Students Spread ‘Awesome’ For Suicide Prevention Month
Scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams
Another scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams
By BERNADETTE PAURITZEN
Executve Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions
September is Suicide Prevention Month and 10 years ago, Faith Glasco and Elizabeth Hjelvik had a goal to spread “awesome” at Los Alamos High School. Their multi-pronged project took roots spreading to Los Alamos Middle School and their WEB Crew program. Their efforts went on to win them a Spirit of the West Award.
On World Suicide Prevention Day Tuesday, the Los Alamos Youth Read More
Health Connection: Collaborations Help Strengthen Community And Overall Health Of Los Alamos
By LORI PADILLA
Chair
Los Alamos County Health Council
This is the third column in the monthly series by Los Alamos County Health Council (LACHC) members, highlighting the work of the Health Council.
I am the Chair of the LACHC, and for this installment, I would like to share some of the many collaborations and projects that LACHC members are involved with, including a couple of upcoming events.
These are certainly not comprehensive, but rather represent the varied interests and experiences that LACHC members bring together when working to advocate and advise for community health needs.
Several Read More
Kenneth L. ‘Ken’ Groves Receives 2024 HPS Distinguished Public Service Award
Ken Groves
Staff Report
Kenneth L. “Ken” Groves, Fellow of the Health Physics Society (HPS), retired U.S. Navy Commander and former Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) senior manager is the 2024 recipient of the HPS Distinguished Public Service Award.
Groves joins two other New Mexicans, Senator Pete Domenici, and Pete Lyons, distinguished scientist at Los Alamos, as well as a former commissioner at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and DOE Nuclear Energy’s assistant secretary as one of the 11 recipients of this award.
This award is intended to acknowledge outstanding (1) contributions Read More
LAMC Hosts Open House To Welcome Dr. Wheeler Sept. 23
Los Alamos County Explores Options For Continuation Of Wastewater Surveillance For Public Health
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County is exploring options to continue wastewater surveillance for public health following BioBot Analytic’s decision to end its free services.
The County was part of the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) since February 2022, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 through BioBot. After losing its CDC contract in 2023, BioBot continued to provide services free of charge, which the County shared on its Wastewater Surveillance web page until Aug. 31 when the service ended.
“We are reviewing several options, including BioBot’s paid program, rejoining the CDC’s Read More
Los Alamos County Health Council Announces Launch Of Health Care Quality And Accessibility Survey
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Health Council announces the launch of a comprehensive Health Care Quality and Accessibility Survey, aimed at gathering information and input regarding the health and well-being of the community.
Invitations to take the survey will be mailed to all Los Alamos County residents the week of Sept. 18, 2024. The survey is an integral part of the County’s efforts to evaluate and enhance local health services and inform the development of effective health programs, policies, and the Los Alamos County Comprehensive Health Plan.
Why Your Participation Matters Read More
LAMC Lobby Shop To Host Black Friday Sale Sept. 13
New Mexico Issues Consumer Health And Safety Advisory … Recalls Cannabis Products Over Contamination Concerns
NMRLD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) has issued a consumer health and safety advisory after identifying contaminated cannabis flower (bud/shake/trim) that tested positive for a prohibited pesticide.
The affected products, produced and sold by WH Agriculture, LLC DBA Maggie’s Farm, were distributed to cannabis retailers between March 6, 2024, and Aug. 1, 2024. A full list of package IDs as well as a list of retail locations that received the products can be found below.
The licensee has been ordered to immediately remove any cannabis products linked to parent Read More
Falls Prevention Awareness Week Is Sept. 23-27
LARSO News:
Did you know that one in four Americans older than age of 65 falls each year? Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans, and falling once doubles the risk of falling again. Even falls that do not result in injury can deeply impact the quality of life for older adults. A fear of falling can cause seniors to limit their activities and social engagements, which can result in physical decline, depression and isolation.
The good news is that falls can be prevented. Exercise, good nutrition, lifestyle adjustments, and fall-proofing one’s residence or Read More
New Mexico Governor Announces $46 Million In New Funding For Rural Health Care Providers
From the Office of the Governor:
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- Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to offer technical assistance for applicants on funding process
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SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced today that $46 million is available for rural health care providers in New Mexico through the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund (RHCDF) to support vital services in underserved areas.
This funding reinforces the state’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality health care in rural communities, ensuring that all New Mexicans, regardless of where they live, have access to critical health services. Read More
Skolnik: Los Alamos County And Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance – Major Gaps In Transparency, Ethics, And Technical Expertise
By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock
Los Alamos County has ended its wastewater-based disease surveillance system (WBS) for COVID, RSV, Influenza A, and Influenza B. The purpose of this article is to inform the community about the manner in which I believe Los Alamos County has mis-managed this program and to encourage the community to demand that the County continue WBS and manage it in a transparent, ethical, and technically competent manner.
The Importance of Wastewater-Based Disease Surveillance
Despite significant declines in the number of COVID cases and deaths, COVID in 2023 was still the Read More
New Mexico Environment Department Signs Consent Order With DOE For LANL Legacy Waste Clean-Up
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration and the U.S. Department of Energy have executed a Settlement Agreement to clean-up legacy radioactive wastes at Los Alamos National Laboratory, marking a historic moment in the fight to hold the federal government accountable for the toxic waste it left behind in the wake of nuclear weapons testing in New Mexico.
The Settlement Agreement, executed on Aug. 30, and associated Compliance Order on Consent supersedes the contested 2016 agreement that failed to deliver meaningful clean-up of legacy radioactive Read More
2024 JJAB Winter Clothing Drive To Help Kids Stay Warm
Bags of clothes donated during the 2023 JJAB Winter Clothing Drive. Courtesy/JJAB
JJAB News:
Summer has flown by, and autumn will be here before we know it! As in years past, JJAB is holding our annual Winter Clothing Drive to help youth in our community stay warm as the weather turns cold.
JJAB is asking our community to make a financial donation to purchase winter clothing for students in all LAPS schools. JJAB Resource Specialists will work with our client families, school counselors, and community organizations to gather student needs. As finances allow, JJAB will purchase and provide Read More
New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources For Elderly Program Is Hosting Free Virtual Legal Webinar
New Mexico State Bar Foundation News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Bar Foundation’s Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) will be hosting a free virtual legal webinar starting at 11 a.m. (MT), Sept. 10.
The webinar, which aims to equip the elderly or their caretakers with the tools and resources they need to plan for the future, will cover Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, probate, non-probate transfers (including Transfer on Death Deeds) and Institutional Medicaid.
New Mexico residents can register for this free webinar online at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_G8FvNkmyTS-v320I6moODQ Read More
New Mexico Health Care Authority Announces 27 Events To Mark September As Recovery Awareness Month
HCA News:
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- More than 27 recovery events planned across 17 counties
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SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) announces a series of statewide events in September to mark Recovery Awareness Month and support everyone who is in recovery and all those who support them.
“Recovery Month is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible for everyone. It is a time to recognize the resilience of those in recovery and the dedication of those who support them,” HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo said. “Our goal is to ensure that every New Mexican knows that help is available, and recovery is within Read More
LAMC To Host Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic Saturday Oct. 5
LAMC News:
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has announced it will once again host its annual free drive-thru community flu shot clinic, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 at the hospital at 3917 West Road.
The flu vaccine will be administered in a drive-thru configuration that will not require people to get out of their vehicle. This clinic is for ages 18 and older only; children will not be inoculated. High-dose vaccines will be available for those 65 and older, as supplies last.
Attendees are asked to follow the signage at the hospital and follow instructions to receive their free vaccination. While Read More
Española Pathways Shelter Invites Public To Forum Sept. 8
From Española Pathways Shelter:
Homelessness is an issue with which our communities struggle. Perhaps you would like to learn more about how people from our region are dealing with this issue and finding solutions.
The public is invited to attend the Sunday Forum at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1738 North Sage St.
The Forum will feature two remarkable leaders from the Española Pathways Shelter, CEO Dena Moscola and COO Jake Stockwell. The subject of their presentation is “Homelessness in the Española Valley – Growth and Changes at Pathways Shelter”.
Moscola Read More
Mason: Acid Canyon Well Within Safe Exposure Ranges
By THOM MASON
Director
Los Alamos National Laboratory
During the Manhattan Project, the nation’s urgency to develop a weapon that could win World War II led to environmental decisions that have had long-standing consequences. That is why the Department of Energy Environmental Management and its contractor N3B continue to work to clean up legacy waste in Los Alamos.
This important cleanup work will continue for many years, however, cleanup has also yielded many success stories, returning once-contaminated land to a condition that is safe for the community once again. Acid Canyon in the Los Read More
New Mexico Health Care Authority Announces Reinstatement Of Interview Requirement For SNAP & TANF Applications
HCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is now requiring all New Mexicans renewing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits to complete an interview as part of the recertification process.
This change follows the federal government’s decision to end the interview waiver that was established during the COVID-19 pandemic. The end of this flexibility means that New Mexicans receiving SNAP or cash assistance will have an interview with HCA staff as a part of their applications. The interview Read More
Neal-Clinton: Changes Coming To Insurance Coverage For Prescription Drugs
By BEVERLY NEAL-CLINTON
Loreen and Lane Retirement Answer Agent
Los Alamos
Editor’s note: While this article is from Beverly Neal-Clinton in her capacity as a small business owner, she also understands the importance and agrees to mention she is a candidate for Los Alamos County Council.
Did you know 87% of participants are concerned and want their prescription drugs covered? Did you know 40 to 70% of the current participants are expected to change their plans in 2025?
Take a look at the changes below…
(1) $2,000 Out-of-Pocket Cap: Starting in 2025, Medicare Part D will introduce a cap Read More
