San Juan County Celebrates New Extension Office

Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 12:14 PM

L-R NM Infrastructure Advisor Rebecca Roose, Aztec Mayor Mike Padilla, San Juan County Manager Mike Stark, San Juan County Commission Chairman John Beckstead and Cooperative Extension Agent Bonnie Hopkins

The San Juan County Extension Service Building project is one of 14 projects funded by $13 million recovered in New Mexico’s 2022 settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA contractors, and mining defendants for injuries to natural resources resulting from the August 2015 Gold King Mine blowout.

From the NM Office of Natural Resources Trustee

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Today, the New Mexico Office of Natural Resources Trustee (ONRT) and San Juan County officials celebrated the construction of a new home for the San Juan County Extension Service.

The new 8,900-square-foot building located south of 300 S. Gossett in Aztec will enable the county extension service to expand resources and services that support local agriculture as a sustainable livelihood. ONRT is contributing $2.6 million to the cost of construction.

“Building on San Juan County’s rich heritage in agriculture, the new Extension office will be even better equipped to support growers that will continue that legacy into the future,” said San Juan County Commission Chairman John T. Beckstead. “From farmers and ranchers that have sustained the west for decades to the newest generation, and the end user of agricultural products, we appreciate the cooperation from agencies that have made this possible.”

“The goal of the Gold King Mine settlements has always been to compensate those who were most harmed by the 2015 blowout,” said Natural Resources Trustee Maggie Hart Stebbins. “None suffered more than the farmers who rely on water from the San Juan and Animas who saw their fields flooded with toxic river water, then had to deal with the long-lasting stigma attached to their products. While we can’t erase those impacts, this building will be a resource for regional farmers long into the future.”

“This new building will expand the NMSU San Juan County Extension Services' ability to deliver education and workforce training, supporting farmers, 4-H youth, and the community,” said County Extension Service Program Director, Bonnie Hopkins Byers. “It will foster stewardship of water and farmland while serving as a hub for learning, growth, and preserving San Juan County’s agricultural legacy.”

The new building will offer offices, classrooms, conference rooms, play areas, a coworking space, and ultimately a processing kitchen. Construction of the building is expected to take 12 months and be open for business in January 2026. The project is managed by San Juan County and the County has committed to maintaining the site in perpetuity.

For more information on New Mexico’s settlement with all three sets of defendants in the Gold King Mine litigation, please visit: https://onrt.env.nm.gov/gold-king-mine/.

More from Local News

Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.
Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32), have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head. Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.
Murder-Suicide in busy Durango shopping area

Bystanders immediately called 911, prompting an emergency response from the Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff's Office, and Durango Fire & Rescue. First Responders arrived within minutes and began life-saving measures on both individuals. Both were transported to Mercy Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.
Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.