Youth Organizations Awarded $50,000

With the closing of 5-Mile Bridge, county officials invite you to a public meeting to learn about alternatives. Two San Juan County youth nonprofits are the recipients of $50,000 in grants. And mac and cheese lovers, come vote on your favorite this Saturday, June 24th at Berg Park. You're watching the "Local News Roundup," brought to you by SunRay Park & Casino and Distil Beer Wine Spirits, I'm Hayley Opsal. on June 5th, 5-Mile Bridge on County Road 4450 closed to all traffic following recommendations of contract engineers. The bridge has been deemed unsafe as it is too small to cover the span of Largo Wash, and yet seems around 160 trips a day. The steal trestle bridge, almost 100 years old, has seen some erosion over the years to its supports, which aided in the closure recommendation. The public meeting, Thursday, June 29th, will discuss some possible alternatives to the bridge, including rerouting traffic and upgrading a new route or building a new bridge. The cost of the alternative options range from $3.5 million for rerouting, up to $13.3 million to reconstruct the bridge. The public meeting will be from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Sullivan Road Fire Station. Two local youth-based nonprofits are the beneficiaries of a combined $50,000 in grants from the Public Service Company of New Mexico's Resources Foundation. A May 30th news release announced Childhaven Inc. and First Tee - Four Corners are two of 44 organizations statewide to receive one of the grants. Childhaven Inc. received a $10,000 grant, which it will use to cover operating costs of its shelter, which provides a temporary safe place for children experiencing adverse or unsafe conditions at home. First Tee - Four Corners received $40,000, which it will use to support its outreach programs on the Navajo Reservation, as well as some of its local programs with area Boys & Girls Clubs. If you are a mac and cheese lover, make sure to get your tickets for the Mac and Cheese Fest at Berg Park Pavilion this Saturday, June 24th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Local restaurants will compete for the Mac-Tastic Mac and Cheese Trophy, with samples available for you to pick your favorite. Mac and cheese isn't the only dish. Samples of beer, wine, and cocktails will be available in a festive atmosphere of music with games and local vendors around. The cost of a ticket, including a souvenir wine glass, unlimited samples of mac and cheese, and samples of beer and wine, with options to purchase a full pour of your favorites. The 21+ event is a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Farmington. Learn more about these and other stories online at farmingtonlocal.news. Thank you for watching this edition of "Local News Roundup," I'm Hayley Opsal.