Santa Fe National Forest Focuses On Public, Employee Health And Safety In Response To COVID-19
SFNF News:
SANTA FE – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) is implementing procedures and protocols to protect the health and safety of employees and members of the public during the COVID-19 outbreak in accordance with guidance from federal and state authorities.
“As we work through an unpredictable and rapidly changing situation, health and safety is our number-one priority,” SFNF Supervisor James Melonas said. “Our intent for now is to continue to support our communities and fulfill our mission with the least possible exposure to risk.”
Examples of steps the forest is taking include asking Read More
Canceled: Polaris Charter School Community Meetings
EDUCATION News:
Responding to New Mexico Department of Health recommendations, Polaris Charter School Community meetings scheduled for March 18 at the Los Alamos Steam Lab and April 14 at Family Strengths Network are canceled. Read More
New Mexico Health Secretary Amends Public Health Order, Adding New Restrictions To Public Gatherings … Limiting Restaurants, Bars To No Greater Than 50 Percent Occupancy
STATE News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Health Secretary Kathy Kunkel announced today she will strengthen the public health emergency order she issued Thursday, March 12, amending the restrictions on social gatherings to limit the incidence of COVID-19 in New Mexico.
Beginning 9 a.m., Monday, March 16, the amended public health order directs that all restaurants, bars, breweries, eateries and other food establishments shall operate at no greater than 50 percent of maximum occupancy and no greater than 50 percent of seating capacity.
In addition, tables and booths may not seat more than six people, Read More
LA Liquor & Indian Groceries Alters Hours Due To Covid-19
By RICKY CHHINA
LA Liquor & Indian Groceries
Hello my name is Ricky Chhina and I am the owner of LA Liquor & Indian Groceries at 1650 Trinity Dr. #125 in Los Alamos.
I would like to announce that I am changing the hours my store is open temporarily due to the Covid-19 outbreak. My regular hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
I am changing our store hours effective immediately to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.
New Mexico Public Defenders Call On State Supreme Court To Postpone All Trials, Allow Telephonic Hearings Amid Coronaviurs Outbreak
Chief Public Defender Bennett Baur
LOPD News:
Confined populations, their attorneys need extra precautions
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) this afternoon asked the state’s Supreme Court to immediately postpone all trials across the state and allow all but the most essential hearings to be held telephonically in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
“This is a very difficult decision because all public defenders care deeply about safeguarding our clients’ rights to speedy determination of their cases, but in a health emergency like this one, Read More
Governor Directs State Government Agencies To Minimize Face-To-Face Contact While Continuing Service Delivery
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
From the Office of the Governor:
Public health and safety services unaffected
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a directive today to all state agencies to accelerate remote-work initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 public health emergency and to temporarily adjust, and in some cases suspend, certain functions in order to minimize public health risks.
“We’re asking every state employee to continue serving the public. Some can do that best by coming to the office and delivering indispensable services – and some can do that best by working from home and
Santa Fe Community College And Higher Education Center Closed Through April 5 … Events Canceled Through April 10
Santa Fe Community College at 6401 Richards Ave., in Santa Fe. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE – Santa Fe Community College and Santa Fe Higher Education Center are following Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recommendation to reduce the spread of Coronavirus and have closed.
SFCC, Kids Campus and the Higher Education Center are closed for spring break through Sunday March 22. Both campuses will be closed Monday, March 23 through Sunday April 5 to further prevent the virus from impacting community members.
All events are canceled; there is no access to either campus.
After spring break, beginning Read More
Benson: Thank You Smith’s Workers!
By JODY BENSON
Los Alamos
Thank you, Smith’s workers for your heroic efforts, day by day, and especially now during the COVID-19 panic.
Every day you’re at the store, cleaning it, organizing it, stocking it, leading us lost shoppers to whatever weird item we’re looking for, checking us out (hopefully as we customers use our own reusable shopping bags), and taking our stuff to our cars in the parking lot from which you gather all the corralled as well as stray carts.
But now we have COVID-19. Schools closed. For some reason, people started to panic. On Thursday, Los Alamos workers heading home from Read More
New Mexico Alcoholic Beverage Control Advising Liquor Licensees Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Alcoholic Beverage Control Division News:
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division is advising liquor licensees that the New Mexico Department of Health has issued a Public Health Emergency Order, which limits mass gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic.
“We want to ensure that New Mexico liquor establishments are aware of the Order and understand the expectations,” Superintendent Marguerite Salazar said. “The health and safety of everyone is the number one priority.”
Specifically, the public health order prohibits Read More
Senior Center Buildings Close BUT Services Are Available
The Betty Ehart Senior Center and White Rock Senior Center buildings are closing effective Monday for the short term as a precaution to COVID-19.
However, the senior center food and transportation services remain operational. A daily drive thru, pick up lunch is available noon to 1 p.m. and can be reserved by leaving a message by 10 a.m. at each center:
Make lunch reservations by 10 a.m. at:
- White Rock – 505.672.2034; and
- Los Alamos – 505.662.8920.
COVID-19: Los Alamos County Provides Updates, Announces Additional Closures Taking Effect Monday, March 16
Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave. File photo
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Scott provided updates this morning regarding the County’s policies for limiting the impact of COVID-19.
“The community has done an amazing job of taking required actions, recommendations, and caring behaviors to heart; we are making a difference,” Scott said. “However, public health concerns continue to evolve as does the context for how our community is and will be affected, including school closures and the return of community members from college and travel.”
Scott Read More
Thompson: The Dual Crisis Of Coronavirus
By NICHOLAS THOMPSON, Ph.D.
Los Alamos
The Covid-19 coronavirus is an international pandemic. At the current rate, millions of people will get sick and tens of thousands will die, if not more.
As more people get sick, hospitals will become overwhelmed (as we’ve seen in Italy) and the death rate for this and all other diseases will increase due to lack of adequate care.
It’s beyond clear that drastic measures need to be taken. I commend Governor Lujan Grisham for closing schools, but this is not enough. Nationwide, schools, bars, churches, and all non-essential gatherings need to be closed/canceled. Read More
Smith’s In Los Alamos & White Rock Opening 2 Hours Later
Smith’s Marketplace at 751 Trinity Dr. in Los Alamos. Courtesy/Smith’s
SMITH’S News:
In response to the demand for products due to the COVID-19 issue, Smith’s Marketplace at 751 Trinity Dr., in Los Alamos and Smith’s Food and Drug at 31 Sherwood Blvd., in White Rock are temporarily modifying store hours.
Until further notice, both Smith’s locations will open two hours later at 8 a.m., seven days a week to allow personnel additional time in the early morning to stock shelves. Both stores will close at 10 p.m. daily as usual. Read More
Local GOP Teleconference Replaces Meeting March 19
GOP News:NMNCC: Response To COVID-19 And Census Activities
NMNCC News:
In light of the growing concerns over COVID-19 or the Coronavirus, the New Mexico Native Census Coalition (NMNCC) wants to acknowledge our communities and prioritize the safety and well being of our people, elders and children.
Secondly, we thank you for your tireless efforts to ensure Native communities are counted by committing to get an accurate count for the next 10 years.
March 12, the 2020 Census launched nationwide and operations to get the count started in Tribal communities will begin on March 16. Given potential changes and the Tribes’ concerns for their people, this will Read More
Local Worship Service Changes Due To COVID-19
WORSHIP News:
The following is worship service and activity updates for churches in Los Alamos and White Rock in response to the COVID-19 issue:
Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
The community of faith who gather as Bethlehem is suspending worship services and activities held in the building until April 1. “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” –1 Peter 4:10. This is the time. This is the time to be our best selves. This is the time for creative connections when we need to stay 6 feet away from each other. This is the time Read More
New Mexico Presumptive Positive COVID-19 Cases At 13
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) officials announced today three additional presumptive positive tests for COVID-19.
Per the NMDOH, the most recent cases are:
- A Sandoval County woman in her 60s;
- A Sandoval County man in her 60s; and
- A Bernalillo County woman in her 50s.
Including the above additional cases, New Mexico has now had the following number of presumptive positive tests for COVID-19:
- Bernalillo County: 6;
- Sandoval County: 2;
- Santa Fe County: 3; and
- Socorro County: 2.
The NMDOH has active investigations into each of the presumptive Read More
Nothing But Crumbs Left On Buns & Rolls Aisle At Smith’s
There is not much left for shoppers on the buns & rolls aisle tonight at Smith’s Marketplace. Courtesy photo Read More
Senate Democrats Request USDA Work With State Agencies To Ensure Child Nutrition Programs During School Closures
U.S. Sen. Martin HeinrichWASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) sent a letter Friday with Senate Democrats to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, requesting that the USDA proactively work with all state agencies to ensure the availability of waivers that provide flexibilities for Child Nutrition Programs in the event of school closures.
Sen. Heinrich continues to be engaged with New Mexico state agencies, including the New Mexico School Nutrition Association, to ensure that necessary lines of communication and funding are available Read More
Major League Baseball Suspends Spring Training
The scene of the last spring training game of the year for the Colorado Rockies Tuesday afternoon during which attendance was good but there were many empty seats at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. Wednesday’s scheduled game was canceled because of weather. Major League Baseball has now suspended the remaining spring training games and beginning Thursday delayed the season opening day for at least two weeks. Almost all professional sports have canceled or delayed activities due to COVID-19. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com Read More
