Type 3 Incident Management Team is transitioning the Sacaton Fire to the Gila National Forest.

This week, fire personnel continued suppression and repair efforts along the Bearwallow and Bursum Roads, focusing on chipping and hauling slash generated during previous operations. Crews successfully completed grading along Bursum Road toward Willow Creek, and the road is open. Firefighters also removed structure protection equipment and backhauled materials from Willow Creek subdivision and removed fire-protective wrapping from the cabin at Mogollon Lookout. In a mission yesterday, New Mexico State and U.S. Forest Service wildlife specialists successfully extracted 75 Gila trout from the fire area to ensure continuation of their lineage at the Mora National Fish Hatchery.

TRUMP ACCOUNTS:  For Kids' and Grandkids' Future

By Frost McGahey

This week reporters on the Fox Business Channel were busy opening Trump Accounts for their children. They were not alone; more than 6 million families have signed up.

What are they?

The Big, Beautiful Bill authorized the creation of the TrumpAccounts.  This allows parents, relatives, and friends to establish a fund invested in the American stock market. 

Who is Eligible?

By Lynn Janes

(Writer's note: this article was written using the minutes provided by the Village of Santa Clara)

The Village of Santa Clara held a regular meeting June 25, 2026. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order Trustees Peter Erickson, Olga Amador and Ralph Trujillo attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza did not attend.

The council approved the agenda and past meeting June 11, 2026, minutes.

Mayor's report

Lopez said he had been glad to get back from his fire assignment. The following day will be the grand opening of the bike park. Many legislators from the area would be attending as well as from other municipalities and the bike park will be big for the mining district. He thanked the council and staff for their support and work on these projects. Steel Radical made an extra bike cutout and labeled it "Santa Clara Bike Park Est. 2026" as a gift. Sheila Hudman, village administrator, will be meeting with the Central Elementary principal and the new superintendent for Cobre to discuss ideas for fixing the school's track and baseball fields.

Public comments none currently

New business

The council approved the mayor's recommendation of the Bradley Hotel renovation project as the selected project for 2027 CDBG (community development block grant) funding.

Resolutions

The council approved resolution 2026-09 certifying the assets for Santa Clara fiscal year 2025-2026.

The council approved resolution 2026-10 adopting the ICIP (infrastructure capital improvement plan)

The council approved resolution 2026-11 to do an annual utility rate increase.

The council approved resolution 2026-12 third quarter budget adjustments.

Proclamations

The council declared Stage 2 fire restrictions.

First regular meeting will be July 9, 2026, 2026, at 6:00 pm (cancelled)
Second regular meeting will be July 23, 2026, at 6:00 pm

Meeting Adjourned