Local News

The San Miguel County Commission is considering a proposal to start slapping liens on properties when owners don’t pay their county solid waste bills.

The commission reviewed possible changes to its solid waste ordinance at its monthly meeting last week. The discussion comes a month after the commission voted to remove 221 delinquent accounts from its system. Officials said most of those accounts has inaccurate addresses or involved onetime customers.

County Attorney Jesus Lopez told the commission that a different commission years ago decided against liens.

A group of commuters is asking the state to provide another bus on the route between Las Vegas and Santa Fe.

The state says it may be able to accommodate that request by as early as December. The state’s Park and Ride program provides low-cost bus service for a number of routes in New Mexico.

Local commuters report that the buses are crowded, requiring people to stand at times.

It was quite a turn of events for me. But I saw the best side of human nature.

Area elementary school students were having a grand time learning about nature and the environment. It was during the annual Earth Day festivities at the U.S. Forest Service back lot on Seventh Street on April 24.

I was there covering the event for the Optic and climbed aboard a large National Guard troop carrier where kids were getting a chance to sit in the driver’s seat.

This week, two City Council members have stayed away from meetings, with one publicly criticizing the mayor. Amid the controversy, a radio DJ played a recording of a wailing baby to poke fun at the two councilmen.

On Thursday, Mayor Tony Marquez presided over a meeting to create a draft strategic plan for the next two years. Councilman Morris Madrid was a no-show, while Councilman Cruz Roybal stayed for a half hour, saying he had another city meeting to attend.