Illegal border crossers arrested after chase

By Roger Lanse

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at about 12:36 a.m., Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies received a call from the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office in reference to three vehicles, a white Chevy Tahoe, a silver Toyota Tacoma, and a tan Dodge pickup, suspected of carrying undocumented foreign nationals, were headed north on Highway 90 toward Silver City. According to a GCSO offense report, a short time later, deputies had contact with the Toyota and Dodge on Highway 90 near Tyrone. One deputy followed the tan pickup, while another deputy followed the white Tahoe.

The deputy following the Tahoe attempted to make a traffic stop on that vehicle, which was traveling at 60 mph, on Highway 90 from Ridge Road to 6th Street, where the vehicle turned right. The vehicle failed to stop at stop signs at Kelly and Corbin streets, Kelly and Swan streets, and Kelly and N. Gold streets, all the while ignoring the lights and sirens of the following county unit. According to the report, the Tahoe approached a dead end and drove over a berm onto a dirt road, continuing east onto another dirt road where it stopped.

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Deputies find unusual motorcycle at crash site

By Roger Lanse

Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to Highway 180 – MM 118, near Uncle Woody's Flea Market in Arenas Valley, on May 12, 2023, at about 7:16 a.m. in reference to a reported motorcycle crash. According to an accident report, when deputies arrived at the site, they determined the driver, 40-year-old Matthew Johnson of Bowling Green, Ohio, was traveling on the eastbound shoulder at about 55 mph when he lost control of his battery-powered unicycle.

A witness stated, according to the report, that Johnson clipped the edge of a construction sign causing him to fall off the unicycle onto the outside eastbound lane of the highway and roll several feet down the roadway.

Johnson was wearing a helmet and suffered injuries to his right hand and face, the report said. EMS transported him to Gila Regional Medical Center. The report also stated the unicycle sustained only cosmetic damage and did not need to be towed – it was transported with the driver.

Rudy Bencomo appointed to Silver City Town Council

By Lynn Janes

Silver City held a regular meeting May 9, 2023. The meeting started with Mayor Ken Ladner calling the meeting to order and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico state flag. Council members attending the meeting included Jose Ray, Nicholas Prince, and Guadalupe Cano.

The council approved the agenda.

Ceremonies none currently.

Proclamations none currently.

Council comments

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Grant County Commission holds work session 050923 part 3

[Editor's Note: This is the third of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission's work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This begins at the work session, with the last two applicants for the GRMC Board of Trustees telling commissioners about themselves and why they should be appointed.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

During the Grant County Commission work session, after a presentation by Sixth Judicial District Attorney Michael Renteria, commissioners heard from the final two applicants for the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees.

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Cobre  to recognize teachers and staff of the year

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated Schools held a board meeting at on May 8, 2023. President Serena Murillo called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, and David Terrazas (online). Dr. Jeff Spaletta also attended. Elizabeth Dean did not attend.

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.

Spaletta listed the teachers and staff that would be recognized at the upcoming banquet.

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Bayard Updated on Projects

By Lynn Janes

The town of Bayard held a work session May 8, 2023. The work session started with Mayor Pro tem Raul Villanueva calling the meeting to order. Attendance at the meeting included councilors Frances Gonzales, Jose Diaz, and Eloy Medina. Mayor Chon Fierro didn't attend.

The work session gives the council an opportunity to ask questions about anything on the agenda.

Diaz questioned a fee of $2,000 to Lopez and Associates. Marlena Valenzuela, city clerk, explained some of the reasons for the calls that resulted in the charges. Diaz suggested that maybe some of these the council could discuss first and possibly save some of those fees.

Gonzales asked about the monthly police report and if they had it. She also wanted to know what shifts the captain and lieutenant had been covering. Chief Hector Carrillo said they switch off every two months working until midnight. Gonzales said she had an incident at 3 am with people trying to break into her home. She set off her alarm and let her pit bull out. She said she knew if she called 911 no one would be available. She said, "I am worried about other residents that don't have my resources." Carrillo said, "I am glad you are ok, and nothing happened." He told her to call 911 anyway.

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Grant County Commission holds work session 050923 part 2

[Editor’s Note: This is the second of a multi-part series of articles on the Grant County Commission’s work session on May 9, 2023 and regular meeting on May 11, 2023. This begins with a presentation by Sixth Judicial District Attorney Michael Renteria at the work session.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

With no public input at the Grant County Commission work session on May 9, 2023, District 1 Commissioner and Chair Chris Ponce introduced Sixth Judicial District Attorney Michael Renteria.

Renteria said he wanted to give an update on crime bills at the recent legislative session. “I feel it is important to share this information as the district attorney for Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties. I felt it was important to be at the session as much as possible. I was there for 38 days of the 60-day session. Two other DAs from Farmington and Taos were also there close to two-thirds of the session. I worked with our senators, Siah Correa Hemphill and Crystal Diamond, and our representatives, Luis Terrazas and Jennifer Jones, and I attended close to 60 hearings. A total of 1,084 bills were introduced, with 247 being passed, and 211 signed by the governor. We are a group of 14 DAs as an association. Four of five of the bills were significant.”

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Silver Schools Board discusses policy for armed guards

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session in Cliff on April 17, 2023. President Ashley Montenegro called the meeting to order. Other board members in attendance included Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn, Mike McMillan, and Eddie Flores. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended. The Pledge of Allegiance and salute to the New Mexico flag took place.

The board approved the agenda.

The purpose of this work session had to do with the continued discussion of the possibility of arming the security guards and the policy.

Flores said: "Everyday you see on the news another mass shooting has taken place. If we don't pass this, we are failing our kids."

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