Environment

NM Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Cucumbers

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NMED News:

15 Cases Reported In New Mexico

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating 15 confirmed cases of Salmonella Poona infection in New Mexico that appear to be linked to eating garden variety cucumbers grown in Mexico.

The department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New Mexico Environment Department, the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department, and multiple state health departments as a part of an ongoing investigation of 285 confirmed cases nationally from 27 states.

The cucumbers Read More

Rodent Causes Friday Power Outage

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Rodents wreck havoc on electrical wires. Courtesy/americanpest.net

COUNTY News:

A rodent caused a power outage affecting 537 Department of Public Utilities customers late Friday morning.  

The outage began at approximately 10 a.m. when the animal got inside an electric switch cabinet at the Airport entrance and damaged a switch.

Parts of the Los Alamos business area on Trinity Drive blinked, while customers North of Central to Canyon and east toward the airport lost power for a longer duration of time.  Electric linemen were able to restore power by 10:22 a.m. to Read More

Explore Southwest Desert Climbing Sept. 16

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The magnificent Titan, greatest of all desert towers. For scale, at two-thirds height on the left skyline is a feature called ‘the Duck’ with an unknown climber visible to the right. Courtesy photo
 
LA MOUNTAINEERS News:

Join the Los Alamos Mountaineers at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos for an exciting presentation by Steve “Crusher” Bartlett, a desert climber extraordinaire!

Social time and reports of recent and upcoming trips take place at 7 p.m. with the program at 7:30 p.m. 

The Southwest features the most colorful landscapes Read More

Labor Day Citizen Science Project: Yard Day Bird Count

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Spotted Towhee. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

On Labor Day, Dave Yeamans, a long-time enthusiast of the natural world, is opening his home for a citizen science project, Big Yard Day Bird Count.

To participate, register at www.peecnature.org for the Big Yard Day and stop by Dave Yeaman’s house anytime between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. “Everybody learns something and has fun or my job is not complete,” says Yeamans, who also is a caring host.

Participants are encouraged to wear natural-colored clothing, move gently, and whisper to improve the chances of seeing a wide variety of birds. Light snacks and Read More

DOE Taps Todd Shrader To Lead Carlsbad Field Office

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New Carlsbad Field Office Manager Todd Shrader, third from left, during a tour last November at Hanford with EM Office of River Protection Manager Kevin Smith, right, Waste Treatment and Immobilization Project Assistant Manager Bill Hamel, left and EM Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Whitney. Courtesy/DOE

WIPP News:

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the selection of Todd Shrader as the manager for the Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO).

“Todd Shrader is a proven leader and experienced engineer who has successfully tackled some of DOE’s toughest issues,” said Monica Regalbuto,Read More

Pajarito Environmental Education Center Leads Efforts To Certify Los Alamos As A Community Wildlife Habitat

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PEEC Board members celebrating the certification of the nature center as a Wildlife Habitat, from left, Jeremy Campbell, Bob Walker, Jennifer Macke, Selvi Viswanathan, Esta Lee Albright, Michele Altherr, Nancy Arendt, Felicia Orth, Ann Shafer, Sue Watts, Mary Carol Williams, Becky Shankland, Talia Dreicer, Karla Sartor and Rebecca Oertel. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

A team of Pajarito Environmental Education Center volunteers is working to make Los Alamos the first certified Community Wildlife Habitat in New Mexico.

To date, our community consists of 126 backyards, four common areas, Read More

PEEC: September Night Sky Planetarium Shows

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Night Sky Milky Way Astrophotography from Wikimedia Commons by ForestWander. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

Do you want to know how to identify more of the planets and stars in the night sky?

Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is holding star shows in the Los Alamos Nature Center planetarium at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

Each show will introduce celestial objects easily viewed through binoculars this month including planets, the lunar eclipse, star patterns, star clusters, nebulae, double stars, and other celestial objects. Read More

Los Alamos Arms Control Group Considers Support Of Iran Policy

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LACACIS News:
 
The Los Alamos Committee on Arms Control and International (LACACIS) is considering the adoption of a statement of support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany, and the European Union.  
 
The LACACIS draft policy statement can be read by visiting www.lacacis.org and clicking on Policy Statements.  
 
The position will be discussed and voted on at a meeting at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, at the United Church Christian
Read More

Holy Ghost Canyon Open For Labor Day Weekend; Expected To Close For Repairs Sept. 8

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SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE ― The popular Holy Ghost Canyon on the east side of the Santa Fe National Forest will be open to recreationists over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend. 
 
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Forest expects to implement a closure order to protect public health and safety during the reconstruction of Forest Road (FR) 122, also known as Holy Ghost Road. 
 
FR 122 was severely damaged by flooding after the 2013 Tres Lagunas Fire.
 
The restricted area includes land within 500 yards on either side of FR 122 as well as recreation
Read More

Private Well Water Precautions For San Juan County & Other Affected New Mexico Residents

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NMED News:
 
SANTA FE ― Private domestic water well owners in San Juan County and other parts of New Mexico inundated by floodwater caused by recent heavy rain are being advised to take precautions.
 
Flood water can be tainted by sewage leaked by flooded septic systems, or other contaminants, and the floodwater can contaminate water wells.
 
For private domestic water well users whose wells have been inundated by the floodwater, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) recommends the following actions:
 
1. The well water should be vigorously boiled
Read More