OpEd: A Message From County Manager Anne Laurent
By ANNE LAURENT
Los Alamos County Manager
I would like to wish the community a safe and happy holiday season and take a moment to publicly thank the County staff for their hard work and dedication. I often say that I do not want to be the manager of just any city or county, but this county.
It is true the community members of Los Alamos County have high expectations. However, if you put the expectations in context with the main topics of debate – regulation and economic development – it is clear that these issues represent only a very small fraction of all the County operations.
For the most part, Read More
Community Feedback Period For East Downtown Los Alamos MRA Initiative Extended To Tuesday Jan. 7, 2025
COUNTY News:
To accommodate the holiday season, New Mexico MainStreet, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation and Los Alamos County have extended the deadline by a week for the community to provide feedback on the preliminary recommendations for the East Downtown Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) initiative.
The new deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
Residents can visit the East Downtown Los Alamos MRA Feedback webpage on the Los Alamos County website to:
- Link to the feedback form;
- View the recorded Community Forum presented Dec. 16 by Amy Bell and Maren
Santa Fly-In Dazzles Crowd At Los Alamos Airport
Santa Claus dazzles the waiting crowd as he arrives Saturday afternoon, Dec. 21 at the Los Alamos County Airport for his second annual fly in event, sponsored by the County Public Works Administration. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The crowd waits to greet Santa as he arrives Saturday afternoon at the Los Alamos County Airport. Santa’s second annual Fly-In event included children’s activities in and around the terminal. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Another crowd scene at the Santa Fly-In event Saturday at Los Alamos Airport. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The highly anticipated Read More
Councilor Ryti Provides Briefing On Final Meeting Of 2024
Los Alamos County Councilor Randall Ryti provides a briefing for the final council meeting of 2024. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Scenes From Los Alamos County Swearing-in Ceremony
Having completed her two, four-year terms, Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas swears in newly elected County Clerk Michael Redondo Wednesday in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building. Redondo will officially take office Jan.1, 2025. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
After swearing him in to office, County Clerk Naomi Maestas congratulates incoming County Clerk Michael Redondo. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas delivers the oath of office to County Councilor David Reagor Wednesday in Council Chambers. Reagor will serve a Read More
Los Alamos County Dept. Of Public Utilities To Participate In Peer-Learning Cohort To Prepare For Microgrids
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will participate in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) peer-learning cohort to support grid modernization and resiliency within the Los Alamos County electric production and distribution systems.
Over 6 months, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and World Resources Institute (WRI) will convene 37 entities across 23 states and Tribal entities in three separate peer-learning cohorts to learn from each other and energy experts about best practices for addressing common Read More
Los Alamos Golf Course Pro Shop To Kick Off New Year With Women’s Golf Apparel And Shoes On Sale At 40% Off
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos Golf Course Pro Shop is kicking off the new year with a 40% off sale on all women’s apparel and golf shoes.
This limited-time promotion runs Jan. 2 through Feb. 28, 2025.
Visit the Pro Shop to update those golf wardrobes and take advantage of this great deal.
For more information, contact the Los Alamos Golf Course at 505.662.8139. Read More
Op-Ed: Why We Need Equitable Disclosure Bill In A Nutshell
By GEORGE CHANDLER
Assessor
Los Alamos County
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- The bill aims to bring valuations of non-residential properties up to statutory and equitable standards while minimizing the impact of these increases on property owners.
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- Having valuations accurate ensures equity in property taxation. The tax rate in each county, municipality, school district, and other taxing governmental unit is determined by dividing the budget requirement by the sum of valuations in the district. The amount of taxes paid by each taxpayer is then the tax rate multiplied by their valuation. You can do the math: If some taxpayers
Daily Post Drone Video Features Colorful Lights Over Ashley Pond And Central Avenue In Downtown Los Alamos
A drone video taken Friday night provides a bird’s eye view of the many colorful lights decorating the trees surrounding Ashley Pond and along Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos. Video by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com Read More
Los Alamos County Offices To Close Christmas & New Years
COUNTY News:
In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Days, some Los Alamos County government offices and services will close Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
The County’s administrative offices, facilities, Atomic City Transit fixed bus routes, and the Environmental Services Division will be closed both Wednesdays.
In addition, the following facilities will have modified hours:
- White Rock and Mesa libraries –
- Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)
- Closed Dec. 25 (Christmas Day)
- Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve)
- Closed Jan. 1 (New Year’s
Call For Art: Deadline Extended For Security Gate Art Installation At Betty Ehart Senior Activity Center
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Art in Public Places Board (APPB) has again, extended the submission deadline for its call for art to create a functional, artistic security gate for the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
Artists now have until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, to submit their proposals. This will be the final extension.
This commissioned piece will enhance the beauty of the space while meeting the safety and functionality needs of the location. Artists are encouraged to bring their unique vision to the project and may take inspiration from “Odetta” the artistic gate by K.R. (Cricket) Read More
County Council Honors Outgoing Elected Officials
Los Alamos County Council and County staff honor outgoing Councilor Keith Lepsch and Council Chair Denise Derkacs during Tuesday night’s final meeting of 2024. From left, Councilor Randall Ryti, Melanee Hand, David Reagor, Lepsch, Derkacs, County Attorney Alvin Leaphart, County Manager Anne Laurent, Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull and Councilor Suzie Havemann. Courtesy/LAC
Outgoing Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas, at the podium, receives a standing ovation for her eight years as County Clerk during Tuesday’s council meeting. In total, Maestas has worked nearly 20 years for Los Read More
Los Alamos County Council Recognizes Election Officials
Los Alamos County Councilor Keith Lepsch, center, holds a certificate recognizing election officials as the cornerstone of democracy and playing a vital role in ensuring a free and fair election in the County of Los Alamos. Honored for their service, County Clerk Naomi Maestas, left of Lepsh, her staff and local election workers. The recognition took place during Tuesday’s council meeting. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council honored County election officials during its meeting Tuesday night.
Councilor Keith Lepsch read the recognition:
WHEREAS, election officials Read More
Traffic & Streets Division To Turn Off Some Neighborhood Streetlights For Farolito Viewing Dec. 20-25
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Traffic & Streets Division will be turning off the power to some neighborhood streetlights to enhance the viewing of holiday farolitos.
The streetlights will be turned off starting this evening, Dec. 20 and restored Thursday, Dec. 26.
Turning off streetlights is by request only. To make a request, contact the Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets Division at 505.662.8113 or Aaron Park at aaron.park@lacnm.us.
For safety purposes, the Traffic & Streets Division requests that all vehicles and trailers be moved to off-street parking for the full time Read More
Public Weighs In On N.M. 4 Crossing And Multi-Use Trail Improvement Project In White Rock
County seeks public input on its proposed N.M. 4 Crossing and Multi-use Trail Improvement Project. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Public Works Department staff attended the Dec. 5 Transportation Board meeting in hopes of gathering feedback on proposed plans to make N.M. 4 more pedestrian friendly, improve trail connectivity and conditions around Pinon Park.
The public’s feedback strongly supported a traffic light installed at the N.M. 4/Sherwood/Mirador intersection in White Rock and were skeptical about the proposal Read More
Los Alamos County Council Directs Staff To Draft Ordinance Prohibiting The Feeding Of Wildlife In Town
A bear and cubs meander in August near the First Baptist Church. With incidences involving humans and wildlife continuing to occur, Los Alamos County Council voted for County staff to create an ordinance prohibiting feeding wildlife. Photo by Ben Martinez
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos has created a problem that needs fixing. According to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) Officer Tyler Carter, the number of calls logged from either NMDGF or Los Alamos Police Department for wildlife incidents keep piling in.
During Carter’s presentation Read More
Los Alamos Contractors Meeting Moved To January 2025
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has rescheduled the Contractors Meeting originally set in November for 1-3 p.m. Jan. 17, 2025, in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.
This meeting is open to contractors, architects, engineers and other professionals involved in building and construction.
The meeting, titled “Code Compliances Mastery: Tips & Tools for Contractors” will cover key topics such as a review of Los Alamos County’s codes, tips on how to pass inspections, when design professional stamps are required, in addition to insulation tips to meet code requirements. Read More
LARSO Announces Winter Holiday Closure Dec. 24 To Jan.1
LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) has announced that the Betty Ehart and White Rock Senior Activity Centers will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the Winter Holidays.
All regularly scheduled activities are canceled and no congregate meals will be served during this time. Members of the Senior Activity Centers who need meals while the centers are closed, please stop by either Center during regular business hours until Monday, Dec. 23 to pick up shelf stable meals. The meals are in the lunchrooms of both Centers. Gluten free, vegetarian Read More
Power Restored At Los Alamos Ice Rink
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Ice Rink has reopened for normal operations following a temporary closure earlier today due to construction-related power loss.
For more information, contact the Ice Rink at 505.662.4500 or visit the Los Alamos County website at www.losalamosnm.us. Read More
County Seeks Public Input To Help Shape East Downtown Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area Plan
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County is seeking community feedback through open comment available until Dec. 31, 2024, to help shape the East Downtown Los Alamos Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Plan.
Residents can also watch the recording of the public forum held Dec. 16, 2024, in Council Chambers to learn more about the plan and the project’s next steps at lacnm.com/WatchMRAForumRecording.
The MRA Plan aims to address issues such as vacant properties, low commercial activity and deteriorating infrastructure. It will identify community-supported projects, programs and policies to Read More
