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Udall Provision Requiring Report On Burn Pits Will Help Advance Care For Veterans Of Iraq And Afghanistan

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 8:00 pm

U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Tom Udall announced that he secured a provision in the “omnibus” appropriations bill signed by the president last week requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report on the status and findings of its burn pit registry.

The registry — which was created by Udall’s Burn Pits Registry Act — is the first step toward providing medical care and research for service members and veterans who were exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes from open-air burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan.

New Mexico Magazine: State’s ‘Movers & Makers’

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:58 pm

NMM News:

SANTA FE ― The January 2016 special issue of New Mexico Magazine takes a departure from its typical travel focus and celebrates the success stories of the “Movers and Makers” who are driving the startup movement and impacting economic development within the state.

“New Mexico Magazine has been telling people for 94 years why New Mexico is a great place to vacation, and this issue highlights why it is also a great place to start a business or career” Rebecca Latham said, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Tourism Department. “The foundation of that message

New Mexico History Museum January Events

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:48 pm

A child tries her hand at a type of traditional hide painting at the New Mexico History Museum. Courtesy photo

NMHM News:

SANTA FE — Starting Jan. 17, the New Mexico History Museum inaugurates a monthly program for children, families and the young at heart.

Family Fun Day occurs 1:30-3:30 p.m., the third Sunday of each month. Participants will learn about an aspect of New Mexico history as museum educators and special guests guide them through various take-home craft projects.

Family Fun Days are designed to accommodate drop-ins

New Mexico Prison Inmates Giving Back

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:42 pm

Courtesy photo

STATE News:

During Guadalupe County Correctional Facility’s pod decorating contest, a few inmates approached Warden Horton and donated more than $300 to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Additionally, one inmate artist drew a picture of Lilly Martinez, the victim of Albuquerque’s Road Rage incident, in support of the “Just Breathe” campaign.

Reacting to these most recent examples of inmates opening their hearts and giving back during this holiday season, Secretary Gregg Marcantel commented “perhaps in life, we get

I-40 Reopens In Stages Following Storm

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:38 pm

NMDOT News:

SANTA FE ― The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) announced that Interstate 40 is reopening in the eastbound direction to the Texas state line.

The opening is occuring in phases so that traffic can be controlled and cleared in an orderly manner. Crews from NMDOT worked throughout the night in order to have I40 reopened.

Santa Rosa and Tucumcari have already been reopened to travelers. Moriarty will open at 9 a.m., and Albuquerque will open at 9:30 a.m.

NMDOT urges drivers to use caution when traveling on the roadways.

Women’s Meditation Classes 1st, 3rd Wednesdays

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:34 pm

Obituary: Florence Kirstein Mercer Feb. 4, 1922 – Dec. 24, 2015

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:25 pm

FLORENCE KIRSTEIN MERCER Feb. 4, 1922 – Dec. 24, 2015

Florence (Kris) Kirstein Mercer passed away peacefully in Los Alamos, NM, on December 24, 2015 at the age of 93. She had been a resident of Aspen Ridge Lodge Assisted Living in Los Alamos for several years.

Florence, of Black Mountain, NC, was raised on her family’s farm. After completing high school, Florence graduated from Berea College in Berea, KY with a B.A. in Home Economics. Florence married Arthur Derick Mercer Jr., in 1945 in Black Mountain, N.C. The couple later moved to Fort Worth, TX, where Florence completed graduate-level courses Read More

Governor Appoints Jennifer Padgett District Attorney In First Judicial District

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 29, 2015 - 7:04 pm

Jennifer Padgett

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Today, Gov. Susana Martinez announced the appointment of Jennifer Padgett of Santa Fe as the district attorney for the First Judicial District to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Angela “Spence” Pacheco.

“Jennifer Padgett has devoted her career to fighting for children and she has what it takes to build on Spence’s success as district attorney,” Martinez said. “She has demonstrated tremendous management abilities and will aggressively strive to protect citizens and fight for victims in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe Counties.” Read More

WIPP Emergency Operations Center Activated On Limited Basis

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 29, 2015 - 5:57 pm

WIPP News:

CARLSBAD – At approximately, 9 a.m. today, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced a Level 1 activation to support coordination of resources needed to safely restore normal operations at WIPP due to the recent severe snow storm in southeast New Mexico.

The icy and snow packed road conditions have made road conditions difficult for the workforce to commute to the WIPP site. Resources are being requested, both locally and from the state of New Mexico, to mobilize snow removal equipment to clear the north and south access roads and the Read More

Libraries Celebrate New Years Noon Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 29, 2015 - 4:18 pm

Scene from last year’s New Year’s Celebration at Mesa Public Library. Courtesy photo

LIBRARY News:

Families looking for a fun way to celebrate the arrival of 2016 are invited to Mesa Public Library and the White Rock branch on New Year’s Eve to celebrate NOON Year’s Eve. This event gives kids and families a chance to have all the fun of New Year’s without having to wait until midnight.

Drop in Youth Services at Mesa Public Library or at the White Rock library branch 10:30 a.m. and noon Thursday, Dec. 31 for games, crafts, and a special countdown to noon. There will be a chance for Read More

Scene From Pajarito Mountain’s Mother Lift

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 29, 2015 - 4:00 pm

Photo taken while riding on Mother Lift on Christmas Eve at Pajarito Mountain. ‘It was a wonderful day of skiing and snow like I haven’t seen since high school (LAHS ’05)’ –Zig Hampel. Photo by Zig Hampel Read More

Excavation Work Begins On County’s West Plaza

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 9:13 pm

COUNTY News:

Residents and downtown businesses will see some excavation work occurring in the Los Alamos County Municipal Building’s west plaza over the next few weeks at 1000 Central Ave.

This work will be conducted by artist Eric Thelander and his contractor(s) to prepare the area for installation of the base of “Solar Tree” – an 18-ft. tall sculpture being installed in the plaza as part of the County’s public art collection.

The area has been marked in preparation for the required utility locates, and the contractor has been asked to minimize impacts to the building’s foot traffic Read More

John Eric Messimer Aug. 11, 1963 – Dec. 23, 2015

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 9:11 pm

JOHN ERIC MESSIMER Aug. 11, 1963 – Dec. 23, 2015

John Eric Messimer, 52, passed away December 23, 2015 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

John was born in Albuquerque on August 11, 1963. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1981. He went on to earn an Associates degree in Graphic Design from Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas.

Most importantly, John protected the citizens of Albuquerque by serving in the Albuquerque Police Department for over 20 years. John received the department’s highest honor, the Medal of Valor in 1987.

John was a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies Read More

Utilities Board Special Session 2 p.m. Today

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 2:36 pm

COUNTY News:

The Board of Public Utilities meets at 2 p.m. today in Council Chambers to approve an amendment to the agreement with AESI-US for $246,000 to develop an Internal North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Compliance Program to meet the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Version 5 requirements and provide additional training and support in preparing compliance evidence.

NERC is the regulatory authority with jurisdiction for electric production and transmission systems that are part of the Los Alamos Power Pool (LAPP). Read More

Red River Skijoring Races Jan. 16-17

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 28, 2015 - 2:01 pm

SKI News:

RED RIVER ― The inaugural Red River Skijoring races are noon Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday Jan. 17 on River Street in Red River.

In skijoring, a skier hangs on to a rope attached to a horse and glides across the snow. It is like horse-drawn waterskiing on snow. Best of all Skijoring is a thrilling spectator sport.

With speeds of up to 40 mph, the action is fast-paced and exciting. You see the skiers being towed by a horse at a full gallop. Horse. Cowboy. Skier. Rope. This high-adrenaline, sport combines all four.

Teams

Free EMS Conference In Los Alamos Jan. 30

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 28, 2015 - 1:56 pm

Luján On Tax Legislation That Adds Billions In Debt

Submitted by Chris Clark on December 28, 2015 - 1:55 pm

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

Washington, D.C. – U.s. Rep. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico’s Third District released the following statement Thursday Dec. 17 after voting against legislation to extend numerous tax breaks at a cost of $622 billion.

“This legislation extends many important provisions of the tax code that I have long supported, but it is disappointing that Congressional Republicans brought a bill to the floor that fails to pay for even one cent of these tax cuts. Time and again, House Republicans have sought cuts to investments

State Police To Conduct DWI Checkpoints In January

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 1:53 pm

PUBLIC SAFETTY News:

State Police will be conducting Sobriety Checkpoints, Saturation Patrols and Registration, Insurance and Drivers’ License Checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during the month of January 2016.

“Our efforts continue to show a significant reduction in alcohol related fatalities,” a State Police spokesperson said. “This is attributed to the continued media attention and intensive advertising. These checkpoints are helping to change society’s attitude about drinking and driving. People are choosing to not drink and drive. This

Barranca Mesa Elementary School Natural Helpers Reach Out To Help Others

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 1:51 pm

Members of the Barranca Mesa Elementary School Natural Helpers put up the new vollyball net they purchased for the school with their own funds. Courtesy photo

LAPS News:

The Barranca Mesa Elementary School Natural Helpers are devoted to helping their school and community.

Natural Helpers is a group where peers learn to help peers. They have been participating in this club for approximately three months now. Its main goal is to help the school and students.

Recently, Barranca Natural Helpers purchased a new volleyball net. The net was paid for out of the Helper’s own money. The old net has Read More

IRS Says Plan Ahead If You Need A Tax Transcript

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on December 28, 2015 - 1:46 pm

IRS News:

PHOENIX – – The IRS reminds taxpayers that the quickest way to get a copy of their tax transcript is to order it online using the Get Transcript application on IRS.gov. By planning ahead, they should receive their transcript in the mail within five to 10 days from the time the IRS receives the request online.

The IRS continues to work to bring the viewable/printable functionality of the application back online in the near future with enhanced identity protection security features. In the meantime, taxpayers can still request a mailed transcript by going online to Get Transcript.