Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire Update
NEW MEXICO STATE FORESTRY News:
Fire Facts:
| Date Started: 05/16/2012 | Number of Personnel: 907 personnel including |
| Location: Approximately 15 miles E of Glenwood, NM | 11 hotshot crews, 10 hand crews |
| Cause: Lightning | Equipment: 39 Engines, 19 Water Tenders, 6 Dozers |
| Size: 122,388 | Aircraft: 5 Helicopters |
| Percent Contained: 0 | Injuries to Date: Five |
Special Announcement The Gila National Forest has reported a new fire approximately 15 miles northeast of Reserve near Aragon, N.M.
Fire crews and helicopters are providing assistance with initial attack efforts on the Wagon Tongue Fire.
CCW Keeps Bad Guys Guessing
By Carol A. Clark
As strange as it may seem, walking down Central Avenue carrying a loaded pistol in plain sight is perfectly legal. It only becomes illegal if the bearer holsters that gun beneath an overcoat or otherwise hides it from plain view.
New Mexico is an “Open Carry State,” meaning it is legal to carry a loaded weapon as long as it is not concealed.
At the same time, New Mexico law does allow a person to conceal a loaded firearm in his or her vehicle, including motorcycles and bicycles, according to the New Mexico Department of Public Safety.
In New Mexico, a person’s car Read More
Rotarian to speak about South Africa Trip
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos currently meets at 11:45 a.m., Tuesday’s at Fuller Lodge.
Contact Linda at 662-7950 to make lunch reservations. Everyone welcome!
May 29: Christina Kraemer will speak about her recent Rotary-sponsored 4-week trip to South Africa.
June 5: LAHS Student Award recipients will tell about their future plans.
June 12: TBA
June 18: Linda Deck, director of the Bradbury Science Museum.
June 25: No lunch meeting; Club awards banquet. Read More
Los Alamos High School Graduation Day
Staff Report
Los Alamos High School held its annual Commencement Ceremony at Griffith Gymnasium. Following the ceremony, graduates gathered with friends and family outside the gym for congratulations and pictures.
Madalina “Ada” Ciuca and Aidan Bradbury-Aranda. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
Jin Park with proud parents, Min and Monica. Photo by Karen Kendall/ladailypost.com
Happy graduates. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
The field outside Griffith Gym was crowded with graduates, friends and family. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
Photo by Read More
PERA’s $5 Billion Hole Draws Member Concern
A room full of PERA members pack into Monday’s meeting in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
By Carol A. Clark
People jammed into the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) meeting in Santa Fe Monday with many more turned away for lack of space.
The agenda item that drew the massive crowd is proposed cuts and changes to the retirement plan affecting thousands of employees across the state and hundreds in Los Alamos.
PERA’s assets declined by a staggering $6 billion during the global financial market downturn of 2008-09.
Although PERA’s assets have increased since the downturn – a $5 billion Read More
School Board Selects LAMS Project Contractor
Los Alamos Middle School project rendering. Courtesy/Dekker/Perich/Sabatini
By Kirsten Laskey
The days of cold classrooms in 1960-era buildings are coming to an end at Los Alamos Middle School.
With the Board of Education’s approval of a contractor during Thursday’s special board meeting, LAMS $18.5 million makeover will begin this summer.
Eight contractors initially showed interest in the project and ultimately three returned proposals.
After holding interviews May 13, the evaluation committee decided on McCarthy, a builder out of Albuquerque with offices across Read More
Sen. Richard C. Martinez Speaks to Constituents
Column by Sen. Richard C. Martinez
I want to thank all of my constituents living in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties for the warm receptions I received along the campaign trail.
I have been ill recently, so I will probably not be able to see a lot of you who live in the areas I planned to visit before election day.
As I met with some of you, we talked about topics related to our daily lives and we shared ideas about them.
As we move forward in the next few years, we will need to find solutions for issues like:
- Balancing environmental concerns
Candidates Address the Issues
County Council candidates discuss the issues during a forum Thursday at the Los Alamos Research Park hosted by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce and the Monitor. From left, Vincent Chiravalle, Marc Clay, Kristin Henderson, Ken Johnson, Pete Sheehey and Roger Waterman. Courtesy photo
House District 43 candidate Stephanie Garcia Richard, at left, was among audience members at Thursday’s forum. Monitor Publisher Keven Todd, at right, served as moderator. Courtesy photo Read More
Evacuation of Mogollon Underway
NEW MEXICO STATE FORESTRY News:
Situation: An evacuation of Mogollon has been ordered by the Catron County Sheriff’s Office effective noon today.
Evacuees will be sheltered at the Glenwood Community Center located on Community Center Road with their small pets.
Large animals can be relocated to a temporary animal collection center at the residence of County Commissioner Hube McKeen.
Tony Sciacca’s Southwest Type 1 Fire Management Team has assumed command of the complex as of this morning.
The Incident Command Post is now set up and located at the Reserve Fair Grounds. Read More
Column by Dist. 5 Senate Candidate Alfredo Montoya
Column by Alfredo Montoya
I have been honored, in recent weeks, to appear before voters in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties to debate the issues with my opponent for the District 5 State Senate seat.
I am anxious to appear in public with him so that you can learn about the differences between us.
I am confident that I can win your trust in fair debate.
Yesterday evening, my opponent and I were asked to continue the discussion we began at the Los Alamos League of Women Voters forum, albeit in Espanola.
I was extremely disappointed because, even though theRio Grande Sun called this election, “the Read More
Red Elvises [Video]
Red Elvises, Los Alamos' favorite band, plays at the Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series (produced by Russ Gordon). Fun for everyone including a couple future Los Alamos head bangers. Read More
Red Elvises Rock the Pond
The Red Elvises rocked the large crowd gathered around Ashley Pond Friday night as part of the Gordons Concert Series. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
The crowd chants along to the Red Elvises’ “Disco Dancer”. Photo by Salvador Zapien.
The Red Elvises are Los Alamos’ favorite band. Photo by Salvador Zapien.
Two youths wait for their Italian sodas between sets by the Red Elvises. Photo by Salvador Zapien.
The Red Elvises played crowd favorites. Photo by Salvador Zapien.
The Red Elvises performed a great show. Photo by Salvador Zapien. Read More
Local Smoke Blowing in from Arizona Fires
Image: NASA Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team
Los Alamos Daily Post Staff Report
There are no fires in the Los Alamos and surrounding areas.
Deputy Fire Chief Justin Grider said this morning that winds are carrying smoke from the fires burning in Arizona right over the townsite.
Smoke from Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire Affecting 6 States
By NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Rob Gutro
The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fires burning and rugged terrain in the Gila National Forest in western New Mexico have been generating a lot of smoke. The smoke has now been swept up by a cold front pushing through Read More
New White Rock Visitor Center Takes Shape
The new Visitor Center construction project on N.M. 4 in White Rock is moving right along with exterior siding nearing completion. The interior sheetrock is finished and tile and light fixtures were being installed Thursday. The large circular silver object in the right side of the photo is a storage tank for collecting rain from the roof for watering shrubbery once the landscaping is completed. Photo by TK Thompson/ladailypost
The newly asphalted RV parking lot on the east side of the Visitor Center looking toward the West. The pylons contain electrical hookups for the campers. Photo by TK Read More
Bandelier Temporary Bridge
Temporary bridge installed Thursday at Bandelier National Monument. Photo Courtesy. Read More
N.M. 4 Improvements Reach New Heights
Workers install tall new streetlights across the street from White Rock Firestation 3 and several more along N.M. 4 this week. Photo by Tk Thompson/ladailynews.com
A worker installs a banner side-arms on the light pole. White Rock will now have seasonal banners on its streetlights similiar to Los Alamos. Photo by Tk Thompson/ladailynews.com
A worm’s eye view of a new streetlight installed Thursday in White Rock as part of the N.M. 4 road improvement project. LED lights that have a guaranteed life of five years are being installed. Photo by Tk Thompson/ladailynews.comCone Zone: Road Construction Week of May 28
Road Construction Update: Week of May 28
Orange cones will be sprouting up next week around Canyon Road, Central Avenue and 15th Street in the downtown area.
Public Works Projects:
Eastern Area 2 Concrete, Paving & Utility Project – Phase 1
Starting Tuesday, Canyon Rd between East Road (NM502) and the Myrtle Green will be closed to through traffic. Residential access to this area will be maintained; however, residents who park on Canyon Road are asked to park off-street or on nearby side streets. Residents can expect flagging operations on Canyon Rd during the daytime, and two-way traffic Read More
Elks Honor Fallen Soldiers Monday
Courtesy/Elks
This year’s community Memorial Day Celebration: “Remembering All Who Have Fallen,” by James Hay, Commissioner, Governor’s Commission on Disability
State of New Mexico for the Disabled, will be hosted by the Los Alamos Elk’s Lodge at 11 a.m., Monday at Guaje Pines Cemetery.
The planning committee consists of the Elk’s Lodge BPOE 2083; The American Legion Post 90; Knights of Columbus 4th Degree – Donald A. Larson Assembly; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8874; Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8874; and Daughters of the American Revolution.
A complimentary lunch Read More
National Honor Society President Advocates Community Service
By Bonnie Gordon
Paulina Majewska is the newly elected president of the Los Alamos High School Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) for the 2012-2013 school year.
Those invited to join NHS are chosen by a committee of teachers and staff at each school.
Although a high grade point average is a requirement, members are also selected for community service, school activities and leadership, Majewska said.
“Each member has the responsibility of doing a service project as a community volunteer,” Majewska said. “We meet once a month to discuss the service projects.”
In addition to individual Read More
Rotary District 5520 Honors Nate Delgado
Los Alamos Middle School student Nate Delgado was recently awarded third-place honors by Rotary District 5520 at its annual convention May 19 in Albuquerque. The eighth grader was recognized for his winning essay in the Four-Way Test Essay Competition, which is conducted annually throughout New Mexico and West Texas. The Four-Way Test is based on the principles of truth, fairness, good will, and friendship. Delgado is pictured with his parents, Patti and James Delgado and sisters Elise and Katie. Delgado is a student of Lorene Beckstead; the essay committee was led by Rotarian Linda King. Read More