Local News Releases

The Commons is excited to participate in both online and in-person giving for this year's upcoming Give Grandly event hosted by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and Gila Community Foundation. 

With the goal to raise $25,000 towards alleviating food insecurity in Grant County, we encourage you to participate however you can and give where you live! Starting April 13th and through April 24th, you can visit the website www.southernnewmexicogivingday.org and make a donation or visit Gough Park on Saturday, April 18th from 10am to 2pm to meet all the participating non-profits, learn more about their mission, and do some fun activities!

April 12, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "The Mystery Novel and Social Justice"

Author and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City member, Marty Eberhardt, will use readings from her latest mystery novel, "Crime on the Coast" to demonstrate how she deals with the social justice issues of racism and the entitlement of the wealthy.

Mystery novels satisfy the reader because justice wins out in the end. But they also can serve to highlight social justice concerns.

Marty Eberhardt's third novel in the Bea Rivers series, Crime on the Coast, deals with issues of racism and the entitlement of the wealthy in the format of a traditional mystery. Who might be guilty of pushing a woman from 300-foot cliffs in exclusive La Jolla, California, and why? A small botanical garden conference yields plenty of suspects.

Eberhardt will read passages from the book to illustrate her points. She will sell and sign copies of Crime on the Coast after the presentation.

Marty Eberhardt is a former botanical garden executive director who now lives in Silver City. Her first two mysteries have garnered several awards. She is an active volunteer with the Gila Native Plant Society and Great Old Broads for Wilderness, and she enjoys the wild flora, fauna and humans of this region.

The Honorable Y.B. Morales at his courtroom dedication ceremony in March, 2025.  Photo courtesy of the Sixth Judicial District. The New Mexico Judiciary mourns the loss of The Honorable Ygnacio "YB" Barreras Morales, Bayard's first magistrate judge, who died March 28, 2026.  He was 97.

"Judge Morales served the Bayard and Grant County community for 44 years as a justice of the peace and magistrate judge. He was a judge of integrity who cared deeply about his community and truly listened to those who appeared before him" said Sixth Judicial District Chief Judge Jerod Hofacket.  "Those who knew him will remember not only his stories and presence, but the simple principle that guided his work: if it was not fair, it was not justice. His legacy is the example he set for all of us."

Judge Morales' judicial career started in 1963 when he served as justice of the peace in Bayard. In 1968, the state magistrate court system was created with part-time magistrates, and a court was established in Bayard. Judge Morales was elected in 1968 and worked half-time as a magistrate judge for many years and eventually three-quarter time – all while continuing to work full time at local copper mines.  Judge Morales became a full-time magistrate judge in 1984, retiring from his mining job the same year.  Judge Morales retired from the bench on Dec. 31, 2006. 

Last year, the main courtroom in the Grant County Magistrate Court in Bayard was dedicated to Judge Morales. "I am grateful for all the experiences and people that taught me to serve with fairness, justice and dignity for everyone," said Judge Morales at the time. 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, for the second year, poet laureate Heather Frankland has curated the Poetry Long Weekend, working with other poets, libraries, and businesses to co-organize the event. The Poetry Long Weekend is a series of interconnected poetry events coordinated to be on the same weekend in order to showcase our vibrant poetry community. The Poetry Long Weekend will run from April 9th to April 12th.

On April 9th, the first event will be at the Western New Mexico University's Miller Library from 11:00-1:00 PM. The event will feature poetry readings and presentations by Miller Library Director, Samantha Johnson, WNMU Writer in Residence JJ Amaworo Wilson, Dr. Jack Crocker, WNMU students, Leonore Hildebrandt, Dr. Gregory Robinson Guerra, and Professor Heather Frankland. The event is supported by WNMU Humanities Department, WNMU Miller Library, WNMU College of Arts and Sciences, Southwest Word Fiesta, and SWAG Books & More.

Silver City, NM — Community Partnership for Children (CPC) has announced the launch of CPC Curiosity Corners, a new initiative bringing free, hands‑on learning and play opportunities into local businesses throughout the community. The first Curiosity Corner will open Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Flowers on 11th, beginning with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony followed by refreshments.

CPC, a nonprofit focused on improving early childhood care and education in Grant County, developed Curiosity Corners to make learning more accessible for families with young children. Each Corner is a small, themed activity station placed inside a participating business, offering children a chance to explore, build, sort, create, and learn while caregivers shop or run errands.

Come meet the state candidates at the Calvary Baptist Church. See flyer below

The Grant County Extension office will have a free weed management program at their office. See flyer below

(Silver City, NM, April 1, 2026) — The Gila National Forest is a popular recreation destination for Easter celebrations. Please recreate responsibly by following current fire restrictions and cleaning up after your festivities are complete.

It has been a very dry winter, and the current fire danger is High. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect across the forest. Camp, stove, or charcoal fires are only permitted in fire structures provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites with names (e.g., Mesa Campground or Gomez Peak Day Use Area). Avoid building fires when the weather is hot, dry, or windy.