Town chop saw reported missing

By Roger Lanse

A Silver City Police Department officer arrived at 801 Old Mill Road at about 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, regarding a larceny complaint. According to an SCPD incident report, a Town employee reported a Stihl chop saw with an orange blade missing. 

The employee stated he was working just south of the site in the ditch area and left to go back to the shop for supplies. When he returned an hour later at 12:30 p.m., the saw was gone. The officer searched the area but did not find the missing saw. The employee stated he would try to get the missing saw’s serial number for the officer. The missing saw was valued at approximately $1,200.

Police hunt man charged with aggravated assault

By Roger Lanse

On Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at about 11:54 p.m., a Silver City Police Department officer was dispatched to the Super Snappy at 1810 N. Swan Street in reference to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to an SCPD incident report, the 31-year-old male victim told the officer, while he was parked in front of the Super Snappy in a blue 2016 Chevrolet, a male known to the victim and identified as Jesus Pedregon, 26, of Silver City, went to his white 2018 Dodge Charger parked next to the victim, approached the victim, and pointed what appeared to be a Glock pistol at him. The officer asked the victim if he was in fear of being shot. According to the report, the victim stated no, he "believed Jesus was a 'bitch' and wouldn't shoot him."

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Missing Endangered Advisory – Grant County Sheriff's Office- Ethan Benavidez

ethan benavidezSilver City, NM – The following information is for the distribution of a Missing Endangered Advisory from the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Please refer all media inquiries and questions to the Grant County Sheriff's Office at (575) 574-0100.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's assistance in locating Ethan Benavidez, (25) who is 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with brown eyes, and black hair. His clothing description is unknown. Ethan was last seen on August 1, 2023, in the area of 2320 US 180 in Silver City. His direction of travel is unknown. He may be in a white Ford Fusion with unknown plates. Ethan may be living out of his vehicle.

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Gila National Forest Wildfire Roundup - 080823

SILVER CITY, NM, Aug. 8, 2023 - The lightning-caused wildfires on the Gila National Forest are in various stages of containment from 94% on the Divide Fire on the Reserve Ranger District to 0% on the Turkey Fire on the Wilderness Ranger District. Containment differs depending on the location and management objectives of the different incidents. The following is a summary of fire activity:

Reserve Ranger District:

The Dark Fire started July 12 southeast of Reserve. It is 3,074 acres, 5% contained. Rain occurred over the area Monday which moderated fire activity. The fire backed down to Dark Canyon Sunday 1 mile south of South Fork campground. Crews and equipment continued to improve containment lines along FR141 to the west to FR 177 and south along FR177. A Hotshot crew scouted the road system east of Dark Canyon to determine the feasibility to work closer to the fire that is in Dark Canyon. Crews will work hot spots to secure the fire from moving further to the west on Rainy Mesa Divide. A dozer will be used to construct fireline up Dark Canyon to keep the fire in its current location. Two crews, three engines, a dozer, and an ambulance for a total of 61 personnel on the incident.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 071823 and regular meeting 072023, part 7

[Editor's Note: This is part 7 of a series of articles on the Grant County Commission work session on July 18, 2023 and regular meeting on July 20, 2023. This article completes the two meetings.)

By Mary Alice Murphy

The Grant County Commission work session and regular meetings on July 18 and July 20, 2023 continued with a review of agreements at the work session and decisions made on the regular meeting agenda items.

County Manager Charlene Webb introduced the first agreement, which considered a cooperative agreement with the New Mexico Tourism Department for advertising and media-related services for fiscal year 2024 in the amount of $25,284. "The money facilitates advertising of the area by the Grant County Lodgers' Tax Advisory Committee. They receive a total of about $75,000 for marketing every year."

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Activity increases on Turkey Fire on Wilderness Ranger District  

MIMBRES. NM, Aug. 5, 2023 – Increased activity on the Turkey Fire is producing smoke that is very visible from Gila, Cliff and Silver City. The wildfire was flown and mapped at 1,300 acres Saturday.

The wildfire was discovered on July 22 high on a ridge of the Pinos Altos Range on the edge of the Gila Wilderness. It is currently spreading in Shelly and Spring Canyon through ponderosa pine, pinyon-juniper, and brush. The fire is expected to make slope runs when fuels align with topography. To the west, the fire will run into very rugged, rocky, and steep terrain with less fuel continuity. Due to the rugged, inaccessible terrain, Forest Lookouts and aircraft will continue to monitor the fire.

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Parental Form for parents who wish to limit what their children "learn" at school

Dear Parent,

New Mexico laws passed during the 2023 session (HB 7 and SB 397) could restrict both parental involvement regarding certain types of medical services and instructional materials provided to minors during the school day, regardless of age. Medical services include “gender affirming care,” psychiatric care, and abortion services.

The following form is designed to help parents and guardians explicitly exercise their right to be fully informed prior to their child accessing medical and behavioral health services, including some instructional materials. HB7 and SB397 can be found by clicking the links below:

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Warmer, drier conditions expected for Gila National Forest

SILVER CITY, NM, Aug. 5, 2023 – Warmer and drier conditions with the potential for increased wind will affect fire activity across the Gila National Forest. Containment is increasing on some wildfires while work continues with mopping up, patrolling, protecting infrastructure and securing roads and trails to be used as firelines. The following is a summary of fire activity:

Reserve Ranger District:

The Divide Fire started July 13 and is estimated at 26,512 acres. It is 54% completed with 137 personnel assigned. Friday, resources patrolled and mopped up the fire perimeter focusing on hotspots along FR30, 28 and 143. Additional containment was identified along FR 30 to Collins Park. A road grader continued improving FR30 to the east to the Forest boundary. On Saturday, crews will continue to patrol and mop up the fire perimeter.

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