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Local News

  • Luna starts new certificate programs

    Luna Community College is launching four new certificate programs in an attempt to provide students with more opportunities, officials said.

    None of the programs would require more staff, they said.

    Recently, Luna’s Board of Trustees approved certificates in manicures and pedicures; math, science and engineering technology; and political science. They also agreed to add a concentration in the school’s criminal justice certificate program.

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  • Biodiesel adventurers in Vegas

    Three Japanese travelers stopped in Las Vegas on their way to Santa Fe and beyond last week.

    The three, Satori Murata, Tatsuya Ito and Shusei Yamada, are traveling around the world in a Toyota Landcruiser powered by used vegetable oil and are chronicling their journey on a Website, www.biodieseladventure.com.

    Their journey launched in Japan last December. They have since traveled through Canada and the western United States. The three plan on traveling through Texas and New Orleans before continuing to western Europe, Africa, Eastern Europe and back to Japan.

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  • Council members chide Optic

    During the Councilor’s Reports section of a special city council meeting Wednesday several members took the Optic to task on what they say were inaccurate statements by the newspaper.

    Councilman Cruz Roybal said that the Optic reported that he has been critical of Mayor Tony Marquez, but he said that was not the case.

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  • Modular project to start soon, church says

    Residents north of Las Vegas have complained since 2006 about a number of modulars that a church placed on its property, a problem a member says will be taken care of soon.

    Seventh-Day Adventist Church member Nancy Kanode said the church would use the remaining nine modulars as part of its new building at its property on Hot Springs Boulevard, across the way from Luna Community College. The church will start laying the foundation in April or May, she said.

    Kanode said the project has been delayed because of the amount of state requirements for construction.

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  • Once a shy guy

    Before getting involved in politics, Mayor Tony Marquez says he was a shy and private person.

    “I was extremely quiet, the guy who didn’t want to speak before the class, partly because of my speech, but sometimes you’ve just got to roll up your sleeves and get done what needs to be done,” Marquez said.

    Marquez said he recognized as a kid that he was different from others but embraced his differences.

    “People also used to talk about my eyes being blue,” he said with a grin.

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  • Luna: it cost little to get millions

    Luna Community College has the potential of getting nearly $5 million for capital improvements as the result of the legislative session earlier this year. The cost of lobbying for that money was “unbelievably low,” an official says.

    Sigfredo Maestas, Luna’s interim president, praised the work of Leroy “Huero” Sanchez, a temporary employee who served as the college’s lobbyist from October to February.

    The costs associated with having a lobbyist amounted to a little less than $18,000.

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  • Deputy Chief wins in Bataan event near Cruces

    Las Vegas Deputy Police Chief Christian Montao last weekend won a race in southern New Mexico that was part of the city police’s effort to recruit more officers.

    Montao, 37, participated in the 15.2-run as part of the Bataan Memorial Death March, which also included a marathon and walking events.

    He beat the other 257 participants, passing the finish line at one hour, 52 minutes. The nearest competitor, Ronald Marple, came in about 12 minutes later.

    Chad Matey, 33, of Las Vegas finished 14th in two hours, 19 minutes.

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  • Ex- L.A. Gang member faced peril ,was imprisoned

    Alex Sanchez told Robertson High School students last week that he has been shot, spent time in prison and was a person who got satisfaction from hurting others.

    He was in Las Vegas on behalf of the United World College and the Las Vegas Peace and Justice Center to spread the word that there is a better and much safer way to lead one’s life.

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  • HU athlete accused of breaking into house

    By David Giuliani

    Las Vegas Optic

    A former Highlands University football player was arrested over the weekend on a charge of breaking into the Raynolds Avenue house of Associate Superintendent Barbara Perea Casey

    Fernando Vargas, 22, of Carson, Calif., was taken to the San Miguel County jail. He was arrested a day after his birthday.

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  • Bail lowered for Mora County sex crimes suspect

    A district judge lowered the bail for a Cleveland, N.M., man who is accused of sexual assaulting children in three cases.

    Judge Eugenio Mathis lowered Clifford Gutierrez’s bond from $1 million to $300,000. That means Gutierrez, 34, will have to come up with 10 percent in cash, or $30,000, or provide real property worth $300,000 in collateral, the judge said.

    If Gutierrez is able to get out of jail, he would be barred from living in San Miguel or Mora counties, Mathis said.

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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.