Lujan on Tuesday ruled against a Village of Los Ranchos motion seeking an injunction to stop the controversial Village Center Project and Fourth and Osuna NW elected mayor of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque in November on a platform that championed open space and opposed high-density development said Craig died Tuesday in an Albuquerque hospital Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Email notifications are only sent once a day Stay informed with the latest top headlines from your trusted local source the Albuquerque Journal—delivered to your inbox every day Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist it provides narrative coverage of local trends going beyond the headlines to keep you informed Stay in the loop with the top stories of the week delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday Sign up to see what’s trending and get the latest on the stories that matter most to our readers Get breaking news and important alerts sent straight to your inbox as they happen Stay up-to-date with the latest sports headlines and highlights from the Albuquerque Journal Get the latest on local happenings delivered straight to your inbox Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account — People had their chance to get their hands on all things lavender at the Lavender in the Village Festival in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque It’s been going on for 30 years and bills itself as the largest lavender fest in the southwest Farmers around the region showed up to show their wears and make connections this is the main location where they get to show off their crops to the public It’s a great place to be with other people see how the lavender is planted,” said Penny Winn You will have to wait until next year for the main festival. However, Electric Playhouse is hosting an immersive lavender yoga event Sunday morning Steel Bender Brewing is also hosting an event at the end of the month to benefit Lavender in the Village Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the content of the FCC Public File may contact KOB via our online formor call 505-243-4411 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from May 2 to 8 Albuquerque New Mexico Albuquerque Notices 🔶 Celebrate Mother’s Day at the ABQ BioPark Zoo – The ABQ BioPark Zoo is celebrating all moms during its Mother’s Day at the Zoo on May 11 — A new legal battle could be brewing over an apartment complex in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Los Ranchos residents made one thing clear late last month – the three-story Village Center project at 4th and Osuna doesn’t belong in their laid-back it is expected to offer more than 200 new apartments “This is a matter of utmost urgency and we must act now to preserve the integrity and character of our community,” one resident said The long-awaited project broke ground in 2022, but last month a district judge ruled the out-of-state developer and village leaders violated New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act by not holding the proper public meetings before breaking ground residents want village leaders to take legal action to stop construction The Board of Trustees voted 2-1 to pursue an injunction against the developer but some residents argued that’s a lose-lose scenario it’s going to be tied up in the courts for two or three years it will cost us millions,” a resident said “So not only will we have the monstrosity that we all hate right now but it’s going to be unfinished state on top of it.” the village has not filed an injunction against the developer but it appears there is an effort to avoid a legal battle The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss potential litigation and then vote on whatever they decided in a special public meeting right after Developers confirmed Monday that they would consider suing the village for damages if they do file an injunction Traffic passes the Palindrome project on Osuna Road NE in the Village of Los Ranchos on Thursday Matthew Reisen covers criminal justice for the Albuquerque Journal. Follow him on Twitter at @MReisen88, call him at (505) 823-3563 or reach him via email at mreisen@abqjournal.com Fresh produce from local farm Dulce Farms sold at Los Ranchos Growers’ Market like the bulbs sold by Romero’s Alameda Sweet Farm can be found at Los Ranchos Growers’ Market artisans and other vendors at Los Ranchos Growers’ Market and that means Los Ranchos Growers' and Art markets are back in season and that means Los Ranchos Growers’ and Art markets are back in season for their 32nd year locals are able to shop an arrangement of locally-sourced crops from grower and farmer vendors while also being able to purchase goods from local artisans Petitions filed by both sides embroiled in the controversial Village Center Project at Fourth and Osuna will be heard in Second District Court on Friday Petitions filed by both sides in the controversial Palindrome development case are scheduled to be heard in state district court on Friday The Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is requesting a temporary restraining order and injunction to stop construction on the project — 204 affordable apartment units and micro-retail spaces — on the southeast corner of Fourth and Osuna Village of Los Ranchos administration is seeking board of trustee approval to request a court injunction stopping the Palindrome building project at the southeast corner of Fourth and Osuna That item is on the agenda of the Los Ranchos Board of Trustees meeting at 6 p.m The Village Center project at Fourth and Osuna is nearing completion but opposition groups such as the Friends of Los Ranchos want it torn down Lawsuits seeking damages of more than $50 million from the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque are possible if a controversial affordable housing project at Fourth and Osuna is terminated and razed “That is ultimately what a damages claim would be in the worst-case scenario of tearing it down altogether,” said Chad Rennaker chief executive officer of Palindrome Communities company building the project — 204 apartment units divided among three three-story structures plus micro-retail spaces — on the southeast corner of Fourth and Osuna is jeered by protesters during the 2022 groundbreaking of the Village Center Project at Fourth and Osuna Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Joe Craig ordered a halt in a controversial development project under construction for nearly two years at Fourth and Osuna Craig’s directive was delivered to Los Ranchos Village Administrator John Avila and Village Code Enforcement Officer Michael Montoya in a May 9 letter As the entry point of the Rio Grande water dam and pumping station that supports the whole Albuquerque metropolitan area’s water intake Los Ranchos is no stranger to integrating infrastructure seamlessly into the landscape of their lives Small communities in urban areas often work hard to retain their character while modernizing for the future and Los Ranchos represents a blueprint for balancing keeping ample open space from their rich agriculture history and the charm of a small rural town while leveraging the benefits of being next to one of New Mexico’s largest cities Mayor Donald T. Lopez grew up in Los Ranchos and remembers his childhood working on his grandfather’s farm well after a long career as the Assistant State Engineer of New Mexico and a Colonel in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve he now uses his practical engineering and management experience to benefit his community his highest priorities have been to keep strong fiscal health for the Village while solidifying the plans and infrastructure improvements that will ensure local long-term resident retainment and prosperity The Village of Los Ranchos must build for the future and maintain its agricultural heritage for future generations Infrastructure is the base foundation of cities but it can also spur the larger economic development plan for an area There may not be a better example of this than Los Ranchos’ Fourth Street development to upgrade the Village’s main street hosting many of Los Ranchos’ restaurants and small businesses to: These events create cohesion and community between residents of the village while also supporting local businesses Abraham Agri-Nature Center is to be a center of excellence in regenerative agriculture workshops and provides resources for farmers and gardeners at all skill levels The Agri-Nature Center is also home to a soils lab that analyzes soil By engaging both students in farm camp and soil testing as well as retired master gardeners and New Mexico University the Agri-Nature Center spurs continuous connections between the Village’s agricultural past and its future the Village of Los Ranchos purchased 26 acres of prime farmland and adjacent open space north of Paseo del Norte The lands are contiguous with parcels owned by the New Mexico Department of Transportation along Paseo del Norte and Bernalillo County which the Village manages through cooperative agreements this creates approximately 40 acres as part of the del Norte open space to retain the green space of the Village for generations to come The work of a village is never done. The land for the Agri-Nature Center, the del Norte property, and their Edgewood Park are all examples of the Village seeking out and purchasing significant green space parcels the Village has voted to create a fund to begin saving for future land as well as continuing their Fourth Street updates and Village Center addition It’s clear that Los Ranchos de Alburquerque will continue to work very hard to protect the unique lifestyle of their beautiful village Federal Advocacy Intern at the National League of Cities Brittney Kohler is the Legislative Director of Transportation and Infrastructure at the National League of Cities – The Village of Los Ranchos was taken aback when they saw a sign posted on the door at city hall Tuesday announcing the passing of Mayor Joe Craig.  Village leadership ended up cancelling their closed session and regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday KOB 4 reached out to the mayor just last week about scheduling an interview when we found out he was on medical leave for an unknown reason the village announced his passing and the friends of Los Ranchos say they will continue his work “All he wanted was to protect the neighborhoods we live in That was his goal when he ran for mayor,” said Mel Eaves He was just a shinning light,” said Marsha Adams Those close to Craig say he loved his community and was steadfast in preserving the village’s charm and rural way of life Eaves first crossed paths with Craig when he was the president of Friends of Los Ranchos and had his own questions about the proposed Village Center Project and from that time on we became virtually inseparable On a daily basis because we were both committed to holding Palindrome accountable because the village was not holding them accountable,” said Eaves A recent decision from a judge validated their work ruling that developers and village leadership at the time violated the Open Meetings Act and none of the plans for the project are valid.  Earlier this month we got a press release from the mayor saying I am excited that villager’s concerns were validated by the recent court ruling I look forward to getting back to the village and assuring that our ordinances are being followed.” While Craig never returned to his office after that letter his friends are committed to seeing his vision through.  We will fight to the bitter end,” Adams said.    “We are going to see that Palindrome is held accountable to the full extent of the law because that is what Joe literally lived for and we are going to do anything we can to make that happen,” said Eaves.   Village leadership has also released a statement about the mayor’s passing saying that he lead with unwavering commitment and passion.  “The Village of Los Ranchos is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mayor Joe Craig a dedicated public servant and beloved community member Mayor Craig served the Village of Los Ranchos with unwavering commitment and passion profoundly shaping the community and leaving a legacy that will be felt for generations Mayor Craig prioritized maintaining the Village’s rural charm and greatly enhanced the quality of life for all residents He championed the preservation of our Village’s land encouraging a sustainable lifestyle while fostering kindness and a sense of community that respected every person and included every voice Mayor Pro Tem Frank Reinow expressed his heartfelt condolences and admiration for Mayor Craig’s contributions to the Village both as Mayor and as the Executive Director of the Friends of Los Ranchos “Mayor Joe Craig was not only a remarkable leader but also a cherished friend,” said Mayor Pro Tem Reinow “His passion for our community was evident in everything he did Joe’s legacy will continue to inspire us all to work towards a better but his spirit will live on in the work we continue in his honor.” The Village of Los Ranchos extends its deepest sympathies to Mayor Craig’s family during this difficult time.” A sampling of the bounty from a recent farmers market outing to the Downtown Growers Market If you are looking for places to get fresh produce you're in luck as Albuquerque has a variety of unique farmers markets you can take advantage of To compile this list, I sorted through pages of farmers markets on Google, farmersmarketsnm.org and social media in search of the best farmers markets in the area Tisporah Nephesh leans against her friend Mirna Seidel's truck surrounded by heirloom tomato seedlings for sale at the Los Ranchos Growers Market agricultural coordinator director of Organicos Farm in the South Valley Attendees walk around the Valentines day market at The Rail Yards on Saturday Youth dancers with Flamenco Works perform during the Valentine Market at the Albuquerque Rail Yards in 2023 spins alpaca wool at the Albuquerque Rail Yards Market She gets llama and alpaca yarn from her Camelid herd Thousands took advantage of the balmy weather to shop at the Valentine Market at the Albuquerque Rail Yards Sunday Feb Mika Markham looks for a heart-shaped ristra during the 2023 Valentine Market at the Albuquerque Rail Yards Thousands took advantage of the balmy weather to shop at the event Sunday Debbie Skilling is a vendor that has been selling at the Corrales Growers Market for about 50 years and she attended this months winters market on Sunday Mary Catey of Nacimiento Natural Products helps customers decide on the choice of meat during the Corrales Growers Market on Sunday Mary Catey of Nacimiento Natural Products sells fresh eggs at her booth during Sunday's Corrales Growers Market Corrales Classic Farms brings out blue corn for the Corrales Growers Market picks out a fruit pie from Bailon Native Bakery at Corrales Growers Market Mary Catey of Nacimiento Natural Products packs up meat for a customer during the Corrales Growers Market on Sunday Several vendors huddle around a heater and socialize during the Corrales Growers Market on Sunday Monette Hardern-Lopez from Lopez Farms gives customer Bill his green chile at the Corrales Growers Market on Sunday flowers and bags of produce and other items to her car after shopping at the Corrales Grower's Market on Sunday Elizabeth Tucker produces digital content for the Albuquerque Journal including lists NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from May 2 to 8. Albuquerque New Mexico Albuquerque Notices 🔶 Celebrate Mother’s Day at the ABQ BioPark Zoo – The ABQ BioPark Zoo is celebrating all moms during its Mother’s Day at the Zoo on May 11, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. All are invited […] People will need to stay cool as temps are expected to hit triple digits this week. On July 20, mother Yesenia Garlie pours water on her nine year-old son Laken Garlie to help him cool off from the heat during the Lavender in the Village Festival at Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Osiris Royal, 4, and his cousin, Rayne Garmon, 3, play on the splash pad at Civic Plaza in Albuquerque on June 3. The city of Albuquerque could see record high temperatures this week and month. As of Sunday, National Weather Service of Albuquerque meteorologist Michael Anand said the average temperature — a combination of highs and lows —this month is 82.8 degrees. That is over a degree warmer than the hottest August on record, 81.2 degrees, set in 2011. Records date back to 1891. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Stay informed with the latest top headlines from your trusted local source, the Albuquerque Journal—delivered to your inbox every day. Exclusive Business Outlook Newsletter, delivered every Monday. Designed for paid subscribers, it provides narrative coverage of local trends, industry news, and key economic updates, going beyond the headlines to keep you informed. Stay in the loop with the top stories of the week, delivered straight to your inbox every Saturday. Sign up to see what’s trending and get the latest on the stories that matter most to our readers. Stay in the know with real-time updates! Get breaking news and important alerts sent straight to your inbox as they happen. Stay up-to-date with the latest sports headlines and highlights from the Albuquerque Journal, covering local teams, athletes, and major sporting events. Delivered directly to your inbox. Discover the best events, activities, and outings each week! Get the latest on local happenings delivered straight to your inbox. Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in. Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password. An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account. District Judge Elaine P. Lujan on Tuesday ruled against a Village of Los Ranchos motion seeking an injunction to stop the controversial Village Center Project and Fourth and Osuna NW. OPINION: We won the court case to benefit the village and good government. Palindrome's development is illegal. We write as president and secretary of the not-for-profit community group Friends of Los Ranchos Inc. On behalf of village residents, we challenged the illegal construction approvals that the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque’s previous administration and Palindrome Communities LLC conspired to obtain behind closed doors and behind the villagers’ backs. United StatesChevron New MexicoChevron Los Ranchos de AlbuquerqueChevron Why book? Los Poblanos Historic Inn is a relaxation haven emanating New Mexico architecture, heritage, and cuisine. Set the scene Nestled beneath centuries-old cottonwoods along the Rio Grande, this bucolic property channels the state’s agricultural history. Ulla Johnson–wearing and Tesla–driving guests sip afternoon teas at La Quinta Cultural Center, designed by seminal Southwest designer John Gaw Meem and bedecked by WPA artists and craftsmen. The building is now the centerpiece of the 25-acre property that also includes manicured gardens, heirloom crops, and Provence-esque rows of lavender. The backstory Ancestral Puebloans and Spanish settlers cultivated this land — it was part of a 1716 land grant — as did New Mexico Congressman Albert G. Simms who had an experimental farm and dairy here in the 1930s and ’40s. Today the Rembe family lovingly tends the property, which grew from a small bed and breakfast into a luxurious, you’ll-never-want-to-leave inn. The spa The Hacienda Spa completes a sumptuous Los Poblanos stay with facials, massages, and dry-body scrubs. Many of the treatments incorporate the property’s body products, which use lavender distilled from its own farm. The neighborhood/area Set in a largely residential village within the humming metropolis, Los Poblanos is a neighborhood draw. It’s somewhat far-flung location from the usual tourist hot spots in Albuquerque is part of its appeal and supports its retreat-like ambiance. The service The staff is attentive and approachable. A fleet of cruiser bikes is available for rides through the cottonwood forests along the Rio Grande. Check ahead for the calendar of guest offerings, which usually include afternoon tea, yoga in a yurt, and architectural and history tours of the property; seasonal activities may include cooking classes and botanical workshops. Eco effort Los Poblanos employs an array of sustainability measures. Beyond its regenerative farming practices and sourcing restaurant ingredients locally, it has implemented water-saving measures, has a recycling program for everything from paper to restaurant cooking oil, and donates gently uses linens and amenities to local charities. Accessibility Guests with disabilities will find ADA-compliant guest rooms available. While all buildings are generally accessible, the historic and farm environment may require navigating dirt paths, uneven flooring, or narrow hallways. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world New Mexico Wine recently opened Vivo Vino Wine Studio in Don Luis Plaza in Old Town Casa Rondeña Winery in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque is one of several New Mexico wineries featured at Vivo Vino Wine Studio in Old Town The new Vivo Vino Wine Studio is located on the second floor of Don Luis Plaza in Old Town The studio offers New Mexico wine tastings New Mexico Wine recently opened its highly anticipated tasting room in the heart of Old Town is located on the second floor of Don Luis Plaza which is also home to tasting rooms for Sheehan Winery and Noisy Water Winery Branded Content & Special Sections Editor The studio is designed to immerse visitors into the vibrant wine culture of New Mexico according to a New Mexico Wine news release It offers an intimate setting to taste and enjoy New Mexico wines and learn about the state’s rich wine heritage and the craftsmanship that goes into wines created in the Land of Enchantment MORE INFO: nmwinestudio.com Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Mayor Joe Craig dies — KUNM News, Albuquerque Journal The Albuquerque Journal reports Craig had been sick for several weeks and was working from home before he died Tuesday at an Albuquerque hospital The nature of his illness has not been released Craig ran for mayor on a platform of encouraging open-space and rural areas A Tuesday meeting of the village board of trustees was canceled. The board had planned discussing seeking a court injunction to put a stop to the Village Center Project development on the corner of Fourth and Osuna that includes a three-story but that the group plans to continue championing his vision for the village Craig is the second mayor of the village to die in office in the last six years Mayor Larry Abraham died in May of 2018 at the age of 64 Multigenerational center first of several new projects planned for NW Albuquerque - By Rodd Cayton, City Desk ABQ City leaders celebrated a key Westside project with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new multigenerational center to be built near Cibola Loop and Cuba Road NW will bring to the area city services and programs aimed at residents of all ages Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said access to those services The center is the first of multiple new amenities planned for the site; a library and municipal pool will follow The area already has new police and fire stations A multigenerational center was a logical first step as it will serve as a bustling community hub during future Westside growth which is that multi-gens are the way to start,” he said “because they are the most accessible and most beneficial for everyone.” will have a drawing power that extends beyond the city limits “Our neighbors in Rio Rancho are gonna love it,” he said said she’s excited about the potential of the new center to bring the community closer together She said it’s a better fit than Section 8 housing that had been considered for the site whose prework workouts will be made easier She said she was surprised at the ceremony which indicates progress on a site that’s been discussed since she moved there several years ago “I wasn’t sure what was gonna happen or when,” Moss said Cynthia Borrego said the center is a great need is eight miles away and Bernalillo County’s Westside Community Center is 17 miles away who has at times been at odds with the mayor “Tim Keller has been a great champion of this project,” Lewis said “A lot of our directors (were) really championing this project and really pushing to move it forward thank you to the mayor for giving good leadership on that and seeing that this project gets built.” both for the new multigenerational center and other projects launched or completed during his term; those include the International District Library New Mexico Media Academy and new Sierra Community Center “None of these projects were my or my administration’s idea,” he said “They were all ideas from the community from decades past Keller said the groundbreaking was in jeopardy but the City Council moved quickly by passing a bond issue about two weeks ago to make sure there was enough money to launch the project Voters previously approved $13 million in city bonds over several years for the first phase The state Legislature has contributed about $3 million and the recent council action added another $1.8 million one of several legislators lauded for their assistance in securing state funding for the project The new multigenerational center will be the fourth operated by the city’s Department of Senior Affairs and the newly constructed Santa Barbara Martineztown Multigenerational Center which is slated to open in the coming months referred to as the “Cibola Loop Multigenerational Center,” though the plan is to consult with the community and eventually decide on a permanent name which will have almost 15,000 square feet of space with the first phase to include a multipurpose room director of the city’s Municipal Development Department said the August 2025 completion date is an informed target as general contractor Weil Construction was brought in during the design phase and could discuss costs and scheduling associated with the project the North Domingo Baca Park Aquatic Center Local construction firm Bradbury Stamm was selected to build the swimming and diving complex and is now in contract negotiations with the city That process is expected to wrap up around the end of this month a spokesperson for the Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department Republican House leaders did not include a provision that would preserve insurance for acequia associations facing lower crop yields amid multi-year drought Keeping acequias eligible for the insurance a provision touted by members of the New Mexico congressional delegation is among many differences between the Senate Democrats and House Republicans plans for the twice-a-decade Farm Bill that needs to be renewed by Sept after expiring in September 2023 over disagreements between the split Congress on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program crop insurance and other aspects of the legislation The House’s version would spend up to $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years. While the Senate has not yet released the full text of its version of the Senate bill, or provide an estimate of its cost, it did release summaries of key provisions earlier this month including one that would clarify that acequias are eligible for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program The program provides insurance to farmers who are not otherwise eligible for other kinds of federal crop insurance and suffer from disasters like drought Acequias are centuries-old irrigation channels relied upon by generations of farmers in New Mexico Many of them buy crop insurance to protect against harvests damaged by drought which has intensified across the state in recent years due to climate change farmers along acequias in Rio Arriba County learned that a policy imposed by former President Donald Trump would make their farms ineligible for the insurance program The federal Farm Service Agency office in the area also reduced the threshold for harvests that would allow farmers to make an insurance claim In 2021, Luján intervened convincing incoming President Joe Biden’s Agriculture Secretary to pause the policy and get the farmers paid back for their losses “New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers are essential workers who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect,” Luján said in a news release at the time “This reversal in policy and practice represents a hard-fought victory that gives New Mexicans the benefits they deserve and have paid into.” Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) in the House as a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee was able to get the provision included in the Senate’s framework for the Farm Bill But it’s not in the House version released Thursday, and both chambers are now working to agree on a compromise she was concerned the House proposal will “split the broad bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful Farm Bill.” While the House version of the Farm Bill does not include the insurance provision, it does make acequias eligible for funding from the Water Source Protection Program which provides $30 million annually to help the federal Forest Service and farmers partner to improve watershed and forest health Sites with radioactive material more vulnerable as climate change increases wildfire flood risks - By Tammy Webber Associated Press Climate change increasingly threatens some of the nation's most sensitive sites military facilities and power plants with radioactive material more intense blazes and supercharged rainstorms that can lead to catastrophic flooding are forcing a reckoning that environmentalists and experts say is long overdue Many sites are contaminated or warehouse decades of radioactive waste while some perform critical energy and defense research and manufacturing that could be crippled by increasingly unpredictable extreme weather Among them: The 40-square-mile Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico where a 2000 wildfire burned to within a half mile of a radioactive waste site The Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Southern California where a 2018 wildfire burned 80% of the site narrowly missing an area contaminated by a 1959 partial nuclear meltdown And the plutonium-contaminated Hanford nuclear site in Washington wildfires came within 3 miles of the Pantex Plant in Texas which assembles and disassembles nuclear weapons and stores thousands of plutonium pits — hollow spheres that trigger nuclear warheads and bombs and officials said plutonium pits — in fire-resistant drums and shelters — likely would not have been affected urgent efforts to dig firebreaks and the decision to send workers home underscore what's at stake The Texas fire season often starts in February "I think we're still early in recognizing climate change and .. how to deal with these extreme weather events," said Paul Walker program director at Green Cross International and a former House Armed Services Committee staffer "What might have been safe 25 years ago probably is no longer safe." That realization has begun to change how the government addresses threats The Department of Energy in 2022 required sites to assess climate risks to "mission-critical functions and operations," and plan for them It cited wildfires at two national laboratories and a 2021 freeze that damaged "critical facilities" at Pantex Yet the agency does not consider future climate risks when authorizing new sites or projects It only considers how sites themselves might affect climate change which critics call short-sighted and potentially dangerous the Nuclear Regulatory Commission considers only historical climate data in licensing decisions and nuclear plant oversight according to a General Accounting Office study in April that recommended NRC "fully consider potential climate change effects." The GAO found that 60 of 75 U.S plants were in areas with high flood hazard and 16 with high wildfire potential (what's) happening now is what we can expect to happen in 50 years," said Caroline Reiser a climate and energy attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council "The reality of what our climate is doing has shifted dramatically The National Nuclear Security Administration's environmental safety and health division will develop "crucial" methodologies to address climate risks in permitting and site assessments the division's director of environmental regulatory affairs what effect are we having on the climate?" Weckerle said "Now we need to flip that on its head and say but what do we think is going to happen as a result of climate on a particular site?'" Most plutonium and other radioactive material is in concrete or steel structures or underground a wildfire burned one-third of the 580-square-mile (1,502-square-kilometer) Hanford site atomic weapons program and is considered the nation's most radioactive place Air monitoring detected plutonium in nearby populated areas at levels higher than background but only for one day at levels not considered hazardous according to a Washington health department report The state said the plutonium likely was from surface soil blown by wind during and after the fire A 2018 fire in California started at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory a former nuclear research and rocket-engine testing site and burned within several hundred feet of contaminated buildings and soil and near where a nuclear reactor core partially melted down 65 years ago The state's Department of Toxic Substances Control muti-agency sampling found no off-site radioactive or other hazardous material from the fire But an outside study found radioactive microparticles in ash beyond of the lab boundary citing "substantial endangerment to people and the environment," because future fires could release radioactive and hazardous substances It ordered cleanup of old burn pits contaminated with radioactive materials fearing fire or floods could damage tarps covering them A 2000 wildfire burned 7,500 acres at the Los Alamos National Laboratory coming within a half-mile of more than 24,000 above-ground containers of mostly plutonium-contaminated waste Most containers have since been shipped to offsite storage Remaining radioactive material — including from the Manhattan Project — now is underground or in containers beneath fire-retardant fabric-and-steel domes The lab's fire preparedness includes thinning forests "What used to be a three-month (fire) season sometimes will be a six-month season," he said Intense rainstorms can wash away contaminated sediment Floods and extreme cold have forced the shutdown of several DOE sites in recent years Pantex was inundated with rain that affected operations for almost a month and flooded a plutonium storage area it was shut down for a week because of extreme cold that officials said led to "freeze-related failures" at 10 nuclear facilities there Pantex has since adopted freeze-protection measures upgraded fire and electrical systems and installed backup generators Other DOE sites are looking at their own needs the nuclear security agency's Weckerle said "We live in a time of increased risk," he said a lot of that does have to do with climate change." Albuquerque City Council approves $1.4 billion budget - By Carolyn Carlson, City Desk ABQ popsicles and postponed charter changes dominated the lengthy Albuquerque City Council meeting May 20 a $1.4 billion budget was approved for fiscal year 2025 A big chunk of the five-plus hour meeting was spent working out the dollar details After a couple of hours of discussion between the council and administration Chief Administrative Officer Samantha Sengel handed out popsicles continuing a city budget tradition started by her predecessor Lawrence Rael A big ticket item was the reorganization of some employees who work for departments but are also under the purview of the mayor’s office These include some parks and recreation employees who will now be under the chief administrative officer An additional $3.5 million was added to the administration’s budget of $3.1 million to handle the new employees There were no changes to the proposed $271.5 million police budget the $17.9 million community safety budget or the $119.9 million Albuquerque Fire Rescue budget The BioPark and library services came out as winners Councilors approved a $500,000 bump for the BioPark to go toward taking care of all the living things — more than twice the amount requested by staff and the public after $200,000 was left out of the mayor’s proposed budget The library also received $400,000 back in the budget Councilors eliminated fee increases for the city’s swimming pools and raised municipal golf green fees by $1 About $1 million in funding for housing vouchers was left out of the budget When questioned about putting the funding back Housing and Homelessness representatives talked about the amount of time it takes to get voucher money out the door City administrators said it can take up to 200 days for a person to work through the process and get placed in housing — and that is if housing is available not all the funding allocated is used in one year and is subject to being reverted Also included was $400,000 in funding to use to match federal Medicaid or Medicare resources to create a pilot program that will offer wrap-around services for individuals with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders councilors deferred several city charter changes until the next meeting One major proposal is to change the requirement that a mayor or city councilor have at least 50% of the vote or be subject to a run-off election The proposed change states the winner would need at least 40% of the total vote The other proposals involve changing the procedure for the appointment and removal of the city attorney and city clerk; allowing the City Council to remove the police chief and fire chief and changing the procedure to resolve disputes between the executive and legislative branches regarding their respective duties the proposed changes would be sent to the voters in November Santa Fe ‘mansion tax’ returns to court - Santa Fe New Mexican The city of Santa Fe’s so-called “mansion tax” will return to court Wednesday less than a week before it’s set to take effect The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the lawsuit was filed in October by Kurt Hill Richard Newton and the Santa Fe Association of Realtors which campaigned against the tax voters passed overwhelmingly in November They argue the tax is illegal because the city does not have the authority to tax real estate The city argues the tax is on the transaction It also charges that the plaintiffs cannot challenge the ordinance because they haven’t been harmed by it The ordinance would impose a 3% tax on Santa Fe homes sold for more than $1 million It would be on the purchaser to pay the tax on any amount over the $1 million mark The revenue would benefit the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund The tax is scheduled to go into effect next Tuesday Nearly 800 New Mexico veterans see healthcare benefits expand under toxic exposure law - By Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom  President Joe Biden is set to announce in New Hampshire on Tuesday that 1 million claims have been granted for benefits under the toxic exposure law that Congress approved less than two years ago following the military’s use of open air burn pits in Afghanistan and Iraq approved with broad bipartisan support following years of advocacy by veterans has also led to more than 145,000 people enrolling in health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs In New Mexico more than 11,800 claims have been sent to the VA which has processed and approved 6,858 of those claims according to data provided by the White House Under the new order 892 veterans in the state will also be able to access more health care benefits Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough told reporters on a call ahead of the announcement that the law has made “tangible life-changing differences for” veterans and their survivors “That has meant more than $5.7 billion in earned benefits for veterans as well as access to no-cost VA health care across all 50 states and the territories,” McDonough said White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden said during the call that the law “represents the most significant expansion of benefits and services for toxic-exposed veterans including veterans exposed to burn pits and certain veterans exposed to radiation and Agent Orange.” “This is truly personal for the president given his experiences as a military parent,” Tanden said died at 46 years old in 2015 from brain cancer The approval rate for benefits under the PACT Act is about 75% according to a senior administration official Biden is set to make the announcement during a trip to Merrimack Congress struggled for years before reaching a compromise on when and how to provide health care and benefits for veterans exposed to open air burn pits during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan batteries and other toxic substances were disposed of in those burn pits Service members had no choice but to live and work alongside the smoke The law added 23 illnesses to the list of conditions that the VA presumes are connected to military service eliminating the arduous and complicated process that many veterans had to undergo to try to get health care and benefits for those diagnoses veterans often had to prove to the VA that their illnesses were connected to their military service if they wanted to receive benefits or health care for those illnesses The U.S. Senate voted 84-14 in June 2022 to send the legislation to the House where it was delayed for weeks over a dispute about incentivizing health care providers to move to rural or very rural areas The president signed the bill during a ceremony on Aug many of the fittest and best warriors that we sent to war were not the same,” Biden said during the event The VA has an interactive dashboard that provides veterans with information about how to apply for health care and benefits under the PACT Act as well as how many claims have been submitted The VA has a calendar of in-person events that can be found here Veterans or their family members can also call the VA at 800-698-2411 to inquire about PACT Act benefits Abraham Agri-Nature Center’s fields during a U-Pick event that is a precursor to the Lavender in the Village Festival Vendors will be selling fresh cut lavender Fresh lavender will be sold at the Lavender in the Village Festival on Saturday Eventgoers visit a vendor selling lavender products during the Lavender in the Village Festival in 2023 Eventgoers admire the artwork featured at the Lavender in the Village Festival in 2023 Fresh cut lavender sold at the Lavender in the Village Festival in 2023 Llamas meet and greet guests during the Lavender in the Village Festival in 2023 Lavender in the Village attendees peruse handmade jewelry at the Lavender in the Village Festival in 2023 Lavender in the Village takes place from 8 a.m Lavender in the Village celebrates the purple-hued bloom with art fresh cut bundles and infused bath and body products made with the woodsy $5 ages 4 to 12; plus fees at holdmyticket.com; free for age 3 and younger Chips and Salsa Half Marathon will begin and end at the Larry P Abraham Agri-Nature Center in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Proceeds from the Chips and Salsa races go to benefit RunFit a nonprofit organization that was launched to combat child obesity through running programs at local elementary schools The inspiration behind the name of the Chips and Salsa Half Marathon isn’t exactly what one might expect “I started it 20 years ago in the North Valley,” said race director and RunFit founder Stephen Pino “The idea behind the chips and salsa was the chips were the timing chips and then salsa to kind of spice it up a little bit.” Construction on the Palindrome project in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque continued this summer while multiple lawsuits were pending in opposition to the development a high-density development that includes 204 affordable housing units political battles and great dissension among residents of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque when construction started in earnest in 2023 The Palindrome development at Fourth and Osuna — one of four high-density projects in that area that drew concern from Los Ranchos de Albuquerque residents — is growing rapidly The last year has been a wild ride that included passionate public-meeting pleas to protect Los Ranchos open spaces and what's left of its rural identity three of the four high-density development projects are on track to be completed LOS RANCHOS DE ALBUQUERQUE — It was a year ago that some residents — alarmed by four high-density projects in the Fourth Street and Osuna Road area — petitioned the mayor and trustees of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque to put a moratorium on such developments They were concerned that the projects violated the values of a village incorporated in 1958 to stave off annexation by a ravenous Albuquerque so that it could hang on to a rural and agricultural lifestyle The village’s boundaries basically go from north of Ortega to south of Montaño and from Rio Grande on the west to beyond Fourth on the east WHAT: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Board of Trustees meeting – It’s business as usual on 4th Street and Osuna as crews continue construction on a 12-acre multi-use center in Los Ranchos “In the face of the allegations of not complying with the law and in the face of the planning and zoning commission that they shouldn’t be doing this they are still doing construction,” said Mel Eaves some Los Ranchos residents say there is a lot more happening behind the scenes Developers started construction in late 2022 which came as a surprise to many residents who say they never held the proper public meetings to get approval to break ground “Those procedures require public notice to the residents and they require that decisions be made in open public meetings,” said Eaves Eaves is also a retired attorney and has helped Friends of Los Ranchos pursue legal action He said when they noticed the construction they warned the Village leadership and developers that they were planning to pursue legal action if they did not follow procedure cited the law and told them we were opposed to it They really didn’t pay any attention to us if anything I think they speeded the construction up,” he said More than a year later a district court judge has ruled that developers and village leadership did in fact violate the Open Meetings Act and none of the plans drawn up this far for the project are valid all approvals previously done in violation of the law are invalid That means they do not have valid authority to do what they are doing today,” said Eaves The victory for Los Ranchos residents is now dimmed as construction continues at the site Eaves said they will continue to put pressure on new village leadership to put an end to it “The board of trustees and the mayor now have the authority and I say the duty to go to district court and stop construction and to assess a penalty and they ultimately can ask the court to remove the construction,” Eaves said KOB 4 reached out to developers and Los Ranchos leadership about the judge’s ruling “We want a chance to review with Legal Council and the Board We have a posted special meeting to get that understanding.” May 6 to discuss their options moving forward Traffic passes the Palindrome project on Osuna Road NW in the Village of Los Ranchos in A major North Valley multi-use project now under construction is in legal limbo after a judge ruled Thursday that the Village of Los Ranchos violated the state law in granting approvals for the controversial high-rise development without holding the required public meetings The decision by state District Court Judge Denise Barela Shepard found approvals for plat and site plans for the Palindrome Communities project failed to comply with the state Open Meetings Act OPINION: Purpose of Village Center is to bring community together As a former member of the governing body of the Village of Los Ranchos I feel compelled to respond to the guest column published in the July 2 (Sunday Journal) rather than dwelling on the negative aspects highlighted in that piece (“Los Ranchos project will ruin rural character of the village”) I want to emphasize the true purpose and significance of the Village Center: to serve as a vibrant gathering place for our community The Palindrome project at the southeast corner of Fourth and Osuna is among the high-density projects that steamed up Los Ranchos residents committed to a more rural lifestyle The future of such projects is a major issue in the Los Ranchos election for mayor and two trustee seats Two companies developing properties in Los Ranchos are seeking a judicial order to head off what they contend would be an “improper abuse of power” by the new advocate-turned-mayor of Los Ranchos and a newly installed member of the board of trustees The showdown focuses on whether Mayor Joe Craig and Trustee Jennifer Kueffer should be required to disqualify themselves from participating in trustee meetings or other actions involving the Palindrome Communities Village Center and the proposed construction of 16 homes by developer Chavez Guadalupe LLC What happens when the leader of a group suing the Village of Los Ranchos over a controversial high-rise development becomes the village's mayor OPINION: Transparency is a natural byproduct of community engagement keeping residents informed and holding decision-making processes accountable As the vivid colors of autumn adorn our landscape we find ourselves in a season of reflection and renewal serves as a vivid reminder of the beauty in the world around us our community in the Village of Los Ranchos is coming together to celebrate our shared journey and envision a brighter future I have had the privilege of serving the Village of Los Ranchos in various capacities I learned the immense importance of community engagement Community engagement is more than just a buzzword; it is the cornerstone of our success fostering a close-knit and supportive community