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Local News

  • Officials: Alta Vista stopped new admissions for a short time

    A month ago, Alta Vista Regional Hospital closed its doors for a short time to any new admissions, its top official said this week.

    Richard Grogan, Alta Vista’s CEO, told the San Miguel County Commission that a lot of people were sick locally and many of the hospital’s employees were calling in sick. He said he closed the hospital to new admissions “until we got to more comfortable levels.”

    He said the hospital would have arranged transportation of sick people to other hospitals.

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  • Cheerleading coach's case is closed

    The Police Department has closed its investigation into Robertson High School’s cheerleading coach, who was suspected of “inappropriate” activity.

    But Krystle King’s job may still be in jeopardy. She was placed on administrative leave  last month when the allegations became known.

    Police Chief Gary Gold said her alleged actions didn’t rise to the level of a crime. Officials haven’t described the nature of the allegations against King.

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  • Exercise system is on Gallinas riverwalk

    Las Vegas has unveiled its outdoor fitness system along the Gallinas riverwalk.

    This community fitness program was started by the city to promote health and fitness. The program includes several exercise stations that focus on free resistance outdoor exercise. The stations can provide a tailored workout for teens and adults at all fitness levels.    

    The new community fitness system is along the riverwalk walking path between Mills Avenue and Independence Avenue. It is about 1.3 miles long.  

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  • Hospital defends stance on union

    Alta Vista Regional Hospital’s top official on Tuesday defended its policy not to negotiate with the union until an appeal is resolved.

    Richard Grogan, the hospital’s chief executive officer, told the San Miguel County Commission that since he took the helm in 2007, Alta Vista has turned around for the better. And he accused the Optic of distorting the facts regarding the hospital’s relationship with its employees.

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  • Man attacked woman, police say

    A Las Vegas man is accused of attacking a woman and threatening her with a gun while her children were in their bedrooms, state police said.

    Peter Salazar, 32, 2033-1/2 Grand Ave., was arrested on a number of charges.

    According to a criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court, state police officers arrived around 1 a.m. Monday and saw a woman leaving her Serafina house with blood smears on her face, chest and pants   legs. She told the officers that Salazar was in the house with a gun, police said.

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  • County attorney gets new contract

    San Miguel County Attorney Jesus Lopez has entered another four-year agreement with the county.

    Last week, the County Commission unanimously voted for a new contract with Lopez, a former district attorney. He will get $67,500 each year, up from $60,000 in the previous four-year agreement.

    County Commission Chairman David Salazar praised Lopez’s service.

    “I appreciate that you’re really honest about what you have to say. That’s what you’re hired to do. You are to protect the county,” the chairman said.

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  • Sign celebrates downtown areas

    Las Vegas Mayor Tony Marquez was speaking about economic development during an outside ceremony Friday when a loud cement truck came by.

    No one could hear the mayor for a moment, but he didn’t seem to mind.

    After the truck went away, Marquez said, “We hope to hear that kind of sound all the time.”

    Marquez was among more than 20 local and state officials who attended the unveiling of a sign at Douglas and Grand avenues celebrating the work of MainStreet Las Vegas, a downtown redevelopment organization.

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  • West gets praise as it approves bond firm

    The West Las Vegas school district got some praise last week after it authorized the sale of bonds to pay for school improvements.

    The board unanimously approved the Baker Group of Oklahoma City for the $1.1 million in bonds. The company offered an interest rate of 2.75 percent.

    West’s investment adviser, Al Clemmons of George K. Baum & Company, said Moody’s, a financial research firm, is pleased with the performance of the board and administration.

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  • County moves toward oil and gas moratorium

    The San Miguel County Commission has taken its first step toward setting a year-long moratorium on oil and gas drilling permits while it enacts new regulations.

    On Tuesday, the commission voted unanimously to publish the proposed moratorium and seek public comment.

    As it stands, the county has about a half page of regulations for oil and gas regulations. That’s from a land-use ordinance in 1986 that’s about an inch thick.

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  • Man dies in apartment fire

    A man perished in a fire early Saturday evening, but authorities have yet to identify him.

    The fire was contained to one apartment in an eight-unit complex on Collins Drive, a couple of blocks north of the main fire station on Legion Drive. Firefighters arrived around 6:40 p.m.

    Fire Chief Phillip Mares said the fire had been going for a while when his department showed up.  He said it’s possible it took a while for anyone to call because most people were at the annual Light Parade, which was just ending when firefighters got  the call.

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