SANTA FE CITY MANAGER QUITS
Santa Fe's city manager resigns at the request of the mayor
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe's city manager has resigned at the request of the mayor.
City Manager Brian Snyder had approved pay hikes of 10 percent and 15 percent for 37 staff members on the eve of the Mayor Alan Webber's inauguration last month.
Webber says the municipal government will halt the pay increases Snyder had approved.
The mayor had initially defended the move as an important part of a project to modernize Santa Fe's software system.
Webber has now conceded that a policy enacted in 1992 required City Council approval for the pay raises.
Snyder has been city manager since 2013, but he won't be off Santa Fe's payroll altogether.
Under a contract provision approved by a former mayor, Snyder will return to a supervisory job in the city's water division.
WARMLINE-TEXTING
New Mexico's 'warm line' launches texting option
(Information from: KUNM-FM, http://kunm.unm.edu/)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's "warm line," a peer-to-peer call line that helps residents struggling with substance abuse, grief, and suicidal thoughts, has introduced a texting option.
KUNM-FM in Albuquerque reports the state's Peer-to-Peer Warmline launched its texting feature two years after the New Mexico Crisis Access Line started the warm line.
The warm line is staffed specialists who are specially trained to use their own experiences to offer support to those dealing with addiction or mental health issues.
New Mexico Crisis Access Line Program Manager Wendy Linebrink-Allison says texting gives people a better sense of control over the conversation.
She says texting could make the line more appealing to people who have anxiety or a busy day.
___
SCHOOLS-DRUG TESTING
New Mexico school district eyes mandated drug teaching
(Information from: Las Vegas Optic, http://www.lasvegasoptic.com)
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico school district may require all teachers, staff and student athletes to undergo drug testing.
The Las Vegas Optic reports West Las Vegas Schools is considering a proposal that would mandate drug testing amid an opioid crisis that has severely hurt parts of northern New Mexico.
Board member Ambrosio Castellano says those using narcotics or medications may not be fully aware or fully coherent during an emergency.
He cited a poll conducted among teachers which found that 35 percent of them said that their stress level was very high, and they were coping by taking antidepressants or other medications.
Superintendent Chris Gutierrez says he would look into the issue and conduct a survey to get feedback from teachers.
___
NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES-THE LATEST
The Latest: Crews mopping up fires in northwest New Mexico
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters have contained most of a wildfire that threatened about a dozen homes in a small community in northern Socorro County on Friday.
An update posted Friday night by the state Forestry Division says the fire a mile (1.6 kilometers) north of Bernardo off State Route 116 had burned approximately 30 acres (12 hectares) and was 75 percent contained.
Division spokeswoman Wendy Mason said the fire started Friday afternoon on private property.
State forestry crews and local fire departments were called out to fight the fire.
PECOS RIVER-WATER LEVELS
Water managers warn of rising levels on the Pecos River
FOR SUMNER, N.M. (AP) — Federal water managers are warning that levels on the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico are expected to rise as the Bureau of Reclamation moves water downstream for farmers.
The release from Sumner Reservoir will begin Monday.
The Carlsbad Irrigation District has called for about 10,000 acre-feet of water to be released from storage. One acre-foot (1,233 cubic meters) is enough to supply a typical U.S. family for a year.
The release rate is expected to be between 1,300 to 1,600 cubic feet per second. It will last for about three days.
Officials say people should be cautious when working or playing along the river between Santa Rosa Lake and Brantley Reservoir through the summer. Water levels could change due to movement for irrigation, releases for endangered species or weather events.
WASTEWATER SYSTEMS-FUNDING
Federal funding OK'd for Dona Ana County wastewater systems
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say the federal government has agreed to provide more than $14 million to help renovate wastewater systems serving two unincorporated communities in Dona Ana County.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $8 million grant and approved a loan of $6.2 million to improve systems for Mesquite and Brazito.
The senators' announcement says the funding provided to the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority will pay for connections to eliminate the use of hundreds of septic tanks and reduce the possibility of groundwater pollution and contamination.
The two communities have 1,088 residential and 20 commercial users.
WILDFIRES-NEW MEXICO
Fire threatening homes in south-central New Mexico
BERNARDO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire is threatening some homes and railroad tracks in south-central New Mexico.
Wendy Mason with New Mexico State Forestry says the fire began Friday afternoon and has charred an estimated 30 acres (12 hectares) north of Bernardo in Socorro County. She says between 10 and 15 homes are threatened.
The fire has also forced the closure of State Highway 116.
State forestry crews along with local fire departments from the area are fighting the flames.
The fire weather outlook for much of New Mexico remained critical on Friday as other parts of the state and neighboring Arizona and West Texas were elevated.
OBIT-NERSES KRIKORIAN
Krikorian, 'giant' in national security science, dies at 97
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — Nerses "Krik" Krikorian, who escaped the Armenian genocide as boy and later became a legend in the once-secret New Mexico city where the atomic bomb was developed, has died. He was 97.
Officials at Los Alamos National Laboratory have confirmed that Krikorian died Wednesday at his home in Los Alamos.
Born on a Turkish roadside in 1921, he and his family eventually found their way to the United States. After earning a chemistry degree, he began what would be an illustrious career that spanned decades.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Krikorian was known for his science and security work and the impact he had on the lab and the community.
Lab Director Terry Wallace called Krikorian "a giant" in the world of national security science and said the lab is a better place because of him.
Santa Fe's city manager resigns at the request of the mayor
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Santa Fe's city manager has resigned at the request of the mayor.
City Manager Brian Snyder had approved pay hikes of 10 percent and 15 percent for 37 staff members on the eve of the Mayor Alan Webber's inauguration last month.
Webber says the municipal government will halt the pay increases Snyder had approved.
The mayor had initially defended the move as an important part of a project to modernize Santa Fe's software system.
Webber has now conceded that a policy enacted in 1992 required City Council approval for the pay raises.
Snyder has been city manager since 2013, but he won't be off Santa Fe's payroll altogether.
Under a contract provision approved by a former mayor, Snyder will return to a supervisory job in the city's water division.
WARMLINE-TEXTING
New Mexico's 'warm line' launches texting option
(Information from: KUNM-FM, http://kunm.unm.edu/)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's "warm line," a peer-to-peer call line that helps residents struggling with substance abuse, grief, and suicidal thoughts, has introduced a texting option.
KUNM-FM in Albuquerque reports the state's Peer-to-Peer Warmline launched its texting feature two years after the New Mexico Crisis Access Line started the warm line.
The warm line is staffed specialists who are specially trained to use their own experiences to offer support to those dealing with addiction or mental health issues.
New Mexico Crisis Access Line Program Manager Wendy Linebrink-Allison says texting gives people a better sense of control over the conversation.
She says texting could make the line more appealing to people who have anxiety or a busy day.
___
SCHOOLS-DRUG TESTING
New Mexico school district eyes mandated drug teaching
(Information from: Las Vegas Optic, http://www.lasvegasoptic.com)
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico school district may require all teachers, staff and student athletes to undergo drug testing.
The Las Vegas Optic reports West Las Vegas Schools is considering a proposal that would mandate drug testing amid an opioid crisis that has severely hurt parts of northern New Mexico.
Board member Ambrosio Castellano says those using narcotics or medications may not be fully aware or fully coherent during an emergency.
He cited a poll conducted among teachers which found that 35 percent of them said that their stress level was very high, and they were coping by taking antidepressants or other medications.
Superintendent Chris Gutierrez says he would look into the issue and conduct a survey to get feedback from teachers.
___
NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES-THE LATEST
The Latest: Crews mopping up fires in northwest New Mexico
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters have contained most of a wildfire that threatened about a dozen homes in a small community in northern Socorro County on Friday.
An update posted Friday night by the state Forestry Division says the fire a mile (1.6 kilometers) north of Bernardo off State Route 116 had burned approximately 30 acres (12 hectares) and was 75 percent contained.
Division spokeswoman Wendy Mason said the fire started Friday afternoon on private property.
State forestry crews and local fire departments were called out to fight the fire.
PECOS RIVER-WATER LEVELS
Water managers warn of rising levels on the Pecos River
FOR SUMNER, N.M. (AP) — Federal water managers are warning that levels on the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico are expected to rise as the Bureau of Reclamation moves water downstream for farmers.
The release from Sumner Reservoir will begin Monday.
The Carlsbad Irrigation District has called for about 10,000 acre-feet of water to be released from storage. One acre-foot (1,233 cubic meters) is enough to supply a typical U.S. family for a year.
The release rate is expected to be between 1,300 to 1,600 cubic feet per second. It will last for about three days.
Officials say people should be cautious when working or playing along the river between Santa Rosa Lake and Brantley Reservoir through the summer. Water levels could change due to movement for irrigation, releases for endangered species or weather events.
WASTEWATER SYSTEMS-FUNDING
Federal funding OK'd for Dona Ana County wastewater systems
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say the federal government has agreed to provide more than $14 million to help renovate wastewater systems serving two unincorporated communities in Dona Ana County.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $8 million grant and approved a loan of $6.2 million to improve systems for Mesquite and Brazito.
The senators' announcement says the funding provided to the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority will pay for connections to eliminate the use of hundreds of septic tanks and reduce the possibility of groundwater pollution and contamination.
The two communities have 1,088 residential and 20 commercial users.
WILDFIRES-NEW MEXICO
Fire threatening homes in south-central New Mexico
BERNARDO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire is threatening some homes and railroad tracks in south-central New Mexico.
Wendy Mason with New Mexico State Forestry says the fire began Friday afternoon and has charred an estimated 30 acres (12 hectares) north of Bernardo in Socorro County. She says between 10 and 15 homes are threatened.
The fire has also forced the closure of State Highway 116.
State forestry crews along with local fire departments from the area are fighting the flames.
The fire weather outlook for much of New Mexico remained critical on Friday as other parts of the state and neighboring Arizona and West Texas were elevated.
OBIT-NERSES KRIKORIAN
Krikorian, 'giant' in national security science, dies at 97
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — Nerses "Krik" Krikorian, who escaped the Armenian genocide as boy and later became a legend in the once-secret New Mexico city where the atomic bomb was developed, has died. He was 97.
Officials at Los Alamos National Laboratory have confirmed that Krikorian died Wednesday at his home in Los Alamos.
Born on a Turkish roadside in 1921, he and his family eventually found their way to the United States. After earning a chemistry degree, he began what would be an illustrious career that spanned decades.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Krikorian was known for his science and security work and the impact he had on the lab and the community.
Lab Director Terry Wallace called Krikorian "a giant" in the world of national security science and said the lab is a better place because of him.
RSS Feed