Front Page News

Meadow and Trout fires are 15 miles north of Silver City

Silver City, NM, June 12, 2025—Firefighters are responding to two new wildfires approximately 15 miles north of Silver City. The fires are located east and west of New Mexico Highway 15, in the Meadow Creek and Sheep Corral areas.

The Meadow Fire was reported last night and is located near the end of a spur road in the Meadow Creek area. It is burning in ponderosa pine, oak, and grass. An engine crew worked the fire overnight, establishing fireline around the 8.5-acre fire. Another engine crew, along with the Northern Colorado Type 2 hand crew took over the Meadow Fire this morning and are working to establish containment.

By Lynn Janes

The Village of Santa Clara held a regular meeting May 22, 2025. Mayor Arnold Lopez called the meeting to order. Mayor Pro Tem Albert Esparza, trustees, Peter Erickson, Olga Amador and Ralph Trujillo attended.

The council approved the agenda, past meeting minutes and department head reports.

Mayor's report

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a special meeting on May 15, 2025. Board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, David Terrazas, and Angelina Hardin. Superintendent Michael Koury also attended. Emmarie Heredia did not attend.

The board approved the agenda except Guadiana who voted no. Guadian didn't know how the topic for the executive session had been decided without the board's participation in the decision. He further cited for transparency the exclusion of the public would send the wrong signal even though it would be an interim position. The last point he wanted to make would be how could they have a selection without putting out a request for letters of interest. They still had a majority vote to go into executive session.

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session, and regular meetings May 19, 2025. Members in attendance Ashley Montenegro, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn, Mike McMillan (came after work session) and Kimberly Klement. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended.

Work session

Luis Carrasco, Rodey Law Firm, attended to address the upcoming election and SB9. He said they had a very successful bond sale earlier in the year. He had come to help the district in having the Senate Bill 9 question on the ballot for the November 4, 2025, election. The schools in accordance with the election code can propose questions to the voters on odd years and this will be an odd year.

Editorial

First of all, I, as the editor, etc. for The Grant County Beat, want to thank all of you who read and support the Beat. For me, it is a labor of love to provide news to the community, news that is as factual and complete as we can make it with our limited resources.

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By Roger Lanse

An Arenas Valley resident and amateur birder reports the rare sighting of a pair of rose-breasted grosbeaks, male and female, at their home the morning of Thursday, June 5, 2025. The pair reportedly flew into a front yard willow tree, hanging out for only a few seconds before flying off not to be seen again. Needless to say, the birder and his birding partner told the Beat they were over the moon elated, as they had only seen the bird once before in September of 2003.

The rose-breasted grosbeak is not listed in the bird checklists of the Southwest New Mexico Birding Trail or the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument and is listed as 'rare' and 'transient during migration' in the Gila National Forest checklist.

LORDSBURG, N.M. – County healthcare services provider Hidalgo Medical Services announced today the transition of senior care services at four of its five locations as identified by the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging (NMAAA).

The HMS CEO and Board of Directors issued notification letters of its service termination today, in compliance with its contract with the NMAAA. The notification states that 60 days after the letter date, HMS will return all responsibilities for the senior centers back to the agencies identified by the NMAAA, due to rising operational costs.

Photos Courtesy of Kim Clark

Grand Entry