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Local News

  • Area man convicted of hurting girlfriend

    An area man has been found guilty of pistol-whipping his girlfriend in one incident and throwing her off a recliner in another, officials said.

    District Attorney Richard Flores reported that Russell Gonzales was convicted recently in a jury trial in District Court. He was convicted of aggravated battery against a household member with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault against a household member with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence, Flores said.

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  • Lawyer: State 'hiding' evidence

    The attorney for West Las Vegas’ former superintendent contends the state attorney general’s office has hidden evidence from a grand jury.

    Last week, Kathleen Love, attorney for Joe Baca, asked District Court in San Miguel County to demand that the state present evidence and witnesses to the grand jury, which is slated to be convened soon.

    Grand juries are rare in San Miguel County; most defendants get preliminary hearings in which their attorneys get to cross-examine the state’s witnesses.

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  • Official: Evidence shows bias at Luna

    The head of a state agency has determined that a former Luna Community College employee has enough evidence to show he was a victim of discrimination.

    On May 20, Francie Cordova, director of the state Human Rights Division, issued a “probable cause” determination in the case of Hans Kuss, a former Luna student services counselor.

    The discrimination was based on race, national origin and retaliation, Cordova states.

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  • Dispute may mean new election for trustee position

    Daniel Romero thought last week that a one-vote victory meant he would stay on the Mora-San Miguel Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees.

    Now it’s not such a sure thing.

    Romero, who represents the San Juan-based District 4, prevailed over opponent Louis Clayton during last week’s trustee election with 34 votes to 33.

    But Clayton has filed a protest, saying the utility didn’t meet a quorum requirement on voting day.

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  • RHS event in question

    Robertson High School’s administration told students that attendance at a religious ceremony was mandatory, a move that may place the school in conflict with both state and federal law.

    The ceremony, a baccalaureate, was held May 19 at Immaculate Conception Church in Las Vegas. The Rev. George Salazar gave the greeting, the prayer of invocation and the benediction. The Robertson High School choir and band also performed at the event.

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  • Firefighters get hands-on training

    One fire chief says many firefighters aren’t all that comfortable around fire. Perhaps that changed for some last week.

    During a first-of-its-kind training exercise, firefighters inched their way toward a flame and its heat in an effort that included members of fire departments from all over the county.

    The exercise, sponsored by the San Miguel County Fire Chiefs Association, featured classroom instruction and a field exercise, which was held last week at Luna Community College.

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  • Official: Rumors hurting City Hall

    City Councilman Morris Madrid contends that rumors are hurting the morale and credibility of city government.

    During his council member’s report at last week’s meeting, Madrid said that some were alleging that he wasn’t operating in good faith because he missed two council meetings during a recent week, but he said he had problems with the notification for the meetings, suggesting that the city may have violated the state Open Meetings Act.

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  • Students talk about UWC's strengths

    One student talked about how she didn’t trust anyone after growing up during a civil war. That’s when she found out about United World College.

    On Saturday, the local school held its graduation, as always celebrating it with the cultures of the participating students.

    Vietnamese student To Nhu Huynh said, “It seems like every day there is something new to explore and you are always amazed at how the people and the place changes you in incredible ways.”

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  • Residents pay respects to war dead

    The stars and stripes encircled Veterans Memorial Park Monday as Las Vegans gathered to remember and honor soldiers, sailors and airmen past and present.

    Lt. Col. Luis Gonzales, the master of ceremonies, said military history in northern New Mexico is well known throughout the state. He noted that Las Vegas’ Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1547 is the oldest post in the state.

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  • State auditor encourages young people to succeed

    New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas in his keynote address encouraged the Robertson High School class of 2008 to be brilliant.

    “I would like you to live a brilliant life — the word brilliant is often used to describe mathematicians, artists, an athlete that makes a last second shot, but I believe each one of you possesses the energy, the talent, the will, the drive and the values to lead a brilliant life,” Balderas told the class.

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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.