Community News

Western New Mexico University is ramping up its efforts to train those looking to enter the healthcare workforce. The university currently offers courses in phlebotomy and Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).

The CNA class is offered every spring, fall, and summer and is taught in both Silver City and Deming. The phlebotomy course is currently in Deming, but the university also plans to offer it at the Silver City campus.

According to Healthcare Workforce Programs Director Victor Stephen Gonzales (BSN '17, MSN '23), the next healthcare workforce program under development is a pharmacy tech program. The curriculum for the program has been developed, and WNMU is currently seeking instructors to teach the coursework.

Silver City Patrolman Bristan Lockett interviews Jose Acosta as his son, Michael Acosta, looks on. Officers are required to conduct a minimum of five such "community contacts" each month, as part of the department's ongoing community engagement initiatives.Traffic Issues, Homelessness are Top Concerns

Silver City -- Annual police community engagement data show that the vast majority of residents contacted feel that Silver City police officers are approachable and trustworthy, while residents' top concerns are traffic-related, along with various consequences of homelessness.

The data is based on the Silver City Police Department's (SCPD) ongoing "citizen contact" initiative, in which patrol officers simply ask citizens that they encounter during their shift if they may ask a few questions. Officers are expected to complete at least five contacts each month, then Chief Freddie Portillo compiles and analyzes the information.  Assistant Town Manager James Marshall reviews the data, and helps follow through with any complaints, needs or concerns.

From left:  Jennifer Sanchez and Jennie Montez

Silver City, NM – From the moment Jennifer 'Jennie' Montez stepped into Gila Regional Cancer Center in October of 2023, she knew it was the start of something special. Enduring daily radiation therapy for a month, she found herself not just battling cancer but also discovering unexpected rays of light from Jennifer Sanchez, a compassionate patient access representative.

Posted On: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 to https://www.legion-aux.org/Blog/Heart-of-the-Mission-Ilo-Louck   

Printed with permission from American Legion Auxiliary National Headquarters.

Born in Collins, Ohio, Ilo Mae Louck recently celebrated her 109th birthday, making her possibly the oldest American Legion Auxiliary member in the country. Her bright blue eyes and sharp mind immediately engage you in conversation. Still able to walk, she comes to the monthly BIG Pancake Breakfast at Allingham-Golding Post 18 in Silver City, N.M., regularly. There, she is surrounded by her friends and admirers for at least an hour. Legionnaire Bill Harrison, a 101-year-old World War II veteran, happily is not the oldest person in the room for a change.

(Silver City, NM, April 20, 2024) In support of the combined Earth Day and Continental Divide Trail Days event in Gough Park, Kids Vote! held an election for Cutest Gila Baby. Children were taught the basic steps to responsible voting: meeting requirements, registration, learning about the candidates, and casting their ballots correctly. Given the very young age of some of the participating voters, the process did not necessarily go in this order, but they are zeroing in on it, and that is the goal. While children voted, adults were able to register to vote at the same booth.

The Jacob Bennett Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is pleased to announce that Noah J. Bratcher has been selected New Mexico State Good Citizen Scholarship Award Program Candidate for 2024. Noah Bratcher, the son of Henrietta and Jason Bratcher, a senior at Cliff High School, was awarded this honor having been selected from all accredited High School Seniors in Grant County schools. The seniors submit an application and their high school transcript. In addition they can answer a question by writing a short essay. This year the question was: "What are the civic responsibilities of a good citizen and why are these duties, activities and behaviors important to the shaping of the America you hope to experience."

The following is a portion of Noah Bratcher's essay: "The America I want to see and experience like our government rests on the people who make America, America. Each person as a citizen in our country has a responsibility to uphold truth, honor, kindness, and any other trait that makes one a good citizen. Without the citizens upholding their duties and responsibilities, America will fall short of all of its potential. Without good citizens, I and so many others will never experience the America I wish to see. The civic responsibilities that are required for this dream to become a reality are a sense of responsibility, doing what needs to be done for the community, helping those who can't help themselves, being fair, and having a good moral compass."

Pictured from left to right: Kyra Shay, Abbey Beckworth, Mia CookAldo Leopold Charter School (ALCS) teachers Pete Rankin and Ray Cressler took their classes to tour Chino Mine on Wednesday, March 18. Rankin's 9th grade cultural geography class was learning about the history of mining in Grant County and the role of this industry in our economy today. Cressler's mixed grade level economics class was understanding how this industry fits into the profile of local, state, and national economies.

Megan Golden, Senior Mine Engineer at Freeport-McMoRan, provided students with on-site safety training, the opportunity to view the mine operations area, and a pit and mill tour.

In support of the weekend backpack program at Silver Consolidated Schools, chapter members donated nonperishable food items.  The school's Nutrition Department will make arrangements to package and distribute the backpacks to children in need throughout the schools.

Shown with delivery of the donated food items are Marylee Bell and Maria Elena Sanchez from Preceptor Tau Chapter, and Rhonda Torres, Student Nutrition Director.