Front Page News
Explosion confirmed in Deming Monday morning
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 January 2024 22 January 2024
By Roger Lanse
According to Jose Montoya, Interim Chief of the Deming Police Department, DPD officers responded at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, to a reported explosion near the entrance to the probation office which is located at 920 S. Silver Street. When officers arrived at the scene, Montoya said, they saw a suspicious metal device and backed off, set a perimeter, and called the New Mexico State Police Bomb Squad. Montoya referred all other questions to the NMSP, which is investigating the incident.
The Beat has reached out to NMSP and was told that agency is "currently working on getting something out."
REMOVED: UPDATE: I-10 milepost 81 to milepost 85 completely closed-police activity
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 22 January 2024 22 January 2024
I-10 westbound lanes from milepost 81 to 85 are now open, removed from NM Roads.
CLOSURE – DEMING AREA
I-10 westbound lanes from milepost 81 to 85 are closed due to police activity, the eastbound lanes are now open. Traffic is being diverted to Pine Road. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and watch out for emergency personnel while using caution. Please be sure to expect delays.
ROAD ADVISORY:
CLOSURE – DEMING AREA
I-10 both east and westbound at milepost 81 to milepost 85 all lanes are closed due to police activity. Traffic is being diverted to Pine Road. Motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and watch out for emergency personnel while using caution. Please be sure to expect delays.)
GRMC held Board of Trustees meeting 122023, part 1
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 21 January 2024 21 January 2024
By Mary Alice Murphy
{Editor's Note: Apologies for this being so late. The author missed the meeting because of not wanting to share a bad cold, and it took a while to get a recording. This is part 1 of a series of articles.]
After the reading of the mission, vision and values by various Board of Trustee members, Chair Dr. Fred Fox wished the board, the hospital staff and the general community Happy Holidays.
During recognitions, the board honored Marsha Lopez for her 45 years of service in the operating room. She was not present to receive the award.
Andrea Montoya chosen as Deputy County Manager for Grant County
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 19 January 2024 19 January 2024
Photo and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Andrea Montoya, a long-time resident of Grant County, has served as Deputy County Manager to Grant County Manager Charlene Webb for a few weeks now.
When asked why she applied for the job, Montoya said: "I have a passion for working for the government while working toward common goals. I was excited about the growth opportunity, and I believe my overall strengths align very well with this position."
Silver Schools hold title 9 meeting
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a special meeting on December 14, 2023. Members in attendance included Ashley Montenegro and Patrick Cohn. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended. Michelle Diaz, Mike McMillan, and Eddie Flores did not attend.
Sally Marquez, New Mexico Athletic Association (NMAA) director came to the meeting to present to the board what title 9 entailed and answer any questions the audience or board had.
Montenegro said they had a lot of questions about it and Marquez would be open to questions after the presentation.
Santa Clara flea market moves
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Village of Santa Clara held a meeting December 14, 2023. Mayor Richard Bauch called the meeting to order. Trustees, Olga Amador, Peter Erickson, and Arnold Lopez attended. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza didn't attend.
Mayor's report
Bauch said the Bellm Street project had been going well and the village had obtained the extra funding needed to finish the complete project. The modular unit they had purchased to utilize for a commercial building to rent would be arriving soon.
New Business
BPD providing additional patrols
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 18 January 2024 18 January 2024
By Roger Lanse
In a Jan. 17, 2024 article, the Beat reported the presence of Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies and New Mexico State Police officers at Snell Middle School. Bayard Police Department Chief Hector Carrillo stated his department was also represented and is working closely with Snell Middle School and Cobre Consolidated Schools to provide extra patrols to ensure the safety of students and staff. These patrols were requested by SMS and CCS staff due to the incident which occurred in Hurley on Friday, Jan. 12, Carrillo said.
Santa Clara Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Production of Child Pornography
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 17 January 2024 17 January 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, announced today that Michael Rivera was sentenced to 35 years in prison. A federal jury convicted Rivera, 33, of Santa Clara, on July 11, 2023, of one count of coercion and enticement of a minor and two counts of production of a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct after less than two hours of deliberation.
A federal grand jury indicted Rivera on Sept. 21, 2022. According to the evidence at trial and other publicly available court records, in 2020, Rivera befriended a minor identified as Jane Doe. Doe and Rivera became close. One day in March of 2021, when Doe was 12 years old, Rivera stopped at a convenience store and bought alcohol for both. He then drove to a secluded area of town and parked the car. Rivera then initiated sexual intercourse with Doe in the car. Afterward, Rivera told Doe that she could not tell anyone because he could get in trouble.