.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Public Safety

  • Shelter training

    The American Red Cross in New Mexico conducted a shelter training drill Friday at the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Members of the Los Alamos and Santa Fe Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) participated in the training. Volunteers learned Red Cross sheltering fundamentals which included registration, dormitory organization and logistics.
     

    Click here to read more...
  • Environment agency warns of N.M. dust storms

    SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Forecasters say New Mexico's parched landscape and cold front packing gusty winds could combine to create harmful dust storms.

    The National Weather Service says near-record warmth Tuesday will give way to blustery cold wind Wednesday in much of the state. Forecasters warn the winds are increasing the risk of wildfires in north and central New Mexico.

    The New Mexico Environment Department says winds sweeping along the middle and lower Rio Grande Valley Wednesday into Thursday could stir up dust as well.

    The agency says while dust storms may be common in the state, they can still cause or exacerbate health problems. The department suggests those prone to respiratory problems should avoid going outside or hard exercise.

    Click here to read more...
  • Sharp mid-week chill down on tap for region

    The National Weather Service has issued the following special weather statement:

    NEAR RECORD WARMTH TODAY DIVING TO A BLUSTERY COLD WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY ACROSS NEW MEXICO...

    A STORM SYSTEM AND STRONG COLD FRONT STRETCHING FROM CENTRAL NEVADA ACROSS UTAH AND COLORADO WILL ADVANCE STEADILY TOWARD NEW MEXICO... REACHING THE NORTHERN BORDER BY LATE TONIGHT. A TWO PRONGED SHOT OF COLDER AIR WILL SPILL FIRST OVER THE EAST DURING THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY... WITH A COLD SPILL INTO THE WEST BY WEDNESDAY NIGHT. MUCH COLDER AIR OVER NEW MEXICO WITH BLUSTERY WINDS WILL SET UP A CHILLY AND WINTER LIKE START TO THE MONTH OF MAY.

    DAYTIME TEMPERATURES FALLING FROM NEAR RECORD HIGHS TODAY WILL DIVE BELOW NORMAL FOR THE NORTH AND EAST ON WEDNESDAY... WITH THE SOUTH AND WEST REMAINING NEAR NORMAL. A MUCH COLDER STORY SETS UP FOR THURSDAY... WITH TEMPERATURES DIVING TO 20 TO 30 DEGREES BELOW EARLY MAY NORMALS OVER THE EAST... AND 10 TO 20 DEGREES BELOW NORMAL IN THE WEST.

    GUSTY WINDS WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY WILL RAISE CLOUDS OF BLOWING DUST OVER MUCH OF EASTERN NEW MEXICO... WITH WINDS PRODUCING BLOWING SNOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT OVER THE NORTHEAST PLAINS FROM THE INTERSTATE 25 CORRIDOR EAST TO THE OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS LINES. BLOWING SNOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL FROM WAGON MOUND TO THE COLORADO LINE ALONG INTERSTATE 25.

    Click here to read more...
  • Sheriff gets notable nomination from peers

    When he first took office in 2010, no one really expected Los Alamos County Sheriff Marco Lucero to actually, well you know, enforce laws. Some people in the county saw the job as an administrative position and hoped Lucero would see things their way.

    He did not.

    “I was the very first elected sheriff here who was also an actual, certified law enforcement officer,” Lucero said. “I came in with the premise that I was going to try and keep the community safe, and I continue to believe in that premise.”

    To make a long story short, he became involved in the investigation of a convicted sex offender, and some people on the County’s Charter Review Committee, according to him, didn’t think that should be his venue and tried to eliminate his office.

    “There are those who thought I shouldn’t be involved in law enforcement or making arrests of convicted sex offenders,” he said. “There was a long drawn out battle, and we ended up keeping the office of sheriff.”

    It was for this, as well as his founding of a website where concerned citizens could come and find out where local sex offenders are living in their neighborhood that the Western States Sheriffs Association, an organization that covers 16 states, nominated Lucero for its Sheriff of the Year Award.

    Click here to read more...
  • Police bust 15 juveniles at party

    Responding to a noise complaint, officers from the Los Alamos Police Department apprehended 15 teens having a party in the 300 block of Aragon Street, April 12.

    When Ofc. Benjamin Irving and Cpl. Sheldon Simpson first pulled up to the back of the house that Friday night around 10 p.m., two individuals, Zachary Martinez, 19 and Zakary Coker, 18 tried to run out the back when a group of other LAPD officers knocked on the front door. However, Irving and Simpson quickly apprehended the suspects.

    Eventually, Simpson entered the house to apprehend more suspects. While waiting outside the back, Irving observed another youth trying to escape out a back exit, jumping from the balcony above him. Simpson ordered the suspect to stop and he did. Simpson then placed him in handcuffs.

    Sgt. Monica Salazar, Cpl. Adam Jung and Cpl. Patrick Massara came in through the front of the house, rounding up several individuals who were hiding throughout the house. Police also noted they observed a strong odor of marijuana, open beer cans, cups containing alcohol and a refrigerator containing two 30-can packs of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and a 12-pack of Coors Light.

    Click here to read more...
  • Police Beat 04-23-13

    Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, served a court summons, or issued a citation.
    April 12

    2:08 a.m. — Jennie Garcia, 34 of Los Alamos was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and driving outside lanes for traffic at 35th and Villa Street.

    10:45 a.m. — Charles Sterba, 54, of Los Alamos was arrested on a warrant from another jurisdiction.

    1:01 p.m. — A 54-year-old female told police she had been the victim of a larceny (less than $250) in the 1200 block of San Ildefonso Road.

    8:12 p.m. — Kevin Snider, 51, of Los Alamos was arrested on a charge of driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, driving outside lanes meant for traffic, driving with a suspended or revoked license and driving without insurance or registration at Club Road and Diamond Drive.

    10:47 p.m. — Moses Salazar, 27, of Los Alamos was arrested on a magistrate court bench warrant.
    April 13

    Click here to read more...
  • Hikers nearly start wildfire

    A hiker called police on the morning of April 8 to say his friend might be suffering from alcohol poisoning. The hiker told police that they were on a trail somewhere off of Barcelona Street and Sherwood Boulevard.
    When police arrived, they had to call out to the hikers because of the low visibility due to the high level of smoke in the area. When police did locate the hikers, one of them immediately told police that he thought his friend might be suffering from alcohol poisoning, as he was dry heaving all night. When they arrived at the fire, they saw the individual, a minor, slumped over.
    That’s when police also met up with Ian Hubbard, 19. When police asked Hubbard what his friend drank, he said a “handle” (1.75 liters) of “Ten High” bourbon. Police then noticed a nearly-empty, large bottle of bourbon about 10 feet away.
    The victim was transported to the hospital while police detained Hubbard and kept an eye on the fire, which they noticed had spread.
    “I noticed that the fire was not contained within a pit and that some of the embers and a small log had spread into an area that had many weeds,” said Officer James Keane in the report. Police were also worried because the conditions happened to be dry and gusty that day.

    Click here to read more...
  • Police Beat 04-16-13

    Police Beat items are compiled from public information contained in Los Alamos Police Department Records. Charges or citations listed in Police Beat do not imply innocence or guilt. The Los Alamos Police Department uses the term “arrest” to define anyone who has been physically arrested, server a court summons, or issued a citation.

    April 4

    4:25 p.m. — Jason Willis, 32 of Los Alamos was arrested on a municipal court warrant.

    April 5

    1 p.m. — Lois Vigil, 46 of Santa Fe was cited for possession of marijuana on East Road.

    10:22 p.m. — David Rael, 35, of Los Alamos was arrested on a municipal court warrant in the 3700 block of Gold Street.

    11:46 p.m. — Amber Cruze, 21, of San Juan Pueblo was arrested with a suspended or revoked license, and a municipal court warrant in the 2000 block of Diamond Drive.

    April 6

    1:25 p.m. — A 53-year-old Los Alamos man reported to police he had been the victim of identity theft in the 2000 block of 46th Street.

    April 7

    1:41 p.m. — A 57-year-old female reported to police criminal damage to property (less than $1000) in the 900 block of Santa Clara Pl.

    6:17 p.m. –– A 58-year-old female reported to police a larceny (less than $250) in the 3000 block of Orange Street.

    Click here to read more...
  • Forecasters issue red flag warning for NM

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Warm, windy and dry conditions are expected to sweep across New Mexico on Sunday.

    Forecasters with the National Weather Service have issued red flag warnings for much of the northern half of New Mexico due to strong winds and low humidity levels.

    The Middle Rio Grande Valley and the west-central highlands are in line for similar conditions Monday.

    New Mexico is headed into its third year of drought, and fire managers have been warning people to be careful this year because conditions are in place for another potentially difficult fire season.

    Last year, the state experienced its largest wildfire in recorded history as well as its most destructive blaze.

    Since the beginning of the year, New Mexico has had several dozen fires burn more than 700 acres on state and private land.

    Click here to read more...
  • New website for interagency fire

    This fire season, local, state and federal land management agencies within the Southwest Area will use a new interagency website, Firerestrictions.us and other tools to communicate fire restrictions and closure information.
    At this time, there are no wildland fire restrictions or closures in effect across the Southwest Area, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. As weather conditions continue to become warmer and drier, individuals are urged to be fire safe as they work and play outside.
    Firerestrictions.us highlights include:
    • Dynamic Google based map — residents and visitors can find restriction and closure information by clicking on the county/management unit—forest or park, of interest.
    • Fire restriction and closure information in text format with links to specific agency information.
    • Stage and closure definitions.
    • RSS feeds.
    • The new website will not replace existing websites or information hotlines. The website will be “linked to” from other state wildfire information websites and agency websites.
    • Site disclaimer — the website is not a real-time, although the goal is to keep the website updated with accurate information.

    Click here to read more...