Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.
State Police Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols in Counties across the State in June 2023
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
Statewide, NM - State Police will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols; and registration, insurance, and driver's license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during June 2023.
We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.
These checkpoints are helping to change society's attitude about driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if every driver had the courage to make the right decision not to drive impaired.
Who:
N.M. Delegation Announces New Resources for Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Recovery
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming two new actions taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in helping New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
This week, following months of advocacy from the delegation, FEMA and the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office announced a new partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Under this partnership, claimants will have the option to request a NRCS conservation and restoration plan, tailored to recovering from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and subsequent flooding, to include cost estimates that can be utilized by the Claims Office to process claims quickly and efficiently. This service will be provided at no cost to the claimant.
Additionally, the Congressional delegation is announcing over $265 million from USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to help with wildfire recovery efforts. This funding will fund 28 EWP projects in 16 states impacted by extreme weather events, including the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in New Mexico.
NMSU's EnergySprint accelerator successfully wraps up 2023 cohort
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
The New Mexico Clean Energy Resilience and Growth, or NM CERG, cluster, funded in part by the United States Department of Energy and housed at New Mexico State University´s Arrowhead Center, successfully completed its EnergySprint 2023 cohort. The program, designed to foster innovation and drive growth in the clean technology sector, has achieved significant milestones and empowered promising startups to make a positive impact on the environment.
EnergySprint is one of several modules under NM CERG, an initiative that catalyzes growth of a regional energy innovation ecosystem, providing access to programs and resources that support and grow clean energy tech businesses with broad impacts on New Mexico. After an extensive selection process, the 13 clean-tech startups comprising the 2023 cohort embarked on an intensive journey of mentorship, education, and networking.
Traffic Report for week of June 4 to 11, 2023.
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.
White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.
Interstates:
Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C CN1101231/32
La Calerita Construction LLC. (Contractor) construction, Phase 3 is expected to last about 4 (four) months, through September 2023, the following traffic impacts will be in place:
Traffic on North Date Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction (northbound and southbound) and will be shifted to the east (Northbound) lanes from north of New School Road to Ash Street. Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution in the construction zone, obey lower posted speed limits and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Regular work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.
I-25 Bridge Replacement Project, Williamsburg CN1100990
El Terrero Construction, LLC. (Contractor) will be continuing construction to replace the bridge at I-25 milepost 75, Broadway Street and NM 187 in Williamsburg. All traffic has been shifted into the southbound lanes; northbound lanes are closed throughout the project limits. The I-25 northbound on-ramp is closed and the southbound I-25 off/on-ramp at Exit 75 is closed, traffic should utilize NM 187 to Las Palomas Exit or the T or C North exit. Currently crews are working on installation of bridge piers and drainage structures. Regular work hours will be 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed. Access will be maintained to all businesses and residences during construction.
NMSU names Cecil Rose as director of Black Programs
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
New Mexico State University's Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity has selected Cecil Rose as the new director of Black Programs. Rose began his new role at NMSU June 1.
Rose brings extensive insight and vision from his prior experiences in higher education to NMSU's Black Programs, one of five diversity programs under the Office of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity. He comes to NMSU from Oglethorpe University, where he has most recently served as the associate director of student success as of 2017.
"The Equity, Inclusion and Diversity division is thrilled to welcome Mr. Cecil Rose to the NMSU Aggie and Las Cruces communities. Mr. Rose brings with him an astute approach to supporting students, along with critical staff and faculty engagement," NMSU Vice President for Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Teresa Maria Linda Scholz said. "Mr. Rose will be an important part of the diversity programs' team of directors, as they work collaboratively on intersectional programming that creates a sense of belonging for the students they support. He will be a tremendous asset to NMSU's Black Programs."
IPANM Issues Statement on Chaco Canyon 10-Mile Buffer Declaration
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 02 June 2023 02 June 2023
IPANM (June 1, 2023) - The following statement has been released by Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico regarding the Department of Interiors declaration of a 10-mile buffer zone around Chaco Canyon.
"The arbitrary 10-mile boundary imposed around Chaco Canyon announced today is discompassionate to generations of Navajo Allottees -- many living in poverty -- who will now lose out an estimated $194 million in potential royalties; is indifferent to the pleas of the Navajo Nation against a blatant government taking; is complete capitulation to pressure from outside environmental groups who simply want to outright ban all oil & gas drilling; and, is highly unethical due to Secretary Deb Haaland's own family conflict of interest due to her daughter's local political activism.
Rare Plant Removal Rule Strengthened
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 01 June 2023 01 June 2023
American Hart's-tongue fern added to state list of endangered species
Santa Fe – A rule governing the removal of rare and endangered plants in the state has been amended to help curb the decline of rare plant populations.
The previous rule, listed in Section 75-6-1 NMSA 1978, only prohibited “removal of endangered plants with the intent to possess, transport, export, sell, or offer for sale.” Now, the word “take” has been more clearly defined to be “destroy/remove/harm.”
This amended rule further authorizes the Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division to prohibit the taking, possession, transportation, exportation from the state, processing, sale or offer for sale, or shipment of listed plants or plant materials, except for permitted scientific purposes or propagation and transplantation activities that enhance the survival of endangered species. In cases where removal of these species is unavoidable, the amendment has created an “incidental take” permitting system.
President’s Investing in America agenda to invest $7.6 million in restoration work in New Mexico
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 01 June 2023 01 June 2023
SANTA FE, N.M. – As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the Bureau of Land Management will invest $7.6 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase fire resiliency and protect native vegetation on public lands in New Mexico. This funding will be focused in one landscape area called the Lower Pecos Restoration Landscape.
This funding is part of the BLM’s announcement to invest $161 million in ecosystem restoration and resilience on the nation’s public lands. The work will focus on 21 “Restoration Landscapes” across 11 western states, restoring wildlife habitat and clean water on public lands and strengthening communities and local economies.
These investments follow the release of the Department’s restoration and resilience framework to leverage historic investments in climate and conservation to achieve landscape-level outcomes across the nation. The Department is implementing more than $2 billion in investments to restore our nation’s lands and waters, which in turn is helping to meet the conservation goals set through the America the Beautiful initiative.