County Government

Ashley Pond Park Electrical Upgrade Project Begins Feb. 27

Map of Ashley Pond Park Electrical Upgrade Project that begins Feb. 27 at 2300 Trinity Drive. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Capital Projects and Facilities Division will begin the Ashley Pond Park Electrical Upgrade Project this week to improve the existing electrical panels used to supply power for food trucks and other vendors during events held at the park at 2300 Trinity Drive.

Construction is scheduled to begin Feb. 27 and be completed by June 15.

The project consists of digging a trench for conduit for the new wire, and increasing the existing transformer size to increase Read More

County: Urban Trail Phase I & II Multi-use Trail Project Construction Activities Week Of Feb. 26

Within the Fuller Lodge grounds starting at the Romero Cabin and continuing north to Nectar Street – Occasional brief flagger operations on 19th Street for construction vehicles accessing the work site. Sidewalk closures within the Fuller Lodge grounds are in effect and pedestrian detour signage has been placed to direct pedestrians around the work areas. Construction of the last remaining section of trail in this area adjacent to the Ancestral Puebloan Ruins will continue during this week. Courtesy/LAC

Within the Fuller Lodge grounds adjacent to Central Avenue and heading north towards Read More

Chief Sgambellone Releases 4th Qtr. 2023 Crime Stats

Police Chief Dino Sgambellone

LAPD News:

Chief Dino Sgambellone released crime statistics through the fourth quarter of 2023, which were compiled by the Records Section of the Los Alamos Police Department.

In April of 2021, the Los Alamos Police Department transitioned from UCR, a Summary Reporting System (SRS), to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

NIBRS was created in the 1980’s to offer more detailed crime reporting. While UCR is based on a hierarchy of crime types and therefore counts only the most serious crime at one event, NIBRS counts all crimes that occur and provides Read More

All Lanes On East Jemez & N.M. 4 To Reopen By March 1

COUNTY News:

Crews are scheduled to complete most of the construction on both East Jemez Road and N.M. 4 and reopen all lanes to traffic by Friday, March 1.

Crews will return to the project in mid- to late-April to apply OGFC (Open-Graded Friction Course) pavement to the roadway to help reduce wet-weather crashes. This activity requires consistently higher daytime temperatures.

Traffic Impacts In Place In The Meantime:

  • N.M. 4 traffic south of the intersection of N.M. 4 and East Jemez Road is shifted to the west side of the roadway, with one lane open in each direction (northbound and southbound).
Read More

Alert: Los Alamos Police Warn Citizens Of Local Scam Claiming Family Members Have Benn Kidnapped

LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) is warning the public of an active scam underway around the community.

Citizens are receiving calls from someone claiming one of their family members have been kidnapped and a voice is being heard in the background pretending to be the kidnapped victim. These criminals are telling citizens to provide credit card or other payment information.

“We would like to warn the public to never provide payment information over the phone,” Deputy Chief Oliver Morris said. “These calls are not legitimate. The callers are attempting to scam you, so just Read More

County: Rose Street Reconstruction Project Starts Feb. 28

Map of the Rose Street Reconstruction Project set to begin Feb. 28. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Public Works Department, in partnership with contractor TLC Plumbing & Utility, will begin work on the Rose Street Reconstruction Project on Rose Street from Central Avenue to Peach Street, including sections of Peach Street and Spruce Street.

The contractor will be in the area performing preliminary work, such as mobilization, construction staking, and staging area setup beginning Feb. 28. Construction is scheduled to begin the following week Monday, March 4. The project Read More

County Utility Department Releases FY23 Annual Report

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has released its annual report for fiscal year 2023 as required by the Los Alamos County Charter.

The report examines performance and financials for all utilities under the DPU, which cover the areas of electric distribution and production, natural gas distribution, water distribution and production, and wastewater collection and treatment. Also featured are strategic focus areas and goals, rate details and accomplishments.

The county’s fiscal year runs from July through June. The charter states that DPU’s annual report Read More

Los Alamos Celebrates County Manager Lynne’s Retirement

Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

“That’s a Wrap.” Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne is retiring from Los Alamos County after 28 years of dedicated public service.

Community members, friends and co-workers are invited to join Lynne and his family at the retirement celebration 4-6 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Fuller Lodge, 2132 Central Ave. 

Lynne plans to enjoy his retirement by spending more time with his family and friends, traveling and enjoying the community as a resident. County employees agree that Lynne is an exemplary leader and will be missed greatly.

Following Lynne’s departure, Deputy Read More

Los Alamos County Community Development Department Announces Ellyn Felton As New Marketing Specialist

Ellyn Felton

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Community Development Department has hired Ellyn Felton as its new marketing specialist. Bringing a wealth of experience and a dynamic skill set, Felton’s appointment is poised to elevate the department’s marketing initiatives, the department said.

As marketing specialist, Felton will work with the Lodgers’ Tax Advisory Board, Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation, Los Alamos and White Rock Visitor Centers, New Mexico Tourism Department and other entities. 

Dan Ungerleider, Economic Development Administrator, expressed Read More

County: Urban Trail Phase I & II Multi-use Trail Project Construction Activities Week Of Feb. 19

Work Zone Area 4. Courtesy/LAC

Work Zone Area 5. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Hasse Contracting Company Inc., under contract with Los Alamos County Public Works to construct the Urban Trail Phase I & II Multi-use Trail Project, will have construction activities at the following locations downtown and off Canyon Road during the week of Feb. 19.

The contractor will be working on Presidents’ Day, Monday Feb. 19.

Weather permitting, areas impacted include:

Work Zone Area 1: Within the Fuller Lodge grounds adjacent to Central Ave. and heading north towards the Romero Cabin – This section of the Read More

Scenes From ‘Los Alamos Day At The Legislature’

Los Alamos County Manager Steven Lynne, center, with Economic Development Administrator Daniel Ungerleider and County Clerk Naomi Maestas, right, during ‘Los Alamos Day at the Legislature’ Wednesday at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. This special event provided an opportunity for the public to engage with local organizations for a day of discovery, learning and celebration of what makes Los Alamos unique. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes, right, with staff Wednesday at ‘Los Alamos Day at the Legislature’ . Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Los Read More

County Art In Public Places Board To Meet Feb. 22

COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Art in Public Places Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 in person in Council Chamber in Suite 110 at 1000 Central Avenue, and virtually on Zoom.

This meeting is open to the public.

Find the agenda for this meeting here.

Find the link to this meeting here. Read More

Ryti: Quality Of Life Council Goal

By RANDALL RYTI
Los Alamos County Councilor

At our Feb. 20, 2024, Council Work Session, Council will have a briefing and discussion on our Quality of Life Goal.

This goal covers six priorities:

          • Health, Wellbeing, and Social Services
          • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI)
          • Mobility
          • Educational, Historical, and Cultural Amenities
          • Open Space, Parks, and Recreation
          • Public Safety

Four of these six priority areas get public input through County Boards (Art in Public Places Board, Community Health Council, Transportation Board, Historical Preservation Advisory Board, and the Parks and Read More

County Seeks Community Input For White Rock Skate Park Improvement Project To Replace Modular Elements

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Community Services Department (CSD) has begun the project to replace the modular elements for the White Rock Skate Park (99 Sherwood Blvd., in White Rock). American Ramp Company (ARC), in partnership with CSD, is seeking the community’s input on the design and type of modular elements to install.  

The County Council approved the White Rock Skate Park improvement project as part of the Capital Improvement Project budget for 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and staffing and supply shortages, the project was delayed. ARC was selected by CSD in February 2023 Read More

County Throws Down The Gauntlet To The Gophers

Parks Maintenance Construction Specialist 3, Alex Archuleta shows a trap ready to capture a gopher Friday at Overlook Park. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

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

It was a nice day Friday afternoon at Spiro Field in White Rock. The warm temperatures eliminated any lingering mounds of snow and the field was pleasantly backdropped by cloudless blue sky.

Too bad trouble is brewing beneath the park’s surface.

This trouble comes in the form of gophers. These rascals burrow and tunnel in the earth. They feed on plant roots and are Read More

Michael Redondo To Run For Los Alamos County Clerk

Michael Redondo has announced his candidacy for County Clerk. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Continuing his life of service, former Los Alamos County Probate Judge Michael D. Redondo has announced his intention to run for Los Alamos County Clerk. Clerk Naomi Maestas term limits out Dec. 31, 2024, after serving two consecutive 4-year terms.

Redondo stepped down from his judgeship Feb. 2, 2024, to allow the person appointed to fill that vacancy the opportunity to participate in annual training offered in early February. Read More

Council Votes Down Proposed Minimum Wage Increase

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

The motion to implement an incremental minimum wage increase in the County failed by a narrow margin during the Feb. 6 Los Alamos County Council meeting.

The motion failed 4-3 with Council Chair Denise Derkacs, Councilors Randall Ryti and Suzy Havemann voting in favor and Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull and Councilors David Reagor, Keith Lepsch and Melanee Hand voting against.

Ryti made the motion, amending the published ordinance, to implement an annual $1 per hour increase to the minimum wage, which is $12 per hour, for the Read More

County Facility Hours On Presidents Day

COUNTY News:

In observance of Presidents Day Feb. 19, 2024, the Community Services Department will have altered hours. 

The Mesa Public Library and White Rock Branch Library will be open 1-5 p.m. The Aquatic Center, as well as the Leisure Lagoon, will be open 1-4 p.m.

Ice Rink hours will be noon to 5 p.m. The Golf Shop and Golf Course, however, will remain closed for the entirety of Feb. 19. 

Usual facility hours will resume Feb. 20. Read More

Wildlife Education: Valentine’s Day For Skunks

Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Happy Valentine’s Day and #wildlifewednesday!

Nothing says “I love you” more than a strong smelling perfume … or rather “I don’t love you, please go away!” as the skunk believes!

It’s officially skunk mating season, which is roughly two months long, usually beginning in February and ending in March. During mating season, neighborhoods may notice an increase in skunk odors. Males will come from up to six miles away to find a mate. While love is in the air, a female skunk can discourage a male’s advances by emitting an odor. The increased and pungent aroma is actually Read More

Environmental Services To Close For Presidents Day

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Environmental Services will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents Day.

This includes trash and recycling collection services and operations at the Eco Station and the Overlook Convenience Center.

If the observed date falls on your normal trash collection day please place your materials out Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Visit the Environmental Services website for the full 2024 holiday and roll cart collection schedule, as well as the 2024 Household Hazardous Waste Collection monthly schedule.

For additional questions, call 505.662.8163 Read More

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems