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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who represents Cibola County in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, has pushed for reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program to restore federal funding for rural roads and schools. Courtesy Photo

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who represents Cibola County in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, has pushed for reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program to restore federal funding for rural roads and schools. Courtesy Photo

Secure Rural Schools Funding Nears Key House Vote, Funding for Cibola Roads and Classrooms Being Debated in Washington D.C.

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Editor’s Note: The final vote for S. 356, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 was 399-5. It passed around 4:50 p.m. mst on Dec. 9.The bill heads to Pres. Trump’s desk for signature.GRANTS, N.M.
For the eighth year in a row, Evelyn and Roger Siegmann have teamed up with students from the various elementary schools in Grants-Cibola County School District to spread holiday cheer. In this photo, taken December 1 by Citizen staff, students from Mesa View Elementary School painted the newspaper windows. Not pictured is Joe and Misty Vigil who helped to keep the students focus and spread cheer. Sylvia Anzures Gonzales - CC

For the eighth year in a row, Evelyn and Roger Siegmann have teamed up with students from the various elementary schools in Grants-Cibola County School District to spread holiday cheer. In this photo, taken December 1 by Citizen staff, students from Mesa View Elementary School painted the newspaper windows. Not pictured is Joe and Misty Vigil who helped to keep the students focus and spread cheer. Sylvia Anzures Gonzales - CC

Window Painting Spreads Holiday Cheer

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
GRANTS, N.M. — A little Christmas magic returned to downtown storefronts this past week as local elementary school students from Mesa View Elementary School picked up their brushes for the eighth annual holiday windowpainting project led by Evelyn and Roger Siegmann.

City of Grants Lodger’s Tax

Amerika Rougemont, Reporter
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
GRANTS,N.M.–TheNovember 20 Lodger’s Tax meeting resulted in two approvals The New Mexico Mining Museum received $3,726.39.The invoices for the Grants Cibola County Chamber of Commerce, amounting in $2,008.00, despite the initial agreement of $2,500, were approved as the remaining amount.
Artist's rendering of ABA-accessible viewing platform inside Junction Bridge Cave. Junction Cave Courtesy of DHM Design

Artist's rendering of ABA-accessible viewing platform inside Junction Bridge Cave. Junction Cave Courtesy of DHM Design

El Calderon Trail closes for major upgrade; lava tube access limited through May 2026

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Project will create first accessible lava tube experience at El Malpais NEW MEXICO - As winter cave closures take effect at El Malpais National Monument, visitors are also facing a much bigger change at one of the park’s most popular trailheads.
The Nov. 25, 2025 U.S. Drought Monitor shows 100 percent of Cibola County in drought, with about 70 percent in Severe Drought (D2) and the rest in Moderate Drought (D1). Courtesy Photo

The Nov. 25, 2025 U.S. Drought Monitor shows 100 percent of Cibola County in drought, with about 70 percent in Severe Drought (D2) and the rest in Moderate Drought (D1). Courtesy Photo

Cibola County Drought Report

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As December begins, Cibola County remains firmly in drought, despite a relatively wet October and scattered fall storms.According to the latest data from NOAA and the U.S. Drought Monitor, all 27,213 residents of Cibola County are currently affected by drought.
Cibola Water Monitoring Report - December 3, 2025

Cibola Water Monitoring Report - December 3, 2025

Cibola Water Monitoring Report - December 3, 2025

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As 2025 draws to a close, Cibola County’s water data tells a clear and sobering story: despite scattered rainfall and brief summer storms, both Bluewater Lake and the Rio San Jose have ended the year at persistently low levels.Recently retrieved yearlong graphs from the U.S.