[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6304266,"mediaKeyId","2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31","parentId",2466921,"title","Public raises concerns about side-by-side use on Highway 35; county reads state-designated OHV routes","audioSeconds",3769,"startMs",113000,"endMs",3882000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31&start=113&end=3882","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31/thumbnail_113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304266/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Public-raises-concerns-about-side-by-side-use-on-Highway-35-county-reads-state-designated-OHV-routes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304266-8e45864d50577b7596092ee061aeeff2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775413681&Signature=M~FLCMfFcTZa977a-wa0CdfG~HQ~lW9xI9SFSbTB9KNNqfutxx0hQTVWV4ArNsnXSP7l~oB2b4hsWzzZrrH1luzdrEDDUJ7t40MbzqCnQao7aHZylTYSM1mnPfM~H470Ij7QWxyxL9rOzwYxCEAk1dfikYEQxDGby-wDHWGhUsc9WCJ8YQZiymXGYz1CziA1u9EWxbppEnwskUpq~sMgwgAWQSc8EMmgY62PF4eysOW1Xl9H30rZdq1qKqTjmmPYPb5dpnp3MKpzN9oG6IU9Q0I9k4RBEgcyJifABt6DzcxIKEmiZHov1WHOl4UMOz~ORpllabpfRhnWhzpGh2puYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grant County, NM","date","2025-02-28T23:51:42Z","article","At public comment during the Feb. 27 Grant County Commission meeting, resident Paul Foreman pressed commissioners about the lack of off-highway alternatives for residents of the Members area, saying access requires use of Highway 35 and that his side-by-side vehicle gave rise to a citation he plans to contest. Foreman said narrow shoulders and short speed-limit zones force dependence on Highway 35 and described safety and access concerns.

County officials responded during later agenda items that designated OHV routes exist by agreement with the New Mexico Department of Transportation and that adding or changing designated state routes requires petitioning the Transportation Commission. County staff read the state-designated OHV segments in Grant County into the record. The routes listed included segments of NM 35, NM 153, NM 211 and NM 293 in the cliff/Gila and Pinos Altos areas; staff said the designation process is multi-step and that speed-limit limits for state-designated OHV routes are constrained by the Transportation Commission’s rules.

Why it matters: Foreman and other residents said lack of alternative routes and narrow shoulders force side-by-side travel on busy state highways. County staff noted that some communities have separate bypasses but that the county cannot unilaterally designate state highways as OHV routes without the state transportation commission’s approval.

What the county said: The county manager read the current approved OHV designations on state highways (including NM 35, NM 153, NM 211 and NM 293 segments in Grant County) and said the county has an ordinance and a multi-step petition process to take matters to the state Transportation Commission. County staff said additions and changes can be pursued but require time, interagency coordination and compliance with state limits (for example, the Transportation Commission will not approve routes where the posted speed limit is 45 mph or above). The manager also said the county can post a map of designated routes on its website to inform residents.

No formal change to route designations was approved at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to continue reviewing requests and to expedite petitions if residents or groups propose routes that meet statutory and safety criteria.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GCC 2025-02-27 Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A resident urged the commission to allow side-by-side vehicles to use County and state routes to avoid forcing travel on Highway 35. County staff read the current New Mexico Department of Transportation-designated off-highway vehicle (OHV) routes in Grant County and outlined the petition process for additional routes.","taxTitle","Grant County, New Mexico","taxId",67089,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304272,"High Desert Humane Society reports intake and euthanasia data, urges expanded spay-neuter coupons",185,451000,636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31&start=451&end=636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31/thumbnail_451000.jpg","/articles/6304272/Grant-County/New-Mexico/High-Desert-Humane-Society-reports-intake-and-euthanasia-data-urges-expanded-spay-neuter-coupons","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304272-a61ef3bee882613fa144710ad33f2e80/orig.mp4?Expires=1775413681&Signature=GSryEdnJ6BIhNV3TUzANaNTYJtxPQcvbSXIddPizoUKfVBIgiWFfoD-XC7~0W7tLtfJeuI2bs2ye~V6IroGYqMOMVEtFwZoZeAHVmx~lRdRvk-c~aO0mMlATrAjiKtlL2WWYdQRpUaV5YD~E4rSElCpzsaCyYfA1NGogi0reL3qRTOr6do~9B3cXt0Zyw5A29RZoba5tmFTUUBX4OrNadtmO-HMDGR8hQqhKd0CcGzmYsPyWRumYriOS9uJ0ymFEoEvsy88grgjHPwjeodg3NDf4jg62fFsuOwXFNF~qa7ZyEV3l~cxQrDUA8TZJoSSpPfRjPvDfFNPz~8IznzziXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Heidi Olgas, president of the High Desert Humane Society, presented the shelter’s annual report to the Grant County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 27, providing intake, adoption and euthanasia figures and outlining the shelter’s spay-and-neuter coupon program.

Olgas reported the shelter took in 474 dogs from county sources in the reporting period (131 impounded, 134 stray, 209 owner turn-ins) and 253 cats (14 impounded, 126 stray, 113 owner turn-ins). She said 85 dogs and one cat were returned to their owners. For the full shelter (including municipal intakes) she said the total intake for dogs and cats exceeded 1,700 and that the shelter adopted out 634 animals. The shelter reported 719 animals deemed unadoptable and euthanized (including owner requests) and 137 animals considered adoptable but euthanized due to overcrowding.

Olgas said the shelter issued 1,137 HALT spay/neuter coupons and urged commissioners to consider increasing the coupon allotment; she said the shelter has funds and can expand the program. The current coupon pays roughly half to three-quarters of the procedure cost, with additional support available for low-income residents that can double the coupon value when applicants provide income documentation. The shelter allows four coupons per household per year, with exceptions in certain circumstances.

Olgas described recent facility improvements funded by the shelter’s thrift store, including a new laundry room and a rebuilt puppy room, and said the organization is hiring animal caregivers, front-desk reception and an assistant manager.

Commissioners asked how the shelter determines animals are unadoptable; Olgas cited serious medical issues, feral temperament (more common in cats) and owner-requested euthanasia as primary factors. Olgas said the county ordinance does not require spay/neuter but the town of Silver City has such a requirement with exemptions; the county requires purchase of a litter permit for persons selling or giving away litters if they are not licensed breeders.

","The shelter reported 474 county dogs and 253 county cats impounded in the latest reporting year and asked the county to consider expanding spay/neuter coupon funding to reduce intake and litters from irresponsible breeding.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304276,"Gila National Forest warns of dry conditions, plans stage 1 restrictions and staffing for 2025 fire season",676,1090000,1766000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31&start=1090&end=1766","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31/thumbnail_1090000.jpg","/articles/6304276/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Gila-National-Forest-warns-of-dry-conditions-plans-stage-1-restrictions-and-staffing-for-2025-fire-season","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304276-b07b550bb76542ff203737573a1a216f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775413681&Signature=eIhVs6mBKMXWzLPG4DOtHpBrOXy7bBlV8eHQu40OUtGxlk2mbi1KEX4joeqXU-HiLmsgh4UFUfeg5sUsVlc3f-xfrK-RRDHzV8Iqh4zgUxy0qfYIDw43gozZ-zesxp12BO7A3dLHttqHukGjPNi8MmR59LRjeOr3vSIRCh6Vkz552OMRMw81QUeqE-i0Oo-e7DjXoDAk9u4UEgIezwFlPimOO9di3DKnMQbIX65R2y7ziwl16iKFOgXie2iMpA5J9kowlZ8k94-bYckCjeTvfbLoNdnunoKLjIps4~uoSkGK0Tp-L23P7XaSRT2qN7d3e7QB~aZ5IVDGEOw2qBoeOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gila National Forest staff told the Grant County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 27 that the forest is starting the 2025 fire season in unusually dry conditions and will move to stage 1 fire restrictions on March 10.

Javier, the forest’s fire and fuels planner, presented precipitation and soil-moisture data showing snow-water-equivalent and soil-moisture percentiles well below historical averages across Grant County. He said multiple monitoring sites show February totals in deficit and that much of the county is in extreme drought. Marcus Cornwall, speaking for the forest, said forecasts for March through May indicate above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, raising the chance of an earlier, more active fire season.

Why it matters: Forest staff said lower snowpack and dry soils increase wildfire potential and will influence restrictions, staffing and resource requests. The forest intends to implement stage 1 restrictions on March 10, prohibiting campfires outside designated rings and restricting open smoking on forest lands.

Staffing and resources: Forest officials said the tanker base is expected to be operational March 15, contract aircraft are anticipated in April, and the forest plans to field a type-3 interagency zone team and to request additional engines and crews as national resources are available. Silver City and Wilderness districts reported comparatively good staffing; the forest said it will request supplemental funding and resources in mid-March for summer operations.

Local coordination: Forest leadership said they are coordinating restrictions and public messaging with nearby national forests and state agencies. Elizabeth Toney, Silver City District Ranger, said recent personnel terminations did not affect primary fire personnel but that she could not disclose specific personnel details publicly and offered to refer questions to the forest public-affairs office.

","Forest Service officials told the Grant County commission that drought and below-normal snowpack left fuels dry; the Gila National Forest plans stage 1 fire restrictions starting March 10 and expects increased fire potential in spring and early summer.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6304282,"Commission approves NMFA bond application and authorizes injunction; consent agenda and agenda approved",411,2449000,2860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31&start=2449&end=2860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2466921-37af823a0382d53e5669cc166ceedf31/thumbnail_2449000.jpg","/articles/6304282/Grant-County/New-Mexico/Commission-approves-NMFA-bond-application-and-authorizes-injunction-consent-agenda-and-agenda-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304282-6c3964b570ae1fb0742390ab85b4d208/orig.mp4?Expires=1775413681&Signature=BjCeoad0wKQloqzvbUVmE8taW8GivGIB~svNkZQ--MKlmu4rXIxfvZvbuTV2pAzGvh4XFhcicvNWXd8e-98bMemOMXaUcsdEwZFf8z2z4Rv-w~ZG~ZwpAfhUgLNP~-6iS1hcUpzDn5FNcMuxscCjITp-Nfj5zNWE-IjFIpfYxHhorEAsifw2I32leXF2F9em~re5xo6XWfUC6D8TFmctdHudTBS-XjDJZK~0O3cxW9zX1sx3mPcjW9F0evOM8S~X~zfiuruVrfzU6KbNvrf2y6Ed24-8YOUIRNHIs4OcJr-MFsudmA7PFNibqW3V4scx1V5r7voLMsxHQBd6Uibdvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grant County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 27 voted to move forward with applying to the New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) to sell part of the general obligation bonds voters approved in 2022 and, following a closed executive session, authorized the county manager and county attorney to petition for an injunction concerning Rodeo Road.

Commissioners first approved the meeting agenda and later the consent agenda by voice vote. The board then voted to submit an application to NMFA seeking $2,500,000 from the $4,000,000 voter-approved public facilities authorization, and to authorize county officials to take legal action on Rodeo Road after returning from executive session.

Why it matters: The bond application is the formal first step in selling voter-approved general obligation debt to finance public facility projects without raising the county property tax rate. The injunction authorization signals the county intends to pursue immediate legal relief tied to an item discussed in executive session.

Key votes and outcomes

- Approval of meeting agenda: motion made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried.

- Approval of consent agenda (including certification that an earlier executive session on Feb. 13 involved only permitted matters): motion made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried.

- Resolution to submit application to New Mexico Finance Authority (NMFA) for up to $2,500,000 to fund public facilities (related to voter-approved 2022 GO bond authorization): motion to approve made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried.

- Authorization to county manager and county attorney to petition an injunction for Rodeo Road (action coming out of executive session): motion made and seconded; voice vote, motion carried.

What the board said: During discussion of the bond application, Mark Belentweiler of Bosque Advisors told commissioners the voters in November 2022 approved $8 million in general obligation bonds (split $4 million for public facilities and $4 million for roads). Belentweiler said the county plans to issue $2.5 million from the public-facilities portion now, leaving $1.5 million of that authorization for later sale, and that the county will structure repayment so property tax rates do not increase.

Next steps: Staff said the NMFA application process will take roughly three months; the county expects to return with the formal financing resolution next month and to close financing around mid-May so construction and contracting can proceed for planned public facility work.

No further details were released in public minutes about the subject of the executive session that produced the injunction authorization.

","At its Feb. 27 regular meeting the Grant County Board of Commissioners approved submitting an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority for general obligation bond financing, approved the consent agenda, approved the meeting agenda and authorized county officials to seek an injunction related to Rodeo Road following an executive session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public raises concerns about side-by-side use on Highway 35; county reads state-designated OHV routes

High Desert Humane Society reports intake and euthanasia data, urges expanded spay-neuter coupons

Gila National Forest warns of dry conditions, plans stage 1 restrictions and staffing for 2025 fire season

Commission approves NMFA bond application and authorizes injunction; consent agenda and agenda approved