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Local News

  • Today is filing day for school hopefuls

    Las Vegas City Schools board members Elaine Luna and Philip Leger, whose seats are up for election in February, say they’re running again.

    For West Las Vegas, Christine Ludi says she plans to seek re-election, while most political observers say Ralph Garcia will be stepping aside after nearly three decades on the board.

    The only other announced candidates on the west side are David George Romero, a local businessman, and Mike Adams, director of information technology at Luna Community College.

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  • College seeks to dismiss lawsuit

    Luna Community College contends it had the power to fire a former employee without going through the full disciplinary process because he was probationary.

    The college responded last month to a lawsuit filed by Hans Kuss, a former Luna student services counselor. It is asking that District Court dismiss the lawsuit.

    Kuss has claimed institutional racism that includes discrimination against all non-Hispanics who attend or are employed by the college.

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  • Many go to Luna to shop

    The second annual Luna Community College Christmas Fair was the place to be Saturday. Las Vegans lined up to find those perfect gifts.

    Melissa Lopez, Luna’s educational adviser and activities coordinator, said there were about 52 vendors selling everything from jewelry, fine art, homemade bread, cakes and goodies, and lots of hand crafted knick-knacks.

    “I think it’s great because we have some pretty unique gifts here for people who have just about everything,” Lopez said.

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  • Long line of kids await Santa

    The Coca-Cola Caravan trucked through town Sunday carrying the jolly old soul himself and plenty of giveaways for the kids. Children were also able to take free pictures with Santa.

    “Only a handful of stores in the whole country are selected to do this, and since one of the few times Las Vegas children get a chance to see Santa is during the Electric Light Parade, we brought Santa in from Atlanta,” Eileen Paternostro of Coca-Cola said.

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  • Judge issues new rules in RHS hazing case

    SANTA FE — A Santa Fe judge placed new restrictions on former Robertson High School football players who are awaiting trial on rape and other charges in a highly publicized hazing case.

    Six players were kicked off the team and out of school and charged with rape, kidnapping and other counts. They were accused of sodomizing teammates with broomsticks during a team training camp in August outside Las Vegas.

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  • Woman: City didn't follow its process

    A former city secretary who has sued her ex-employer contends the city failed to respond to her grievance in 2005.

    Last month, the former secretary, Pearl Maes, responded to a city request to dismiss her lawsuit claiming breach of contract and retaliatory discharge.

    Maes, who worked for the city from 2001 to 2006, disagreed with the city’s argument that she didn’t pursue her grievance that she made in April 2005. In that grievance, she accused Councilman Cruz Roybal of harassing her for her alleged support for then-Councilman Eugene Romero.

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  • City manager resigns

    City Manager Sharon Caballero resigned Friday after five and a half months on the job.

    In leaving, she criticized Mayor Tony Marquez’s leadership style but praised him for his honesty.

    Her resignation comes at a time when the city government has yet to fill five directors’ positions on a permanent basis. Another director is suffering health problems and is likely to be out during the days ahead.

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  • District clearing mold

    A crew is working on getting rid of mold inside Union Elementary School.

    On Wednesday, the crew disinfected the mold with bleach and covered it with primer. That process resulted in some children getting nauseated, Superintendent Jim Abreu said.

    The mold was caused by problems with the school’s roof, which the district fixed on a short-term basis, Abreu said. Next summer, the district plans to replace the roof.

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  • RHS band prepares for concert

    At last week’s Electric Light Parade, the bands from both West Las Vegas High and Middle schools took part.

    And so did Moriarty High School’s, which had to endure a two-hour drive.

    Noticeably missing was Robertson High School’s band. The parade is likely the biggest local event in which school musicians can show off their talents.

    But Robertson’s longtime band director, Wally Sanchez, said he had good reasons for not having his band participate. It was the second year in a row in which it didn’t.

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  • Suspect sent to state hospital

    The trial for a woman accused of killing an 83-year-old man has been further delayed because she has been sent to the state hospital to determine her competency.

    Jessica Livingston, 24, is charged with an open count of murder in the June 2007 death of Jose Apodaca. She and Dolores Salazar, 19, allegedly robbed Apodaca and then dragged him with their car.

    Livingston had been scheduled to attend a status hearing on her case on Nov. 17, but four days before, she tried to kill herself in the San Miguel County jail, according to court documents.

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The Las Vegas Optic is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in San Miguel County and Las Vegas, NM, and the surrounding area.