Obituary: Paula Kleczka Sept. 17, 1978 – April 24, 2026
PAULA KLECZKA Sept. 17, 1978 – April 24, 2026
Paula Kleczka went to be with her eternal Lord and Savior on Friday, April 24, 2026, after a courageous battle with stage four cancer. She was born on September 17, 1978. Although she was taken much too young, she was blessed in her final moments to be surrounded by her devoted boyfriend and loving family.
Paula grew up in a loving and welcoming home in White Rock, New Mexico, as the youngest of six children. She attended Los Alamos High School, where she developed her strength of will competing in track competitions. Following her graduation in 1997, she Read More
UNM-LA Collaborates With UNM To Offer Early Assurance Program To Pre-Professional Health Students
From left, UNM-LA student Cruz Estrada, UNM-LA Science Dept. Lecturer II Derek Martinez and UNM-LA student Brittini Suazo in biology class. UNM-LA has partnered with UNM in Albuquerque to offer an Early Assurance Program for pre-professional health students interested in pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy. Courtesy/UNM-LA
BY KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Pharmacy Dean Donald Godwin recently reached out to University of New Mexico-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw and Dean of Instruction Brent Pickett Read More
LAPD: Investigators Recover Stolen/Suspected Stolen Property Leading To 70-Plus Charges In Los Alamos County, Sandoval County, National Parks & Forest Lands
LAPD News:
On May 4, 2026, the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office re-filed an Amended Criminal Complaint in Los Alamos Magistrate Court against Nehemiah Hillhouse and Gunner Stacy following a multi-agency investigation into numerous burglaries and breaking-and-entering cases.
During the investigation, Det. Cindy Garcia executed three search warrants involving a vehicle and two residences. As a result, investigators recovered more than $50,000 worth of stolen and suspected stolen property connected to cases that led to over 70 charges total in Los Alamos County, Sandoval Read More
Joaquin Valdez Seeks To Continue Enhancing Assessors Office
Rio Arriba County Assessor Joaquin Valdez at an interview on Monday at the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
What drives a person to dedicate more than three decades to public service, lead the Los Alamos County Assessor’s Office, retire, and then step up to transform the Rio Arriba County Assessor’s Office? For Joaquin Valdez, it is a deep-rooted, compassionate commitment to Northern New Mexico.
“I love serving my community,” Valdez said during an interview Monday at the Los Alamos Daily Post. “It’s Read More
See The Sun Through A New Lens At Jemez Historic Site’s Daytime Astronomy Program May 16
NMDCA News:
Find out about the world above, in the eyes of Southwestern Indigenous People, at Jemez Historic Site, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Learn about past and modern perspectives of astronomy from an Indigenous point of view with Instructional Coordinator Marlon at Jemez Historic Site.
The presentation will discuss what Southwestern Indigenous people observed and believed about the world above them and how the worlds above and around them are connected and related. We’ll use special sun viewing telescopes to take a closer look at the sun.
This program is included with admission Read More
Regional Chambers Of Commerce Host Networking Event
Los Alamos, Española and Santa Fe Chambers of Commerce hosted a tri-chamber regional networking breakfast Thursday morning at the Cities Of Gold Casino. Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Director Sandy Jones said she believes this is the first meeting all three chambers have hosted. The purpose of the breakfast is for nonprofits, businesses, and government officials to network and, hopefully, expand their businesses and contacts, she said. Jones added that it has been a great experience working with the other chamber directors. ‘We collaborate well … the three of us work well Read More
Los Alamos Police Department Arrests Man In Historic Criminal Sexual Penetration Investigation
Tim Pacheco
LAPD News:
On Thursday, May 7, 2026, detectives with the Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) Criminal Investigation Division arrested and charged Tim Pacheco, 63, of Los Alamos with 28 counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration in the First Degree.
Following a lengthy and detailed investigation, Det. Ladislas Szabo filed charges related to incidents alleged to have occurred between 1986 and 1995 involving two juvenile male victims. Due to the sensitive nature of this case and to protect the privacy of the victims, additional identifying details will not be released.
This investigation Read More
Santa Fe Community College Announces 2026 Katie Besser Art & Writing Award Winners
Copies of 2026 Accolades, Richard Bradford Scholarship recipient. Courtesy/SFCC
SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College’s emerging writers and artists were recognized during the Katie Besser Awards celebration hosted by Meow Wolf on May 4. The awards were named for the late Katie Besser in recognition of her love of literature and creative writing. The event celebrated students’ creative expression through writing, photography and media arts. Writers representing SFCC’s diverse community read from their winning works.
The sixteenth annual winner of Santa Fe Community College Read More
Sunday Forum: Compassionate Care For Animals With Speaker Kate Baldwin Of Espanola Humane
COMMUNITY News:
The public is invited to attend the Second Sunday Forum at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, 1738 North Sage Street. The Second Sunday Forum program endeavors to educate the public about issues that affect the community and to provide opportunities for exploration. The Forum starts at 12 p.m., Sunday, May 10.
Our speaker is Kate Baldwin, Executive Director of Espanola Humane. Española Humane is working to build a more compassionate community by caring for both animals and the people who love them. Grounded in the values of empathy and collaboration, we’ll explore how expanded Read More
Scenes From LAHS Military Enlistment Ceremony
An enlistment Ceremony was held Wednesday in LAHS for the nine senior who have chosen the military after graduation. Back row, left to right: Devon Martinez and Colton Key chose the Air Force, Tyler Jones, Robert Thomas, and Aiden Alley chose the Army. Front row, left to right: Cheyenne Hang and Garison Sisun chose the Air Force, Cooper Beavers and Landen Arnette chose the Marines. Not pictured, Nathan Duffield chose the Navy Academy. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Caption Brandon Brease administrates the Oath of Enlistment. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
The Enlistees take Read More
New Documents Added To Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Reading Room
LANL News:
New documents have been added to the Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contract Electronic Public Reading Room.
All legacy cleanup documents required to be posted after April 30, 2018, are available on the site linked above.
For legacy cleanup documents that were posted prior to April 30, 2018, please visit the LANL electronic public reading room.
- Initiation of Consent Order Technical Dispute Resolution
https://ext.em-la.doe.gov/GovFTPFiles/api/GetFiles/GetFile?fileName=EMID-704259_EMLA-26-156-2-1_Initiation_of_Consent_Order_Technical_Dispute_Resolution_031826.pdf
Canada Goose Glides Across Pond At Water Treatment Plant By Overlook Park
A Canada Goose and its reflection glide across the pond at the Water Treatment Plant Tuesday at Overlook Park. Photo by Richard Skolnik Read More
Commissioner Garcia Richard Approves Major Wind Farm In Torrance County
New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard
NMSLO News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard has signed an agreement with AFE Cedarvale Wind, LLC (a subsidiary of MMR Group/Southwestern Power Group) to develop a 10,160-acre wind farm on state lands in Torrance County following a public auction at the State Land Office, paying $340,000 for the right to the lease. The wind farm is expected to be the second largest on state lands in terms of energy output, eventually generating around 212 megawatts of clean electricity when operating at full capacity – enough Read More
LANL Foundation Recognizes Five Outstanding Early Childhood Champions In Rio Arriba County
From Left to Right: Doris Rivera, LANL Foundation RACECC & K-12 Education Program Coordinator; Melinda Salazar; Roberta Martinez; Johnna Aguino; Sandra Trujillo; Janie Tafoya; Gwen Perea Warniment, LANL Foundation President & CEO; Jovanna Archuleta, LANL Foundation Early Childhood Program Director. Courtesy/LANL Foundation
LANL Foundation News:
ESPAÑOLA — The LANL Foundation, in partnership with the Rio Arriba County Early Childhood Collaborative (RACECC), proudly honored five exceptional early childhood professionals at the inaugural Heart & Soul Early Childhood Read More
Legislators Gather For Second Annual Retreat On Education
STATE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Hunt Institute will host its 2nd Annual New Mexico Legislators Retreat on May 7-8, 2026, in Albuquerque, NM, bringing together state legislators from across the state to address the state’s most pressing education issues.
The 2026 Retreat is hosted in partnership with bipartisan and bicameral Co-Chairs, Senator Leo Jaramillo, Senator Bill Soules, Representative Brian Baca, and Representative Joy Garratt, reflecting The Hunt Institute’s enduring commitment to cultivating bipartisan leadership in support of students and the state’s future.
“As we continue Read More
Opera InSight: Santa Fe Opera Festival Season Symposium
Courtesy/Santa Fe Opera
SFO News:
Opera InSight offers an illuminating look at each season’s productions, with special focus on directors’ choices and musical interpretation. By exploring the psychological themes of the narrative and focusing on this season’s works, the program reveals how opera reflects the human condition, from its foibles and triumphs to its loves, vendettas, dilemmas and humor.
For the first time, Opera InSight includes live performances. Jamie Flora and Olga Perez Flora perform selected excerpts from the operas.
The 2026 Festival Season includes Puccini’s Madama Read More
Make A Traditional Micaceous Tea Pot In Workshop At Los Luceros Historic Site May 16
NMDCA News:
Learn about glittering micaceous clay pottery, one of the most celebrated traditional arts of Northern New Mexico, with Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) at Los Luceros Historic Site this month.
Known for its shimmering surface and cultural significance, micaceous mineral clay has been used for generations in everyday cooking and ceremonial practices. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday, May 16, participants will prepare and hand-build a functional tea pot using traditional techniques by forming the body, spout, handle, and lid. Participants will also learn Read More
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, Locals Celebrate Wins For Rural Veterans, Service Members In Alamogordo
Rep. Vasquez with local veterans and community members in Alamogordo, May 6. Courtesy photo
STATE News:
ALAMOGORDO — On May 6, 2026, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) met with local veterans and community leaders at the Lincoln Otero County Veterans Leadership Council (LOCVLC) monthly meeting in Alamogordo to hear their concerns and celebrate recent progress on the Congressman’s legislation supporting veterans and active-duty service members living in rural communities across southern New Mexico.
The discussion focused on challenges facing rural veterans, including access to VA health Read More
Bridge Replacement Project On NM 337 Starts May 15
NMDOT News:
ESTANCIA — Travelers along the east side of the Manzano mountains may experience traffic delays as two new bridges are built to replace the aging ones on NM 337.
Starting on May 15, bridges 5824 and 5825 north of Torreon are scheduled to be demolished and replaced with new structures in their place. This project will cost $8,029,660 and is expected to wrap up on June 11, 2027, weather permitting.
As part of the project, detour lanes will be constructed at each location to lower the impact on the traveling public while these bridges are being replaced. There may be slight delays during Read More
FBI: Gallup Man Charged In Vehicular Assault
FBI News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A Gallup man was charged in federal court after allegedly striking and running over a victim with a car and causing her serious injuries.
According to court documents, on Monday, April 27, 2026, Darius Kyran Eskeets, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly struck the victim with a motor vehicle on a dirt road near a residence in Vanderwagen, New Mexico. During the incident, Eskeets allegedly drove toward the victim and others, causing them to move out of the roadway, before making a U-turn and veering off the road and up an embankment to strike the victim and Read More