Udall, Heinrich Urge USDA to Move Quickly on Disaster Aid to Livestock Producers
U.S. SENATE News:
- Farm Bill provision would ensure new and retroactive aid for ranchers who have had to cut back their herds during N.M. drought
WASHINGTON–U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that they have sent a bipartisan letter signed by a coalition of senators to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, encouraging the USDA to expedite the implementation of the livestock disaster programs reauthorized in the 2014 Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill’s disaster assistance programs are critical for New Mexico’s livestock producers, who have had Read More
Public Comment Sought on Rendija Canyon Restoration Project
Map of Rendija Canyon. Source: mapcarta.com
SFNF News:
SANTA FE—Citizens are invited to comment on a project designed to repair damage to the upper Rendija Canyon, located near the Ponderosa subdivision of Los Alamos.
The County implemented emergency flood control measures following the heavy rains in September 2013, with emergency operations extending onto the Santa Fe National Forest.
Subsequently, Los Alamos County and the Espanola Ranger District developed a proposal for restoration. The proposal would remove excess sediment from the channel, return the channel to an appropriate Read More
Change in University Regent Selection Process Heads to the House Floor
STATE News:
- Constitutional Amendment Would Allow Voters to Establish Nominating Committees to Recommend Candidates
SANTA FE—New Mexicans are one step closer to deciding how regents of New Mexico’s state universities are picked. House Joint Resolution (HJR) 7, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-35, is headed to the floor of the House after getting a Do Pass in the House Voters and Elections Committee. HJR 7 would create a constitutional amendment allowing voters to establish nominating committees to recommend qualified regent candidates to the Governor for consideration.
Currently, Read More
Watershed Rx Burn Three Miles East/Northeast of Santa Fe Underway
SFNF News:
Fire managers are burning 35 acres of slash piles today in the Santa Fe watershed, approximately three miles east/northeast of Santa Fe.
Ignition started at 9:30 this morning and operations are going well. Eighteen firefighters are on site to assist with the burn and to monitor smoke. The purpose of this prescribed fire is to reduce forest fuels, enhance watershed protection and promote forest health.
Smoke will be visible from Santa Fe, Tesuque, Highway I-25, as well as U.S. 84/285. Smoke impacts may occur in the upper Canyon Road area this evening.
Call 505.438.5320 with Read More
Public Invited to Santa Fe National Forest’s Fire and Ice Restoration Festival
SFNF News:
SANTA FE—The public is invited to celebrate the beauty of winter and the coming of spring at the annual Fire and Ice Restoration Festival. The event, hosted by Santa Fe National Forest’s Jemez Ranger District and the Village of Jemez Springs, is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 22 at Father Fitzgerald Park in Jemez Springs.
This free community event will feature educational booths and presentations that highlight the 210,000-acre Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project. Special guests will include Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl.
Fun and unique activities are scheduled throughout Read More
Bill Would Improve Health Care for Rural Veterans
U.S. SENATE News:
Bill would improve access to care by expanding transportation options, recruiting and retaining doctors and prioritizing improvements at rural clinics
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Dean Heller, R-Nev., introduced a bill to address some of the biggest barriers to health care for veterans in rural communities.
More than six million veterans, including a third of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, live in rural communities. But as many as half of those veterans may be going without care from the VA. Rural veterans too often struggle to access Read More
Party Members, Candidates and Representatives Attend GOP Pre-Primary Convention
GOP County Party Chair Robert Gibson, right, and Vice Chair Bill McKerley who served as last month’s Pre-Primary Convention Chairman. Courtesy photo
Longtime Los Alamos GOP leader Vernon Kerr, left, chats with 3rd Congressional District candidate Steve McFall. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover and Los Alamos Board of Education President Jim Hall. County Councilor Rick Reiss is at left. Courtesy photo
GOP News:
The Los Alamos Republican Party held its Pre-Primary Convention Jan. 30 and successfully carried out its business and goals. A large number of party members, Read More
Tuesday’s House Highlights
STATE News:
Highlights for Tuesday from the New Mexico House of Representatives:
On the Floor
● House Joint Memorial 4 as amended, New Mexico Family Caregiver Task Force, sponsored by Rep. Tomás Salazar (D-San Miguel, Santa Fe, Torrance-70) has passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 48-0. HJM 4 requests that the Aging and Long-Term Services Department convene a New Mexico Family Caregiver Task Force to create a state plan for addressing the challenges faced by family caregivers.
● House Joint Memorial 9 Advanced Practice Nurse Read More
Valles Caldera Elk Hunt Lottery Sale Countdown Underway
Courtesy/VCNP
VCNP News:
JEMEZ SPRINGS—Less than six weeks remain for hunters to purchase a lottery draw chance for the revamped 2014 Valles Caldera Trust Elk Hunt. In November of 2013 the trust announced the reduction of ticket prices and one chance, per hunt code, per hunter sales policy. (See Trust Modifies Hunt Lotteries https:////www.vallescaldera.gov/newsmedia/news/news_13-11-15HuntLotteryMods.pdf)
Applying to hunt on the Preserve is as simple as entering the lottery. Lottery chances are available at $25 each for a mature bull or either sex hunt. Lottery chances for antlerless Read More
Local United Way Earns 4-Star Rating From Charity Navigator for Fifth Time in a Row
United Way Executive Director Kristy Ortega during a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Los Alamos. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
UWNNM News:
United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM) have earned a 4-star rating for the fifth time in a row from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.
Since 2002, using data-driven analysis, Charity Navigator has awarded only the most fiscally responsible organizations a 4-star rating. In 2011, Charity Navigator added a second dimension of Accountability and Transparency Read More
