Silver City, NM – District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that 35-year-old Madeline Daly has been held without bond after being charged with First-Degree Murder and Child Abuse, in connection with the shooting death of her 11-month-old son.

Sixth Judicial Deputy District Attorney Mark Abramson represented the State during the hearing. The presiding judge was the Honorable Tom F. Stewart of the Sixth Judicial District Court. Judge Stewart stated during the hearing "I'm concerned about your own personal safety, as well as the safety of others. It also concerns the court that given the gravity of what's happened, there seems to be a considerable amount of animosity."

Grant County Sheriff's officials reported that Madeline Daly brought her 11-month-old son into New Mexico from Wyoming, violating a court order that had granted emergency custody to the child's father. On December 23, 2025, deputies responded to a rural property along Highway 15 after receiving a tip that Daly was wanted in Wyoming on kidnapping charges.

By Roger Lanse

Silver City Police Department officers responded to a criminal damage to property complaint at Smith Real Estate (505 W. College Avenue) on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. According to an SCPD expanded blotter report, an officer made contact with an employee at the business.

The employee advised that the business has a slot in the back door for money orders and checks to be deposited when no one is in the office. During the period Jan. 1-4, they were closed for the holidays and during that span someone urinated through the slot and ruined multiple checks and money orders.

Conservation Organizations Outline Concerns with Ivanhoe Electric Mining Exploration Plans in the Pinos Altos Area, Gila National Forest

 Silver City, NM -- Local and statewide conservation and community organizations submitted a letter to the Gila National Forest District Ranger outlining concerns with a massive new mining exploration project on the Gila National Forest being developed by Ivanhoe Electric, a U.S.-based mineral exploration company.  In 2024, the company staked 642 lode claims covering 13,264 acres of Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and private land encircling the community of Pinos Altos, located 8 miles north of Silver City and considered the "gateway" to the Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness. Exploration activities could impact the forest's natural resources and wildlife, recreational opportunities, property values of homes located adjacent to the Gila National Forest, and the local economy.

By Roger Lanse

Russell Dobkins, 75, of Gila, was booked into the Grant County Detention Center by Grant County Sheriff’s Office deputies on Dec. 28, 2025, charged with first degree murder and tampering with evidence in the Dec. 26, 2025, death of Esker Mayberry, 63, also of Gila.

On Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, Dobkins was ordered held in pretrial detention at the GCDC by Judge Jim Foy. Dobkins’ trial date is pending according to 6th Judicial District Court staff.

January 13, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced today that 75-year-old Russell Dobkins has been ordered held without bond after being charged with First-Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence in connection with the death of Esker Roland Mayberry on December 26, 2025. Chief Deputy District Attorney Joseph Silva represented the State during the detention hearing before the Honorable Judge James Foy of the Sixth Judicial District Court. Dobkins remains in custody at this time.

NM State Rep. Luis Terrazas and Sen. Gabriel Ramos cut the ribbon as their aides, Brett Kasten, on the left, and Bruce Ashburn, on the right, hold the ribbon.

Photo by Mary Alice Murphy

On Friday evening, Jan. 9, 2026, New Mexico Sen. Gabriel Ramos and Rep. Luis Terrazas welcomed an estimated 60-70 people who came to an open house and ribbon cutting, at their new local offices in the back of First American Bank at 1609 N. Swan St in Silver City. The senator and representative also requested a donation of a non-perishable food item for the town warming center, now renamed The Haven because of a copyright dispute. The estimate of the cost of the food donated was $650 plus cash donations $of 450, which the Ramos and Terrazas have agreed to match, all for The Haven.