Newly reported COVID-19 cases in Las Animas County saw an increase from the beginning of October up until the third week of October, while active cases saw a decline, according to data released by the Las Animas-Huerfano Counties District Health Department.
Victims of the Hermits Peak / Calf Canyon Fire and the Cooks Peak Fire are invited to attend a resource fair to learn more about resources for recovery through the federal government. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will hold a community resource fair Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mora High School Atrium (10 Ranger Road, Mora, New Mexico 87736). “The resource fair will give residents affected by the Calf Canyon / Hermits Peak Forest Fire (and the Cook’s Peak Forest Fire) an opportunity to talk to USDA staff members oneon- one on how to apply for funding to help them recover from the devastation,” the USDA said in a release.
Trinidad Mayor Phil Rico is facing his third ethics violation allegation since 2018. Las Animas County GOP Chairman H.L.
Las Animas County has proposed a 2023 budget totaling some $60 million, a 1.3% decrease from the 2022 adopted budget. The county projects fiscal year 2023 revenues to be $65,607,709, a 6.5% increase from 2022 projections, according to the proposed budget.
Coal production at New Elk Coal Company decreased between June and September, according to an investor report released this month. NECC, owned by Australian-based Allegiance Coal Ltd., saw its run-of-mine production decline 49kt between June and September, according to an analysis by The Chronicle-News.
The New Mexico State Ethics Commission, an independent state agency that seeks to promote the integrity of state and local governments, voted to authorize opening an investigation into former Colfax County Manager Mary Lou Kern for her alleged involvement in the overpayment of nearly $600,000 to a contractor. A spokesperson for the commission confirmed to The Chronicle-News that the NMSEC authorized the filing of a civil action in New Mexico district court against Kern at its Oct. 14 meeting. “The State Ethics Commission publicly approved its staff to pursue a civil action against former County Manager Mary Lou Kern because of alleged violations of the Governmental Conduct Act governing ethics of public officials,” Colfax County said in a release last week.
Officials took a murder suspect into custody last week after he fled to southern Colorado from Brighton. Trinidad Police Department assisted with the capture of 31-yearold Ricardo Perales Cordero, who is accused of shooting an unidentified 28-year-old woman to death in a Brighton hotel room.
Trinidad City Council met for a regular session Tuesday, Oct. 18, covering an agenda full of budgets, appointments and simple clerical matters.
The Las Animas County Board of County Commissioners covered a short, but mixed, agenda during its second October regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 18.