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Enjoying the great outdoors over the weekend, Kelly Aldridge bird watches at the Rio Grande Farm Community Garden off Montaño in Albuquerque. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Albuquerque Journal)
CARLSBAD – New Mexico officials are hoping an appetite for outdoor recreation during the coronavirus pandemic will help the state’s economy recover.
The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division requested more funding for outdoor programs and support initiatives to be considered during the next legislative session scheduled to begin in January, the Carlsbad Current-Argus reported.
The division, part of the state’s Economic Development Department, requested more than $3 million to fund its Great New Mexico Trails Package, which would provide funding to local communities and agencies with plans to develop and maintain hiking trails statewide.
New Mexico Begins Accepting Abuse-Neglect Reports By Text –
Associated Press
New Mexico is launching a round-the-clock program to let youths reach state officials by text message to report abuse or neglect, find references or ask questions.
Reach NM uses the text number 505-591-9444 to let Children, Youth & Families Department intake workers offer answers and connect texters with appropriate community resources.
Department Secretary Brian Blalock says the program offers a “one-on-one” connection to offer support and resources in a way that is natural to our kids.”
The department points to Arizona State University research finding the average child has a cell phone by age 11, and that texting is the most comfortable form of communication for youths. A statement calls New Mexico the first state with a completely text-based system.
From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Tuscaloosa:Concerns over furthering the spread of COVID-19 have prompted officials with the Tuscaloosa Public Library system to again close its branches. The closures will remain through at least Jan. 5, said library spokesman Vince Bellofatto. All three locations of the Tuscaloosa Public Library are expected to reopen Jan. 6. “TPL made this choice to support the overall health and well-being of Tuscaloosa city, county and Northport and for the safety of our patrons and staff,” Bellofatto said. “It was a very hard decision, as TPL is dedicated to serving the patrons, but the best way to serve our community now, is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.” Library officials will remain in contact with the library’s board of trustees and, if needed, additional measures might be taken. The library initially closed the Main, Weaver Bolden and Brown branches in March as the coronavirus made its way into Tuscaloosa County. A gradua
Associated Press
New Mexico is seeing its daily COVID-19 case totals decline. But health officials have been worried about whether the Christmas holiday could lead to another spike as it takes two to three weeks for infections to manifest.
On Monday, the state reported an additional 700 confirmed cases, bringing the total to more than 138,650 since the pandemic began. The 36 additional deaths bring the death toll to 2,380.
Almost one-third of the latest deaths included people at long-term care facilities and one inmate at the Guadalupe County Correctional Facility.
Vaccinations of health care workers as well as staff and residents at long-term care facilities is ongoing.
MORE: New Mexico leaders seek COVID-19 relief funds for outdoor industry
The Division requested about $3.22 million to fund its Great New Mexico Trails Package, an appropriation that would provide stimulus funding to local communities and agencies with the intention of developing and maintaining hiking trails throughout the state.
A second appropriation of about $1 million was made for the Division’s Outdoor Equity Fund to support programs intended to provide grant funding for youth programs center on outdoor recreation.
OPINION: Our wild lands and rivers are some of the best places for us to invest
Division Director Axie Navas said outdoor recreation was one of the state’s fastest-growing industries and would be instrumental in driving state revenue as it recovers from the economic stress of the pandemic.