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Thursday, July 10, 2008

News briefs



      Meeting of School Board Bumped Up
The Moriarty-Edgewood School Board meeting date has been changed from Tuesday, July 15, to Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m. After one of the district's major bus transportation providers unexpectedly closed its doors last month, a request for proposals was sent out and a new contractor may be decided on at the meeting Monday night.
   
    Residents To Help Update Map Data
A GPS field crew will begin work in Torrance County in July to update the county's GIS mapping data for the E-911 system.
    The crew will use the Global Positioning Mapping System to collect the posted address numbers on all rural structures and to add unmapped structures to the map.
    The field crew will record the posted physical address numbers and will verify that the structure is mapped in the correct location. If the address number is not posted on the structure, the field data collector will knock on the door to interview the resident. If no one is home, a stamped postcard will be left on the door. Residents who receive these cards should fill in the requested information and return them in the mail to the Torrance County 911 Center.
    Residents who do not know their 911 address should contact Ruben Gastelum at the County Courthouse in Estancia at 246-4768.
    The Field Crew is staffed by volunteers from the 911 Center. The field vehicle will drive every rural road in the county and will pause briefly in front of every home or business.
    The digital mapping updates provided by this project will be used by the county's Rural Addressing Department to maintain addressing and road naming. The improved digital map will also be used in the 911 Dispatch Center to automatically locate callers when they call 911 on traditional wire line.
    All residents are asked to clearly post their structure address on their home or at their driveway entrance. If your address is not posted, emergency services may not be able to locate your home when lifesaving help is needed.
    Please contact Dorothy Gibson, Emergency Services Director at 384-2705 if you have any questions.
   
    Beware of Floods After Wildfires
Rain last weekend hit the west end of the Big Spring Fire and resulted in heavy run-off through Apache Canyon, Tajique Creek and Torreon Creek, according to a news release from the Forest Service. Debris and ash passed under Tajique and Torreon bridges and rain could also affect areas downstream from the Trigo and Ojo Peak fires also. Property owners in those areas are reminded to be prepared for the possibility of flooding.
   
    Traffic on I-40 To Ease Up a Little
The New Mexico Department of Transportation and Mountain States Constructors have announced the completion of Phase I of the GRIP Interstate 40 project from Zuzax to Sedillo.
    Drivers can expect to see some relief on westbound I-40 beginning Friday when traffic is restored to two lanes.
    For the remainder of the project, both eastbound and westbound I-40 will maintain two lanes of traffic.
    Mountain States is on schedule to complete the whole project by this fall.
    Upon completion of the opening of eastbound lanes, both eastbound and westbound I-40 will be situated on the newly reconstructed lanes until the end of construction.
    The $19.7 million project includes widening two bridges to accommodate a new eastbound truck climbing lane, widening shoulders, improving merge distances at entrances and exits, and installing drainage improvements and a concrete wall barrier throughout the project.
    Quilting Store Now Open in Edgewood
Busy Be Quilts and Fabrics has opened in Edgewood.
    The new shop, which sells quilting supplies, is located at 150 N.M. 344, Suite D in Edgewood in the same shopping center with Sears. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    A grand opening celebration will be held on July 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Call 281-0195 for more information.
   
    Moriarty Class Of '98 Reunion Set
The Moriarty High School Class of 1998 will be holding its 10-year reunion Aug. 1 and 2.
    Festivities will include a gathering at Howie's Sports Bar in 12500 Montgomery NE in Albuquerque on Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. A potluck will be held Aug. 2 at Moriarty High School at noon.
    For more information on the reunion, contact Corinne Miera at (505) 440-4647.
    Tax-Free Weekend Starts Aug. 1
The annual Back to School Tax Holiday will kick off on the first weekend in August. New Mexico residents will be able to take advantage of tax-free shopping from Aug. 1 through Aug. 3.
    A family can save up to $47 in taxes if they spend $600 on school clothes and there are additional savings for computer purchases as well as school supplies. Nationally and locally owned retailers across the state will be participating.
    Nontaxable items include: clothing and footwear $100 or less (that are not primarily designed for athletic activity); school supplies such as pens and paper $15 or less that are typically used in a classroom setting; computers $1,000 or less; as well as assorted computer equipment $500 or less.
    The price limits are for each item, not the total amount spent for all purchases. For example, a family could purchase three computers tax-free as long as each computer did not exceed the $1,000 limit per computer.
    A complete list of tax-exempt items can be found at www.state.nm.us.
   
    Memorial for Local Vietnam Veterans
Veterans of the Vietnam War or their relatives who have been residents of the East Mountains or are natives of the East Mountains can apply to have their names put on a memorial wall in Tijeras.
    The memorial is scheduled to be dedicated in September. Applicants must provide military form DD-214 to confirm the time they served.
    Applications are available at the Tijeras Village Hall. Call 281-1220.
   
    Galisteo Basin Report Released
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department has released report on the Galisteo Basin.
    Gov. Bill Richardson issued an Executive Order on the Galisteo Basin on Jan. 24 imposing a six-month moratorium on new oil and gas drilling in Santa Fe County and the Galisteo Basin. The moratorium allowed designated government agencies to gather information on protecting water aquifers, archeological and cultural resources, and wildlife in the ecologically fragile area. This included a public comment period and an “open house” when members of the public could meet with agency representatives.
    An electronic copy of the complete report is available at the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Web site at: www.emnrd.state.nm.us.
   
    Wildlife West Asks For Festival Help
Wildlife West Nature Park is looking for help in putting on its annual music festival.
    Roger Alink, executive director of the park, says in a news release that the Edgewood Town Council's recent decision to withdraw funding for the August event has left him looking for money to fund the event, which takes up to a year to plan.
    Alink said the best way to show support for the event is to visit the park often, offer a donation for the event, buy a membership to the park, volunteer during the event, or buy a sponsorship of the event with buy-in levels starting at $250.
    For more information, contact Alink at 281-7655 or visit the park's Web site at www.wildlifewest.org.
   
    Tri-Chamber Golf Classic is Sept. 11
The East Mountain, Edgewood and Moriarty Chambers of Commerce are hosting what is being called the Tri-Chamber Golf Classic on Sept. 11 at Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club.
    The tournament will feature guest speakers on subjects ranging from local interest to Talking Talons to national health care.
    Prices range from $150 for an individual to $500 for a team of four, which includes a goody bag and meals. An additional $500 for a group of four pays for company advertising at the clubhouse.
    More information and registration is available online at www.eaba.biz/ trichambergolf or by calling the East Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 281-1999.
   
    Farmers Market Every Wednesday
The Cedar Crest Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday until October from 3 to 6 p.m.
    The market is at the Cedar Crest Center on N.M. 14 across from the Conoco.
   

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