Las Vegas Optic

08/17/2024

Organizers behind an event they are calling the Las Vegas Community Healthfest aim to connect locals to health resources.

The free event, brought by the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women, is set to take place Aug. 24 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Plaza Park.

“Our event is going to be a big one,” said Carla Law, Program Manager for the New Mexico Commission on the Status of Women. There will be something for people of all ages, she said, including games for children such as a giant Connect 4. Free concessions will provide cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn.

The focus of the event, however, will be healthcare, Law said. The healthfest will aim to bring together local healthcare providers, mental health resources and information on midwives and doulas, Law said.

Organizers behind an event they are calling the Las Vegas Community Healthfest aim to connect locals to health resources.

08/17/2024

Concerns about water availability may have moved Las Vegas’ largest event off its traditional spot on the calendar, but they didn’t cancel them completely. After several weeks of discussion and planning, the City of Las Vegas announced that the musical portion of Fiestas de Las Vegas will take place over Labor Day weekend at Plaza Park.

The fun will begin on Saturday, Aug. 31 and continue through Monday, Sept. 2, Labor Day. Twenty-six musical acts are scheduled to perform, with each day full of entertainment for people of all ages.

Though the city wasn’t able to bring back every group originally scheduled to perform at the Fiestas, it secured commitments from the majority and it is hoping to capture the Fourth of July magic a little later in the year.

Concerns about water availability may have moved Las Vegas’ largest event off its traditional spot on the calendar, but they didn’t cancel them completely. After several weeks of discussion and

08/16/2024

For three years, CJ Perea has been lighting up opposing defenses for the West Las Vegas Dons as the team’s quarterback. This winter, he will have the chance to show off his skills to a national audience as he participates in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas, Texas along with dozens of other graduating seniors from across the country.

Perea, who is about to begin his senior season with West Las Vegas, has started for the Dons since he was a freshman, earning statewide acclaim for his performance. Last season, he helped lead West Las Vegas to the Class 3A playoffs, and he has his sights set even higher for the season ahead.

He is also looking ahead to what comes after his days of putting on the Dons uniform are over, and that is where the upcoming All-Star game comes in.

Blue-Grey football was founded in 1989 and began hosting annual All-Star games in 2014, providing graduating high school players a chance to train and play inside NFL stadiums, like in Dallas, where Perea will be on the field this December.

For three years, CJ Perea has been lighting up opposing defenses for the West Las Vegas Dons as the team’s quarterback. This winter, he will have the chance to show

08/16/2024

The community is invited to be part of the creation of a new mural at New Mexico Highlands University in the coming days.

Students and staff with the school’s media arts department along with visiting artists Izia Lindsay and Al Díaz are set to begin work on a new mural at the school next week. Members of the community are welcome to come to the media arts’ McCaffrey Historic Trolley Building to partake in free events related to the project, including film screenings about street art and workshops about lettering and graffiti.

Mariah Hausman, chair of media arts and technology as well as professor of visual communications at Highlands, said Lindsay and Díaz, both accomplished artists with a long history of doing street art, will be “injecting some street art and creative energy into our spaces and our classes.”

The community is invited to be part of the creation of a new mural at New Mexico Highlands University in the coming days.

08/16/2024

Although the San Miguel/Mora County Fair as it is now known is turning 50 this year, the community has been celebrating agricultural and “home science” excellence at annual events long before the 1970s.

This year’s fair, which started Wednesday at the County Fairgrounds, is being touted by organizers as the 50th fair of its kind. A perusal of The Optic from 1974 confirms that an event referred to as the “First Annual Rodeo” organized by the Las Vegas Jaycees took place that August.

The front page of the Aug. 20, 1975 edition of The Optic has a story acknowledging that the “Northeastern New Mexico Fair and Rodeo” was at that point in its second year. The event was kicked off with a rodeo parade. The article states that the event was sponsored by the Las Vegas Jaycees and the San Miguel County 4-H Council.

Although the San Miguel/Mora County Fair as it is now known is turning 50 this year, the community has been celebrating agricultural and “home science” excellence at annual events long

08/15/2024

West Las Vegas has been rising in athletics for the past few years, becoming more competitive across the board and adding strong coaches to foster the talent Las Vegas has to offer. This year, they hope that commitment to athletics pays off on the pitch, as they look to field a full varsity schedule in boys soccer after several years of competing mainly on the JV level.

It is a program that is rising up from the ashes and hoping to make a big splash in Class 3A this year, complete with a new coaching staff and a whole new preseason training regimen.

Since local healthcare leader Matthew Probst took over the soccer program, he has changed the way the team prepares for the season, taking on a full offseason training camp with multiple friendly preseason matches against other high school players across New Mexico. With more than a month of working together under their belts, they are well prepared for the upcoming season, which begins this weekend against Ruidoso. That game begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Ruidoso.

West Las Vegas has been rising in athletics for the past few years, becoming more competitive across the board and adding strong coaches to foster the talent Las Vegas has

08/15/2024

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08/11/2024

Local singer-songwriter Juan Ortega has received several recognitions over the years; however, he said, being recognized by his hometown has been the best one yet.

Las Vegas city officials proclaimed July 17, 2024, as Juan Ortega Day during a regular city council meeting that day. The proclamation was proposed by Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Michael Montoya.

“The presentation was made more special by my dad’s emotional response to the honor,” said Juan Ortega’s daughter and fellow singer Brenda Ortega in an email statement to The Optic. Juan Ortega said it was, indeed, special to be recognized by the leaders of his own community.

“I feel that the recognition from my own city, from my own hometown, is the biggest honor that I could get,” he said during a recent telephone interview. “I’m really grateful for it.”

Local singer-songwriter Juan Ortega has received several recognitions over the years; however, he said, being recognized by his hometown has been the best one yet.

08/11/2024

Las Vegas’ survival may depend on how well its small businesses overcome the effects of a wildfire ignited by federal agents; however, part of the issue is that this is a challenge that has never happened before.

This was a key talking point during a recent town hall meeting at the Plaza Hotel. Organized by Sara Mathews, who owns and operates Prairie Hill Café and Byron T’s Saloon, the event was meant to allow small business owners a chance to discuss their post-Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire concerns directly with FEMA officials.

The event drew a crowd of about 65 people, including local business owners, FEMA officials and local leaders. Victoria Martinez, a field representative for Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández and Pamela Garcia, representing Sen. Ben Ray Luján, were present.

Speaking to the crowd, Mathews said FEMA has failed to have an adequate or timely response to the community impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

“I know it takes time to heal,” Mathews said, “but it takes a lot less time for businesses in Las Vegas, New Mexico to die.”

Las Vegas’ survival may depend on how well its small businesses overcome the effects of a wildfire ignited by federal agents; however, part of the issue is that this is

08/10/2024

In less than two weeks, high school volleyball players will return to the court in Las Vegas, with both local programs aiming to build on their success from last season.

Robertson, which has achieved great success in recent years in volleyball, spent most of last season underperforming for their standards, earning the No. 7 seed in the Class 3A tournament. However, when the lights turned brighter and the playoffs began, the Lady Cardinals got into a groove, advancing all the way to the state semifinals, taking down several highly-rated teams along the way.

West Las Vegas, on the other hand, took a big step forward a year ago, following a long rebuild by their program. After years of struggles, the team qualified for the Class 3A state tournament last year, following a 14-win season that included strong signs of growth from many of its players. Although they lost their first two tournament games, the experience the team gained through playing on the big stage should help them in a big way this upcoming season.

In less than two weeks, high school volleyball players will return to the court in Las Vegas, with both local programs aiming to build on their success from last season.

08/10/2024

The federal agency tasked with distributing nearly $4 billion to victims of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire announced a milestone last week: $1 billion in compensation paid for the April

08/09/2024

The County Fairgrounds will be alive next week, as the San Miguel/Mora County Fair kicks off for the 50th time, starting on Aug. 14 and continuing through Aug. 17, with people of all ages showing off their unique talents and allowing the community to come together to celebrate what makes Northern New Mexico special.

Francisco Sanchez, president of the San Miguel/Mora County Fair Association said in a letter that he encourages everyone to attend and take part in the festivities that the participants have spent the past year working hard to create.

“I encourage you to immerse yourself fully in the experience, to embrace the spirit of camaraderie and goodwill that defines our community. Whether you are a longtime resident or a first-time visitor, the San Miguel/Mora County Fair welcomes you with open arms,” Sanchez wrote.

The County Fairgrounds will be alive next week, as the San Miguel/Mora County Fair kicks off for the 50th time, starting on Aug. 14 and continuing through Aug. 17, with

08/09/2024

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08/09/2024

In April of 2024 Las Vegas NM filmmaker Jim Terr wrote to 25 former Trump employees and associates who have publicly criticized the ex-president, asking them to interview for a project called “Trump Experts Speak Out.” “My idea,” Terr says, “was that all these first-hand critiques should be in one place, where they can be seen and considered.”

Only one requested interviewee, Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and an investment fund manager in New York, agreed to be interviewed. “And I’m glad he did,” Terr says, “because he provided a very honest, non-judgmental view of Trump’s appeal and his faults, in a thoughtful historical, psychological, and moral context, the longest interview I’ve seen him do anywhere.”

In April of 2024 Las Vegas NM filmmaker Jim Terr wrote to 25 former Trump employees and associates who have publicly criticized the ex-president, asking them to interview for a

08/09/2024

The Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office is dismissing charges in about 50 criminal cases filed by prosecutors in Las Vegas and other areas within the Fourth Judicial District due to concerns about the integrity of investigations in the cases.

The dismissed cases were all investigated or otherwise documented by San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin D. Padilla who is facing criminal charges — one felony and one misdemeanor — following an altercation at his home.

Fourth Judicial District Attorney Tom Clayton said that while the total number of cases expected to be dismissed is currently “around 50,” the number could change as his office evaluates Padilla’s involvement in every pending case.

“We are dismissing these without prejudice, which means that I can re-evaluate each and every case, and I can wait to see how Justin’s criminal case is resolved, one way or the other,” Clayton said. “I reserve the right to refile these cases.”

Most of the cases slated for dismissal are pending cases where Padilla was assigned as the primary officer and included cases dating back several months, not just cases filed after the incident at his home.

The Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office is dismissing charges in about 50 criminal cases filed by prosecutors in Las Vegas and other areas within the Fourth Judicial District due to

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

Join Us for a Special Tribute to Our Troops on Sunday!

The City of Las Vegas would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the brave soldiers and veterans of our community for their remarkable service and selfless sacrifices in defense of our nation. This event is more than just music—it's a heartfelt tribute to the courageous men and women who have served our country.

In their honor, we invite the community to join us this Sunday, August 11, 2024, at the Plaza Park from 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an afternoon of live music featuring Wild Country, Micky Cruz, Sangre Joven, Gonzalo, and Roberto Griego.

Bring a lawn chair, come ready to dance, and enjoy a variety of food from local vendors. It’s also a great opportunity to stroll along Plaza Park and Bridge Street to shop at local businesses. This family-friendly event is free and open to all ages.

Don’t miss out!

08/05/2024

Longtime Las Vegas physician Jesus Tafoya said two goals he wants to achieve as Alta Vista Regional Hospital’s new medical director is to improve the facility’s emergency room experience and to keep more patients at the hospital as opposed to sending them elsewhere for care.

Tafoya is set to take on the leadership role at the hospital on Oct. 1. Currently the physician at Sunrise Clinics, 2515 Ridgerunner Road, he was adamant that the community know he will continue to be at the clinic while also serving at the hospital.

“My clinic’s my pride and joy,” Tafoya said. “I love my clinic. It’s a place I want to continue to work for decades to come.”

Tafoya will also continue his involvement with hospice work, which he does via Anvoi Health.

While the position of medical director will mainly involve leading the aspects of the hospital that do not include the emergency room, Tafoya said he looks forward to improving ER services there. He said he also hopes to make it more common for patients to receive care at Alta Vista as opposed to being flown elsewhere for treatment.

Longtime Las Vegas physician Jesus Tafoya said two goals he wants to achieve as Alta Vista Regional Hospital’s new medical director is to improve the facility’s emergency room experience and

08/04/2024

Luna Community College’s Angelica Ortiz was named first-team National Junior College Athletic Association by the NJCAA Division I Softball Committee. Ortiz joined the All-American team as a designated player. She is the firstLuna student-athlete to be named as an All-American.

Ortiz led the nation in RBI’s with 119 and home runs with 41. Ortiz was also third in batting average at .533. The 119 RBI’s and 41 homeruns are national NJCAA records.

Luna Community College’s Angelica Ortiz was named first-team National Junior College Athletic Association by the NJCAA Division I Softball Committee. Ortiz joined the All-American team as a designated player. She

08/04/2024

A school district and electrical cooperative in Mora County allege in a lawsuit that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is putting an unnecessary burden on them as they seek compensation for the biggest wildfire in New Mexico history.

The Mora Independent School District and the Mora San-Miguel Electrical Cooperative suffered various losses in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire beginning in April 2022. The fire burned thousands of utility poles, and soot and ash damaged school buildings and landscaping, along with other losses, according to the lawsuit Friday.

The fire began as two botched prescribed burns ignited by the U.S. Forest Service. Congress tasked FEMA with administering nearly $4 billion to compensate individuals, businesses and local and tribal governments for losses they incurred in the fire, which burned a 534-square-mile area. Congressional sponsors hoped FEMA would be a way to quickly and fairly compensate thousands of victims without the need of a lawsuit.

But before the school district and electrical co-op can get access to that $3.95 billion fund, the lawsuit alleges FEMA is adding an unnecessary hurdle: Requiring the public entities to first seek aid from FEMA’s Public Assistance program. That’s a program the agency deploys across the country whenever a disaster occurs that reimburses governmental organizations for costs incurred due to a disaster.

A school district and electrical cooperative in Mora County allege in a lawsuit that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is putting an unnecessary burden on them as they seek compensation

08/03/2024

PSA

08/03/2024

Alta Vista Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Shurtz as the Interim CEO. Amanda Shurtz, a seasoned healthcare executive who brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the role with 32 years of experience and 12 years as a healthcare CEO. She has been integral to Java Medical Group’s commitment to helping rural healthcare to grow and thrive.

Amanda succeeds Rob Nelson, who served Alta Vista Hospital during a challenging transition period. Rob will be returning to his home in Mississippi with his wife to enjoy watching his son play football this fall. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rob for his dedicated service and leadership.

Amanda has spent 32 years in the Hospital and Healthcare industry, beginning her career as a nurse in a small hospital in Southern Illinois. It was there that Amanda began her lifelong pursuit of helping others. During the course of her career, Amanda achieved degrees while working in the field, holding both a Master’s Degree in Nursing and a Master’s Degree in Business. Her true passion and calling emerged as she accepted leadership roles, including Vice President of Nursing/CNO, Hospital President/CEO, and Regional Hospital CEO. Amanda has consistently led teams to excel in patient experience, service line development, fiscal turnaround, and key performance indicators. She believes that creating a healthy culture through leadership is key to achieving and sustaining results.

Alta Vista Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Shurtz as the Interim CEO. Amanda Shurtz, a seasoned healthcare executive who brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership

08/03/2024

Prosecutors last week filed criminal charges against a San Miguel County Sheriff’s Deputy for his alleged role in a fight at his home in September of last year.

Colfax County prosecutors charged 22-year-old Justin D. Padilla with one felony count of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of battery related to an alleged altercation at his Las Vegas home in September. Prosecutors also filed misdemeanor charges against two women and another man in the case.

San Miguel County Manager Joy Ansley told the Optic that Padilla is on paid administrative leave from the sheriff’s office, pending an investigation.

A New Mexico State Police officer responded just before 1 a.m. on Sept. 10, 2023, to a call about a fight at Padilla’s house near Storrie Lake. Padilla greeted the officer outside the house, and when asked about the fight, he denied that any fights had taken place at the residence, according to a criminal complaint filed in Raton Magistrate Court on July 26.

Prosecutors last week filed criminal charges against a San Miguel County Sheriff’s Deputy for his alleged role in a fight at his home in September of last year.

08/02/2024

The Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation has contracted with their long-time board member and former chairman to work as executive director of the Foundation.

As executive director Baca will work on major Foundation objectives including long-term wildfire disaster recovery; development of a housing/land trust; management of the recently established Anchorum Community Health Fund; and fundraising.

Baca is a native of Las Vegas and has been involved in downtown revitalization and historic preservation for over 40 years. He served as state Main Street director and state historic preservation officer during a nearly twenty-year career with state government.

The Las Vegas New Mexico Community Foundation has contracted with their long-time board member and former chairman to work as executive director of the Foundation.

08/02/2024

City of Las Vegas Reassures Community Water is Safe to Drink

Las Vegas, NM – Yesterday, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) issued a press release that includes a link to an interactive map, indicating that NMED will be intensifying its oversight of drinking water systems across the State of New Mexico. This announcement has raised considerable alarm within our community, particularly as we continue to grapple with water issues stemming from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.

We want to address the recent report highlighting violations within the City of Las Vegas. The interactive map displays a total of 34 violations across various sectors, which includes:

• Water System Violations: They reported 27 unresolved water violations, which includes 8 relating to groundwater and community water systems that are outside the City's direct control. The numbers reported on the map are a misrepresentation and not reflecting real-time data. The City of Las Vegas currently has 8 active water deficiencies and 11 have been resolved. NMED has yet to reflect these updates.

• Food Safety and OSHA Violations: An additional 15 deficiencies pertain to food safety and OSHA violations in local businesses. We are actively collaborating with those local businesses to address these concerns.

The reports generated by NMED are based on quarterly sampling conducted by the State. This mandatory oversight sampling is compared with the routine testing conducted by the City. There is a time delay for publication of the NMED reports; however, there are no delays affecting the review or management of potential risk related to the data. We are engaging with NMED to advocate for better timed public reporting. Our goal is to enhance transparency and better serve the community by ensuring that information is made available in a more efficient and accessible manner.

In light of the concerns, we want to reassure all residents that the tap water provided by the City of Las Vegas is safe to drink and approved by the NM Drinking Water Bureau. The City is taking extensive measures to ensure the safety and quality of our drinking water, especially given the ongoing challenges related to post-fire water quality.

Our water is monitored daily by the City, in collaboration with the New Mexico Drinking Water Bureau and the New Mexico Environment Department. This ensures that any potential issues are identified and addressed promptly. We perform daily checks to monitor both water quality and water levels, guaranteeing that our system is operating properly. Our drinking water system filters are backwashed regularly to flush out any accumulated particles or debris, maintaining the effectiveness of our filtration system. Fire hydrants are flushed regularly to maintain water quality and clean the pipes that deliver water to homes and businesses.

The ongoing violations the City is addressing pertain to Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Total Organic Carbon (TOCs), both of which are expected and commonly detected post-wildfire.

• TTHMs are a type of disinfection byproduct with a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) allowed in drinking water of 0.080 mg/L. The average of this byproduct in the City water test at 0.067 mg/L, which is below the MCL acceptable threshold. Regular backwashing and flushing has been key to keeping the TTHMs under control.

• TOCs is a measurement of Total Organic Compounds and is commonly found in surface water after a wildfire. The goal is to keep this compound below 2.0%. The City is averaging 2.9%. NMED and the NM Water Drinking Bureau are aware of this heightened compound level; however, they have continued approving this level as acceptable for consumption. There are different water treatment methods and equipment the City is actively looking to implement in the near future to assist with reducing this level.

Treating elevated levels of Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and Total Organic Carbon (TOCs) after a wildfire is a significant challenge for municipalities. The City wants to reassure the community that our water is safe to drink and that we understand concerns you may have because we share them as well.

If you have further questions, please contact the NM Drinking Water Bureau at 505-827-7536 or the NM Environment Department at 505-827-0187. We will continue to remain transparent and honest with the Community as we continue to navigate the ongoing issues with our watershed. Our priority is the health and safety of our residents.

***NOTE: City water has not tested positive for arsenic, uranium or fluoride like other water systems in the state have.

08/02/2024

A Las Vegas woman was arrested for a DWI in late July, but when she was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center, her name was mysteriously altered - removing her last name - one she shares with a prominent elected official.

Emilia Amor Castellano faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding for an incident that occurred July 20. However, for 10 days following her arrest, a search for her in the San Miguel County Detention Center database returned no results. That’s because she was entered into the detention center database under the name “Emilia Amor D,” instead of her actual name, as is typically the case.

Emilia Castellano is the niece of New Mexico State Representative Ambrose Castellano, who was recently defeated in the June primary election by challenger Anita Gonzales. In a social media post by Castellano the day of the primary, she encouraged people to vote for her “uncle Ambrose.”

The Optic contacted officials at the San Miguel County Detention Center on Tuesday. Deputy Warden Steven Garcia told the Optic that she had been booked under her legal name but that “for some reason, when she was released the computer processed her name with a D instead of her last name.”

He did not have an explanation for why the mistake had occurred with just the one inmate.

Garcia said he could fix the mistake in the system, and within three hours the database had been updated to include her complete name.

A Las Vegas woman was arrested for a DWI in late July, but when she was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center, her name was mysteriously altered -

08/01/2024

The community is welcome to attend an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast buffet this Saturday to benefit the Robertson High School boys’ soccer team.

Organized by members of the local masonic lodge, the pancake breakfast will take place Saturday, Aug. 3, from 8-11 a.m. on the second floor of the Chapman Lodge No. 2, located at 518 ½ Douglas Ave.

Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased either at the door or from a member of the Robertson High School boys’ soccer team.

In fact, selling tickets is the only thing the breakfast’s beneficiary is tasked with doing, said Dean Scoggin, a member of the Masonic lodge who described himself as the pancake breakfast facilitator.

“They don’t have to come and cook, clean, serve or nothing,” Scoggin said. “We do everything except sell tickets.”

The community is welcome to attend an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast buffet this Saturday to benefit the Robertson High School boys’ soccer team.

07/30/2024

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