Arthur Tatum of FBT Architects briefs the Los Alamos Board of Education on the schematic design progress of the Los Alamos High School renovation project during a board meeting this evening in the district boardroom. Read the full story in Wednesday’s Los Alamos Monitor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Neighbors shovel their sidewalks this morning near 15th Street. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Frozen trees in the soccer park near 20th Street this morning. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
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.
Jan. 28 3:59 p.m. – Raymond Martinez, 25, of Los Alamos was arrested on an outstanding warrant and charged with possession of marijuana after found to be in possession of marijuana when searched at the jail.
Jan. 29 10:25 a.m. – A 63-year-old Los Alamos man reported being the victim of a forged check. The estimated loss is $63.15.
12:29 p.m. – A 29-year-old Los Alamos woman reported her purse and its contents missing and possibly stolen. The estimated loss is $190.
12:42 p.m. – A 59-year-old Los Alamos woman reported her credit card had been used to make or attempt to make Internet purchases. The estimated loss is $1,405.
10:32 p.m. – The Los Alamos County Ice Rink at 4475 West Rd., reported someone shot paintballs at the ice rink and shattered the glass panel surrounding the rink. The estimated loss is $801.
Jan. 31 12:25 a.m. – An 18-year-old Los Alamos woman reported someone dumped food onto the roof of her vehicle. The estimated damage is $50.
9:52 p.m. – Valerie Valdez, 40, of Los Alamos was arrested on San Ildefonso Road and charged with DWI as the result of a traffic stop for speeding.
Feb. 1
10:44 a.m. – A 51-year-old Penasco man reported being the victim of unauthorized charges to his debit card from another state. The estimated loss is $420.
11:42 a.m. – A 63-year-old Los Alamos man reported someone damaged the tailgate and passenger door of his vehicle. The estimated damage is $500.
3:05 p.m. – A 28-year-old Espanola woman reported someone spray-painted her vehicle along the driver’s side while it was parked at Los Alamos Medical Center. The estimated damage is unknown.
7:25 p.m. – James Lopez, 58, of Los Alamos was arrested and charged with assault against a household member.
Feb. 2
12:48 a.m. – A 72-year-old Las Vegas woman was the victim of a stolen license plate.
12:29 p.m. – Ronald Jones, 72, of Los Alamos was arrested on Canyon Road and charged with DWI.
5:42 p.m. – A 43-year-old Los Alamos woman reported her vehicle taken from the Del Norte Credit Union parking lot. The estimated loss is more than $25,000.
6:57 p.m. – Matthew English, 20, of Los Alamos arrested at 759 Central Ave., on an extraditable warrant from California.
7:44 p.m. – A 28-year-old Chimayo woman arrived at LAMC for treatment of symptoms from an alleged criminal sexual penetration, which occurred outside of Los Alamos County. The case has been referred to New Mexico State Police.
Feb. 4
2 a.m. – A 13-year-old Los Alamos boy was charged with stalking. He was referred to the juvenile probation officer and released to his parents.
Read Police Beat archives at www.lamonitor.com.
Due to the resignation of Mike Wismer, UNM-Los Alamos is seeking an interim member of the UNM-LA Advisory Board to complete the term office, which ends February 2011.
The duties of the Advisory Board are stipulated by the Operating Agreement between the UNM-Los Alamos Advisory Board and the University Of New Mexico Board of Regents, and by the Branch Community College Act.
The specific duties and responsibilities of the Advisory Board in relation to the operation of the Los Alamos Campus include the following:
- Act as an advisory board to the Board of Regents in all matters pertaining to the conduct of the Los Alamos Campus.
- Approve an annual budget for the Los Alamos Campus for recommendation to the Board of Regents.
- Provide approval and certification for the tax levy, as required by state law, to the Los Alamos County Councilors.
- Call elections for tax levies for the Los Alamos Campus, after approval of the Board of Regents.
- Call elections for Advisory Board positions pursuant to the Branch Community College Act.
- Attend regular meetings.
- Review budgets.
- Review program changes.
- Propose courses of study and programs.
- Work cooperatively with UNM’s chief academic officer to hire and UNM’s president to evaluate the Executive Director.
Applications to fill this position should include a letter of interest and a resume.
Send applications to Advisory Board Chair Marie Chiravalle at chiravle@unm.edu or 4000 University Dr., Los Alamos, NM 87544.
Applications are due by Feb. 19.
The new member will be sworn in March 8.
For information, contact UNM-LA Executive Director Cedric Page at cpage11@unm.edu or 661-1689.
Central Avenue Grill glowed with glitz and glamour in keeping with the Viva Las Vegas theme of this year’s Red and Black Ball. The Family YMCA annual fundraiser drew a capacity crowd Saturday night. Read the full story in Tuesday’s Los Alamos Monitor.
The Family YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly and her husband Dr. Paul Daly in high spirits as the Red and Black Ball gets underway Saturday night in Central Avenue Grill. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Red and Black Ball patrons enter the Las Vegas-like atmosphere adorning Central Avenue Grill Saturday night. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
County Councilor Vincent Chiravalle, left, poses with the Waterman family. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Dr. Paul Dalyand Steve Guirrens greet Elizabeth Singer at the entrance to the Quark Room inside Central Avenue Grill. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Sid Singer. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
From left, Mike and Denise Lane and Anne and Steve Laurent. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Terry Wallace chats with Alice Mann. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
County Council Vice Chair Sharon Stover, left, with President Patty Komko of Leadership New Mexico. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
The Waterman family gathers around matriarch Alice Waterman sitting on a scooter she donated to the Red and Black Ball fundraising auction. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
United Way Executive Director Donna Schroeder greets Los Alamos County Administrator Tony Mortillaro and his wife Joelle. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Tony and Joelle Mortillaro. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos National Bank Senior Vice President Jill Cook, at right, chats with Patty Komko of Leadership New Mexico. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
RBC Capital's Kevin Powers with Los Alamos Public Schools' Business Services Manager John Wolfe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Priscilla Freeman. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Central Avenue Grill owners Min Park and his wife pose with local GOP Chair Ron Dolin and his wife. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
County Councilor Vincent Chiravalle with LAPS Superintendent Gene Schmidt and his wife. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Ruby K’s co-owner Ruby Alexander and her husband Mike. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos Police Det. Shari Mills, center, chats with Jenn Bartram of JUNTOS, far right, in the Quark Room at Central Avenue Grill. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
These fellows are clearly feeling the Las Vegas vibe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
LAPS School Board President Joan Ahlers and husband Gary. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Assets in Action Coordinator Bernadette Lauritzen and her husband Chad. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos County’s Karen Kendall, left, poses with friends at the Red and Black ball. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Family YMCA Development Officer Diana Martinez with her husband. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Lawry Mann with wife Alice and LAPS Business Services Manager John Wolfe.
Red and Black Ball patrons enjoy the evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Smiling faces fill the lobby of Central Avenue Grill during Saturday night's Red and Black Ball. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Central Avenue Grill provided a fine meal of lobster and prime rib prepared by chef Phil Kephart and his staff. Photo by Carol A. Clark.Monitor
Dr. Paul Daly chats with friends. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
A Las Vegas atmosphere filled Central Avenue Grill Saturday. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Lou Santaro poses with a friend. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Mrs. Lou Santaro looks over silent auction items. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Sharon Stover and Linda Daly. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Silent auction items. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
County Chief Financial Officer Steve Lynne and his wife Suzanne. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
One of several table servers who made sure the patrons were well taken care of throughout the evening. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Entering a bid on a silent auction item. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
More auction items. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
This deer was kicked before kicking another in the small herd foraging for food recently near a ravine along Rose Street. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Curious deer move in close to the camera. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
More deer emerge from the Rose Street ravine. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
This large flock of plastic pink flamingos was sighted one recent evening in the front yard of a local home. Photo by Skip Wecksung/for the Monitor
Council Candidate Geoff Rodgers
Geoff Rodgers held a seat on the Los Alamos County Council from 2000-2004 and he describes the current level of contention in the community as a major factor in his decision to seek a new term.
“The recent petition drive to subject county spending to voter approval indicates that a significant segment of the public has lost confidence in the county’s fiscal management,” Rodgers said during an interview Thursday.
“I am running for the council to add a voice of fiscal restraint. I believe the county’s role is to provide basic municipal services,” he said.
“I believe the county does provide a high level of basic services, he said, and it is when the county steps outside this role that the results are not always positive and many times very costly.”
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Newly appointed Monitor Publisher Keven Todd in his office Friday is utilizing his print and electronic media expertise to enhance the local newspaper and Web site. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Landmark Community Newspapers, Inc., the parent company of the Los Alamos Monitor, has named Keven Todd as publisher of the newspaper.
Todd has been serving as the paper’s interim publisher since mid-August of last year.
“Before joining LCNI, Keven was publisher of Lahontan Valley (Nevada) News and held numerous sales management positions with Belo, Gannett, Knight Ridder and McClatchy newspapers,” said LCNI Executive Vice President Dan Sykes. “He brings a wealth of sales management experience to the Los Alamos market. Keven began his career on the news side and rose through the ranks there before moving over into sales and management. He also holds a B.A. in Journalism with a marketing minor from Texas Christian University.”
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
First Judicial District Court Convenes in the Justice Center for the First Time Today
The First Judicial District Court convened for the first time in the new Justice Center today. District Court Judge Sarah M. Singleton presided over two pre-trial conferences, which if either go to trial she will be back in the courtroom March 8. “I think this new facility is just wonderful, the sound system in the courtroom is state of the art and the comfort for the litigants, witnesses and jurors looks phenomenal,” Singleton said. “I’m really looking forward to holding my hearings here for my domestic cases, which are Los Alamos County cases.” Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Lt. Gov. Diane Denish
The Sunshine Portal Bill, Senate Bill 195, passed the New Mexico Senate unanimously today.
The Sunshine Portal would put the state’s checkbook and other public information online for the public to inspect.
“In this day and age, New Mexicans deserve to have access to government information in an easy-to-use, online format. The Sunshine Portal is an idea whose time has come.” Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said. “This type of openness and transparency is a major step forward for New Mexico.”
Pete Domenici Jr.
Gubernatorial candidate Pete Domenici Jr. focused much of his attention on Los Alamos during a telephone interview from Albuquerque Wednesday morning.
“The state of New Mexico is extremely fortunate to have Los Alamos National Laboratory as a major institution … it is a tremendous research and information source and provides a significant job base. The state should give the appearance and act appreciative of Los Alamos,” Domenici Jr. said.
As governor, he said he would advocate for LANL and its contributions and “look for ways to expand it and embrace it.”
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
- Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/for the Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/for the Monitor
Photo by Carol A. Clark/for the Monitor
Rep. Ben Ray Lujan
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Ben Ray Luján voted to pass the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, which will improve the security of cyberspace by supporting research on innovative, transformative technologies and ensuring federal investments in cybersecurity are more focused and effective.
When the legislation was in the House Committee on Science and Technology, Rep. Luján added an amendment to address disparities in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program and help tribal communities protect themselves from cyber criminals.
The legislation passed the House by a vote of 422 to 5.
“More and more Americans rely on the Internet for their day to day activities,” Luján said. “Families buy clothing, groceries and even homes online. People network in hopes of finding a job or connecting with friends. This means that every day more people rely on secure networks to keep their personal information safe. The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act legislation will help make our experience online safer and more secure.”
Luján’s amendment addresses any potential regional disparities in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, providing local companies, organizations and government agencies in New Mexico and throughout the southwest with access to locally trained talent.
His amendment also will help to educate tribal communities about the risks of cyber attacks and how they can keep themselves safe from cyber criminals.
“Because of our increasing dependence on technology, we must teach students the skills to stay one step ahead of cyber criminals,” Luján said. “One provision in the legislation we’re debating today will help train this force by establishing the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program. During committee mark up, I successfully included an amendment to address any potential regional disparities in the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program. My amendment will make sure that rural states, like New Mexico, will be able to match locally trained cybersecurity talent with local companies, organizations and government agencies.”
As tribal communities establish Internet networks, they are at risk of being disproportionately impacted by cyber criminals, Luján said.
“It is critically important to make sure that they are prepared as these networks are established. My amendment also helps to educate tribal communities about the risks of cyber attacks and how they can keep themselves safe from cyber criminals. This will help ensure an important population is not left behind as they move into the digital age.”
The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009 reauthorizes and expands the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (P.L. 107-305) passed by the Committee on Science and Technology in 2002.
In addition to promoting cybersecurity research and development, the legislation addresses cybersecurity workforce concerns and advances the development of technical standards.
A large icicle dangles from the roof of a building on DP Road this morning. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos National Bank Chief Executive Officer Bill Enloe during an interview in his office this morning. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos National Bank is poised to become the biggest in-state mortgage lender in New Mexico following the seizure last week of Charter Bank in Santa Fe by the Office of Thrift Supervision.
“We’ve always been the leading lender in Los Alamos and first or second in Santa Fe. Now it appears we’ll lead both,” said Chief Executive Officer Bill Enloe during an interview this morning. “Those are both very good markets and we also do some lending in Albuquerque and Espanola so with all those markets, that makes us poised to be the largest lender in the state.”
LANB has never participated in the subprime market, which makes these numbers even better, Enloe said.
Charter is the first FDIC-insured institution closed in the state in a decade and the second large state-based mortgage lender to fail in the last year.
Charter made a total of $905 million in mortgages in 2008, putting it among the top 200 mortgage lenders in the country, according to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act numbers released last fall.
Of that volume, $662 million was in New Mexico.
Ranked second among New Mexico lenders was Thornburg Mortgage of Santa Fe with $782 million, most of that out-of-state.
Thornburg, a non-FDIC-insured real estate investment trust, failed early last year reportedly because it could not withstand the drying up of money in its sector of high-priced mortgages.
Read the full story in the Los Alamos Monitor.
Snow plows like this one heading down Central Avenue this afternoon take to the streets throughout the area. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
A man shovels snow on steps near Central Avenue today. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
The intersection of 15th Street and Central Avenue late this afternoon. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Snow showers down on Central Avenue today. Photo by Carol A. Clark/Monitor
Los Alamos County announced that the Charter Review Public Forum scheduled for 7 p.m. today at Fuller Lodge is canceled due to the winter storm.
The meeting has been rescheduled for 5 p.m., Feb. 17 in the Curtis Room at Fuller Lodge.
In unofficial results from the Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office, voters narrowly passed the Los Alamos Public Schools referendum 3,166 to 2,935.
By a wider margin, voters failed to pass the University of New Mexico at Los Alamos 2 mil levy 3,591 to 2,576.
One hundred percent of the 6,210 ballots cast have been counted.
These results are unofficial until certified by the Canvass Board Thursday.
Read the full story including reaction from school and college officials in the Los Alamos Monitor.
