Community News

Silver City Theatre (SCT) is pleased to announce a new chapter in its leadership, marked by a
blend of continuity, experience, and renewed creative vision, according to incoming President
Jim Charleston.

"Our leadership team represents a strong and invigorating commitment to honoring the theatre's
roots, 12-year history and to expanding its future."

"After years of dedicated service, MaryAnn Marlar has been named President Emeritus,"
according to Charleston. "In this role, she will continue to serve on the board, offering guidance
and institutional knowledge that has helped shape the organization's growth and community
impact. Her leadership has been instrumental in establishing SCT as a vital cultural presence in
Grant County."

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, keynote speaker for the WNMU Spring Commencement 2026SILVER CITY, NM — Hundreds of graduates crossed the stage Friday evening, May 8, at the Western New Mexico University spring 2026 Commencement in front of a standing-room only audience at the university's Ben Altamirano Stadium. The keynote address was given by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

The ceremony honored students graduating with degrees and certificates across various academic levels. While degrees and certificates will be officially conferred following a final audit of academic records, 

notable preliminary highest degrees awarded included: 

left to right is Dr. James "Butch" Rosser, MD, FACS and Dr. Maximus L'Amour, MD, FACS.Silver City, NM — Physicians at Gila Regional Medical Center are earning international recognition for advancing a less invasive approach to treating a serious abdominal condition.

James "Butch" Rosser, MD, FACS, and Maximus L'Amour, MD, FACS, presented their research at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Annual Meeting, held March 25–28, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. Their work was selected for poster presentation among leading surgeons worldwide.

Silver City, NM — The Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS® is proud to announce Christopher Bennett as the recipient of the 2026 REALTOR® Family Scholarship. Christopher is a current student at New Mexico State University, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

In addition to his academic excellence, Christopher has demonstrated exceptional leadership through his service as a New Mexico FFA State Vice President. He is currently a candidate for State FFA President, continuing his commitment to agricultural education and youth development across New Mexico.

In his application, Christopher shared a powerful perspective on what makes a community thrive:

"An ideal community is one where youth are supported in every way possible. It's a place where adults care enough to show up, guide, and set an example. When a community invests in its youth, it invests in itself."

Sstudents from the Grant County area graduated from New Mexico Connections Academy today. The 303-student class eagerly moved their tassels from right to left as their teachers, family, and friends cheered them on. Local graduates include:

• Isaiah Cordova
• Alicia Clark
• Cooper Young

*NOTE: Not all students from the area may be included for privacy reasons.

Graduates across the state are headed to college, vocational programs, the military, or the workforce.

New Mexico Connections Academy Celebrates the Graduating Class of 2026

More than 300 seniors from across the state were honored at in-person ceremony in Rio Rancho

Santa Fe, N.M. (May 21, 2026) – New Mexico Connections Academy, atuition-free, online public school serving students in grades 4-12, celebrated its graduating class on Thursday, May 21. Graduates joined their friends and families for an in-person commencement ceremony at the Rio Rancho Events Center, marking the completion of their high school journey.

Professor of History at WNMU, Andy Hernandez, Ph.DSILVER CITY, NM — A study by Western New Mexico University (WNMU) Professor of History, Andy Hernandez, Ph.D., challenges prevailing narratives about the end of slavery in the United States. In the chapter he contributed to " Unpacking Silver City: Revealing the Rich Tapestry of a Historic Town," Hernandez's central argument is that Indigenous slavery and closely related practices persisted in Silver City and in the larger United States until as recently as 1977. 

While most histories mark the 13th Amendment as the end of slavery, Hernandez's research reveals that Southwest New Mexico maintained exploitative methods like slavery and domestic servitude involving Indigenous peoples for nearly a century afterward. Backed by archival records and oral histories, the book exposes how displaced or orphaned Indigenous individuals were forced into local households and ranches under conditions constituting illegal and unethical enslavement.

Photos by Don J. Licht Sr.

Last night at the Silver Consolidated Schools board meeting several SHS sports teams were recognized for their achievements.

Recently the track team (at State), the relay team shown in the center of the top picture took the gold medal (1st place) and set a new state record in the 4x800m; others on the team had taken 1st in their events.

Over all the team came home with (3rd) over all in 4A state track and field.

Silver City, NM – May 18, 2026 – Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) is proud to highlight the continued success and growing impact of its Transportation services, which have already provided more than 750 patient rides and helped 547 patients access essential healthcare services across Grant and Hidalgo Counties since launching on December 8, 2025.

Transportation barriers remain one of the most significant challenges facing rural communities, often preventing patients from attending appointments, receiving preventative care, or maintaining continuity of treatment. HMS launched its transportation service to help eliminate those barriers and ensure patients can safely and reliably access medical, dental, behavioral health, and mobile clinic services.

From December 2025 through April 2026, HMS provided transportation services for 547 patients ranging in age from 10 months old to 88 years old. The program served 224 male patients and 323 female patients, reflecting the broad need for transportation assistance across the communities HMS serves.

Patient ridership has steadily increased every month since the program began: