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Today's News

  • LETTERS: Mil Gracias

    I shall appreciate very much if you would add more persons to our “Thank You Note” for the Optic on the recent passing of our son Michael J. Esquibel:

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  • LETTER: Optic should not be so negative

    We believe the primary responsible of any newspaper is to report the news to its readers. Beyond this, it is perhaps also to fairly conduct investigations in hopes of, as Anderson Cooper states, “Keeping them honest.” We respect the rights of the Optic to editorialize and express its opinions on any issue, however, we think it’s most unfair to not simultaneously provide space in you paper for an opinion opposing yours. Opposing views could be published on the same day in the interest of fairness to all involved.

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  • LETTER: Support the Wildlife Refuge

    I just returned from the largest-ever national conference of nonprofit Refuge Friends organizations.  Surrounded by more than 300 people who represented about 160 nonprofit Refuge Friends organizations that support national wildlife refuges, I came back home with a singular message: support for national wildlife refuges may be the most important thing we can do to ensure the conservation of wildlife for future generations. Our national wildlife refuge system is considered, “one of America’s best kept secrets.”

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  • Police solve break-ins in Mora County

    State police have arrested three men in connection with two burglaries in Mora County, and authorities believe they could solve still more break-ins.

    The suspects are Salomon Lopez, 20, of Buena Vista; Lonny Escovedo, 19, of Chacon; and Alexander Padilla, 19, of Mora.

    Lopez and Escovedo face charges of aggravated burglary, larceny, breaking and entering and criminal damage, while Padilla is accused of receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence.

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  • EDITORIAL: Thumbs

    DOWN thumb ... OUT OF ORDER SIGNALIZATION. For more than a month, motorists have faced a four-way stop at the busy intersection of University and Grand. The reason? Someone ran into the control box for traffic lights, and the cost to repair it could be as high as $30,000. So the local Department of Transportation has converted the traffic lights to flashing lights and stop signs.

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  • Blowing trash a problem

    Clyde Pickett has lived at his property northeast of town for 43 years. These days, he has to contend with trash flying onto his land.

    About a decade ago, the city built its transfer station next to Pickett’s property, and since then, people living in the area have complained about garbage ending up on their land.

    Of course, the problem gets much worse this time of year when the winds pick up.

    Last week, Pickett took a reporter to his fence line. All along were bags and other pieces of garbage that clung to the barbed wire.  

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  • Teen gets 2 years for killing man

    A teenager accused of killing a man in Bernal in September 2007 is getting two years in juvenile prison.

    District Judge Eugenio Mathis on Wednesday sentenced Chris Trujillo before a packed courtroom, with many weeping. Trujillo pleaded guilty to manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence.

    As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors reduced an open count of murder to manslaughter in exchange for Trujillo’s guilty plea.

    Trujillo was 16 when he was arrested for killing Gene Padilla, 30, of Serafina.

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  • No traffic lights until project ends

    On Feb. 2, someone ran into the control box for the traffic lights at University and Grand avenues. The lights have been out of order ever since.

    The cost of repairs will be $20,000 to $30,000, said Christina Romero, the Department of Transportation’s spokeswoman. That is so high the department decided to make the intersection a four-way stop until it completes a project to improve that area of Grand Avenue, she said.

    Such improvements may not be finished until 2010 or 2011.

    “It will be an extended temporary fix,” Romero said.

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  • West Las Vegas choir takes state

    West Las Vegas High School Principal Gene Parson said the 2009 State Champion Honors Choir has again proved, beyond a doubt, that it is the best in the area and possibly the state.

    The Honors Choir, directed by Arnell David Arellanes, recently met the difficult challenge of defending last year’s state title and returned home as back-to-back state champions. Besides winning the blue trophy in district 3A, the choir placed in the top five in all categories, A through AAAAA. 

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  • EDITORIAL" E-mails bypass state law

    There’s a reason for the state Open Meetings Act — to require governing bodies to conduct public business openly. After all, the people have every right to see their government in action — we’re paying the bills.

    In recent months, however, the mayor and three Las Vegas City Council members have been privately communicating by e-mail. When a council quorum is discussing public business outside of an open meeting, that’s a violation of the Open Meetings Act.

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