Today's News

It will be a day of celebrating on Jan. 28 at the annual United Blood Services luncheon to honor hundreds of volunteer blood drives coordinators that host blood drives throughout New Mexico.

Las Vegas will be represented by Chuck Griego, winner of the Outstanding Government Agency award, and Jackie Romero, winner of the Outstanding Collegiate Drive award. Winners were selected from coordinators throughout the state.

Tribute will be paid to Griego and Romero and other coordinators at the Albuquerque Marriott Pyramid Hotel.

The Las Vegas City Council last week approved an ordinance targeting graffiti. Much of it reflects an existing state law.

The ordinance makes defacing of another person’s property with a variety of materials, including charcoal, to be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine from $150 to up to $500, court costs, 40 hours of community service and a possible 90 days in jail in addition to payment of restitution for the property damage.

It is already illegal in the state to do graffiti without the permission of the property owner.

(Editor’s note: This editorial first appeared on Christmas Day 2007.)

We don’t think a secular, general circulation newspaper is the place to advance any one religious belief. It isn’t appropriate or even right to push our faith off on good people who believe differently. And, frankly, inclusiveness is consistent with our view that there are many paths to the Truth, and our search isn’t the only way to get there.

There were lots of smiling faces as kids lined up for toys at the annual Toys for Tots give away sponsored by the Los Hermanos Motorcycle club.

Club president Gerald Romero said, “We do this as a way to give back to our community. When you see children in line who might not otherwise get a present, that brings a great joy to our hearts — to see the smile on their little faces when they get a toy makes this special. Even though we’re grown men, this is enough to bring us close to tears because of the joy we see all around.”