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.

Traffic Report for week of July 9 to 16, 2023.

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 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.

Read more ...

State Supreme Court issued an opinion today

The state Supreme Court issued an opinion today affirming a decision by the Public Regulation Commission to deny Public Service Company of New Mexico’s request to abandon the Four Corners Power Plant and issue a financing order for the costs of abandoning the coal-fired plant in San Juan County. 

The case is Public Service Co. of NM v. N.M. Pub. Regulation Commission, S-1-SC-39138. Click here to read the opinion.

New Mexico State Police Participate in C.A.R.E. Operation over 4th of July Holiday

Statewide, NM - During the 4th of July holiday, the New Mexico State Police participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) operation across all roadways within the state.  The goal of the traffic initiative is to increase motorist safety and reduce the number of crashes through a strong law enforcement presence.

Because of the increased volume of traffic during the holiday, NMSP increased its patrol presence during this initiative on roadways throughout all State Police districts, specifically Friday, June 30 through Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

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Hazard Tree Removal Provides Free Fuelwood to the Community

Permits available at select locations

Santa Fe, NM, July 6, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the New Mexico Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Forestry Division have teamed up to remove hazard trees from the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon burn scar area in the Santa Fe National Forest. These dead and down trees are now available as free fuelwood for public collection with permit. 

Following the 2022 fire, both agencies identified areas within the burn scar that could pose a risk to hikers and recreationists. Starting in June, removal began along Forest Service roads in the Johnson Mesa, Walker Flats, and Capulin areas of the Santa Fe National Forest. Local northern New Mexico companies were contracted to use a mix of hand crews and machinery to cut and pile the hazard-identified trees.

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Free Lecture Highlights Difficulty of Mars Exploration

Free July Launch Pad Lecture Highlights Difficulty of Mars Exploration
What: The monthly Launch Pad Lecture at the New Mexico Museum of Space History will feature Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll. His topic will be “Why is it so hard? The Exploration of Mars.”  Orwoll will discuss many of the challenges that NASA faces exploring the red planet.  
 
When: Friday, July 7, 2023, at 9:00 am.
 
Where: New Mexico Museum of Space History, Alamogordo, NM. Take the elevator up to the second floor!

Read more ...

Traffic Alert White Sands Missile Range -July 7

Traffic Alert
White Sands Missile Range
US 70 Roadblock
 
LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) have posted an alert for Friday, July 7, 2023.
 
US 70 is scheduled to be blocked beginning at 7:30 a.m., lasting approximately 1 hour. The block will be located at 'BLUE Block' (2 miles east of the access road - Mile Marker 172) and BROWN Block (located at Mile Marker 192). Nike Avenue will also be impacted by this block; however, San Augustine Pass and Las Cruces Gate will remain open.
 
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2221/2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation:  www.nmroads.com  or call 511.

USDA Rural Development upcoming workshops in Las Cruces 071923

On behalf of USDA Rural Development state director Patricia Dominguez, the agency announces two free workshops to take place in Las Cruces on July 19, 2023 on how to apply for two of its grant funding programs.

These workshops will teach applicants of all skill levels how to be successful to receive financing from the agency. We are inviting; small businesses owners, solar providers, county and city administrators, nonprofits, and farmers to learn how to apply for the: 

• Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which provides grant and loan funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

• Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program which is a competitive grant designed to support the development or expansion of small private businesses in rural New Mexico.

Do you own a business in rural New Mexico --and would like to make more money? 

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New Mexico Abortion Hotline Exposed

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 Listen to the shocking call below. 

EXCLUSIVE: New Mexico Abortion Hotline Exposed

(Online version): https://www.abortionfreenm.com/news/exclusive-new-mexico-abortion-hotline-exposed
Albuquerque, New Mexico- On June 24, 2023, Abortion Free New Mexico spokeswoman, Tara Shaver spoke with KOB 4 about New Mexico Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham's new abortion hotline. It is being called the "NM Reproductive Health Hotline " and is linked to the New Mexico Department of Health's (NMDOH) Abortion and Reproductive Health section which explicitly affirms that,  "Abortion is legal and accessible in New Mexico." ​

Abortion Free New Mexico had its suspicions about the real purpose of this new initiative and Tara Shaver stated to KOB 4 during her interview the following,

Read more ...

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