Local News Releases

Traffic Alert – Roadway closure expected to last 30 minutes

SILVER CITY - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One, in partnership with Mountain States Constructors, Inc., is continuing with the widening of U.S. 180 from a 2-lane to a 4-lane road from Bayard to Hurley.

Crews have planned a rock blast for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, starting at 2:30 p.m. U.S. 180 will be closed from Lusk St. to the Bayard Cemetery at milepost 125.8. Please expect delays. This closure is expected to last 30 minutes but no longer than 1 hour.

The NMDOT is committed to the safety of the traveling public and thanks you for your cooperation during this work. For updated information go to: NMDOT at www.nmroads.com or call 511.

The Fort Bayard Historic Preservation Society is pleased to announce a new film series, entitled "Iconic Movies of the 1960s", which will run every Thursday evening from January 23rd through April 10th. The movies will be screened at the Santa Clara Armory, with doors opening at 6 pm with showings starting at 6:30.

Admission is free, and donations are accepted. Concessions are available at nominal cost.

For more information, email Doug Dinwiddie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or consult the organization website at www.historicfortbayard.org. 

The U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office (GDO) created a video series to highlight the wide array of benefits that new transmission projects will deliver to communities across the country. As part of this series, the GDO featured Southline Transmission Project in its latest video released this week. Please see here the full video, Powering Communities: Making Connections with Southline.

For more information about Southline Transmission Project, please visit: www.southlinetransmission.com.

SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement after the resignations of the remaining members of the Western New Mexico Board of Regents today:

"I have accepted the regents' resignations and will appoint new leaders who understand their primary duty to the public trust. I want to thank members of the New Mexico Legislature who also voiced their urgent concerns about this matter.

The WNMU Board's tone-deaf decision to approve a $1.9 million severance package for Dr. Shepard demonstrated an appalling disconnect from the needs of our state, where the median income of a family of four is just $61,000. The amount of money contained in Dr. Shepard's separation agreement could have addressed food insecurity across the entire WNMU student body for a full year.

Only 180 tickets will be sold - Great prizes

See flyers for event and prizes below

Site closure and water system shutoff due to forecast freezing conditions

MIMBRES, NM, Jan. 7, 2025 – The Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District has closed Mesa Campground for the season. The water system at Upper End Campground has also been shut off for the season due to freezing temperatures resulting in high potential for damage to the water distribution system. Both sites are located at Lake Roberts, 16 miles northwest of Mimbres, New Mexico.

SILVER CITY - The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District One, in partnership with Mountain States Constructors, Inc., is continuing with the widening of U.S. 180 from a 2-lane to a 4-lane road from Bayard to Hurley.

Crews have planned a rock blast for Wednesday, January 8, 2025, starting at 2:30 p.m. U.S. 180 will be closed from Lusk St. to the Bayard Cemetery at milepost 125.8. Please expect delays. This closure is expected to last 30 minutes but no longer than 1 hour.

The NMDOT is committed to the safety of the traveling public and thanks you for your cooperation during this work. For updated information go to: NMDOT at www.nmroads.com or call 511.

 Volunteers are requested for help with wreath retirement at Ft Bayard National Cemetery this Saturday, January 11, at 8:30 am. This is a wonderful opportunity for younger hands to help out as well as adults.

Participants not picking up wreaths with their trucks and trailers are requested to park outside the cemetery gates to allow room for those hauling vehicles on the narrow lanes inside the cemetery.

Volunteers are asked to remove the wreaths from grave and cremains markers and to stack them by the side of the lanes as well as to load therm onto trucks and trailers.

Some volunteers are also needed to help unload the trucks and trailers at the dumpster site just outside the gates.

The wreath retirement proceeds regardless of the weather, so please wear gloves and dress appropriately.