LeDoux: Join Us For Española’s Electric Light Parade!
By Sam LeDoux
Española City Councilor
4th District
The Española Electric Light Parade is just around the corner and if you’ve never been before I urge you to come experience one of the most special times of year in our Valley. You will see all the best Española has to offer, where everyone drops the issues of their lives and works to bring smiles to everyone’s faces. From car clubs, colleges, churches, to banks it’s the time of year where everyone builds truly special entries for all to see.
I have years of memories watching from the Española Plaza or at Northern New Mexico College seeing all the amazing Read More
Juan Rael Appointed Los Alamos Deputy County Manager
New Deputy County Manager Juan Rael
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County has announced that Juan Rael has accepted the position of deputy county manager.
Rael will join Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson in supporting County Manager Anne Laurent in carrying out policies and overseeing the administration of county services in alignment with Los Alamos County Council adopted goals.
As a resident of Los Alamos County, Rael brings a wealth of experience and understanding of the unique challenges faced in the County. He has served in various capacities since joining the County in 2018, most recently Read More
Video: Council Chair Derkacs Shares Meeting Highlights
Los Alamos County Council Chair Denise Derkacs provides a summary of Tuesday’s regular council meeting. Video by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com Read More
Los Alamos County Library Board December Update
COUNTY News:
For many, the end of the year is a time of reflection, and the Library is no different. At the December board meeting, Library Manager Gwen Kalavaza gave an update on the Library’s Strategic Plan 2024-2027, which is based on the Community Services Integrated Master Plan.
The Library has made significant progress toward its goals, including the addition of Hindi materials to the collection, online access to the Wall Street Journal, and coordination with Social Services to offer drop-in evening hours at both libraries.
In 2025 the Library will continue to work on building the volunteer Read More
Council Walks Away From Buying Diamond Drive Properties
Los Alamos County Council voted 5-2 to pass on purchasing three properties shown here Wednesday morning on Diamond Drive. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Plans for Los Alamos County to purchase the properties at 1183, 1377 and 1399 Diamond Drive were shot down during the regular County Council meeting Tuesday night.
The motion to purchase the Diamond Drive properties for approximately $9.8 million failed to pass 5-2; Council Chair Denise Derkacs and Councilor Keith Lepsch voted in favor.
County Manager Anne Laurent Read More
Robinson: Higher Ed And ‘Playtime For Adults’
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services
I’m going to tell you a story about entitlement, misuse of public money, poor judgment, and fuzzy ethics. The only reason we know about it is because one journalist, doing his job, brought it to the public eye. Other media outlets followed suit and the State Auditor investigated. It’s now before the state Ethics Commission.
A year ago Joshua Bowling at the online Searchlight New Mexico broke this story: Since 2018, Western New Mexico University President Joseph Shepard had spent nearly $100,000 on travel to Zambia, Spain and Greece Read More
Council Okays Site For New Los Alamos Fire Station No.4
The site of the existing Fire Station No. 4 will be the location for the new station. Los Alamos County Council unanimously approved the site during its Nov. 12 meeting. Courtesy photo
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
A new building for Los Alamos Fire Department’s station no. 4 progresses forward after County Council unanimously approved the site of the existing station for the new building.
Council voted on the site, which is 4401 Diamond Drive near Los Alamos Golf Course, during its regular meeting Nov. 12.
Los Alamos County Councilor Randall Ryti moved to Read More
Santa Fe County/Bureau Of Reclamation To Hold Open Houses On Phase I – Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System Dec 16-18
SANTA FE COUNTY News:
SANTA FE – The Bureau of Reclamation and Santa Fe County will host two open house events this winter to share updates and progress on the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System, with a particular emphasis on Phase 1.
These events will provide the community with detailed information about the project. The Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System will divert, treat and distribute potable water to the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Nambé, San Ildefonso and Tesuque, as well as Santa Fe County customers.
Phase 1 of the project, under construction, includes:
- An intake facility at the intersection
State Broadband Office Awards $15.4 Million In Grants
STATE News:
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- Funds will go to infrastructure projects in six counties and two pueblos
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ALBUQUERQUE—Today, the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) announced it has awarded more than $15 million in grants to entities through the state’s Connect New Mexico Fund to go toward deploying broadband infrastructure.
The eight grants were awarded to Resound Networks, an internet service provider based in Pampa, Texas, and the Pueblos of Tesuque and Laguna.
The newly awarded grants total $15,440,719.
Resound Networks received awards for six broadband infrastructure projects. Those Read More
County Council Proclaims Dec. 19 ‘Valles Caldera Day’
Los Alamos County Councilor Suzie Havemann, far right, presents a proclamation declaring Dec. 19 ‘Valles Caldera Day’ to, front row from left, volunteers Jordan Ray and Kathy Brooks and Bookstore Manager Laura Regele and back row from left, Lead Fee Tech Dave Jones, Park Ranger Corey Lycopolus, Facility Manager Jonathan Allbach, Chief Ranger Nathan Plants and Chief of Interpretation Dave Krueger, during Tuesday’s council meeting. This commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Valles Caldera National Preserve. The community is invited to join the park Dec. 19 to celebrate with a variety of Read More
Los Alamos Local Business Coalition Thanks Council
From the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition:
We would like to publicly share our letter sent to the County Council today to thank them for listening and to seek proactive engagement on improving the local business environment.
Dear Los Alamos County Council,
On behalf of the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition and the many community members who voiced their concerns, we sincerely thank you for voting no on the proposed purchase of the Diamond Drive properties. Your 5-2 decision shows your commitment to listening to your constituents and prioritizing transparency, public engagement, and Read More
Luján Joins Senate Congressional Hispanic Caucus Colleagues In Urging Biden Administration To Act Now To Protect Immigrant Communities
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) in sending a letter urging President Joe Biden to complete important work to protect long-term immigrant communities before the end of his term.
Specifically, they called on the Biden-Harris administration to designate, redesignate, and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ecuador, Nicaragua, and El Salvador, as well as make it faster for DACA recipients to renew their status. These Read More
Council Declines Purchase Of Diamond Drive Property
COUNTY News:
In a vote of 5-2 at Tuesday night’s meeting, the Los Alamos County Council declined to purchase the property under consideration on Diamond Drive across from Los Alamos High School.
Councilors Theresa Cull, Melanee Hand, Suzie Havemann, Randall Ryti and David Reagor voted against the purchase, while Denise Derkacs and Keith Lepsch voted for it.
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Daily Post print edition on Thursday.
Recount Underway In Derkacs Vs. Reagor Council Race
Election workers are performing a mandated recount this morning of votes cast in the Nov. 5 election for Los Alamos County councilors Denise Derkacs and David Reagor. Los Alamos County Clerk Naomi Maestas explained that a recount is required after the New Mexico Secretary of State notified the New Mexico State Canvassing Board on Nov. 26 that the canvass of returns from the Nov. 5 election race between Reagor and Derkacs resulted in a margin of .74 percent. Since this is less than 1 percent of the total vote, the Secretary of State mandated that a recount be held. The recount began Tuesday in the Los Read More
Christina Campos Joins ALTSD Policy Advisory Council
Christina Campos
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) is excited to announce the appointment of Christina Campos as a new member of the ALTSD Policy Advisory Committee (PAC).
With more than three decades of experience in healthcare administration, Campos will bring valuable experience to further the department’s mission of providing accessible and integrated services to older and disabled adults.
“Christina has a remarkable track record of addressing healthcare disparities and advancing innovative solutions for underserved communities,” Read More
Governor On RFP For Fairgrounds Redevelopment Plan
From the Office of the Governor:
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans to seek proposals for master plan to redevelop the New Mexico State Fairgrounds and transform 236 acres of state-owned land in central Albuquerque to potentially include housing, commerce, entertainment venues and more.
Standing with New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, New Mexico State Fair Commission Chairman Eric Serna and other state and local leaders, the governor said the request for proposals (RFP) will usher Read More
LACDC Shares Thoughts On Diamond Drive Property Issue
By LAUREN MCDANIEL, LACDC Executive Director
On Behalf of the LACDC Executive Committee
Staff Lauren McDaniel and David Jolly, Board Members Carol A. Clark, Craig Wehner, Tracie Stratton, Karen Easton, Bill Wadt
After speaking with some County representatives, and hearing from business owners on the topic of the possible Diamond Drive property purchase, it’s clear there are well-intentioned people who are energized about moving forward with community development plans and achieving priorities on the County’s Strategic Plan. We appreciate this enthusiasm and understand what the County Read More
New Mexico Department Of Transportation Launches Legislative Appropriation Project Dashboard
NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna
NMDOT News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is proud to announce the launch of a new interactive dashboard to track legislative appropriation projects across New Mexico.
The dashboard displays projects funded from three 2024 appropriations:
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- House Bill 2 Section 11, item 3;
- House Bill 2 Section 11, item 5; and
- Severance Tax Bonds (SB 275).
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“This dashboard allows users to track the allocation of the 2024 Legislative resources by project, funding source, and district,” NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said. “Transportation Read More
Los Alamos Local Business Coalition Issues Input To Council For Decision On Diamond Drive Property Purchase
Members of the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition speaking and waiting to speak at the public forum held Tuesday evening at SALA Event Center. Coalition members from left, Allan Saenz, Anna Dillane, Kevin Holsapple, Carolyn Cowan and John Courtright. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Local business owners share experiences interacting with County staff during Tuesday evening’s public forum hosted by the Los Alamos Local Business Coalition at SALA Event Center. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From Los Alamos Local Business Coalition:
Dear Los Alamos County Council, Read More
Los Alamos County Transportation Board Meeting Dec. 5
