County

Public Urged to Attend ‘Wildfire 2012’ Event

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Los Alamos firefighters train at the New Mexico Fire Academy in Socorro. Photo by Louisa Martinez/LAFD

As wildfire season begins, residents are urged to attend an informational event called “Wildfire 2012” from 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 14 in the Council Chambers and adjacent Training Room (inside the Community Building at 475 20th St.

The event is sponsored by the Los Alamos Fire Department, in partnership with several local agencies.

There will be a joint presentation on the Las Conchas 2011 Wildfire, including a possible panel discussion with representatives from the following agencies: Read More

2012 Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series Fundraiser Set for Friday April 13

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Join Russ Gordon of Gordons’ Concerts of Los Alamos at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 for live music by Eddy and the Nomads followed by DK and the Affordables.

This event is a fundraiser for the 2012 Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series … go have a good time so the community can have more good times throughout the summer.

Buy tickets at the Hilltop House Hotel or at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce.

The Summer Concert Series is presented FREE to the public by the County of Los Alamos and a number of sponsoriing businesses, professionals and neighbors.

The Series is coordinated and managed Read More

Muni Building Crane Sparkles in Saturday Night’s Sky

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The 250-foot crane in operation during the day this week at the Municipal Building Complex construction site is strung with lights that give the neighborhood quite an evening sparkle. This shot was taken with a 20 second exposure, f7.1, ISO 220, Nikon D5000, from the north side of Iris Street midway between 9th and 15th streets. Photo by George Chandler

In this shot, the conjunction with Venus and Jupiter was just about more than an old physicist could stand. It was taken with a 30 second exposure at f7.1, ISO 280, Nikon D5000, from 9th Street just north of Central Avenue. Photo by George Chandler Read More

Appeals Court Upholds Constitutionality of Tax Lightning Law

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County Assessor JoAnn Johnson with Chief Deputy Assessor Joaquin Valdez. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailpost.com

By Carol A. Clark

The New Mexico Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutionality of a state law that can result in sharply increased tax assessments for homes that change ownership – a practice known as “tax lightning.”

“This doesn’t affect us at all in Los Alamos because we have followed State Statute 73621.2 for the past 10 years,” said Los Alamos County Chief Deputy Assessor Joaquin Valdez. “This surfaced in Bernalillo County on two properties because they applied tax differently.” Read More

County Signs Ground Lease and Developer Agreement for Trinity Site

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County News:

It’s a deal!

Los Alamos County Administrator Harry Burgess announced this morning that the County has executed the ground lease and developer agreement with Los Alamos Trinity LP for the property known as the “Trinity Site.”

The property is located just south of Trinity Drive and Mari Mac Plaza on the eastern edge of Los Alamos.

A slight modification to the agreement was made Thursday after a final meeting with the developer, North American Development Group (NADG.)

The change will add up to 90 days during the feasibility period for the developer to consider their pre-leasing Read More

Sunday Pancake Breakfast to Benefit Los Alamos Friends of the Shelter

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Shelter News:

Courtesy Photo

Join friends and neighbors from 7-11 a.m. Sunday at the Los Alamos Posse Shack Lodge, 650 North Mesa Road.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and have some fun – all to benefit the animals at the Los Alamos Animal Shelter.

Meet new furry friends at the shelter’s mobile adoption and get some unconditional love at the Doggy Kissing Booth – kisses are $1.

Also, breakfast goers can take the opportunity to bid on a $250 value photography package donated by Don Taylor’s Photography.

All proceeds from Sunday’s event go to benefit animals at the shelter.

  Read More

First Megawatt of Photovoltaic System Installation Nears Completion

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The first megawatt of the photovoltaic system installation on the County’s former landfill nears completion as seen from a vantage point on Camp May Road. This portion of the photovoltaic system is funded by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Organization (NEDO) and supports the collaborative Demonstration Smart Grid project. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

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Settlement Reached with Sierra Club Regarding San Juan Generating Station

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County News:

Courtesy Photo

PNM, BHP Billiton’s San Juan Coal Company and the Sierra Club have filed a settlement that would result in an additional, larger groundwater recovery system adjacent to the San Juan Generating Station and the San Juan Coal Mine near Waterflow, N.M.

Filed today with the United States District Court for New Mexico, the settlement needs court approval for the system to be constructed.

Los Alamos owns 2 percent of the San Juan Generating Station (or 7.2 percent of Unit 4) and thus will bear 2 percent of the cost, estimated to be about $200,000.

Under the agreement, a new groundwater Read More