State

Udall: NM Receives $10 Million in Homeland Security Grants

August 25, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. SENATE News:

State, southern counties will receive funding for border security and emergency preparedness

LAS CRUCES - U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., announced Friday that the state of New Mexico and five counties will receive a combined $10 million in border security and emergency preparedness funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP.)

Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna and Otero counties will share $3,146,501 through a program called Operation Stonegarden, while the state of New Mexico will receive $3,459,364

New Mexico Ranks Low in Educational Attainment and Median Wages

August 24, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMVFC News:

ALBUQUERQUE—The best way for states to foster a productive economy is to invest in a well-educated workforce, according to a new paper published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI.)

Unfortunately, New Mexico ranks low in both educational attainment and in median wages.

The report, “A Well Educated Workforce is Key to State Prosperity,” shows that the states with the highest wages and most productive economies are the states with the best-educated workforces.

The report concludes that investment in education—which is a state’s primary economic development Read More

Sen. Tom Udall Recruits Fall Interns

August 24, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is inviting New Mexico college students interested in gaining experience in a congressional field office to apply for fall internships in his offices in Santa Fe, Portales, Carlsbad, Las Cruces and Washington, D.C.

To apply online or download an application, click here or visit https:////www.tomudall.senate.gov/internships. Students or individuals looking for more information on internships in the New Mexico offices can also call (505) 346-6791.

“Congressional internships are an invaluable experience for anyone interested Read More

Luján to Hold Video Forum Targeting Poverty and Hunger

August 23, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

SANTA FE – U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján will hold the Third Congressional District’s first district-wide video forum addressing hunger and poverty issues at a number of locations around the state. The event takes place 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 and is now filled to capacity.

Stakeholders, including nonprofits and local government representatives, will come together at locations throughout the district to consider and collaborate on best practices, challenges and needs.

Stakeholders will initially meet as smaller groups in their Read More

No Map or Permit Sales on Santa Fe National Forest Aug. 27-28

August 22, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

SFNF News:

SANTA FE—Aug. 27 and 28 there will be no sales of maps, permits (including fuelwood permits) or interagency recreation passes at the Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Santa Fe or at any of the ranger district offices in Las Vegas, Pecos, Espanola, Jemez Springs, Cuba or Coyote (the satellite location in Los Alamos remains closed.)

On those two days, all front desk personnel from the entire forest will be involved in a training session to learn a new system that will be used to sell maps, permits and other items. All Ranger Station offices will be open but personnel filling Read More

Valles Caldera Expands Mountain Biking

August 22, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Courtesy/VCT

VCT News:

Backcountry Shuttle Reaches 80 Miles of New Trails

Jemez Springs – A new Backcountry Shuttle has expanded the Valles Caldera National Preserve mountain biking program to more than 80 miles of trails.

The addition of bike racks to three vans will provide additional cycling access to the northern half of the preserve, which was available only once a month or during special events.

“Mountain biking was restricted to the headquarters loop trail and the Cruise the Caldera events,” VCT Recreation Specialist Lance Weinbrenner said, “Now the Backcountry Shuttles can Read More

Udall Urges NM Businesses to Join Development Mission to Mexico

August 22, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

U.S. SENATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – U.S. Sen. Tom Udall is encouraging New Mexico businesses to join U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on a business development mission to Mexico from Nov.18-22.

In a letter to area business leaders, Udall highlighted the potential commercial opportunities it could open up for local businesses with Mexico.

“Companies from past trade missions reported that the meetings they participated in helped develop relationships and create business leads that would have taken years to establish on their own,” Udall said. “They also Read More

Bandelier’s Popular Alcove House to Re-open Aug. 26

August 21, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Alcove House kiva at Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy/NPS

A member of the Bandelier Vanishing Treasures crew using a special hand-held air hammer to loosen and remove cement from mortar joints in the kiva wall in Alcove House. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Starting Monday, Aug. 26, the popular Alcove House archeological site will re-open to the public.

In April, the staff at Bandelier National Monument closed it when the reconstructed kiva inside became unstable and unsafe. The monument’s Vanishing Treasures crew has been working on the Ancestral Pueblo structure, and although

New State Plan to Combat Alzheimer’s Disease

August 21, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

STATE News:

ALBUQUERQUE – Gov. Susana Martinez announced today that her administration is creating a new position that will be dedicated to coordinating services, research, and public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Martinez wants to provide help and support to family caregivers who often feel isolated and alone. She says more than 31,000 New Mexicans have Alzheimer’s disease and the number is expected to increase to 43,000 by 2025.

“This new position will allow for better communication and more collaboration between all the organizations and individuals Read More

Consultant to Former New Mexico Secretary of State Gets 10 Years in Prison

August 21, 2013 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

FBI News:

U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson on Tuesday sentenced Armando C. Gutierrez, 65, of Corpus Christi, Texas, to 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for his convictions for conspiracy, theft of government property, obstruction of justice, and money laundering.

Gutierrez was ordered to pay $2,500,483 in restitution to the state of New Mexico, including $746,375, which is to be paid jointly with co-defendant Joseph C. Kupfer, 50, of Rio Rancho. The court previously entered an order requiring Gutierrez to forfeit $2,500,483, including his Read More