Today's News

As the Memorial Day Holiday signals the unofficial start to the summer vacation season, fire danger remains high and the New Mexico State Forestry Division is urging all residents and visitors to be cautious with any use of fire as well as follow all fire restrictions while enjoying the state’s abundant natural resources.

“We’re still extremely dry in many areas, and all it takes is one careless mistake for a wildfire to endanger our lives and communities,” said Forestry Division Fire Prevention and Outreach Program Manager Dan Ware. “With so many of us traveling this weekend and throughout the summer, it is crucial that we all be responsible and do our part to prevent wildfires.” 

This year, 139 fires have burned 1,071 acres across New Mexico on State or private land.

Los Alamos National Laboratory has awarded a master task order agreement in which three small businesses will compete for environmental work worth up to $150 million over five years. The businesses each have offices in northern New Mexico.

The agreement is for technical services for the Laboratory’s Environmental Programs directorate and includes work such as environmental engineering design, regulatory support, risk assessment and reporting.

The companies chosen are Terranear PMC, Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc., and Adelante Consulting, Inc. The agreement is for three years with two additional one-year options. Task orders under this agreement will be competitively bid among the three companies based on available funding.

LeAnne Parsons, a professional life empowerment coach, led this week’s Ruby K’s Community Hour. “Words that Hurt, Words that Heal,” was the discussion about the power of words. 

The interactive seminar is designed to help navigate situations in life where one needs to make a connection with another human being. Parsons plans more seminars in the future. 

Parsons is a member of the International Coaching Federation and soon will gain her certification as an Energy Leadership Master Practitioner from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. As a coach, she specializes in helping women regain their voice and learning to “Walk their Talk.” Her website is walkyourtalkwithleanne.com.

Around 30 people came together Wednesday night at Ashley Pond in order to honor cyclists injured or killed in accidents on the road through an event called the Ride of Silence. 

Lily Cohen, a recent addition to the Los Alamos community whose close friend was killed during a cross-country cycling trip, organized the event. Khalil Spencer helped spread the word, turning Cohen’s efforts into a successful, emotional event. 

As cyclists began arriving before the scheduled 6:30 p.m. event time, Cohen handed out black armbands and spoke a few words about the reason she organized this event.

“I was inspired to organize this event by my friend Paige who was killed while cycling across the country. Remembering Paige and her indescribable energy is what gave me the courage to take a risk and move out to Los Alamos. She inspires me to be ridiculous every day,” Cohen said.