Cobre starts the year with new curriculum

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated Schools held a board meeting at on August 14, 2023. Chair Serena Murillo called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, David Terrazas and Elizabeth Dean (by phone). Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended.

Reading of the board norms took place with each board member reading a norm. The norms consist of five rules the board strives to adhere to during the meeting. They are listed as actively listen to all perspectives, respond to concerns and questions as a unified board, professionalism expected, assume positive intent, and be positive and responsive.

The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.

Public input on agenda items none currently.

Action items

The board approved the agenda with one change to move the student representative report to after the approval of the agenda.

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Gila National Forest firefighters recognized

Silver City Ranger District firefighters leading the agency

SILVER CITY, NM, August 24, 2023 – The Gila National Forest has long been recognized as leading in fire management. This year, two separate agencies recognized members of the Silver City Ranger District's fire organization as outstanding in their field in their latest annual awards.

"These employees exhibit leadership, duty, respect, integrity, and community service every day they come to work. It is gratifying to have their contributions recognized by others outside of the Forest Service," said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. "I could not be prouder of their skills, professionalism, and dedication to duty."

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Gila National Forest prepares for autumn prescribed fires

Silver City Ranger District preparing for Jaybird, Mill, and Pinos Altos WUI projects

SILVER CITY, NM, August 25, 2023 – The Gila National Forest, Silver City Ranger District is assessing conditions in preparation for implementing the Jaybird, Mill, and Pinos Altos Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) prescribed fire projects.

The 2,600-acre Jaybird prescribed fire project is in the Signal Peak area, near Meadow Creek and Jaybird Canyon. The unit is adjacent to the east side of New Mexico Highway 15 from Meadow Creek Road to milepost 19. The project aims to lower future fire intensity, protect wildlife habitat, and reduce hazardous fuel loads in the area. Temporary road and area closures can be expected on Forest Road 149 (Meadow Creek Road) and NM Highway 15.

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Bayard fire department changes coming

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session August 14, 2023. Attendance included Mayor Chon Fierro councilors Eloy Medina, Frances Gonzales, and Jose Diaz. Eloy Gonzales did not attend. The work session allows the council time to ask questions about items on the agenda and discuss them.

They went over the consent agenda first.

Diaz asked about an amount on the accounts payable report. He pointed out the charge for $41,127 out of the sewer and water fund and wanted to know about the charge. It had been for the rebuild of well number 10 that has been down. Michael Paez, maintenance director, said the new chlorinator would cost $17,000 and had just done a purchase order for it. After they receive the new one the old one will be kept for back up.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 080823 and regular meeting 081023 part 3

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

img 6880At the regular meeting, Sheriff Raul Villanueva recognized Executive Assistant Cynthia Campos for 15 years of service.

img 6885Corre Caminos Manager Kim Dominguez recognized Driver David Sanchez for five years of service.

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Gila National Forest restoration promotes old growth development

Uses logging as a tool to achieve future old growth conditions

SILVER CITY, NM, August 22, 2023 – The Gila National Forest contains a large amount of mature ponderosa pine forest that is ripe for development into old growth forest conditions. An example of these conditions can be found in a small section of forest in the Negrito Creek basin. The site holds mostly large, old, widely spaced trees, several snags, decadence in the form of live trees with dead or broken tops, and large downed logs. A mix of Gambel oak, juniper, and pine seedlings and saplings provide multiple canopy layers and species and age class diversity.

One of the greatest threats to mature and old growth forests is catastrophic wildfire. Work is needed in many stands to reduce the density of trees and the component of young trees relative to mature trees, as well as to thin ladder fuels that promote crown fires. Logging, hazardous fuels reduction, and fire are the primary tools for meeting those needs.

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Woman arrested on warrant

By Roger Lanse

A Grant County Sheriff's Office deputy was dispatched to 11858 E. Highway 180 on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, at about 3:13 a.m. in reference to a welfare check on a female who was outside screaming, and who had an active warrant for her arrest for failure to comply, bond to be set. The warrant was issued by Magistrate Judge Scott Chandler.

According to a GCSO offense report, the deputy found Christina Proudlock, 28, address listed as homeless, sitting on the front porch. Proudlock answered the deputy's questions by saying she did not want to talk and denied having a warrant. The deputy confirmed the warrant with the Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority and placed Proudlock under arrest. She was booked into the Grant County Detention Center.

According to GCDC staff. Proudlock was released that same day, Aug. 11.

Female driver attempts to elude local police

By Roger Lanse

On Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at about 11:38 p.m., a Silver City Police Department officer noticed a silver 2003 Ford Focus traveling north on Leslie Road near 32nd Street. Checking the license plate disclosed the registered owner to be Valoree Ayala, 34, of Albuquerque, who also, according to an SCPD incident report, had two warrants for her arrest, one a felony warrant out of Bernalillo County for receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and a second felony warrant out of Luna County for possession of a controlled substance.

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