Smith’s Fuel Center Opens Sans Sign
Katy Korkos of the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce leads Smith's representatives in this morning's official ribbon cutting of the new Smith's Fuel Center on Trinity Drive at Knecht Street. Photo Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
A Smith's cashier trainer readies the fuel center for its first customers. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
This Oct. 5 photo shows the new Smith's Fuel Center sign installed. It was removed yesterday because of a sign code and traffic safety snafu in the sign permitting process. (The sign that was removed is circled in red.) Smith's will Read More
Voter Registration Closes Today and Absentee Voting Begins
ELECTION 2012 News:
Voter Registration closes at 5 p.m. today in the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office.
Residents who would like to make changes to their voter registration or register to vote, may do so in the Office of the County Clerk at 2451 Central Ave., Suite D.
Voter registration forms are also available at the State of New Mexico Motor Vehicle Field Office and at the Los Alamos and White Rock Libraries.
Absentee Voting begins today by mail or early in person in the Office of the County Clerk.
Hours: Monday thru Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open during the noon hour)
Address: 2451 Central Avenue, Read More
County Seeks Citizen Volunteers for New Creative District Advisory Committee
COUNTY News:
Citizens, business owners and representatives interested in Los Alamos County’s recently adopted arts and culture district (a.k.a., Creative District) are invited to apply to join the Creative District Advisory Committee forming this month. Letters of interest are due to the County by 5, Monday, Oct. 16.
The County Administrator is seeking citizen volunteers to join representatives of cultural and business assets operating within the adopted boundary of the Creative District to provide guidance and advice to Council and staff regarding the County’s role in the implementation Read More
County’s Student Shooter Drill Draws Praise
During this morning’s emergency response exercise at Los Alamos High School, police captured the crazed student shooter and placed her in the back of a patrol car for transport to jail. She explained her reason for killing six students and injuring 29 others during her shooting spree was that she had a “really lousy time” at the recent homecoming dance. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos Police Officers arrive at the scene of this morning’s simulated mass shooting at Los Alamos High School and prepare to enter the building where a female student is Read More
IT’S ONLY A DRILL: ‘Operation Hilltopper’ Underway at Los Alamos High School
COUNTY News:
“Operation Hilltopper” is underway this morning at Los Alamos High School. Emergency first response organizations in Los Alamos County have, for the past year, been training their personnel, polishing their plans and tweaking their equipment in a comprehensive effort aimed at preparing to deal with a scenario that nobody hopes will ever arise – an active shooter loose at a school.
“Operation Hilltopper” is a full-scale exercise designed to test police, fire, emergency medical support, Los Alamos Medical Center and Los Alamos Read More
County Line Highlights Special Council Meeting on Charter
COUNTY News:
Monday, Oct. 8 is the observance of the Columbus Day holiday. Los Alamos National Laboratory and Los Alamos Public Schools are closed; however, Los Alamos County offices are open for business and all services are in operation.
No Council Meeting Next Week
They’ll take a week off and be back for their monthly Work Session at 7 p.m., Oct. 16 at White Rock Fire Station #3. Watch next week’s newsletter for more details about what’s coming up on their agenda.
Special Council Meeting in Two Weeks About Charter Items
The Council announced they’ll meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Read More
Reservations Open for Oct. 27 Halloween Carnival
Courtesy Photo
LOS ALAMOS COUNTY RECREATION News:
Join the Los Alamos County Recreation Division Oct. 27 for the pirate themed Pumpkin Splash and Halloween Carnival at the Larry Walkup Aquatic Center.
This family event runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes pirate themed carnival games, jumping into the pool and finding a pumpkin to decorate, and watching pirate movies.
CONE ZONE: Week of Oct. 7
NMDOT Mill & Overlay on NM502 ContinuesAnimal Shelter’s Pet of the Week: Aria
FRIENDS OF THE SHELTER
Courtesy Photo
Aria is a friendly long-haired spayed female. Beautiful white and tabby markings. Craves human attention but also loves playtime! She would love to have a playmate in her new home.
The Los Alamos Animal Shelter, 226 East Road, (505) 662-8179, has a great selection of on-site adoptable pets just waiting for their forever home! Others are currently off-campus in loving foster homes.
Be sure to visit the Friends of the Shelter website: https:////www.lafos.org/, where you can get more information about volunteering, adopting, and donating. Also check out Read More
San Juan-Chama Water Supply Project – The Wow Factor
Staff Report
At the Tuesday, Oct. 3 County Council meeting, Deputy Utilities Manager – Engineering, James Alarid of the Los Alamos County-Department of Public Utilities (LAC-DPU), led a presentation providing the details of a preliminary engineering report regarding access to Los Alamos County’s contracted 1,200 Acre-Feet-Per-Year (AFY) of water from the San Juan-Chama Water Project.
Council took no action on the information presented.
The LAC-DPU has chosen a preferred alternative for developing the County’s share of San Juan-Chama project water. (Five alternatives Read More
Construction Begins Monday on Multi-Purpose Covered Arena
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Couny’s Community and Economic Development Department – Capital Projects & Facilities Division announced this afternoon that construction of the new Multi-Purpose Covered Arena will get underway Monday, Oct. 8.
A community groundbreaking event is set for 3:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the project site at the North Mesa stables.
Paul Parker Construction will install utilities to the site begining Oct. 8, which includes the installation of an 8” water main and electricity.
The installation of the water main will involve closing the BMX track Read More
New State Settlement Proposal for San Juan Generating Station Could Lay Foundation for “Third Alternative” Agreement
San Juan Generating Station. Courtesy Photo
PNM News:
PNM Resources’ New Mexico utility, PNM, acknowledges that a state settlement proposal released today to address regional haze at San Juan Generating Station appears to be an important step toward an alternative to the current federal plan.
The proposed settlement agreement announced by the state would require several additional actions before moving forward. The first of those actions would be an agreement in principle by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and PNM to support the proposal.
The proposal then would Read More
Los Alamos County Issues RFQ for Hotel-Convention Center Developer
Los Alamos County has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to select a developer to design and construct a full-service convention center facility in the downtown district of the Los Alamos townsite.
Los Alamos County is soliciting a developer to design and construct a business conference facility (8,000-20,000 square feet), to include flexible meeting and event space combined with first-class dining and lodging facilities that will compete favorably with other “Class A” conference and lodging facilities in Northern New Mexico, and provide a local venue for special events—amenities Read More
Column: Checks and Balances
By George Chandler
“Checks and balances” is the phrase that describes the interactions among the branches of a government that provides for limiting governmental excess by the separation of powers into legislative, executive and judicial sectors.
For example in the first instance, the federal government, the legislature passes laws but those laws can only be enforced by the executive and interpreted by the judicial, the legislature can remove judges or presidents and controls their budgets but is itself greatly constrained by being bifurcated.
And so on. In the extreme these Read More
Sunset Hayrides on Oct. 13
Courtesy photoCounty Line Continues Email Delivery
Los Alamos County’s Public Information Officer Julie Habiger answers Council questions this evening pertaining to the weekly County Line newsletter. Currently, 741 citizens subscribe to receive the County Line via email. Courtesy Photo from Pac8 streaming video
Los Alamos County Councilor Vincent Chiravalle moved that Council direct staff to reinstitute the U.S. mailed monthly newsletter and contract to print and mail the newsletter. Chiravalle’s motion did not receive a second.
County Moves to Self Insured Medical Plan
Councilor Rick Reiss. Courtesy Photo from Pac8 streaming video
With a vote of 5 to 1, the Los Alamos County Council approved a recommended contract amendment with Blue Cross/Blue Shield that results in the County being self-insured for medical benefits. Council Chair Sharon Stover and Councilor Rick Reiss commended County Administrator Harry Burgess for his creativity in recommending the switch to self insurance.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield was initially proposing a 16.4 percent rate increase. By moving to the self-funded arrangement, the rates will increase only 3.5 percent. The County Read More
DPU Briefs Council on San Juan Chama Water Preliminary Engineering Report
Courtesy Photo from Pac8 streaming video
Deputy Utility Manager – Engineering James Alarid of the Department of Public Utilites together with consultants from CDM Smith made a presentation to the Los Alamos County Council this evening about a preliminary engineering report regarding access to Los Alamos County’s contracted 1,200 Acre-Feet-Per-Year of water from the San Juan-Chama project and how to make it available for use in the County’s water system.
The County must move forward with either replacing existing water wells, using its ground water right, or developing the San Juan-Chama Read More
Council Issues Proclamations for Health Awareness & Fire Safety
Lorraine Hartway representing the Los Alamos Heart Council thanks Council for the Proclamation declaring Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 as ” Health Awareness & Wellness Day” in Los Alamos County. Photo from Pac8 streaming video
Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes accepts Council’s Proclamation declaring the week of Oct. 7 through 13, 2012 as Fire Prevention Week in Los Alamos County. Photo from Pac 8 streaming video Read More
Dessert Dances Help Create Lasting Memories
Courtesy Photos
