Columns

Robinson: FEMA Revamps New Mexico Operations

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

As Ruidoso area residents return to their homes – or what’s left of their homes – we’ll be watching FEMA.

For the past two years, since the disastrous Hermit’s Peak-Calf Canyon fires, we’ve heard more about what FEMA hasn’t done than what it has done.

This year the agency began changing its New Mexico operation. Jay Mitchell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new head of New Mexico operations, announced major changes. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stood next to the governor at a recent news conference, promising, “We Read More

Danneman: A Few Brilliant Students At State Civics Bee

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By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

You should have seen Keith Lee at the state finals.

Lee was the first place winner of the New Mexico Civics Bee this year. He previously came in second at the regional level. The state second place winner was Auburn Eichler, who had won first place last year.

Lee, a seventh grader from Albuquerque Academy, was animated, lively, confident, and, most of all, prepared. His topic was climate change, with focus on the issue of recycling batteries to reduce environmental harm. I was especially impressed that he was ready with a five-point Read More

Op-Ed: School, Drugs, And The Long Shadow Of The Law … A Plea For Parental Protection

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By PERRY KLARE Esq.
Los Alamos High School, 1998

As a criminal defense attorney practicing in our community and State for many years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of drug use on our teenagers. The allure of experimentation, the desire to fit in, and the crushing weight of academic pressure can lead even the most promising young people down a dangerous path. However, I’ve also seen how a single misstep, fueled by youthful indiscretion and amplified by harsh legal consequences, can derail a life before it’s truly begun.

The war on drugs has not been kind to our children. While Read More

Fr. Glenn: That Pernicious Desire

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By Fr. Glenn Jones:

What is it that tends to consume us so mightily? It is why we seek the most expensive things, the richest clothing, flaunt the flashiest jewelry, buy the fanciest car, possess the most magnificent residence that we can possibly obtain … even to the point of going into crippling and self-destructive debt and behavior in doing so. Why post infinite selfies on social media and constant attempts at gleaning attention for ourselves. Why the thirsty ear for juicy gossip and information to hurriedly spread throughout our circle of acquaintances?

Simply so that we might be admired Read More

Op-Ed: Historic Signs In Our Historic District

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By GEORGIA STRICKFADEN
Los Alamos

Our summer tourist season is in full swing, yet ALL of our Historic Walking Tour signs have been missing for months, mostly due to construction of the new Urban Trail and pending refurbishment of the walking tour signs?

Old or bent signs are better than no markers. Even if visitors are using printed or online walking tour guides, it often is not entirely clear to them where they are and why.

I am especially disturbed that there is no sign of any kind of labeling for the statues of Oppenheimer and Groves. The damaged bronze sign was removed months ago with no temporary Read More

All Shall Be Well: ‘I Could Be Wrong…’

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Clergy from left, The Rev. Mary Ann Hill, Rector, Trinity on the Hill, Pastor Nicolé Ferry, Deacon Cynthia Biddlecomb, retired; Associate Priest Lynn Finnegan and Pastor Deb Church. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com

By Rev. Deb Beloved Church
White Rock Presbyterian Church

As an Edgar Abbey character famously said, “I thought I was wrong once, but I found out later I was mistaken.”

So it’s not just me who thinks so highly of themselves! Me? Wrong about something? Nah! My opinions are so well-thought-out; my perspectives, so sincere! My thinking is so thoughtful; my analyses, so all-encompassing! Read More

Sterna: Understanding ‘Ready’ In ‘Ready, Set, Go!’

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By KELLY STERNA
Wildland Division Chief
Los Alamos Fire Department 

Wildfire season is here, posing a significant risk to our scenic Los Alamos community, nestled amidst natural forests and mountainous terrains. While a paradise for many of us, this landscape also heightens our wildfire risk. Our community needs to be in a constant “Ready” state due to its geography and history of wildfires. Citizens should always be aware of local fire weather forecasts, local fire information, and most importantly, their “Ready” status.

Currently, New Mexico has two active wildland fires: the Indios Read More

Gibson: Electric Rates – Past, Present And Future

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By ROBERT GIBSON
Chair
Board of Public Utilities

The electricity commodity rate (cost per kilowatt-hour) for retail Los Alamos customers was increased 9% last October. It will increase another 9% this July. These hikes seem steep, but are the first since February 2015.

In that time, the most familiar measure of inflation, the consumer price index (CPI), has increased about 34%. Adjusted for inflation, our electric rate will have gone DOWN 16% in that time.

Looking even further back, our electric rates have increased less than inflation at least since 1998.

Electric bills also include a service Read More

Catch Of The Week: More Package Delivery Text Scams

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Got a text message claiming to be from the USPS about your package? Think twice before you click, this is one of the most common smishing scams out there!

What is smishing? Smishing is a form of phishing that involves a text message or phone number. Victims will typically receive a deceptive text message intended to lure the recipient into providing their personal or financial information.

These scammers often attempt to disguise themselves as a government agency, bank, or other company to lend legitimacy to their claims.

Fraudulent Read More

LAPS Superintendent Addresses Families And Community

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From JENNIFER GUY
Superintendent
Los Alamos Public Schools

Los Alamos families and community,

I was sad to learn of several arrests made this morning, June 18, that involved minors and drug trafficking charges. I appreciate the police department’s efforts to keep our students and community safe. We will continue to cooperate with the police department in any way we can to keep drugs out of our community. This is life threatening and critical to student safety. We have a no tolerance policy for any drug use and want to work with the community to do everything we can to keep students safe. To address Read More