County

Op-Ed: Present Scale Of Electrification Unprecedented

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By RICK NEBEL
Los Alamos

This letter is a comment on two of the op-ed pieces that appeared in last week’s Los Alamos Daily Post: Robert Gibson’s article (link) and Paul Gessing’s article (link). Mr. Gibson pointed out that electrification is nothing new. However, the present scale of it is unprecedented. Mr. Gessing pointed this out in his article. He congratulated the governor for getting commitments to bring 3 new AI data centers to New Mexico.

The interesting part is that just 1 of those data centers consumes about 7 GW. I don’t have firm numbers on this, but the present total consumption Read More

Shin: Thank You Council Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann

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By LISA SHIN
Los Alamos Family Eyecare PC

Dear Councilor Herrmann:

I am extremely grateful that you have requested a discussion about the option of creating a Metropolitan Redevelopment Area (MRA) Commission for the upcoming Jan. 13, 2026, meeting. Currently, the County Council serves as the decision making governing body having authority over the two MRAs in Los Alamos – White Rock and Los Alamos Downtown East.

As you know, I have been a strong advocate for Los Alamos following NM State Statutes governing MRAs and neighboring communities to form a citizen-led MRA Commission.

As in Counties Read More

Hot Showers On Cold Days Can Feel So Nice … But…

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COUNTY News:

Hot showers on cold days can feel so nice … but… time slips away, and that quick-shower intention becomes a 20…30…40…minute ordeal.

Low-flow shower heads have come a long way from their trickling past.

Some work so well it seems like you could wash an elephant!

The pressure feels great at 1.5 gallons per minute.

And at that pressure, you can enjoy that 20-minute shower and still use less water than a standard bath (40 gallons). Read More

Los Alamos County Council To Meet Tuesday Jan. 13

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Los Alamos County Councilors from left, David Reagor, Vice Chair Ryn Herrmann, Beverly Neal-Clinton, Melenee Hand, Chair Randall Ryti, Suzie Havemann and Theresa Cull. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Council Regular and Work Sessions are held at 6 p.m. Check the agenda for the location. A Zoom option is offered for remote participation (Zoom Link).

View Tuesday’s agenda at lacnm.com/agenda and use the eComments tool to provide your public comment.

Highlights of the meeting include:

  • 2025 Regional Development Corporation (RDC) Annual Report Briefing from Executive Director Pat Vanderpool
Read More

Nuclear Shootout College Hockey Tournament Begins Friday

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The Nuclear Shootout College Hockey Tournament begins Friday night. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County has joined forces with the University of New Mexico and the Los Alamos Hockey Association to bring College Weekend back to the Los Alamos County Ice Rink.

College teams taking part in this year’s three-day Tournament:

  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  • University of New Mexico (UNM 
  • North Ridge (CSUN)
  • Michigan State University (MSU)

Tournament Schedule Jan 2026:

  • To be determined

When

  • Friday, Jan. 16, 5:30-10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, Jan. 17, 12-9:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18,
Read More

Los Alamos County Council To Hold Work Session Jan. 13

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Council will host a work session Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Council Chambers at the Municipal Building at 1000 Central Ave.

This meeting is in person and open to the public; however, for convenience, the following Zoom meeting link and/or telephone call-in numbers may be used for public viewing and participation: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85448619994

Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): +1 346 248 7799 or + 1 346 248 7799 or + +1 669 444 9171 US or + 1 719 359 4580 or +1 720 707 2699

Webinar ID: 854 4861 9994

The agenda Read More

Los Alamos County Council Unanimously Elects Randall Ryti Chair And Ryn Herrmann Vice Chair For 2026 Term

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Newly elected 2026 Council Chair Randall Ryti

Staff Report

Each January Los Alamos County Council elects its new leadership from among its members. At Tuesday’s meeting, Council unanimously elected Randall Ryti to serve as chair and Ryn Hermann as vice chair for the 2026 term.

Voters first elected Ryti to serve on the County Council in the November 2018 General Election. He was re-elected to a second term in November 2022, which ends on Dec. 31, 2026.

Ryti has lived in Los Alamos since 1992. He came to start a small business, Neptune and Company, with four other scientists. In addition to helping Read More

New Year Message From UNM-LA Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw

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UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw. Courtesy/UNM-LA

By MIKE HOLTZCLAW
Chancellor
UNM-Los Alamos

As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to everyone in our UNM-Los Alamos community. I hope your holiday season was restful and joyful, filled with meaningful time spent with family, friends and those who bring light into your life. The start of a new year always invites reflection, and I am grateful for the continued support for our local community college.

In December, many community members joined us in celebrating the 45th anniversary of UNM-LA — a milestone that honors Read More

New Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg Expresses Enthusiasm For LAFD And Community

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Los Alamos Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg during an interview Tuesday afternoon at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Working for more than 20 years at the Santa Fe Fire Department, Erik Litzenberg said he was always aware of the Los Alamos Fire Department (LAFD), but it wasn’t until he had a discussion with former Fire Chief Troy Hughes that the idea to apply for the fire chief position was planted.

Litzenberg said he talked with Hughes before he retired from LAFD about who Hughes thought could step into Read More