Fee Waived at Bandelier; Across National Park System on Presidents Day Weekend
CourtesyNPS
BANDELIER News:
Saturday Feb. 15 through Monday Feb. 17, the public is invited to visit free of charge Bandelier and other national parks, monuments and many areas administered by other federal agencies throughout the United States.
The Presidents Day weekend is the second of the times in 2014 when all National Park Service sites open their gates to visitors without charging entrance fees.
“This should be a wonderful weekend to visit Bandelier,” Superintendent Jason Lott said. “The area really needs more snow, but in the meantime the weather is expected Read More
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard Revives DWI Bill
Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard
STATE News:
Today, State Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard went before the House Transportation Committee and successful revived HB 10, the DWI reform bill that had stalled in that committee last week.
Garcia Richard highlighted the bill’s focus on closing loopholes in existing law and giving judges the tools they need to deal with complicated cases. The bill passed out of the Transportation Committee on a 6-0 vote and now goes to the house Judiciary Committee.
Background
New Mexico has some of the strictest DWI laws in the nation and was one of the first states Read More
FBI: Protecting Aircraft From Laser Strikes
Last year, 3,960 laser strikes against aircraft were reported. The FBI will offer up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of any individual who intentionally aims a laser at an aircraft. Courtesy/FBI
FBI News:
- Protecting Aircraft From Lasers … New Program Offers Rewards for Information
Today the FBI announced a program aimed at deterring people from pointing lasers at aircraft—a felony punishable by five years in jail—and rewarding those who come forward with information about individuals who engage in this dangerous activity.
“Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is Read More
Luján: Farm Bill to Help New Mexico Communities
Rep. Ben Ray Luján
U.S CONGRESSIONAL News:
Santa Fe–After President Barack Obama signed the bipartisan Farm Bill into law Friday afternoon, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s 3rd District highlighted the important impact the legislation will have on communities in New Mexico.
“Farmers and ranchers in New Mexico have waited a long time for this day. With the President’s signature on a new Farm Bill, those in the agricultural sector who contribute greatly to New Mexico’s economy, while honoring our culture and history, will receive important assistance that will help in their efforts Read More
SM81 Would Establish Albuquerque Brewery District
NM LEGISLATIVE News:
SANTA FE–State Sen. Tim Keller, D-Bernalillo and Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Bernalillo co-sponsored Senate Memorial 81 (SM81), which officially calls to establish a Brewery District in Albuquerque. Breweries named in the memorial are Nexus, La Cumbre and Il Vicino because of their close proximity to one another.
According to the New Mexico Brewers Guild (NMBG), there are more than two dozen established microbreweries across the state. NMBG also estimated that more than 65,000 barrels of beer were produced in 2013. The local economic stimulus these breweries bring to small Read More
Udall Statement on Continued Obstruction of Emergency Unemployment Insurance
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement after Republicans filibustered a measure to extend emergency unemployment insurance that would help 6,000 New Mexicans:
“I’m extremely disappointed that once again, partisanship kept families in New Mexico looking for work from getting help they need. Nearly 6,000 New Mexicans have already lost this lifeline because of partisan obstruction. And today, Republicans again blocked emergency unemployment insurance for them and for hundreds of thousands of families all across Read More
Sanchez: Give Credit Where Credit is Due on Education Reform
Give Credit Where Credit is Due on Education ReformLast year, high school graduation rates in New Mexico improved 10 percent over recent historic rates, from the low 60 percent range up to 70 percent.
These are fantastic developments that are justly lauded, and which the current governor is rightly touting – for which she is incorrectly taking credit.
Valles Caldera Trust Names Interim Executive Director
Dr. Tim Haarmann
VCNP News:
JEMEZ SPRINGS–The Valles Caldera Board of Trustees today named Dr. Tim Haarmann interim executive director of the Valles Caldera Trust.
Haarmann will be in charge of day to day operations until the board selects a permanent executive director. The board will conduct a nationwide search to find a qualified replacement for former Executive Director Dennis Trujillo who retired Jan. 3.
Haarmann is currently Operations Division director on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. He is responsible for management of programs including recreation, environmental education, Read More
Local Occupational Therapists Share Skills With Nicaraguan Children
A Nicaraguan child practices sorting skills. Photo by Hannah Bloom
Play is therapy for students with diabilities in Nicaragua. Photo by Hannah BloomIn mid-March, three occupational therapists, six OT students, and a physical therapist will spend two weeks in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, where they will collaborate with Nicaraguan teachers and therapists in a cultural exchange. Students will live with host families in a full-immersion environment, where they will speak Spanish and learn about Nicaraguan culture.
Two Los Alamos OT students Read More
Omaree’s Law Introduced to Protect Children
The State Capitol in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
Bill Requires CYFD to Take Custody of Children Showing Specific Injuries of Abuse
SANTA FE–House Bill 333, sponsored by Speaker W. Ken Martinez, D-Bernalillo, Cibola McKinley, Socorro, San Juan, Valencia and co-sponsored by Rep. Emily Kane, D-Bernalillo, Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, D-Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Sandoval, Rio Arriba and Rep. Liz Thomson, D-Bernalillo, requires New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) to immediately take custody of children showing specific injuries of abuse, and requires the parents, guardians Read More
