State

Bingaman Talks About Reducing Forest Fire Threat

In June, Sen. Jeff Bingaman attended the groundbreaking for the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Ptoject, which will bring water to more than 250,000 people and create more than 450 jobs through its construction. Courtesy photo

By U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman:

New Mexico has just experienced one of the worst wildfire seasons in the state’s history.

Just weeks into fire season, firefighters were hard at work battling both our largest fire, Whitewater-Baldy, and most destructive fire ever, Little Bear.

With the arrival of monsoon season, we all hope the worst of the fire season is over. Our task now is to Read More

Los Alamos Teachers Join Massive Protest in Santa Fe

Los Alamos Federation of School Employees President, Ellen Mills, center, LAFSE Vice President and State AFT Vice President Ryan Ross and LAFSE Treasurer Virginia Kachelmeier joined Colleen Goddard, Addie Jacobson and Karyl Ann Armbruster of Los Alamos and several hundred people from across the state protesting Santa Fe Wednesday against a teacher evaluation proposal in play at the governor’s office. Photo by Karyl Ann Armbruster 

By Karyl Ann Armbruster

Hundreds of teachers, instructional assistants, parents, retirees, students, legislators and other community members Read More

State Youth Shotgun Competition at Sportsmen’s Club July 28

Young shooter prepares for third annual New Mexico State Youth Shotgun Competition July 28 at the Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club. Courtesy photo
 
Staff report
 
Los Alamos Sportsmen’s Club will host the third annual New Mexico State Youth Shotgun Competition beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 28.
 
Local organizer Mike O’Neill said that the club also hosted the competition last year in conjunction with New Mexico Game and Fish Department.
 
Los Alamos Young Guns scored high in both trap and skeet. In Junior Trap, Shelby Chavez placed second, Josh Smith
Read More

NMDOT to Allow Crosses on Jemez Springs Bridges

Following a flurry of media stories earlier this week, the New Mexico Department of Transportation has apparently reversed its decision to block the installation of artistic panels on two bridges in Jemez Springs.

At issue was the fact that the artistic panels contained crosses.

Rep. Jim Hall, R-Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties wrote a letter to New Mexico’s congressional delegation protesting NMDOT’s initial “censoring” of the crosses. 

NMDOT sent a brief email to the mayor of Jemez Springs Thursday reversing its decision:

Read More

Rep. Jim Hall Sends Letter to Congressional Delegation Protesting Censorship of Crosses in Jemez Springs

By Carol A. Clark

New Mexico House District 43 Rep. Jim Hall is sending the letter below to all members of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation today voicing his opposition to the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s apparent attempt to block artwork depicting crosses slated to adorn two new bridges on N.M. 4 in Jemez Springs.

Hall expressed dismay that NMDOT would take such action, calling it “incredible.”

Jemez Springs Mayor Edmond Temple told the Los Alamos Daily Post last night that since he has notified various state officials, including Hall, and the story Read More

Feds Forbid Crosses on Bridge Panels in Jemez Springs

Image: Sample of a U.S. Postal Service stamp that has a picture of “San Xavier Del Bac Mission” and the title “HISTORIC PRESERVATION” across the bottom. Courtesy

UPDATE: Tonight during an interview with Jemez Springs Mayor Edmond Temple, he said Bill Hutchinson of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) had previously informed him that the feds would not permit artwork depicting crosses be attached to two new bridges in the village. The censorship story broke this afternoon and Temple said this evening that NMDOT is now saying the issue isn’t Read More

DOT Expects Continuing Deterioration of New Mexico’s Roads

 

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

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

Forest Hosts Public Meetings on Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration Project

SFNF News:

Santa Fe — The Santa Fe National Forest is hosting a series of public meetings about the Southwest Jemez Mountains Landscape Restoration project and encourages the public to attend any of them.

Forest managers wish to reduce the threat of high-intensity, potentially-destructive wildfires by restoring natural processes in the project area.

A variety of treatments will be proposed including prescribed fires, mechanically thinning trees, and improving watershed function and wildlife habitat.

The overall Southwest Jemez Mountains project is along-term collaborative effort Read More

Business Leaders Advocate for LANL Budget

RDCNM News:

A delegation of New Mexico business leaders will travel to Washington D.C. July 16 and 17 to discuss the importance of Los Alamos National Laboratory to the state’s economy.

The delegation will be accompanied by Gov. Susana Martinez’ Chief of Staff Keith Gardner and Los Alamos County Council Chair Sharon Stover.

Stover is a member of the Regional Coalition of LANL Communities, which traveled to Washington, D.C., on a similar mission in March. .

The current business group plans to meet with New Mexico’s Congressional delegation, staff from key committees in both the U.S. House Read More