Archive for Bernalillo County
I-40-III: The Search For Completion
by John Weckerle
According to an October 1 article in the Mountain View Telegraph, New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) public information officer Phil Gallegos announced that lane and ramp closures associated with the Tijeras to Zuzax road work would be a thing of the past by October 10. Perhaps predictably, during a round-trip to Albuquerque yesterday (October 11), we were fortunate to be able to exit at Zuzax and avoid the traffic that was backed up to that exit, apparently due to continued lane closures in the westbound direction. The return trip revealed that the eastbound lanes are open, although there is obviously line painting to be done on the bridges.
A slightly confusing announcement from NMDOT Friday stated the following:
Monday 10/12 from 8am to 4pm weekdays – I40 westbound from Zuzax to Tijeras will be reduced to one lane. Monday 10/12 from 9am to 5pm weekdays ? The I40 westbound Zuzax onramp will be CLOSED!! Tuesday 10/13 through Friday 10/16 from 7am to 3pm Tuesday and from 9am to 2pm Wednesday through Friday – I40 eastbound from Tijeras to Zuzax will be reduced to one lane. Expect delays! Ongoing and until further notice ? The Zuzax (exit 178) onramp to I40 westbound will be closed. Use NM14 or Carnuel onramp.
Rosy earlier predictions from NMDOT notwithstanding, we will all have to hold our sighs of relief just a little longer; to steal a phrase, it ain’t over ’till it’s over. We recommend that, in future, the NMDOT adopt the project planning methodology of Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott of the Starship Enterprise: multiply your estimates by four, and look like a miracle worker at the end – instead of looking otherwise.
Open Burning Allowed Again In Unincorporated Bernalillo County – Burn Info Number Changes
by John Weckerle
The Bernalillo County Fire Deparment’s Fire Prevention Bureau has announced that open burning is now allowed again in the unincorporated areas of the county. Burning is permitted (weather permitting) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The burn information number has been changed to 468-7200 (the old number, 768-4200 can also be used until April 2010). For more information, including burning rules, see the Bernalillo County Announcement.
Bernalillo County Fire Preparedness Meeting
From Larry Gallegos at the Bernalillo County Public Information Department:
Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael Brasher is calling on all East Mountain residents to attend a Fire and Emergency Preparedness Meeting to update everyone on the 2009 fire season.
Representatives from Congressman Martin Heinrich’s office, the U.S Forest Service, Kirtland Air Force Base, the Bernalillo County Fire Department & Fire Marshal’s Office, Environmental Health and the Office of Emergency Management will be on hand. Topics will include: updated weather forecasts, weather patterns and fire behavior expected for the next few months, evacuation plans for humans and animals, and how residents can stay prepared during this fire season. There will be a question and answer period after the presentations with all the panelists.
“The recent Main Fire reminded all East Mountain residents of the need for fire preparedness,” says Commissioner Brasher. “Bernalillo County encourages everyone take advantage of this opportunity to stay informed and prepared for any and all fires and emergencies.”
The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 27th from 6:30pm-8:00pm at LosVecinos Community Center, 478 1/2 Old Hwy. 66, in Tijeras.
Possible Mobile Meth Lab Discovered In East Mountains
by John Weckerle
Hikers in the Manzano Mountains were surprised to discover two unattended backpacks at about 1:30 yesterday afternoon, near mile marker 26 on NM 337. One of the backpacks was smoking, and the hikers flagged down a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputy, who called in the APD bomb team and hazmat (hazardous materials) personnel. Examination of the backpacks revealed the presence of “chemicals and other items consistent with a meth lab,” according to Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department representative Erin Kinnard Thompson. Ms. Thompson indicated that the investigation is ongoing.
Nine Individuals Detained At Sedillo Hill Exit
by John Weckerle
Undocumented immigrants at I-40 Sedillo Hill exit
This photo, taken a little after 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 11 at the I-40 Sedillo Hill exit, depicts eight men and one woman (not clearly visible in this photo) in the custody of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. Other than the two law enforcement vehicles, no other vehicles were present.
According to Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department representative Erin Kinnard Thompson, the people shown here were detained during a traffic stop for a routine violation. Ms. Thompson indicated that “they were apparently undocumented immigrants and were turned over to immigration officials.”