LADP Home - Los Alamos Daily Post

Planetarium Premiere: Mysteries Of The Unseen World

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 4:17 pm

A butterfly, up close and personal. Courtesy/PEEC

An aphid, up close and personal. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

A new film adventure takes audiences on an extraordinary journey into unseen worlds and hidden dimensions beyond normal vision to uncover the mysteries of things too fast, too slow, too small or simply invisible.

The Los Alamos Nature Center will premiere Mysteries Of The Unseen World at 7 p.m., Feb. 19, This full-dome, original production by National Geographic Entertainment and Days End Pictures also will play at 2 p.m. in the Los Alamos Nature Center the last two weekends in February. Read More

Senate Passes Balanced State Budget

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 3:19 pm

Sen. John Arthur Smith

STATE News:

SANTA FE — The Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee’s amended House Bill 2 (HB 2) on a 39-1 vote Monday that includes minor to modest budget increases for the corrections and law enforcement, the Children Youth and Families Department and public schools, including salary increases for Level II and III teachers.

HB 2 as amended by the Senate now heads back to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

However, the adjusted budget will include about a 2 percent decrease to the budgets of all other state

Obituary: Barbara Honey Nov. 11, 1933 – Feb. 14, 2016

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 3:17 pm

BARBARA HONEY Nov. 11, 1933 – Feb. 14, 2016

Barbara Honey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 14, 2016. Her children and family members were at her side.

Barbara was born in Manhattan, KS on November 11, 1933. The youngest of three children of Orville and Lovey Hunt, she graduated from Manhattan High School in 1951 and then attended Kansas State University. During her first semester, she met her future husband Francis Honey, whose Engineering academic advisor happened to be Barbara’s father, Professor OD Hunt! Both were advised to take Algebra and the rest is history!

They were Read More

Daily Postcard: Red Dot Trail

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 3:15 pm

Daily Postcard: The view during a hike Saturday on the Red Dot Trail in White Rock. Photo by Jenn Bartram Read More

Black History Month: Former Slave Established First YMCA For Black Community

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 2:26 pm

Anthony Bowen

By DIANA MARTINEZ

YMCA

Like the rest of the country, YMCAs in the mid 1800s were largely segregated. When former slave Anthony Bowen established the first YMCA for the black community in 1853, he did so on his own, teaching young blacks how to read and write from his Washington, D.C., home.

Bowen, with a group of friends, organized the “YMCA for Colored Men and Boys” in Washington, D.C., just nine years after the world’s first YMCA was founded in London, England (1944), and less than two years after the first North American YMCAs were organized in Boston and Read More

House Passes Bill Providing Parental Visitation Rights To Adult Children

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 2:25 pm

Rep. Conrad James

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― House Bill 120, sponsored by Rep. Conrad James, unanimously passed the House of Representatives yesterday. The legislation would ensure that adult children have the right to visit their elderly and ill parents even if they are under the care of another person.

“This bill will support the visitation rights of adult children with ailing parents, and I’m encouraged by its passage,” James said. “We need to take this step to clarify the law and protect the rights of children to maintain a relationship with their parents in

Dairy Goat Showmanship Event In Los Alamos May 21

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:38 pm

COMMUNITY News:

Saturday, May 21, there will be a dairy goat show in Los Alamos!

The Roadrunner Caprine DHIR and the Southwest Dairy Goat Club are sponsoring a 4-H Dairy Goat Showmanship and Amderican Dairy Goat Association Sanctioned Show Event at the Los Alamos County Indoor Arena. We hope to have 20 exhibitors and their families.

The 4-H Dairy Goat Showmanship event will help New Mexico 4-H members prepare for their County Fairs and the New Mexico State Fair. The 4-H members have spent many hours feeding, watering, walking and grooming their does. Our show will have three

Endangered Child Advisory

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:32 pm

Update: The child has been found safe but shows signs of physical abuse. His mother is under investigation.

VCSD News:

The following is an endangered child advisory on behalf of the Valencia County Sheriff’s Department.

The Valencia County Sheriff’s Department is requesting the public’s assisting in locating Nicholas Vallejos for questioning. Nicholas Vallejos is a 24-four-year old Hispanic male, six feet two inches tall, 175 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Vallejos was last seen driving a white 1999 Honda Accord (two

Bail Reform Passes House

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:27 pm

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Monday Feb. 15, Senate Joint Resolution 1, the Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment, unanimously passed the House of Representatives.

The Bail Reform Constitutional Amendment will allow defendants who pose a clear threat to the community to be held without bail. Conversely, non-violent defendants who are unable to pay bail where evidence shows they pose no threat to the community can be released with non-monetary restrictions.

“Jail should be for violent people, not poor people,” stated Representative Antonio “Moe” Maestas,

Santa Fe Community College Offers Water Efficiency Rating System Training March 8-10

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:26 pm

SFCC News:

SANTA FE ― Santa Fe Community College’s EnergySmart Academy is offering a Water Efficiency Rating Score (WERS) training 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 8-10, in room 803 in the Trades and Technology Building, 6401 Richards Ave.

This three-day training prepares students to take the WERS written certification and practical exams. Students who complete the training will also be prepared to teach the WERS course in the future. The SFCC EnergySmart Academy is a leader in offering educational offerings in the energy

Letter To The Editor: Nursing Home From Heaven

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:25 pm

By KEN ROSS

New York

I am writing to express my gratitude and appreciation to Sombrillo Skilled Nursing Center in Los Alamos.

My mom, who just turned 89 last week, has been living at Sombrillio for the last year and a half. During this time I have been so very impressed with every facet of the facility.

I live in New York and even though I come to visit as often as possible, I never have to worry about the care mom is getting. In fact, the staff feels like family to me and when I arrive or when I check in on the phone, everyone is so friendly and helpful.

My sister visits mom at least once

Udall Staff Hold Los Alamos Office Hours March 1

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:22 pm

SENATE News:

Tuesday, March 1, a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Tom Udall will hold office hours for Los Alamos residents who need help with issues related to federal agencies.

The office hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Residents of Los Alamos and the surrounding communities are encouraged to stop by.

“If you need assistance with a federal agency, my staff will guide you through the process and do whatever they can to help,” Udall said. “I encourage you to meet with them during our Udall Serving You community office

County Council Appoints Bill McKerley Probate Judge

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 3:32 am

Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover swears in new Probate Judge Bill McKerley following his appointment this evening by Council. Screen Shot/LADP

Staff Report:

The Los Alamos County Council this evening appointed Bill McKerley to the position of Probate Judge.

Current Probate Judge Christine Chandler is set to resign her position effective Feb. 20, 2016 and the Council has the responsibility of appointing a qualified individual to fill the unexpired term.

Four residents submitted letters expressing interest in the position including:

Bill McKerley;
Anne Nobile;
Michael Redondo;

Council Votes To Express Opposition To SJR 16A And SJR 23

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 2:35 am

Council Chair Rick Reiss calls for a vote of the Council. Screen Shot/LADP

Staff Report:

Council voted 6-1 to express its opposition to Senate Joint Resolution 16A – a floor amendment to extend term limits for the office of sheriff.

Councilor Kristin Henderson joined the meeting by telephone. Councilor Pete Sheehey voted against the measure.

Council also voted to oppose SJR 23, which would require specific law enforcement qualifications for individuals wishing to run for the office of sheriff. Councilor James Chrobocinski and Councilor Pete Sheehey voted against the measure. Read More

Council Approves Funds For Construction Of Canyon Rim Trail Phase 2 Project

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:54 am

Public Works Director Philo Shelton. File photo

Staff Report:

Public Works Director Philo Shelton briefed the Los Alamos County Council this evening on Phase 2 of the Canyon Rim Trail.

Following Shelton’s presentation, Council voted 6-0 the award Bid No. 2016-12 in the amount of $1,764,764.05 plus applicable Gross Receipts Tax to Star Paving Company. Councilor Kristin Henderson is absent.

The funds are for the construction of the Canyon Rim Trail Phase 2 Project, establish a project budget in the amount of $2,427,585, and consideration of related budget revision 2016-17 in the amount Read More

Council Approves Wastewater Treatment Plant Pipeline From Bayo Booster Station To Top Of North Mesa

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on February 17, 2016 - 1:38 am

Deputy Utilities Manager – Engineering James Alarid presents a request to the Los Alamos County Council this evening for Ordinance No. 663; an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a water project fund loan/grant agreement in the total amount of $455,000, and related documents by and between the New Mexico Finance Authority and Incorporated County of Los Alamos for the purpose of design and construction to replace the only wastewater treatment plant pipeline from the Bayo Booster Station in Bayo Canyon up to the top of North Mesa. Council approved the measure 5-0. Council Read More

Luján Introduces Bill To Create Jobs By Increasing Partnerships Between Businesses And National Labs

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2016 - 4:55 pm

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, of New Mexico’s Third District, introduced legislation Friday Feb. 12, to increase partnerships between businesses and national laboratories that spur economic growth and create new jobs.

Luján’s legislation authorizes a dedicated fund to provide for the government’s share of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) that support maturing lab technology and transferring it to the private sector.

Cooperative Research

DOE Makes Up To $7 Million Available For Assistance To Indian Tribes; Releases Alaska Solar Prospecting Report

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2016 - 4:54 pm

DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz

DOE News:

BETHEL, AK ― U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Ernest Moniz yesterday announced the availability of up to $7 million to establish a technical assistance regional energy providers’ network to Indian tribes and Alaska Native communities.

Participants will be chosen through a competitive process and will receive five weeks of intensive training through the Department of Energy, DOE’s national labs and other entities, giving tribal communities and Alaska Native villages the knowledge, skills

House Honors Rep. Luciano ‘Lucky’ Varela

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2016 - 4:53 pm

Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela

STATE News:

SANTA FE ― Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela (D-Santa Fe), after 30 years of representing House District 48, in the New Mexico House of Representatives was honored Friday, Feb. 13, for his years of public service.

Varela was inaugurated to the state House in 1987 becoming the third longest serving representative. Remembered for his incredible knowledge of state government, especially on financial matters and the budget, Varela was a factual database long before the regular use of computers.

Senate Passes Bill To Protect Young Athletes From Brain Injuries

Submitted by Chris Clark on February 16, 2016 - 4:52 pm

STATE News:

The State Senate passed a bill Saturday that expands guidelines for treating head injuries suffered by student athletes by lengthening the rest period after a suspected concussion, and calls for these procedures to cover non-school related youth athletic programs.

Senate Bill 137 (SB 137), Student Athlete Brain Injury Protocols, which passed the Senate on a 35-4 vote, amends the protocols that were enacted in 2010.

“As our understanding of brain injuries increases, we learn the importance of allowing the young athlete sufficient time to recover,”