By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Consolidated Schools held a work session and regular meeting February 18, 2026. Members in attendance  included Ashley Montenegro, Michelle Diaz, Patrick Cohn, Mike McMillan and Kimberly Klement. Superintendent William Hawkins also attended.

Work session

Darion Miller, client service manager for software the district uses called Boardbook, attended. Cohn had asked him to come and help them learn to use some of the functions the software can do that they have not been utilizing. He went over how they could better use it during meetings and outside of meetings that could save the board a lot of time.

Work session adjourned

Regular meeting started.

Information and presentations.

By Lynn Janes

The Cobre Consolidated School Board held a regular meeting at Central Elementary School on February 16, 2026. Board members in attendance included Hector Carrillo, Gabriella Begay, Gilbert Guadiana, Agelina Hardin, and David Wilguess. Interim Superintendent Randal Piper also attended.

The board will recognize the state volleyball champions at the next meeting. They had not been able to attend.

Dottie Pfeifer with Kiwanis attended to present the student of the month awards. None of the students had been able to attend so she read their names and what had been said by the teacher that had nominated them.

Yasmine Sandoval, Snell Middle School, works hard every day and consistently shows up to class with a positive attitude. She also has been an insightful role model to her peers.

Jacob Arias, Cobre High School, stays actively involved in band, mariachi, golf, basketball and National Honor Society. He shows commitment to both academics, extracurricular activities and has outstanding character.

By Lynn Janes

The town of Hurley had a regular meeting February 10, 2026. Mayor Reynaldo Maynes, and Councilors Ester Gil, Robert Candelaria and Jason Cox attended. Aron Phillips did not attend.

Public input

Archi Padilla, president of New Mexico BARC (Border Animal Rescue Coalition), said she understands the council will be having a second workshop to discuss the Hurley animal ordinance and specifically TNVR (trap neuter vaccinate release) language. "We will be refuting every comment made by Cox in the presentation that was untrue, misleading and factually incorrect." They will have current and real time facts being implemented around the state, country and worldwide.

Nicholas Day

February 24, 2026 — Sixth Judicial District Attorney Norman R. Wheeler announced that 28-year-old Nicholas Day is being held without bond after being charged with Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Conspiracy to Commit Perjury.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Cashmala Fazal represented the State during the pretrial detention hearing. The Honorable Judge Jennifer DeLaney of the Sixth Judicial District Court presided and granted the State’s Motion for Pretrial Detention. Judge DeLaney determined that Day poses a danger to the community and has violated his probation, he has an open felony matter in Doña Ana County involving vehicle theft.

During the hearing based on testimony elicited by witnesses, the State asked for the Court to add two additional charges, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Conspiracy to Commit Perjury, both felonies. The Court granted the State’s request and bound defendant over on all three charges.

By Lynn Janes

The Silver City Town Council held a regular meeting February 10, 2026. Attendance to the meeting included Mayor Simon Wheaton-Smith, Nicholas Prince, Stan Snider, Victor Nanez and Angela Salaiz.

The council approved the agenda for the meeting.

The recipient of the January 2026 employee of the month, Marcela Rodriguez, had not been able to attend. She had been chosen for her outstanding performance, dedication and exceptional contributions to the town.

Proclamations

The first proclamation would be for America 250 years and presented to the Daughters of the American Revolution. This will be for the 250 anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence and will occur July 4, 2026. Legislation had been signed through SB 106 to engage every American in commemorating and celebrating the nations semi-quincentennial. Wheaton-Smith said the town will fully engage in commemorative activities leading up to and through July 4, 2026.

By Lynn Janes

On January 29, 2026, the board of regents held a virtual meeting at the legislature in Santa Fe. The board consisted of Steven Neville, chair, Joseph “Dean” Reed, John Wertheim, Gregory Trujillo and WNMU student regent Keana Huerta. Dr. Chris Maples, interim president, also attended.

After coming out of executive session, the board said only items listed in executive session had been discussed. It had been primarily pending litigation.

The board approved the agenda with the removal of item B (pending litigation) and minutes.

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