Council Action Taken Nov. 15, 2022
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council made significant investments in its County employees during Tuesday night’s meeting.
Council unanimously approved increases in wages as well as the County’s contributions to Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico (PERA) for union and non-union County employees.
The raises were supported by all on council, which, as Council Chair Randall Ryti said, “I think this will be key in retaining and employing employees.”
Councilor Sara Scott added that increases in wages as well as the County’s Read More
Power Now Restored For Townsite Utility Customers
COUNTY News:
Power was restored at 3:55 p.m. today in the scheduled power outage that affected much of the Los Alamos townsite.
The first estimated restoration time was 3 p.m. but the initial repairs didn’t hold.
Electric crews from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) were successful in restoring power to all Los Alamos residents on their second attempt. Read More
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Los Alamos
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as County crews hang the annual holiday wreathes and garland on light poles this afternoon along Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
Planned Power Outage Continues: Initial Repairs Didn’t Hold
COUNTY News:
The scheduled power outage affecting much of the Los Alamos townsite estimated for completion at 3 p.m. today is continuing.
Initial repairs didn’t hold so electric crews from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) are continuing to work to fix the system.
A new estimate for restoration has not been set yet.
The outage began at noon after a short delay due to an unexpected issue encountered while moving a grouping of customers to a backup feeder.
The Los Alamos townsite is supplied electricity through two feeders that are part Read More
County Honors Los Alamos Family Council’s 60th Anniversary And Youth Activity Centers’ 40th Anniversary
Los Alamos Family Council representatives from left, Ed Vigil, Mae Lopez, Maegan Carter aand Executive Director Jordan Redmond and Los Alamos County Councilor David Izraelevitz hold up a proclamation marking the 60th anniversary of the Family Council and 40th anniversary of the Youth Activity Centers. The proclamation was made during Tuesday night’s council meeting in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The 60th anniversary of the Los Alamos Family Council and the 40th anniversary of the Youth Activity Centers were recognized during Tuesday night’s Read More
Planned Power Outage Underway For Parts Of Los Alamos
COUNTY News:
A scheduled power outage is affecting much of the Los Alamos townsite. Utility customers on North Mesa, Barranca Mesa and in North Community are without power while utility lineworkers from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) collaborate on a feeder repair.
The outage began an hour late, at noon, due to an issue with moving a grouping of customers to a backup feeder. While duration estimates were broad initially—from one to eight hours—now that the repair is in process, the outage is estimated to be over at around 3:00 p.m. Read More
COVID Newsletter: CDC Elevates Los Alamos To HIGH Risk
Graph prepared by Will Athas. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
In this week’s Los Alamos County COVID-19 Newsletter, issued Nov. 14, William F. Athas, PhD and retired epidemiologist, writes in the “Epidemiology Corner” that the Omicron variants BQ.1 / BQ.1.1 dominate and other respiratory illnesses are rapidly rising.
Further, the CDC has elevated the community level in Los Alamos to HIGH Risk and there is a rising trend in reported cases accompanied by increasing emergency department visits.
Los Alamos County officials remind individuals that the CDC recommends wearing a high-quality Read More
Power Outage To Affect Los Alamos Middle School Nov. 16
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) has been notified of a scheduled power outage beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 in Los Alamos that will impact Los Alamos Middle School.
Students may not be on campus during this outage so will be dismissed at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Buses will run their regular routes at 11 a.m. and all after school clubs and activities, with the exception of wrestling at 4 p.m., will be canceled.
The power outage is not expected to impact Los Alamos High School or school sites in White Rock.
Los Alamos Middle School will resume on a regular schedule Thursday, Nov. 17.
LAPS Read More
County: Townsite Outage Scheduled For Wednesday
COUNTY News:
After the townsite-wide power outage Sunday, Los Alamos townsite residents and businesses have been patiently waiting to find out when a system repair will take place. That repair has been scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The townsite is on two electric supply lines fed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). When one of those lines went down Sunday, all electric customers were moved to the other supply line, doubling its usual electric load. LANL utility crews and Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) electric distribution staff have been working together to plan Read More
County Environmental Sustainability Board Meets Nov. 17
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Environmental Sustainability Board (ESB) meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 in Council Chambers at 1000 Central Ave. and virtually on Zoom.
This meeting is open to the public.
Find the agenda to this meeting here: Nov. 17, 2022 ESB Agenda.
Find the link to this meeting here.
Passcode: Recycle Read More
Ryti: Response To Questioning County’s Priorities
Chair Randall Ryti
Los Alamos County Council
Robin Gurule,
On behalf of Council, I thank you for sharing your letter on County priorities. I did check with the County Manager on the Overlook Park restrooms. He indicated this is a fairly recent issue and a solution was being developed last week.
I copied Mr. Lynne on this reply if he has any other information on that problem. I checked with the Utility Manager Mr. Shelton on the sewer backup. He indicated that the DPU was working with County Open Space on restoration plans.
One of your points relates to plans to build new facilities when existing facilities Read More
Los Alamos COVID-19 Impact: 24 New Cases For Week Ending Nov. 14, 2022
- 273 tests
- 24diagnoses (22 in Los Alamos, 2 in White Rock)
- 0 deaths
Los Alamos Animal Shelter Furry Friends Need Homes
Aquatic Center Therapy Pool Temporarily Closed
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has announced that due to Sunday’s power outage, the Aquatic Center Therapy Pool will be closed for the remainder of today, Nov. 14.
The therapy pool is scheduled to reopen Tuesday for its normal schedule.
For additional information, questions or concerns, contact the Aquatic Center front desk at 505.662.8170. Read More
Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office Announces Thanksgiving Holiday Closure Schedule
Courtesy/LAC
By GLORIA MAESTAS
Los Alamos County Clerk
Please allow this to serve as notice that our office will be closing at noon Wednesday, Nov. 23 and remain closed Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25, as we take time to appreciate staff, giving them the opportunity to spend well deserved time with their families during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
We will re-open to serve your needs at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28.
With gratitude and thanksgiving, we are grateful for our citizens, patrons and associates. Wishing you and your family a harvest of blessings, good health and a joyous holiday filled Read More
County: Tsikumu Village Temporarily Without Water
COUNTY News:
Tsikumu Village residents are without water service while Gas, Water & Sewer (GWS) crews from the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) repair a broken valve in the neighborhood.
The neighborhood should expect to be without water for about three hours.
GWS crews were replacing a hydrant when an isolation valve blew out, complicating the replacement and necessitating the water turnoff for the neighborhood. Read More
Udate: Power Restored To Los Alamos Townsite
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities crews have located and repaired the problem and power is now restored to the townsite.
Electric linemen found a feeder to the townsite from Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Technical Area-3 had opened up and caused loss of power to circuits 13, 15 and 16.
The linemen moved the shared load to another feeder to restore power at 9:30 a.m. today for all customers. Read More
DPU Aware Of Power Outages … Don’t Call Police Dispatch
Map showing outages this morning around the townsite. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The community is experiencing power outages on North Mesa, Guaje Pines, along Walnut Street, around Los Alamos Medical Center and other areas of the Los Alamos townsite.
The Los Alamos Police Department is asking residents NOT to call police dispatch as the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is aware of the outages and work to repair them is underway.
Updates will be issued as available. Read More
Wardlow Herrera: Thank You Los Alamos Voters!
Jason Wardlow Herrera
By JASON WARDLOW HERRERA
Newly elected Los Alamos County Sheriff
I would like to thank everyone who helped me with my campaign and all of the residents who voted for me and placed their confidence in me to be their sheriff.
I want to especially thank Sheriff Joe Granville, Jennifer Bartram, the Democratic Party and Chair Catherine Ozment, Preston and Marisha Ballew and the Los Alamos Clerk’s Office for all their hard work!
I also would like to thank my opponent Chris Luchini for being courteous and professional throughout this election.
I am humbled and honored to be Los Alamos’ Read More
New National Task Force Of County Leaders Launched To Address Housing Affordability And Stability
NACo News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Counties (NACo) Thursday announced the creation of its Housing Task Force, comprised of over 30 county leaders from across the United States.
The group will identify county-led solutions and innovations for addressing America’s housing affordability and stability crisis.
“Counties are on the front lines of responding to the housing crisis,” NACo President Denise Winfrey said. “Stable, quality housing is the foundation for better health, safety, education, a strong workforce, improved financial wellness, and lower demands Read More
