Front Page News
Correctional officers involved in scuffle
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 27 February 2024 27 February 2024
By Roger Lanse
According to a Grant County Sheriff’s Office offense report, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, around 9:45 p.m., as Grant County Detention Center female correctional officers were attempting to return Nolene Sanchez, 33, to her cell, the officers were hit by Sanchez. Video footage of the incident, the report stated, showed Sanchez standing at the door to her cell putting up her hair and disregarding verbal commands from a female officer. After using OC spray, female officers attempted to gain control of Sanchez, who resisted, striking one of the officers with an open hand several times and kicking her, and “headbutting” another. All received medical attention and were cleared by medical personnel.
Fatal accident in Arenas Valley 022424
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 26 February 2024 26 February 2024
By Roger Lanse
According to a New Mexico State Police spokesman, on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2024, NMSP officers responded to vehicle crash on Highway 180 near the intersection of Morales Road in Arenas Valley. As a Chevrolet pickup was traveling east on Highway 180 approaching the intersection, a GMC pickup failed to yield to oncoming traffic and pulled out in front of the Chevrolet pickup causing a collision.
The driver of the GMC pickup, Jesus Flores, 78, was airlifted to an area hospital where he died from his injuries, the spokesman said. The driver of the Chevrolet pickup was transported to an area hospital with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Employee Problems at the District Attorney's Office
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 26 February 2024 26 February 2024
Sixth Judicial Court District Attorney Michael RenteriaBy Frost McGahey, Investigative Journalist
When Michael Renteria was elected as District Attorney for the 6th Judicial District, he inherited a DA's office of 34 people that were doing 27 criminal and 5 civil trials a year. Of those 34 people, 27 have left and that office, now staffed with 60 people, is doing only 6 trials a year.
On top of that, three Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) lawsuits were filed by women in the office who have subsequently left.
One of the complainants is Anjulie Vega who started in the DA's office in 2014 and whose last position was senior legal secretary to Cynthia Clark. "I heard Renteria screaming at Cynthia over the phone. He made her life so miserable she quit under duress. Quitting was the last thing she wanted to do." (Clark later filed an EEOC complaint.)
Grant County Commission work session 020624 and regular meeting 020824, part 5
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 February 2024 25 February 2024
[Editor's Note: This is the fifth of a series of articles on the Feb. 6, 2024, Grant County Commission work session and Feb. 8, 2024, regular meeting. This continues with the work session review of the regular meeting agenda and elected officials' reports.]
By Mary Alice Murphy
The first elected official report at the regular meeting on Feb. 8, 2024 came from Treasurer Patrick Cohn, after Clerk Marisa Castrillo said she had no report.
Cohn talked about the tax maintenance report as of Jan. 31, 2024.
About 100 friends show up to honor Sister Rita Plante
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 February 2024 25 February 2024
Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
On Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, more than 100 people showed up at a huge potluck at the Silver City Woman's Club to honor, thank and send off with best wishes Sister Rita Plante of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. She has served the community for 20 years. She left the following day to return to the Nazareth Motherhouse of the order in Concordia, KS.
The Sisters of St. Joseph have served for almost 100 years in Grant County, as teachers at St. Mary's Academy, and in other positions since the closing of the school. Sister Rita served as a chaplain for many years at Gila Regional Medical Center, as well as hosting a large prayer group, to which many of the guests on Sunday belonged. One photo will show part of the group.
Hurley hires a police officer and code enforcement officer
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 25 February 2024 25 February 2024
By Lynn Janes
The town of Hurley held a regular meeting February 13, 2024. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Ed Stevens, councilors Nanette Day, Reynaldo Maynes, Keana Huerta, and newly appointed James Langley.
The council approved the consent agenda which included department reports and regular meeting minutes.
Lori Ortiz, city clerk, reported they had a lot of projects they will be working on. They have sent out two bids and will have awards to be approved by the next regular council meeting for those projects. One will be for the emergency lift station repair and the A Street project.
Cobre interviews for board vacancy
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 February 2024 24 February 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a special meeting on February 9, 2024. Board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, and David Terrazas. Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended.
New business
The board has two vacancies to fill. One of the two applicants had not been able to attend.
The applicant would be given three minutes for an opening statement and three minutes for a closing statement. Each board member would ask two questions and the applicants would have three minutes on each question to answer.
Cobre meets to plan vacancy process
- Category: Front Page News Front Page News
- Published: 24 February 2024 24 February 2024
By Lynn Janes
The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a special meeting on February 5, 2024. Board members in attendance included Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, and David Terrazas. Acting superintendent Michael Koury also attended.
Stephanie Mendivil, attorney at Walsh Gallego Trevino Kyle and Robinson P.C., attended the meeting and helped answer any questions concerning the vacancy process.
Begay asked if they could postpone due to an appointment she had that could not be changed. Mendivil said if they changed some of the dates, they would have to start the process all over, but for the changes Begay asked if they would just need to contact the applicants and let them know.