Lee Alirez News Today

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Shots rang out in Silver City just before 5 p.m. March 16 on Silver Heights Boulevard at Bennett Street, leaving a tragic aftermath: two vehicles peppered with bullet holes, 18-year-old Bayard resident Jerimiah Mohr on the verge of death, two other young men injured, a suspected shooter nearby and several young women crying and in shock amid the chaos. Not long after the shooting, the missing suspect, 31-year-old Joseph Trujillo, …

Over the course of 2021, struggles within Mining District municipal police departments continued. While these departments have long seen high turnover rates, area officials noted that over the last few years, it has grown increasingly difficult to maintain adequately staffed departments. Whether or not it is even sustainable for these communities to maintain their own departments remained a hot topic throughout the year. As 2021 began, Bayard and Hurley were …

At their meeting Tuesday, the Bayard City Council discussed various ways to use legislative funds to improve recreational areas throughout the city. Prior to the pandemic, the council had hoped to build a new concession stand with these funds, said Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Ortiz. The pre-pandemic cost of the project was estimated at $540,000, but with the price of building materials having skyrocketed since, the original project is no longer feasible. …

April 27, 2021 Bayard plans $2 raise, will cover total insurance premiums Written by Geoffrey Plant on April 27, 2021 (Courtesy Photo) Newly hired Bayard police officers Joe Carlos and Aaron Ordoñez were sworn in during Monday afternoon’s meeting of the Bayard City Council. Effective July 3, Bayard will give all 24 of its city employees a $2 hourly raise. “We decided we could afford a raise for all employees of $2 an hour,” said Bayard Cou...

March 9, 2021 Bayard aims to repay state in lump sum Written by Nickolas Seibel on March 9, 2021 During the virtual Bayard City Council meeting Monday afternoon, councilors discussed whether the approximately $386,000 owed to the state should be paid back in one large sum or payments of $5,000 every month for seven years. The city’s debt was created by a business’s inaccurately reported gross receipts tax payments, resulting in overpayments f...

February 23, 2021 Bayard police officer stays on payroll after arrest Written by Makayla Grijalva on February 23, 2021 After one of its police officers was arrested and charged with two felonies last week, the Bayard City Council voted unanimously Monday afternoon to keep police officer Cody Dove employed, but on paid administrative leave, until the conclusion of an internal investigation. The decision followed a 30-minute-long closed session. �...

Mystery hole threatens Bayard well Written by Makayla Grijalva on January 12, 2021 With only one item to consider at their meeting Monday, aside from the consent agenda, the Bayard City Council approved the sale of several city assets at auction on Jan. 8 — a car hauler trailer, a cement mixer, a 2001 Ford Taurus, and 2002 and 2008 Ford trucks. The sale saw little discussion, and was approved unanimously. Bayard Clerk-Treasurer Kristy Ortiz als...

Robbery, kidnapping mar NYE in Bayard Written by Makayla Grijalva on January 6, 2021 A quick visit to check on a vacant house in Bayard on New Year’s Eve ended in momentary kidnapping and car theft, according to a release from the Bayard Police Department on Monday. No arrests had been made in connection with the incident as of Monday, but Bayard Police Chief Lee Alirez said that significant evidence was recovered f...

(Daily Press File Photo) Construction workers make headway on the Hurley water project along U.S. 180 early in 2020. The project was beset by difficulties this year, mainly involving the two new wells drilled west of town to produce water for the municipality, which has always depended on water provided by the Chino Mines Company. The town of Hurley still has plans for moving forward in the new year on a yearslong water supply project that hit several snags in early 2020, as well as the consoli...