PEEC Welcomes Two New Board Members And Recognizes 2024-2025 Leadership
PEEC Board of Directors leadership from left, Vice President Bonnie Klamm, President Shelly Wiemann, Secretary Janet Griego and Treasurer Robin Gurule. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has announced the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors: Kristen Dors and Robin Gurule.
“These dedicated individuals bring diverse expertise and a shared passion for connecting people to nature, further strengthening PEEC’s mission as the heart of environmental education in Northern New Mexico.” –PEEC
PEEC also recognizes its 2024-2025 Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Again Pushes Legislature To Increase Oil & Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico State Lands
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
From the New Mexico State Land Office:
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- Raising rate would generate more than $1 billion in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals
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SANTA FE – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard is again urging the legislature to increase the top royalty rate charged for new oil and gas development on state lands from 20% to the market rate of 25%.
The legislation, which has been pre-filed by its sponsor, Sen. George Muñoz, would bring New Mexico’s royalty rate in line with what is charged in Texas and on private lands Read More
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr At Pond Sunset Monday
Martin Luther King Jr
Community News:
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County is inviting everyone to join in the Martin Luther King Jr Community Candlelight/Flashlight Celebration of his life.
When: Date: (Monday) Jan. 20, 2025 Martin Luther King Day
Time: 5:20 p.m. at Sunset
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Where: Ashley Pond, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Activity: Candlelight/Flashlight Walking around Ashley Pond
What to Bring: Flashlight or Candles; if candles, bring source to light candles.
Dress: Very, very warm clothing (layers), hat, gloves, scarf. Warm, sturdy footwear. Read More
Several Los Alamos County Offices And Services To Close Monday Jan. 20 In Observance Of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Some Los Alamos County government offices and services will close or have modified hours Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, some Los Alamos County government offices and services will close or have modified hours Monday, Jan. 20.
The County’s administrative offices, Atomic City Transit fixed bus routes and the Environmental Services Division will be closed.
The following facilities will have modified hours:
- White Rock and Mesa libraries – Open 1-5 p.m.
- Aquatic Center – The entire
Governor Announces Judicial Appointment Of Crystal Lees
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Thursday the appointment of Crystal Lees as a Second Judicial District Court judge.
Lees’ appointment follows the retirement of Judge Debra Ramirez.
Since 2018, Lees has served the state of New Mexico as a domestic relations hearing officer for the Second Judicial District Court, presiding over hearings in child custody, divorce and child support matters.
A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, Lees was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 2012.
Lees’ appointment commences Jan. 18, 2025. Read More
Bureau Of Land Management Seeks Nominations For Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council
BLM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public nominations for vacant positions and positions that will become vacant on its Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council, which advises the BLM on public land issues within the Rio Puerco, Farmington and Taos field offices. As advertised in the Federal Register, the BLM will consider nominations until Feb. 18, 2025.
The Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council, composed of citizens chosen for their expertise in natural resource issues, helps the BLM carry out its stewardship of more than 3 million acres Read More
UNM-Los Alamos Seeks Advisory Board Member
Recent view of the UNM-Los Alamos campus at 4000 University Drive. Courtesy/UNM-LA
UNM-LA News:
UNM-Los Alamos is seeking applications by Feb. 14, 2025, to fill a vacancy on its advisory board.
The board advises the University of New Mexico Board of Regents on matters pertaining to the Los Alamos campus. The candidate, selected by the advisory board, will be sworn in at the March board meeting to serve the remainder of Alissa Grissom’s term, which will be up for election in 2026.
The board meets on the Monday preceding the second Tuesday of each odd calendar month except in July, unless otherwise Read More
Health Care Authority Launches New Office Of Data And Analytics To Drive Improvements Across New Mexico
HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has announced the launch of its new Office of Data and Analytics (ODA), a pioneering team dedicated to leveraging data-driven strategies to improve health outcomes across New Mexico.
“We’re excited to launch the Office of Data and Analytics bringing on talented professionals who are ready to make a real difference,” HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo said. “The data office will allow us to leverage advanced analytics to support decision-making that leads to better, more equitable health outcomes Read More
Sen. Luján Celebrates Return Of Sacred Pueblo Artifacts
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced the long-awaited repatriation of sacred Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribe artifacts currently held by the Nationaal Museum Van Wereldculturen in the Netherlands back to their home in El Paso, Texas.
Senators Luján and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to the Dutch Government in June, in addition to several meetings and phone Read More
Heinrich Legislation To Expand Access To Public Lands And Outdoor Recreation Signed Into Law
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, announced that two of his bipartisan bills — the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act and Every Kid Outdoors Extension Act — were signed into law as part of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. The broader bipartisan package will bolster outdoor recreation and promote public lands in New Mexico and across the United States.
The SOAR Act will streamline and improve the permitting Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Partners With Department Of Defense, NM Land Conservancy To Protect Chupadera Mesa
Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard and New Mexico Land Conservancy Executive Director Jonathan Hayden sign agreement to protect biological and cultural resources and aid military preparedness while generating millions for education. Courtesy/NMLO
From the New Mexico Land Office:
- Agreement protects biological and cultural resources, aids military preparedness while generating millions for education
SANTA FE – New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard today announced that she has entered into a partnership with the United States Department of Defense Read More
MOWW To Feature Los Alamos Historian Nancy Bartlit On ‘Ready, Willing, Able: Women in World War II’ Jan. 21
Los Alamos Historian Nancy Bartlit
MOWW News:
This month’s meeting of Military Order Of The World Wars (MOWW) will feature Los Alamos Historian Nancy Bartlit presenting a talk on, “Ready, Willing, Able: Women in World War II”, Tuesday, Jan. 21 in Room 203A at the Los Alamos Research Park building.
Bartlit will discuss how the performances of women to assist the Allied WWII win in Europe or the Pacific are becoming better known through new research. The experiences were extremely varied. As men were called into military service, women used multiple skills successfully, such as: to produce Read More
County Planning & Zoning Approves Site Plan For New Hotel
A rendering of the proposed new hotel and conference space at 400 Trinity Drive. The Los Alamos County Planning and Zoning Commission approved the hotel’s site plan Jan. 8. Courtesy/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
In 2022, plans for an extended stay hotel and conference center on 20th Street were terminated but the concept of offering these amenities in Los Alamos didn’t go away; in fact, they have reappeared in a new, separate project proposed for the entryway to downtown Los Alamos.
The Los Alamos Planning and Zoning Commission voted 8-0 to approve Read More
Heinrich On Israel-Hamas Ceasefire & Hostage Release
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on the ceasefire and hostage deal reached between Israel and Hamas:
“I applaud President Biden and his administration’s extensive diplomatic efforts for securing a ceasefire deal to finally put an end to this brutal war, reunite families with their loved ones taken hostage by Hamas, and deliver critically needed humanitarian aid to innocent civilians in Gaza facing extreme hunger, death and widespread destruction.
“As President Read More
NM Congressional Delegation Welcomes $231 Million For Kit Carson Electric Cooperative’s Green Hydrogen Project
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), welcomed $231 million in federal funding for Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) and Village of Questa, N.M. Green Hydrogen Project from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Empowering Rural America Program (ERA).
This funding will support the construction of 104 megawatts of clean, renewable energy from hydrogen and solar facilities with battery energy storage systems in rural New Mexico. The project will power nearly 25,000 homes Read More
Los Alamos County Survey Responses Highlight ‘Key Challenges And Resilience’ Of Local Businesses
COUNTY News:
A survey conducted last fall on local businesses in Los Alamos County reveals both resilience and significant challenges facing the community’s business sector.
Open from Aug. 14 to Sept. 30, 2024, the survey gathered 48 responses. The findings highlight a combination of economic pressures, staffing difficulties and infrastructure concerns that businesses must navigate to sustain and grow.
Business Outlook and Expansion Plans
The survey indicates 33% of businesses expect to expand in the coming year, while 46% foresee maintaining their current operations. However, a Read More
Governor On Passing Of Former Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon
Former Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Today, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement today upon the passing of former Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon:
“Rep. Alcon served our state with honor, distinction, and longstanding dedication to his constituents in western New Mexico.
“From his heroic service as a combat medic in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star, to his 16 years of dedicated public service in the legislature, Rep. Alcon exemplified public service.
“As chairman of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and the Labor, Veterans Read More
‘Peace In Ukraine – How Do We Get There?’ A Discussion In Los Alamos With Scott Ritter & Dmitri Trenin At SALA
Los Alamos Study Group News:
ALBUQUERQUE – On Jan. 15, at 9 a.m. MST, the Los Alamos Study Group will host a live-streamed, virtual discussion with Scott Ritter and Dr. Dmitri Trenin on the subject of how lasting peace might be achieved in Ukraine.
Scott Ritter is a former U.S. military intelligence officer, UN weapons inspector, arms control historian and expert, military analyst, and a prolific author, speaker, and peace activist.
Dr. Dmitri Trenin is a member of the Foreign and Defense Policy Council of Russia, a Research Professor at the Higher School of Economics, and a Research Fellow at Read More
Gessing: Higher Taxes Won’t Solve Alcohol’s Harms
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
According to the latest budget analyses from the Legislature, New Mexico policymakers have nearly $900 million in “new” money available as the session begins in Santa Fe. This comes on top of massive surpluses in recent years, which the Legislature has largely spent or used to bolster the State’s already prodigious sovereign wealth funds which now total $58 billion.
In many states across the nation policymakers of both parties would be fighting to see who can come up with the best tax cut or rebate plan. Sadly, this November, New Mexico’s voters Read More
Los Alamos County Council Work Sessions To Be Held At White Rock Fire Station #3 Throughout 2025
All Council Work Sessions in 2025 will be held in Fire Station #3 at 129 N.M. 4 in White Rock. All Regular Council Meetings will be held in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Council voted at its Jan. 7 meeting to resume holding Council Work Sessions for the 2025 calendar year at Fire Station #3, 129 N.M. 4 in White Rock.
This includes the Tuesday, Jan. 14 Work Session, which was incorrectly noted as being held in Los Alamos in previous press releases.
Council Work Sessions are open to the public and a Zoom option is available Read More
