By Mastroianni & Hart

By Parker & Hart

2015 Housing Market On Pace for a Record Year

A great June for home sales means the 2015 year-to-date reported sales of 8,806 is the highest number reported since 2008 when the REALTORS Association of New Mexico (RANM) started keeping market statistics. 1,850 sales were reported in June 2015, a 20% increase over the number of sales reported in June 2014.

January-June 2008
Number of Sales: 7,535

January-June 2009
Number of Sales: 6,009

January-June 2010
Number of Sales 7,065

January-June 2011
Number of Sales: 6,390

January-June 2012
Number of Sales: 7,013

January-June 2013
Number of Sales: 7,951

January-June 2014
Number of Sales: 8.051

January-June 2015
Number of Sales: 8.806

“Eighteen New Mexico counties reported an increase in 2015 year-to-date sales over 2014 January through June figures. Higher rents, a stronger job market, and gradually rising interest rates are coaxing many first-time home buyers into becoming home owners,” says Baro Shalizi, 2015 RANM President. “Even though statewide trends are rosy, there are counties where economic conditions mean the housing market is not as robust as in other counties. Real estate is after all, local.”

During June 2015, seventeen New Mexico counties reported an increase in sales over June 2014. Torrance, Los Alamos, Lea, Lincoln, Taos, and San Miguel counties all reported over a 40% increase in sales comparing June 2014 to June 2015. Statewide, June median prices are also higher than those reported in June 2014. Median price indicates half the properties sold for more and half for less.

June 2014
Number of Sales: 1,542
Median Price: $179,092

June 2015
Number of Sales: 1,850
Median Price: $189,000

“While all these numbers are good news for the housing market, housing affordability numbers have dropped slightly from a year ago,” says M. Steven Anaya, RANM CEO. “A continued limited number of homes for sale mixed with a higher buyer demand and growing home prices continue to chip away at the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS” housing affordability index. Lower mortgage rates are not completely offsetting the increase in home prices.”

The trends and numbers reported are only a snapshot of market activity. If you are interested in buying or selling, consult a REALTOR familiar with your market area; he/she can provide information on specific trends in your neighborhood.

Silver City Regional Association of REALTORS, Inc. reports:
Residential Data mid-way through 2015:

332 homes were listed Jan - June
736 total active residential listings
$204,552 average original list price of these homes
77 average days-on-the-market homes listed

160 listings have been under-contract

128 homes have sold
39% of the homes listed have sold
$157,129 average sold price
216 average days-on-the-market of solds
93% average list to sales price of homes at sale

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act, H.R. 3009, by a vote of 241-179. Following his vote for passage, U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce released this statement:

"Our nation's immigration system is broken, no one can deny that," stated Pearce. "However, the failures and flaws in our system are no excuse to actively break the law. On July 1, Kate Steinle was murdered on a San Francisco pier by an individual who not only had seven prior felony convictions, but had been deported five times. The individual was in custody in April, but was allowed to go free. Three months later, he killed Kate. This Administration must not continue to pay cities to actively skirt around our laws. Passage of this legislation today simply prioritizes federal assistance for communities that follow federal law."

"We in New Mexico know firsthand the challenges of our broken and outdated immigration system. I will continue to advocate and push for commonsense and simple immigration reforms that will make our nation a stronger, safer, better place: from increasing border security, to modernizing our visa process to ensure the system supports and benefits only those who follow the rules.

"Yet while we work to make our immigration system stronger for the future, I believe the laws on our books must be followed. All levels of the government should be responsible to follow and enforce the laws of our nation."

Background from the House Judiciary Committee:

• Problem: There are almost 180,000 convicted criminal aliens currently in removal proceedings living in the U.S. and almost 170,000 convicted criminal aliens who have been ordered removed also living free. Under the Obama Administration, the total number of such convicted criminal aliens who are not being detained has jumped 28% since 2012.
• The Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act cuts off specific federal grants for jurisdictions that have policies in place that prohibit or restrict communication with the Department of Homeland Security regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status. The bill also strips away certain federal grants from jurisdictions that prohibit state or local law enforcement officials from gathering information about an individual's citizenship or immigration status.
• The federal grants that will be unavailable to sanctuary jurisdictions include the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants, and the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG).

Silver City, NM - Starting on September 1st, 2015, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument will increase entrance fees for visitors in order to fund important maintenance and improvement projects within the park. The single visitor entrance fee will increase from $3 to $5. The family rate of $10 will not be affected and all passes will continue to be honored as in the past.

"This modest increase in fees (the first increase ever at Gila Cliff Dwellings) will allow us to continue to protect, preserve and share the special places here at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument for current visitors and future generations," said Gila Cliff Dwellings Superintendent Hugh Hawthorne. "After carefully considering the impact of a fee increase on visitors and community members, we came to the conclusion that this is the right course of action to improve facilities and services important to visitors."

Entrance fees have supported a wide range of projects that improve the park and visitor experiences, including Trail Maintenance, Renovation of our Visitor Contact Station and visitor amphitheater, creation of a new park movie and making the visitor center and contact station more ADA accessible. Additional revenue from this fee increase will allow us, in the next few years, to re-route the Cliff Dweller Trail out of the flash flood zone, repair bridges on the trail, do re-vegetation and erosion control work in fire scarred areas, create interpretive signs for the trail and renovate the Visitor Center Museum exhibits. Fees are not used to fund permanent salaries, improve employee housing, offices or IT infrastructure, purchase new vehicles, etc. and are only used on projects which directly affect visitor safety or the visitor experience.

In the fall and winter of 2014/15, the National Park Service conducted a nationwide review of entrance fees. To solicit public input, Gila Cliff Dwellings launched a civic engagement campaign in December 2014.

During the public comment period, the park received sixteen formal comments and eighteen informal comments on Facebook. While the number of comments was not large, those who chose to comment overwhelmingly supported the concept of a small fee increase. Please feel free to contact Hugh Hawthorne, Superintendent Gila Cliff Dwellings at hugh_hawthorne@nps.gov or 575-536-9461 with any comment or questions.

By Mary Alice Murphy

Grant County commissioners held their July regular meeting Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the Grant County Administration Center. Addressing a long agenda, they gathered input for expansion of the commission from three members to five, heard about the Gila National Forest Plan revision process, had a request from members of the American Civil Liberties Union to form a Detention Center Advisory Committee, and addressed Sheriff's and jail policy changes.

During public input, George Julian Dworin, Silver City Arts and Cultural District and Town of Silver City Tourism director, gave the end of year report on tourism.

Photos and Article by Mary Alice Murphy

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Members of the Gaffney-Oglesby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 came together Thursday afternoon at Gough Park to honor their fellow Marines and a sailor killed in Chattanooga, Tenn., one week ago.

Have you heard the story of Kim, the 22-year-old college student? She was given $90,000 by her grandparents tagged to pay for her college education. Kim was a guest on the Atlanta-base, 'The Bert Show' and told the story of how she went through the 90 large in just three years and now believes she has no way to pay for her final year of college, which will run about $20,000.

Kim's tale is probably not that unusual, the part about how she went through the money anyway. She admitted that she would 'budget' for clothes and spring break or summer travel, figuring that these luxuries were part of her educational experience. She admitted to having gone to Europe for example. It appears that when Kim budgeted for clothing and travel, she didn't follow the usual college student on a shoestring budget travel and clothes shopping stereotypes. It sounds like she went first class all the way. Kim admits that in hindsight she should not have been so extravagant.

Get ready for the face palm; she blames her parents for her fiscal predicament. "Maybe my parents should have taught me to budget or something. They never sat me down and had a real serious talk about it." That might be true but today's colleges and universities actually have classes, that are often mandatory for incoming freshman, to teach them how to budget, balance a checkbook, find an apartment; in other words, how to be a responsible adult. Maybe Kim was a spoiled little rich girl with unlimited credit cards and no responsibility. Maybe her parents did talk to her about it but she didn't listen. Either way, it's their fault.

The tale continues to deteriorate. Her parents said there was nothing they could do for her when she asked them for more money. She thinks they are lying when they say they don't have the money because her dad has "worked for like a million years and they have a retirement account." Of course they have a retirement account, they are budgeting and planning for their future. Maybe you could have asked them questions about how to be an adult and handle money. Maybe you could have realized that while daddy was working and earning money, he was also paying for your home, food, utilities, insurance, mortgage, car... that stuff just doesn't fall to Earth for the special people.

The parents suggested she do what almost every other college student is doing; taking out a loan or getting a job. OMG! That's like so embarrassing. How am I supposed to do that? I have to go inside a bank and get a loan. Honey, you'd better be very good looking and a freak in the bedroom because you are going to need to marry a sugar daddy with a huge bank account. Remember to be nice to the help because they'll spit in your food and leak a video of you doing the pool boy which will activate your prenup and leave you with a paltry $10k a month.

There have always been spoiled, incompetent, entitled, little brats in our world. But what's becoming more and more common is that society, at least the wing nuts on the left side of the aisle, excuses their behavior and feeling of entitlement. They do blame the parents or someone else and encourage the whining little future plastic surgery patients, making them feel like their crybaby attitudes are justified. It's become more acceptable in America to espouse these feelings and not feel ashamed that you screwed up so badly or that you're not taking responsibility for your actions or learning from your mistakes.

Maybe that's what needs to change in America, bring back not only the feeling of shame, but also the expectation that you can and will recover from making bad decisions.

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is partnering with Microsoft to launch the "Innovation Challenge," a contest designed to explore how climate change will impact the United States' food system with the intent of achieving better food resiliency. The challenge invites entrants to develop and publish new applications and tools that can analyze multiple sources of information about the nation's food supply, including key USDA data sets that are now hosted on Microsoft Azure, Microsoft's cloud-computing platform.

"For more than 100 years, USDA has compiled data from economic reports and farm production surveys, and more recently from satellite imagery and remote sensors that can provide information on the health of crops around the country," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Through this partnership with Microsoft, we are now putting that data into the hands of people who can help us derive new insights to address factors that threaten our ability to feed a growing global population. This offers very exciting possibilities, and I look forward to seeing the new tools that contest participants develop."

For the first time, key USDA datasets are being made available in the cloud where they can be accessed and blended with other data to give novel insights or used in new types of end-user applications. Combining these USDA data with cloud-computing resources allows even very high fidelity and complex models to be processed in a timely manner and enables results to be delivered to remote users on their laptops, tablets or mobile phones.

The challenge offers $60,000 in prizes, including a top prize of $25,000, for applications that make use of the USDA data and provide actionable insights to farmers, agriculture businesses, scientists or consumers. In addition, Microsoft is granting cloud-computing awards to aid university researchers and students who wish to take part in the challenge. The deadline for entries is November 20, 2015, giving challenge participants three months to create their applications. Winners will be announced in December 2015.

The increased prevalence and availability of data from satellite imagery, remote sensors, surveys and economic reports mean that we can analyze, model and predict an extremely diverse set of properties associated with our food production. Applications might combine data from the USDA and other government sources, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or the United States Geological Survey, and can be targeted at farmers, scientists, food producers, insurance companies or consumers.

"I am looking forward to discover what creative ideas the community comes up with through blending together USDA data, novel ways of exploring and analyzing data with access to large scale computing and data analysis in the form of Microsoft's Azure platform," said Dr. Daron Green, Deputy Managing Director of Microsoft Research. "Microsoft and the USDA seek to catalyze the creativity of others and hope that the challenge will provide a great incentive for developers and researchers interested in data science to put together some great applications helping address the USA's food resiliency needs."

Microsoft will promote the challenge at the 2015 meeting of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. Full details can be found at http://usdaapps.challengepost.com.

The Innovation Challenge was created in support of the President's Climate Data Initiative, which aims to harness climate data in ways that will increase the resilience of America's food system. This is a direct response to the President's call for all hands on deck to generate further innovation to help prepare America's communities and business for the impacts of climate change.

Santa Fe, NM – Summer activities have just heated up and are continuing throughout the summer at NM State Parks! Get your families together for camping or for a fun day outing or picnic. Here are some special events happening across New Mexico State Parks this weekend: Take some time to have fun in the sun!

Park Special Events- Saturday, July 25, 2015:

NM State Parks Marathon Series at Sugarite Canyon State Park near Raton, NM, Saturday, July 25th whether it be a 5K, Half Marathon or Full Marathon! This is part of the N.M. State Parks Marathon Series, as coordinated by Mainly Marathons. Register at mainlymarathons.com (note: the first in the series is March 7 at Ute Lake State Park.) Sugarite Canyon State Park is located about six miles northeast of Raton, N.M., via State Highways 72 and 526.

Prairie Fest at Ute Lake State Park, Logan, NM Saturday, July 25th activities begin at noon with Live Hawks! Come celebrate all things prairie, including live snakes and hawks! Enjoy the splendor of a prairie night sky by peeking through the park telescope. This festival takes place mostly at the beach area near the main boat ramp. Starting at 7:00 p.m. join us for Kiowa Storyteller at the North Beach area for two sessions of storytelling. Ute Lake State Park is located 3.5 Miles West of Logan Village on 540 Loop.

Lecture & Book Signing: Wildflowers at Rio Grande Nature Center, Albuquerque, NM Saturday, July 25th Meet Larry Littlefield and Pearl Burns as they discuss their unique reference book which describes over 350 wildflowers and flowering shrubs that grow in New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, Sandia, and Manzano Mountains. Wildflower enthusiasts and hikers will love this useful book.

Cost: $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC permit holders and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with valid permit displayed. Rio Grande Nature Center State Park in the Education Building, 2901 Candelaria NW Albuquerque, Phone: 505-344-7240.

Sail Boat Regatta- Dingy Race #2- Elephant Butte Lake State Park- Elephant Butte, NM

Saturday, July 25th starting at 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Marina del Sur, Main body of lake. State Parks officials remind you to always make safety your number one priority—on land and in the water. Wearing lifejackets saves lives; always wear a lifejacket when you're on a boat or swimming. State Parks offers FREE boating safety classes around the state and on-line throughout the year.

Find your New Mexico True State Park! While recreating at State Parks this weekend, why not record your experience in a 2 minute video and then upload it to www.newmexico.org and you could win some fabulous prizes! Find your New Mexico True State Park Video Contest is on-going through August 31, 2015. Check out www.newmexico.org/NMTruePark for more details.

Check out all of our events at www.nmparks.com. State Parks is the place to be this weekend!

The Red Hot Children's Fiesta is accepting booth application for this year's event, scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Built/Penny Park, 1305 Grant St. The Fiesta is the largest child development resource fair in southwest New Mexico, with an average yearly attendance over 2,000.

Booth spaces are free so child and family service providers can directly connect with Grant County families in a safe, non-threatening environment. Each service/group is required to sponsor a fun activity for children and families to participate in, like face painting, craft making or education for children while handing out useful information to the parents/guardians. Remember, the secondary purpose of Fiesta is to promote child-parent interaction and bonding. Applications are due by Monday, September 14, 2015.

This year, the Fiesta is sponsored by a partnership with the Grant County Community Health Council and Gila Regional Medical Center's Community Health Partnerships.

For an application or more information contact Kendra Milligan at (575) 388-1198 ext. 10 or email at healthcouncil@grmc.org.

Pictured are Kaitlyn Pierson, Jordan Enriquez and Carolyn Castillo, scholarship recipients attending New Student Orientation.

Silver City, NM - New scholarships for New Mexico high school students who are leaders academically and in their communities have been awarded for the upcoming fall semester.

At least one valedictorian and three salutatorians from around the state have been awarded the scholarship, covering their tuition and fees for one academic year.

"We are really proud that these students have chosen WNMU as their home for the next four years," said Matthew Lara, Director of Admissions. "Because of their high academic achievements, they were awarded scholarships from many institutions, but they chose us."

The new Admissions Scholarships were rolled out in May and since then students from New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and other states have applied.

For Carolyn Rose Castillo, receiving the salutatorian scholarship helped her to finalize her decision to attend WNMU. Castillo graduated from Silver High School in May.

"I didn't want to go to a junior college," said Castillo. "I did want to go to a school that offered me the most for my academics and softball."

Castillo will be playing for the Lady Mustang softball team. She played the sport while at Silver High becoming a four time state champion.

Other scholarship recipients include Shelby Turner, valedictorian for Deming High School; Savannah Beth Luera, salutatorian for Corona High School; and Kaitlyn Pierson, salutatorian for Carrizozo High School.

Pierson was undecided as to where to attend college until mid-summer. After receiving her scholarship she decided to make WNMU her choice.

"Both my parents graduated from WNMU as well as my cousin and grandpa," said Pierson. She plans to study occupational therapy.

Jordan Enriquez, from El Paso, Texas, was awarded the Leadership Scholarship for his accomplishments as a member of his high school basketball team and his high academic achievements. Enriquez will play for the Mustang basketball team.

"Our goal is to attract students that have shown exemplary leadership academically and in their communities," explained Lara. "WNMU is a great match for these students because of the opportunities we offer students to continue to grow as leaders."

In the last four years, WNMU has created more avenues for students to grow outside the classroom with the creation of leadership and internship opportunities.

"In 2013, the Division of Student Affairs created a new Student Hall of Fame helping to bring in to focus, and to celebrate, the many achievements of our student body," said Lara.

The Office of Admissions continues to receive applications for its new scholarships. Students can apply for scholarships online: http://admissions.wnmu.edu/save.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - In an ongoing effort to provide top-notch constituent service, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich's (D-N.M.) staff will hold Mobile Office Hours in Silver City on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. Staff will be on hand to assist residents who have questions regarding Social Security benefits, Medicare, immigration, veterans benefits, student loans, and other federal programs. All are encouraged to attend.

Constituents who are not able to attend Mobile Office Hours are encouraged to visit the Helping You section of Senator Heinrich's online office at www.Heinrich.Senate.Gov.

Silver City - Wednesday, July 29, 2015
WHO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich's Staff
WHAT: Mobile Office Hours
WHEN: From 2 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: The Volunteer Center of Grant County, 501 E. 13th Street, Silver City, N.M. 88061
QUESTIONS: Contact Senator Heinrich's Las Cruces Office (575) 523-6561

Bayard Police Department

Monday, July 20

Battery
N. East Street
Caller advised that her cousin’s sister punched caller in the face. Officer advised to send ambulance for a 26-year-old female whose head was banged on a vehicle. Officer advised that the female is dizzy and is now starting to seize. Officer advised that female was transported.

Graffiti
Bayard Post Office

Welfare check
N. East Street and Central Avenue
Caller advised that a bicycle was on the side of the road – possibly a vehicle hit him or he fell. Caller advised to cancel as someone picked him up in a white pickup along with the bicycle and left, then disconnected.

Request officer
North Street
Caller advised that her son came back from a visit with his father in Bayard with bruises.

Welfare check
N. Hurley Road
Officer advised that the officer was waved down regarding an intoxicated male walking on the roadway. Another officer advised that several subjects were seen walking but negative on male described.

Suspicious vehicle
100 Park Street
Female picking up her kids from the park.

Tuesday, July 21

Criminal trespass warning
1101 Tom Foy Blvd.
Caller wants a CTW issued to an unnamed female who attempted to steal a 12-pack of beer yesterday. Caller advised that she is the daughter of a named female who possibly lives on Grant Street.

Disturbance
N. Yucca Street
Caller advised that while her grandson was outside with their dog, a male passed by and the dog began to bark at the male, who kicked the dog. Caller advised that when she went outside the male cursed at her and left on foot. Officer had contact with the male.

Wednesday, July 22

Welfare check
Momsen and N. Franey streets
Officer advised that the subject is slightly responsive and breathing/negative on heavy bleeding/lights and siren. Officer advised subject is drooling and possibly overdosed.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
1101 Tom Foy Blvd.
Caller advised that the mirror had been ripped off her car and she knows who did it.

Thursday, July 23

Domestic disturbance
Grant Street
Caller advised that her sister hit her but caller refused any medical attention. Officer advised that the sister who committed the battery was ordered to leave and the other one went with her grandmother.

Disturbance
Walnut Street
Caller advised the neighbors are causing problems. Officer advised both parties to stay away from each other.

Weapons fired
Pearl Street
Caller who refused to ID advised that he heard three shots. Officer advised no sign of shots fired or fireworks.

Santa Clara Police Department

Monday, July 20

Larceny
N. Mineral Street
Caller advised about someone stealing power. Officer had negative contact.

Domestic disturbance
N. Hutchinson Street
Caller advised that her sister is throwing things at caller/negative on weapons or drinking. Advised that sister is accusing caller of sleeping with sister’s husband. Caller advised that she has her own husband.

Tuesday, July 21

Unwanted subject
N. Hutchinson Street
Caller advised that a named female is causing problems. Advised that the female is leaving and everything is OK.

Suspicious vehicle
Fort Bayard
Caller advised that a white pickup with a light bar is driving around. Officer advised that the vehicle is leaving now on Highway 180.

Wednesday, July 22

Domestic disturbance
W. Cactus Street
Caller advised that her 35-year-old daughter is acting out of control and they cannot get her to calm down. Advised that the daughter is not under the influence of anything but has expressed suicidal ideations. Advised that it has been all verbal up to now.

Thursday, July 23

Loud music
N. Mineral Street
Officer advised negative on the music.

Hurley Police Department

Monday, July 20

Welfare check
Linda drive
Caller advised that they left the door unlocked and someone opened the door and when they yelled out whoever it was closed the door and ran off. Advised that it was the little boy who was staying over and he got sick and was going home/everything is OK.

Thursday, July 23

Welfare check
Elguea Avenue and 2nd Street
Caller advised that her neighbor’s dog is running loose with a leash attached and that is very unusual. Officer advised the neighbor was found and she is fine.
 

Monday, July 20

Weapons fired
Busy Street – Arenas Valley
Caller advised she heard one shot fired, possibly a shotgun. Deputy advised negative contact.

Welfare check
E Street – San Lorenzo
Caller advised that her niece is in an abusive relationship with a named male and last weekend caller saw her with bite marks and bruises.

Welfare check
Rogers Drive – Wind Canyon
Caller advised that a named female hasn’t been seen in months and she supposedly has a very eccentric husband. Deputy made contact with husband who stated his wife was at Millie’s visiting her mother. Deputy advised that he home was very tidy and everything appeared okay.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
Skyview Drive
Caller advised that he found the back window broken on his tan Lincoln Aviator.

Domestic disturbance
Sandalwood Avenue
Caller advised that her 16-year-old daughter is throwing a fit, yelling and screaming, and scaring the baby.

Unwanted subject
E Street – San Lorenzo
Caller advised that a named male is hiding behind the shed, but he keeps going back to the home and caller does not want him there. Deputy advised that the male left prior to arrival.

Disturbance
Penjamo Bar
Caller advised that a male with two knives on him is highly intoxicated and trying to fight with them. Advised that the male is walking with his girlfriend in the roadway and now they are driving away.

Welfare check
Country Club Road
Caller advised that he heard screaming. Deputy advised that the area was patrolled/no one is awake or yelling.

Welfare check
Penjamo Bar
Caller advised that her female cousin lives in a camping trailer behind the bar and she is intoxicated and possibly on drugs, and a named male beats her up as well. Advised the cousin was picked up in Silver today and taken to Hurley. Deputy advised contact was made with the cousin and the male and they are OK and were sleeping.

Criminal trespass warning
Rio de Arenas Road
Caller advised that a named male is at the residence and there is a restraining order in place. Advised that the male was at the front door and caller disconnected the line. Deputy advised that the male does have a CTW for the location, but left prior to arrival.

Tuesday, July 21

Suspicious vehicle
Highway 180 – MM 120
Deputy out with a black Chevy. Advised they have two blowouts/will be standing by for a ride.

Harassment
Racetrack Road – Arenas Valley
Caller advised that she is having an ongoing issue with a named male who keeps calling her and making threats. Advised it is her daughter’s boyfriend. Deputy had negative contact with caller.

Welfare check
Allen Road – Upper Mimbres
Deputy advised that while he was involved in a traffic stop, a female advised him that she was on the phone with another female who was upset and suicidal and who has a gun. The female advised the deputy of where the supposed suicidal female was and the deputy obtained the address from CAD.

Welfare check
Penjamo Bar – camping trailer
Caller advised a named female was possibly beat up by her boyfriend who was not there right now. Advised the female appears to be intoxicated and is complaining about her head hurting and the bruises on her legs. Deputy advised that she appeared OK and is intoxicated/clear.

Welfare check
Highway 180 – MM 139-140
Caller advised that a male was slumped over in a vehicle on the side of the road. Deputy advised the vehicle has a flat tire and the driver is waiting for roadside assistance.

Welfare check
Rosedale Road and Ethel Lane
Caller advised that a female is slumped over on the ground. Deputies advised they went down Spring Creek and Ethel with negative contact.

Suspicious vehicle
Unknown location
Caller advised that an individual advised him that a gray pickup was trying to camp on his property. Deputy advised en route.

Welfare check
Cherry Creek
Caller advised that his friend went rock climbing alone today and caller has not heard from him. Advised that the friend lives at a Mountain View address. Deputy advised out at the Mountain View address.

Welfare check
Rio de Arenas Road
Caller requested a wellcheck on a juvi, but cancelled the wellcheck as caller made contact with the uncle.

Wednesday, July 22

Criminal damage to property
Scott Park
To the concession stand

Larceny
Copper Drive – Tyrone
Caller advised that a trashcan was stolen. Caller then advised that the trashcan was at a Cuprite address.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
Whispering Hills
Broken back window of his vehicle.

Request officer
Highway 211 – Gila
Caller advised that someone is tampering with and opening her mail.

Disturbance
Adams Lane – Arenas Valley
Landlord having a dispute with a named female. Deputy advised both parties were instructed with how to proceed with an eviction and filing with magistrate court.

Suspicious vehicle
Racetrack and Camino Verde roads
Caller advised that a pickup is doing doughnuts kicking up dust. Deputies had negative contact.

Thursday, July 23

Harassment
Maplewood Circle
Caller advised that his wife is receiving threats at her workplace. Advised that he has already spoken to another deputy about it.

Panhandler
11820 Highway 180
Caller advised that a male with a gas can and a little boy is harassing customers. Deputy had contact with a gold minivan with two adults and about five kids at Uncle Woody’s Flea Market. Advised the male stated that he is from Chama and will be on their way.

Battery
Broken Arrow and Tabor drives
Caller advised that a named male gave her the keys to his house and told her that she could go there whenever she wanted. Advised that he returned home and started hitting her and she has a busted lip and is very distraught. Deputy advised to send EMS.

Harassment
Filaree Road
Caller advised that a named male was a psycho and was capable of harming caller. Deputy spoke to the named male who stated that he was afraid of what the caller might do to him.
 

Monday, July 20

Larceny
N. Gold Street
Caller advised that a named male stole her husband’s wallet. Caller advised that she did not want charges at this time as the male said he was going to bring it back but that he was out of gas.

Domestic disturbance
711 Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised his girlfriend is pushing him and trying to take his belongings and his dog/negative on drugs or alcohol. Officer advised that the manager stated both parties would have to vacate the property/clear.

Criminal damage to property
W. 12th Street
Caller advised that her neighbor’s window was shot out last night.

Welfare check
910 Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised that a man holding a bottle of alcohol is standing in the median. Officer advised out with a named male on 17th and Canal.

Battery
Pope Street Park
Caller advised that a named male threw a soft baseball at a tree and it bounced off and hit her on her back shoulder, but advised later that she is OK and doesn’t need an ambulance. Officer advised that, “I asked the male . . .

Shoplifting
1506 N. Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised that a male has gone into Auto Zone. Officer advised the male was issued an indefinite CTW for Auto Zone and released on a citation to appear.

Intoxicated persons
E. 13th Street
Caller from Kiss Program advised that during a visit, the mother of a child is passed out and possibly highly intoxicated. Advised that she is breathing OK but cannot get her to wake up. Officer advised units clear.

Welfare check
1956 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a male is passed out and another male is watching him from the arroyo. Officer advised to send EMS for a 74-year-old male who has been in the sun too long/negative on lights and siren. Rescue 2 cancelled by EMS. Officer out at A&E Diesel with male.

Domestic disturbance
1220 N. Hudson Street
Caller advised that a male is harassing the female deli worker and now they are outside arguing.

Welfare check
809 N. Hudson Street
Caller advised that a female punched him in the face but he does not want to make a report of it.

Weapons fired
W. 12th and Pope streets
Caller advised that she heard two shots fired. First officer advised it was fireworks/second officer confirmed it.

Vehicle burglary
16th Street
Caller advised that someone got into his truck and stole his work radio and serious (ed: Sirius) radio.

Breaking and entering
510 N. Bullard Street
Caller advised that he just got home and two young males were in his house with their faces wrapped. Advised that one ran down into the ditch and the other ran out the front door.

Welfare check
N. Corbin Street – 11:58 p.m.
Caller advised that she has been hearing a car alarm. Officer clear/negative contact with any kind of a car alarm.

Tuesday, July 21

Suspicious vehicle
E. 10th and N. Bennett streets – approx. 12:20 a.m.
Alarm going off/reference previous call. Officer advised needs another unit reference open door/spoke with a named female/everything is OK/clear.

Request officer
15th Street
Caller advised that her 36-year-old brother, with his girlfriend who is on probation, took off in her father’s truck.

Graffiti
403 W. 6th Street
Sixth Street School

Unwanted subject
410 W. Broadway
Caller advised that they have a disgruntled employee who is refusing to leave. Advised that he has not threatened anyone physically/negative on weapons. Officer advised the male left upon request/clear.

Welfare check
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a customer said that a white van in Row 10 has two children inside with the windows rolled up. Officer advised negative contact/will ATL.

Panhandler
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a male, whose vehicle does not have a hood, is panhandling and customers are complaining. Officer advised that contact with male was made at Dollar General.

Criminal damage to property
N. Silver Street
Caller advised that her neighbor’s kids are going through her back yard damaging her property.

Welfare check
Valley Vista
Caller advised that her daughter who is bipolar and on drugs is staying with another daughter and caller just wants to make sure the first daughter is okay.

Domestic disturbance
N. Silver Street
Caller advised that her daughter is outside arguing with her girlfriend, then caller hung up. Officer advised that the girlfriend has a CTW for the N. Silver Street address.

Domestic disturbance
40th Street
Caller advised that her daughter is having problems with a named male and he has left in the daughter’s black Dodge Dart. Officer advised on scene on 40th/the vehicle is at this location.

Welfare check
Durango Street
Caller advised that she has been calling her daughter for about a month and she doesn’t answer. Advised that the daughter has a drinking problem. Officer advised that daughter is OK/she does not have a phone to call her.

Shoplifting
1506 N. Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised that a male took a bag of paper foil and left. Officer advised that the male’s driver’s license was invalid/revoked but no CTWs for Family Dollar/gave male a non-traffic citation.

Weapons fired
Alabama Street
Caller advised that two shots were heard. Officer advised that he is in the area and noticed fireworks in the air/negative contact with shots fired.

Unwanted subject
N. Corbin Street
Caller advised that a named male has been drinking and is causing problems. Officer advised both units clear/will keep a frequent patrol.

Wednesday, July 22

Welfare check
N. Main Street
Caller advised that for a week he has been unable to reach his two kids, ages 7 and 12, who are with their mother. Officer advised that contact was made with mother and kids and they are OK and will be giving him a call.

Graffiti
312 N. Bullard Street
Pretty Sweet Emporium

Welfare check
Virginia Street
Caller advised negative contact with patient. Officer advised he made contact with all parties/they were just testing the alarm.

Domestic disturbance
E. 8th and N. Corbin streets
Caller advised she could hear what sounds like a domestic. Officer advised that the area was checked/clear.

Intoxicated persons
N. Swan Street
Caller advised that a male appears to be intoxicated and stumbling all over the roadway, yelling at vehicles and going into people’s yards. Officer out with male at La Bonita Bakery/clear.

Assault
Cactus Street
Caller advised that her son’s girlfriend was just jumped/negative on any injuries. Officer issued two named individuals indefinite CTWs for a Yucca Street address.

Larceny
Kentucky Street
Caller advised that welding equipment was stolen from a trailer attached to his work truck/his truck wasn’t actually broken into. Officer set up frequent patrol for next month.

Shoplifting
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that a male walked out of Walmart with a 52-inch Samsung, flatscreen TV, and a bunch of electronics, without paying.

Fight
2501 E. Highway 180
Subjects left upon request.

Shoplifting
2707 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that people in a dark green Jetta have been stealing items. Officer set up frequent patrol for a week during evening and graveyard shifts.

Suspicious vehicles
Penny Park – 9:30 p.m.
Vehicles left upon request.

Harassment
2501 E. Highway 180
Caller advised that individuals at Walmart were yelling at her and calling her a ‘dumb whore,’ because she is dating an ex-boyfriend of a named female.

Disturbance
Leslie Road
Caller advised that neighbors are banging on the wall and screaming. Officer advised that everything is OK/clear.

Fight
N. Gold Street
Negative contact with any disturbance.

Larceny
E 12th and N. Bennett streets
Caller from Silver City Fire Department advised that three subjects took some signage from SCFD and were running on 12th Street. Officer had negative contact.

Thursday, July 23

Domestic disturbance
N. Swan Street
Caller advised that he can hear a female screaming. Officer advised that a juvi female was released to her grandmother/clear.

Shoplifting
610 Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised that a male took a bottle of alcohol and is walking north on Silver Street. Advised that the bottle is in his left front pocket. Officers advised contact was made at Enchantment Realty and the male was issued an indefinite CTW and released on a CTA.

Criminal trespass warning
710 Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller requested a CTW be issued to a named male for the Drifter/Copper Manor/Red Barn properties.

Criminal trespass
Visitor Center
Caller requests a CTW be issued to a named male who is standing outside at this time. Officer advised that the CTW was issued.

Graffiti
810 W. 13th Street
Caller advised that this happened to her wall last night.

Reckless driver
1621 N. Silver Heights Blvd.
Caller advised that a vehicle was seen hitting poles and ran over the curb when it pulled into the Twisted Illusions parking lot. Caller believes they are intoxicated. Officer had negative contact at Twisted Illusions.

Vehicle burglary
1201 Pope Street
Caller advised that a wallet was stolen from her vehicle.

Domestic disturbance
Pine Street
Caller advised that her brother took her phone and locked her out of the house.

Larceny
610 W. 6th Street
Caller advised that a statue of an owl was stolen from her front yard yesterday or last night.

Injuring/tampering with motor vehicle
E. 13th and N. Silver streets
Caller advised that the window to her RV has been broke in. Officer set up frequent patrol for next couple of weeks.

Larceny
407 N. Hudson Street
Caller advised that someone stole the license plate off his vehicle while he was in the Laundromat.

Welfare check
Catholic Cemetery
Callers advised that a female is walking north on Cooper Street in the middle of the roadway trying to flag down a ride. Officers advised they are in the area/will ATL.
 

PHOENIX - - Sunday, July 26th is the 25th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Internal Revenue Service is marking the occasion by spotlighting a number of tax benefits and services that can help taxpayers with disabilities.

Achieving a Better Life Experience or ABLE Accounts

This new program was passed by Congress in Dec., 2014. Under the law, states can offer specially designed, tax-favored Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Proposed-Regulations-Offer-Guidelines-for-New-State-Sponsored-ABLE-Accounts-for-People-with-Disabilities) to people with disabilities who became disabled before age 26. Recognizing the special financial burdens faced by families raising children with disabilities, ABLE accounts are designed to enable people with disabilities and their families to save for and pay for disability-related expenses.

Any state can offer its residents the option of setting up one of these ABLE accounts, or if it chooses, contract with another state that offers such accounts. Contributions totaling up to the annual gift tax exclusion amount, currently $14,000, can be made to an ABLE account each year, and distributions are tax-free if used to pay qualified disability expenses.

Tax Credits

Low-and moderate-income workers and working families often qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a refundable credit that varies by income, filing status and family size. Although many eligible taxpayers with disabilities get the EITC, the IRS estimates that as many as 1.5 million others miss out on it each year because they fail to file a federal income tax return.

But there's still time to get the EITC. Generally, eligible taxpayers can still file a return claiming the credit for tax year 2012, 2013 or 2014. People can see if they qualify by visiting IRS.gov and answering a few questions using the (EITC Assistant (http://www.irs.gov/Credits-&-Deductions/Individuals/Earned-Income-Tax-Credit/Use-the-EITC-Assistant).

Another credit, the credit for child and dependent care expenses, can help working taxpayers paying the cost of caring for a spouse or dependent who is physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. Use Form 2441 (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Form-2441,-Child-and-Dependent-Care-Expenses) to claim the credit. For further details, see Publication 503 (http://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Publication-503).

Deductions Available

Taxpayers with disabilities can deduct various impairment related work expenses on their federal income tax return. Both employees and self-employed individuals may qualify. In addition, various unreimbursed disability-related expenses qualify as deductible medical expenses. However, to get a tax benefit, an eligible taxpayer must itemize their deductions on Schedule A (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Schedule-A-(Form-1040),-Itemized-Deductions), and their total medical expenses must exceed 10 percent of their adjusted gross income (7.5 percent for taxpayers who are at least age 65). Eligible expenses include:

• Artificial limbs, contact lenses, eyeglasses and hearing aids
• Cost and repair of special telephone equipment for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Cost and maintenance of a wheelchair
• Cost and care of a guide dog or service animal
• Within limits, premiums for qualified long-term care insurance

For a detailed list of qualifying medical expenses, see Publication 502 (http://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Publication-502).

Tax Help

Publication 907 (http://www.irs.gov/uac/About-Publication-907), available on IRS.gov, highlights these and other tax benefits for people with disabilities, including special rules for reporting disability income. During the tax-filing season, trained community volunteers prepare tax returns for low-and moderate-income taxpayers, including many people with disabilities, at thousands of neighborhood tax help sites nationwide through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Last year alone, more than half a million returns were prepared and in most cases electronically filed, for taxpayers with disabilities.

Year round, the IRS also offers a variety of helpful resources through the Accessibility (http://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS.gov-Accessibility) link on IRS.gov. These include accessible (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Accessible-IRS-Tax-Products) IRS forms, instructions and publications that can be downloaded or viewed online in text-only format, Braille-ready files, browser-friendly HTML, accessible PDF, large print and ePub for mobile devices. The IRS has also produced 100 YouTube videos in American Sign Language (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Videos-American-Sign-Language-(ASL)) on topics ranging from the Taxpayer Bill of Rights to the EITC. In addition, taxpayers can request reasonable accommodations for services in any federally funded or federally assisted tax program or facility.

By Mastroianni & Hart

By Parker & Hart

By Mary Alice Murphy

At the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees held Friday, July 24, 2015, the interim chief financial officer, Michael Rolph, presented the financial report later in the meeting.

Board Chairman Charles Kelly introduced the most recently appointed board member, Tony Trujillo, who was attending his first board meeting.