What A Ride! A Look Back At County Government In 2022
View of demolition on the Hilltop House Hotel Lobby Oct. 27 at 400 Trinity Dr. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
View of the small pile of rubble that remained Nov. 20 captured from a drone above the demolition site of the former Hilltop House Hotel at 400 Trinity Dr. Drone photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
It was a whirl wind year for Los Alamos County! Just like a roller coaster, there were highs and lows, twists and turns. As 2022 closes and the County turns its attention to 2023 to see where this wild and crazy ride will take Read More
Los Alamos Police Department 2022 Highlights
Deputy Chief Oliver Morris, front right, running in the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run in June in Orlando, Fla., enters Disney World to cheers from the crowd. Courtesy/Special Olympics USA
Police Chief Dino Sgambellone By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
2022 at the Los Alamos Police Department was filled with community engagement, the rescue of a hiker, providing assistance during the Cerro Pelado Fire and putting criminals behind bars.
“Although we continued to struggle with the legacy effects of COVID including lower staffing levels, the police Read More
Los Alamos Fire Department 2022 Year In Review
Ryn Herrmann and Sam McRae of the Los Alamos Chamber deliver the banner that was hanging on the Diamond Drive overpass after the Cerro Pelado Fire to Chief Troy Hughes, left, and fire officials. The banner hung on the Diamond Drive overpass immediately after the Cerro Pelado Fire, then was at Los Alamos ChamberFest for the community to sign. Courtesy/Chamber
Fire Chief Troy HughesNorth Central RTD Unveils New Branding For Blue Bus
North Central RTD Board members, representatives from Studio Six Branding and District staff welcome the newly branded RTD Blue Bus outside the transit headquarters in Española. From left, Councilor Melanee Hand, Los Alamos County; Jalmar Bowden, Village of Taos Ski Valley; Lillian Garcia, San Ildefonso Pueblo; Councilor Lee Garcia, City of Santa Fe; North Central RTD Chair and City of Española Councilor Dennis Salazar; Commissioner Hank Hughes, Santa Fe County; Traci Jones, Principal/Creative Director, Studio Six Branding; Michael Koch, Transit Consultant to Studio Six; Commissioner Read More
County: Public Skating At Ice Rink Canceled Today
COUNTY News:
Due to warmer than usual weather and rain this morning, the Los Alamos County Ice Rink will be canceling today’s public skate session, that was to be held 3-6:45 p.m., in order to preserve the ice for the Los Alamos Hockey Association Winter Classic Hockey Tournament, Dec. 27-30, which will host games with regional and out-of-state leagues, based on hockey official’s safety advisory, early in the mornings and in the evenings, when the ice is at its hardest.
Los Alamos County Ice Rink staff ask that patrons view the Los Alamos County Ice Rink webpage, the Los Alamos County Community Read More
On The Job In Los Alamos: At County Clerk’s Office
On the job in Los Alamos are Los Alamos County Deputy Clerks Allison Collins, left, Anna Archuleta and Ubaldo Barela. The deputy clerks serve the community from their office in the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. Photo by Connor Hoch/ladailypost.com Read More
County: Pre-Storm Tree Trimming Happening Now
COUNTY News:
Tree trimming coordinated by the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is occurring now before the forecasted winter storm to reduce the chance of weather-related power outages.
The effort is focused on and near the intersection of 43rd Street and Urban Street in North Community.
Southwest Fire Defense & Tree Services is under contract with DPU to trim tree branches growing around power lines. The company has been mitigating hazards and power outages through tree trimming in Los Alamos throughout 2022.
DPU’s electric distribution staff are responsible for identifying Read More
County Announces ARPA Individual Assistance Grants
COUNTY News:
Officials with Los Alamos County announced today they have launched an Individual Assistance grant program utilizing funds from the U.S. Government’s COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Administered by the County’s Social Services division, the program provides up to $2,000 in financial assistance to eligible Los Alamos County residents to help with food insecurity, rent, utilities, technology, or other household expenses that have been difficult to cover due to the global pandemic.
To qualify, an applicant must be a Los Alamos County resident who can demonstrate Read More
Skaters Enjoy Holiday Festivities At Los Alamos Ice Rink
Skaters enjoy holiday music and crisp winter weather Friday afternoon at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
COVID Community Newsletter For Week Of Dec. 23, 2022
Pause a minute and read this week’s COVID-19 Community Newsletter, and stay up-to-date on COVID in the community, the ‘tripledemic’ across the U.S., the developing ‘senior wave’ and more. Get tips and information about how you and your loved ones can protect yourselves from viruses this winter. Click here: https://conta.cc/3FQHjJ5. There will be no newsletter next week due to the holidays. Courtesy/LAC Read More
NACo: Omnibus Bill Amendment Provides Valuable Flexibility, Resources For Counties
NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) Friday applauded the passage of the bipartisan State, Local Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act, as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill.
The amendment also makes significant investments in local governments that will help counties improve communities and residents’ lives.
Championed by Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), the amendment will grant additional Read More
Luminaria Skate: Christmas Eve At Ice Rink 5-10 PM Today
Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Luminaria Skate Christmas Eve. Start a holiday tradition with family and friends by spending Christmas Eve 5-10 p.m. today, Dec. 24 at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink.
Quiet holiday music, luminaries and holiday lights will transform the rink.
Admission includes coffee and cocoa. $6.50 – Ages 6+ $2.50 – Ages 5 & Under Includes skate rental and admission. Read More
County DPU: Beware Of Scammers Demanding Payment!
Los Alamos County Customer Care Center Representatives have again been made aware of scam phone calls to local residents – beware and be advised that no one from the DPU is making those calls – so just hang up. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Representatives at the Los Alamos County Customer Care Center have again been made aware of scam phone calls to Los Alamos residents who are told they must pay their utility bills right away over the phone or risk disconnection.
No one from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is making those calls.
“It’s crazy that these people are preying on our customers right Read More
Santa Claus Visits Los Alamos County Fire Station 4
Santa Claus and his small snow elf visited Los Alamos County Fire Station 4 recently at 4401 Diamond Dr. The station was constructed in 1964 in the County’s North Community. Through Los Alamos County and the New Mexico Fire Protection Distribution Funds, this station was upgraded in 2002, and a separate structure was constructed near the station to house additional apparatus operated by LAFD. Fire Station 4 contains five bays with sleeping and living areas on the north side and work and storage areas on south side. The Annex contains four additional bays and provides additional storage for reserve Read More
DPU Reminds Community To Use Natural Gas Responsibly
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) reminds the community to use natural gas responsibly.. The winter storm hitting the western U.S. is no joke and it’s a great time to use your natural gas responsibly. Read all about it here: https://ladpu.com/Gas20221220. Courtesy/DPU Read More
Due To Vendor Complications Restrooms Are Unavailable At East, Piñon, Rover & Overlook Parks This Winter
COUNTY News:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Los Alamos County Parks Division will not have restroom facilities available this winter at East, Piñon, Rover and Overlook parks.
The porta potties that service those areas during the colder months are being removed due to vendor complications.
Parks Superintendent Wendy Parker explains, “The company that owns those porta potties has gone out of business, and with so many companies struggling, we cannot find anyone to service them.”
The Parks Division closes the permanent restroom facilities during the colder months to winterize the Read More
Councilors Share Highlights & Challenges Of Their Service
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
As Los Alamos County Councilor David Reagor said, “It really has been a busy year”.
On Dec. 13, the Los Alamos County Council – as consisting of Reagor and Councilors David Izraelevitz, Sara Scott, Denise Derkacs, Randall Ryti, Melanee Hand and Keith Lepsch – concluded.
It was an ending to four very eventful years. This council featured changing faces, significant decisions, a major wildfire and global pandemic.
The Los Alamos Daily Post reached out to all seven Councilors and asked each what they saw as this council’s greatest Read More
Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Midler Earns New Mexico Certification Appraiser Certificate
Outgoing Los Alamos County Assessor Ken Milder, left, and New Mexico Property Tax Division Director Santiago Chavez hold up Milder’s New Mexico Certification Appraiser certificate Tuesday afternoon in Council Chambers. Milder received the certificate after completing four courses through the International Association of Assessing Officers. Receiving this certificate makes Milder a state certified appraiser through the New Mexico Property Taxation Division. ‘This is something I wanted to achieve since getting into office,’ Midler said. He added that even though he is leaving the Read More
DPU: Power Restored To Barranca Mesa
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has announced that power has been restored to Barranca Mesa.
DPU electric crews said the outage was caused by a tree branch falling on a power line. Read More
DPU: Power Restored To Elk Ridge Community
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has announced that power has been restored to the Elk Ridge community along East Jemez Road.
DPU electric crews replaced blown fuses there and said they believe the outage was the result of a tree branch hitting a power line.
The outage on Barranca Mesa remains under repair. Read More
