Front Page News

Photos by Meredith Phillips below the text.

Future Forge Makerspace held an open house on Saturday, July 56, 2025, at its building at 307 E. College Ave. in Silver City.

It also featured in the street outside, the Saturday morning Maker's Market, which regularly takes place from 10 a.m.-2p.m. at the MainStreet Plaza off Bullard Street between 7th and 8th streets for the months of May through October.

For more information on Future Forge and the Makers' Market, visit www.futureforge.org

Photos by Mary Alice Murphy

[Editor's Note: this photographer got to the site after the banding had finished on Saturday, July 26, 2025.]

Those who attended the Hummingbird Festival at the Mimbres Heritage Site early in the morning got to witness the banding of the tiny flying jewels, hummingbirds.  The banding helps ornithologists know how far and where hummingbirds travel when they migrate. 

But those who got there later still could learn about various nature organizations and what each does. Also vendors offered wares varying from jewelry, paintings, books, fabric art, woodworking, and others.  

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a regular meeting July 16, 2025. Attendance included Mayor John L. Ojinaga, Mayor Pro Tem Eloy Medina and Councilors, Frances Gonzales, Eloy Gonzales and Gilbert Ortiz. Martha Salas, city clerk, also attended.

The council approved the consent agenda that included minutes, accounts payable and department head reports. It also approved attendance of elected officials to attend a conference of the New Mexico Municipal league and the head librarian to attend an annual conference.

Old business

By Lynn Janes

On July 31, 2025, the board of regents held a special meeting at Western New Mexico University. The board consisted of Chair Steven Neville, Joseph "Dean" Reed, John Wertheim and WNMU Student Regent Keana Huerta. Dr. Chris Maples, interim president, also attended.

The board approved the agenda with the removal of the agenda item that pertained to the early childhood facility. Reed said they needed more information. They also approved the minutes from the last several meetings.

Neville introduced the new interim president for the president's report. Maples had officially started June 29, 2025. Neville asked if he had anything to report or comments to make.

Lightning-caused fires suppressed; Trout Fire closure lifted

Silver City, NM, Aug. 1, 2025— The Trout Fire was 100% contained on July 24 and the associated area closure was lifted as of Thursday, July 31. The public should be aware of hazards that exist within the burned area, including stump holes and loosened soil, rolling rocks, logs, and other debris, fire-weakened trees, and roads or trails that may be impassable due to fallen trees or flood impacts. There is potential for flash flooding within the burned area, especially where soil and vegetation burned at higher intensity. The forest road crew will be working on area roads over the next couple of weeks.

{Editor's Note: For location and Zoom or listening availability, please visit https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-releases/game-commission-to-meet-aug-15-2025 }

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Commission Meeting will take place August 15th, in Reserve, NM, starting at 9 A.M. Location not yet announced.

The item on the agenda is the discussion of the Mexican Wolf introduction program, which has been contentious for years.

The Mexican Gray Wolf was listed on the Federal Endangered Species list in 1976, with the goal of reaching 100 wolves before it might be eligible for delisting. However, the wolf has remained on the list even though it reached the 100 level several years ago. At that point, the goal was raised to 200, which it has now attained, and it has been raised to more than 300 as a goal.

Raven Christoper Arellin was sentenced on July 21, 2025 for Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon. He was sentenced to 2 years, 1 months, 114 days to be served in the Department of Corrections. ARELLIN failed to check-in at the Grant County Sheriff's Dept. for transport to the Department of Corrections and a Bench Warrant was issued by Judge Foy on July 28, 2025.

ARELLIN is now considered a fugitive from justice. If you have information about RAVEN CHRISTOPHER ARELLIN, please call Grant County Central Dispatch at 575-388-8840 or your local law enforcement office.

By Lynn Janes

On July 21, 2025, the board of regents held a virtual special meeting at Western New Mexico University. The board consisted of Steven Neville, chair, Joseph "Dean" Reed, John Wertheim and WNMU student Keana Huerta (attended in person). Dr. Chris Maples, interim president, also attended online

The board approved the agenda.

Neville addressed the next item on the agenda to approve an attorney employment arrangement. He deferred to Wertheim to explain the reason.