Front Page News

By Frost McGahey
Investigative Journalist

Silver City Daily Press Photo -Silver City Police Chief Freddie Portillo, left, shakes hands with Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Hernandez at June 12, Town Council Meeting.
(Editor's Note: Source requested name be withheld for fear of retribution.)
In 2019, the Chief had an opening for a Captain's position within the Investigations unit. Two individuals were considered: a male lieutenant and a female sergeant. Although interview scores are typically evaluated by a board, the Chief opted to make the decision by himself, which he acknowledged was atypical. The male candidate was selected.

Several months later, an armed suspect fired at civilians and officers. The new Captain arrived in an unmarked municipal vehicle and appeared to be drunk. Responding personnel smelled alcohol and noticed slurred speech as he attempted to provide direction. The incident was reported to Chief Freddie Portillo, who arranged transportation for the individual rather than initiating a formal investigation. This is despite internal policy requiring action when substance the impairment is suspected. The individual was later reassigned to a patrol role, and the female candidate became the acting captain.

Tuesday, August 5, 2025 I Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that Garbriel O. Marquez was found guilty by a Silver City jury on charges of Trafficking (by Possession with Intent to Distribute), - a First Degree Felony, Possession of a Controlled Substance - a Fourth Degree Felony, Concealing Identity-Misdemeanor and Improper Turning at Intersection-a penalty assessment Misdemeanor.   Sixth Judicial District Trial Attorney Hector Bejarano and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Silva represented the state at the hearing in the Grant County District Courthouse, Silver City, New Mexico. 

Silver City, NM, August 5, 2025—The Gila National Forest has lifted area closures for the Trout Fire and Goose Fire now that fire operations are largely complete, reducing threat to public safety. All motorized routes designated on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map, designated trails, recreation sites, and National Forest System lands within the areas have been reopened.

Visitors entering recently burned areas should be aware of hazards that may exist within the fire perimeters, such as hot stump holes, rolling rocks, logs, and other debris, and fire-weakened trees that may fall without warning. Areas where fire burned at high intensity and downstream of those locations have potential for flash flooding during, after, and in proximity to rain events. Please be alert and use caution when traveling through recent fire perimeters.

Photos by Meredith Phillips below the text.

Future Forge Makerspace held an open house on Saturday, July 26, 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.