Public Safety

DOT Expects Continuing Deterioration of New Mexico’s Roads

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By Jim Hall
District 43 State Representative
Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe couties
  • Short Note on Yesterday’s Legislative Finance Committee Meeting

Because of my membership on the House Appropriations and Finance Committee, I was asked to attend the LFC meeting in Rio Rancho Friday as an alternate.

The LFC holds hearings throughout the year on budget issues. Yesterday’s focus was on the condition of the state’s Road Fund.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that because of increasingly gas-efficient cars, diversion of fees and taxes originally designated for the Read More

Traffic Advisory: Bicyclists Urged to Use Caution on N.M. 4 During Road Work

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Bicyclists riding in the vicinity of N.M. 4 and N.M. 501 are urged to use extra caution during chipseal work being performed by crews with the New Mexico Department of Transportation-District 5.

The chipseal project began July 12 and should be completed in two weeks, weather permitting.

Crew Supervisor Eugene Mario Trujillo said motorists and bicyclists will encounter the road work on N.M. 4 northbound and southbound lanes from White Rock to the Sandoval County line.

There may be delays between 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as single lane closures with a flagging operation and pilot car escort.

Drivers Read More

FBI Media Alert: Albuquerque FBI Offers $20,000 Reward in 1994 Attempted Robbery, Slaying

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FBI News:

Courtesy/Albuquerque FBI

On Aug. 25, 1994, a young Rio Rancho father of two small children was fatally shot when the Wells Fargo Armored Service Corp. van he was driving was ambushed on a remote stretch of Highway 6.

Jeff Oelcher’s killer has not been caught or identified, despite a massive manhunt and FBI investigation.

The Albuquerque FBI Division is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Oelcher’s death.

Oelcher, 28, was driving the unarmored rental van at about 10:30 a.m. from Socorro Read More

Wednesday’s Downpour Spurs Back Road Flash Flood

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Looking down from Omega Bridge, a grader and front end loader work on West Road near the Ice Rink to clear debris from the flash flood Wednesday evening. The creek coming down Los Alamos Canyon from the Reservoir becomes a raging torrent that uses the roadway as a streambed in flash-flood conditions. Clean up from that flash flood got underway quickly on N.M. 501 (Back Road) following Wednesday’s downpour. Steve Stoddard of Los Alamos reported that he was returning from an excursion in the Jemez about 6 p.m. and found the Back Road closed due to debris. Stoddard had to detour through White Read More

Bandelier Reduces Fire Restrictions to Stage I

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BANDELIER News:

Courtesy/Bandelier

Bandelier National Monument Superintendent Jason Lott has announced that effective this evening, Stage II Fire Restrictions no longer apply for Bandelier National Monument.

These restrictions are reduced to Stage I in light of the increase in moisture and reduction of fire danger.

Under Stage I Fire Restrictions, smoking outside of vehicles, open campfires outside of developed campsites, and fireworks are prohibited.

The use of campfires or charcoal grills is allowed in developed sites only, but not in the backcountry; in addition to vehicles, smoking Read More

Forest Reminds Public, Be Mindful of Coyotes

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SFNF News:

Courtesy photo

The Santa Fe National Forest has heard reports of coyote confrontations on some routes located in the Santa Fe area in the past week.

Forest staff reminds residents to be alert to situations for potential wildlife conflicts and learn how to avoid them.

When hiking along trails, be mindful and respectful of the coyote’s habitat by keeping your dog on a leash, which can help keep you and your pet safer.

Per Santa Fe County Ordinance, any dog or other domestic animal within a county park, trail, or open space area shall be restrained by a leash and under the control of a person, Read More

Los Alamos Municipal Court Closed July 18-20

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The Los Alamos Municipal Court will be closed July 18, 19 and 20 for staff to attend training.  

Payments due during this period may be mailed to Los Alamos Municipal Court, 2500 Trinity Dr, Ste C, Los Alamos, NM 87544 or some payments may be paid online at https:////www.citepayusa.com/. 

The Court will re-open at 8 a.m., Monday July 23. Read More

Los Alamos Under Flood Watch

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NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE News:

Courtesy/NWS

Flash Flood Warning

A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. today for northern Los Alamos … extreme southeastern Rio Arriba … northwestern Santa Fe … and east central Sandoval counties.

At 5:24 p.m., the National Weather Service Doppler radar continued to indicate a moderate rain continuing over the Las Conchas burn scar … but intensity was trending down.

However … very heavy downpours had occurred over the northern half of the burn scar and rapid runoff and flash flooding is expected to continue.

Flash

Read More

Santa Fe National Forest Lifts Fire Restrictions

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SFNF News:

Effective at 8 a.m., Thursday July 12, the Santa Fe National Forest will go from Stage 2 Fire Restrictions to no fire restrictions forest-wide, to include the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Current monsoon rains and favorable weather forecasts are allowing for the complete lifting of fire restrictions.

“We’ve experienced some of the driest conditions this forest has seen in many years,” said Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor, Maria T. Garcia. “The monsoon rains are a very welcome relief, and I’m glad to see conditions improve enough to lift fire restrictions throughout the Read More