Southwest Desert/Mimbres Basin-Sierra County Lakes-Southern Dona
Ana County/Mesilla Valley-
Including the cities of Sunland Park, Vado, Spaceport, Las
Cruces, Columbus, Derry, Deming, and Truth Or Consequences
Sun Nov 9 2025

...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 AM MST
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of southern New Mexico, including the cities of
Deming and Las Cruces.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 9 AM MST Monday.

NEW LOCATION OFFERS HIGH-QUALITY, DESIGNER MERCHANDISE AT AMAZING PRICES

FRAMINGHAM, MA (NOVEMBER 2025) - Marshalls, one of the nation's leading off-price retailers with over 1,200 stores currently operating in 48 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico, will open at Silver Heights Blvd on November 20th. Marshalls' team of buyers hustle year-round to bring incredible deals on must-have products to its shoppers at every location. And now, shoppers in Silver City will find that amazing selection of high-quality merchandise across fashion, accessories, shoes, beauty, home, men, kids, pet, and more. 

[Editor's Note: This sentencing happened almost a year ago, but was just brought to the Beat's attention! Thanks to our source.]

By Roger Lanse

Joseph William Costello, then 29, of Silver City, was arrested by New Mexico State Police officers on June 30, 2023, on an outstanding warrant and other charges. While incarcerated he was named a person of interest in the June 27, 2023, death of 62-year-old Stephen Timmons, campus minister for Christian Challenge - Western New Mexico University, as Timmons was bicycling at the Dragonfly Trail system in Arenas Valley, NM.

Subsequently, Costello was ordered by Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Jarod Hofacket, on July 19, 2023, to be held in pre-trial detention, without bond, on a first-degree murder charge, at the Grant County Detention Center, until the case was tried and completed.

The Gila National Forest is moving the fire danger back up to moderate.

With the area's continued dry and warm weather, along with the curing of what grass did grow during monsoons, the GNF is moving to MODERATE FIRE DANGER. It likely won't be long until the area is back in High barring any surprise moisture.

This is the website to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center – it can give you an idea of what might be in store for the winter.

https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ 

By Frost McGahey

NM State Auditor Joseph Maestas

On October 17, 2025, at the Regents' meeting at Western New Mexico University, the auditors found no "fraud, misappropriation of assets, incompetence, personal financial gain, or corruption by Dr. Shepard or the former Board of Regents."

The Jaramillo Accounting Group did the comprehensive audit for $330 per hour for a total of $285,000 which was paid by WNMU. The audit findings were completed on September 11 and given to the State Auditor Joseph Maestas and the current Board of Regents, but were not released until October 16. No reason given for the delay.

The accountant had originally been engaged to conduct the audit by Dr. Shepard in the summer of 2023 because of Shepard was already facing accusations from Santa Fe lawmakers about the University's spending.* Following the resignation of Dr. Shepard and firing/resignation of the Board of Regents in December of 2024, the audit was halted. Then Maestas had WNMU restart it under his auspices.

By Roger Lanse

On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, at about 2:29 p.m., Grant County Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to the SOS shelter, 610 N. Silver Street in Silver City, in reference to an aggravated assault with a knife. An employee of the shelter told a deputy a female had been asked to leave the shelter and when they returned her belongings to her, prior to her leaving, two knives were included.

According to a GCSO offense report, when the employee followed the female, Brenda Callahan, 61, Silver City, to make sure she left the property, he observed Callahan approaching another female while holding a knife down at her side. The knife was described as a kitchen knife with a black handle.

The female victim told the deputy that Callahan was upset with her and had told the victim she was "going to get her while she slept," and "had come up to her like she was ready to use the knife." The victim described the knife as having a flat and serrated blade with a black handle.