Las Vegas, NM  - At the request of Patricia Pinzón Sánchez, the Mexican Consul based in Albuquerque—and with the support of City Councilwoman Barbara Perea-Casey—the City of Las Vegas governing body convened alongside key community organizations this morning to discuss continued collaboration with the Mexican Consulate. Consul Pinzón Sánchez brings a wealth of experience to her role, with over 20 years working with the Mexican Foreign Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving in Mexico City, California, Arizona, and now New Mexico. This roundtable meeting highlighted shared concerns and opportunities, particularly surrounding the experiences of immigrants and the growing fears within the community due to evolving federal policies. Participants unanimously expressed concern over the fear many undocumented individuals face, as well as the increasing threats to cultural identity. Representatives from the local university and community college shared insights about their diverse student populations, which include individuals from many different nationalities. These institutions emphasized the importance of supporting all students, regardless of their immigration status, and highlighted ongoing efforts to create safe, inclusive learning environments. Consul Sánchez expressed her appreciation for New Mexico’s rich cultural tapestry, noting the state’s incredible diversity, including its many Native communities. “There are so many differences, but also so many similarities from our culture and native cultures as well,” she remarked. “We have had the pleasure to be present between exchanges from native communities here and native communities in Mexico and it’s impressive to know how similar we are at the end. I am grateful to be learning everyday from this amazing state and very happy to be here with you in Las Vegas.” The Consulate of Mexico in Albuquerque, which serves 24 counties in New Mexico and 38 counties in Northwest Texas, is far more than a government office. It is a bridge between cultures, a source of critical support for Mexican nationals, and an active partner in community-building efforts. The Albuquerque Consulate provides a wide range of services consistent across the network of 53 Mexican consulates in the U.S., including: A 24/7 hotline (520-623-7874) to support Mexican nationals in emergencies, including legal, immigration, or mental health crises. Direct assistance for those detained or incarcerated. Guidance on dual nationality, passports, legal documentation, and powers of attorney. Legal support for immigration, human rights, civil and criminal issues, family matters, and victims of crimes — often at no cost through pro bono or remote services. Strong communication ties with local churches, hospitals, and community organizations. Educational initiatives like "Know Your Rights" forums and scholarship programs supporting first-time university students of Mexican origin. The Consulate plans to award $1,000 scholarships in partnership with a future 501(c)(3) fundraising initiative, with all universities encouraged to apply. The Consulate emphasized its commitment to increasing its presence in Las Vegas and to working closely with the local community to ensure no Mexican national feels isolated or without support. For assistance, please contact the Consulate at 520-270-7009 or their 24/7 emergency hotline at 520-623-7874. Attendees included: Mexican Consul Patricia Pinzón Sánchez, Iván Villanueva (Protection Department & Legal Affairs), Mariana Sanchez-Cuatzitl (Innovation & Community Engagement) Mayor David Romero, Councilwoman Barbara Perea-Casey, Councilman Marvin Martinez, Police Chief Caleb Marquez, Mayor Liaison/Public Information Officer Amanda Salas, LCC President Dr. Carol Linder, NMHU President Dr. Neil Woolf, NMHU Chief of Staff Dr. Brandon Kemper, Dr. Eric Romero (Assistant Professor, Languages and Culture and Interim Director of Native American Hispano Studies at NMHU), and Father Rob Yaksich of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. Note: San Miguel County officials were unable to attend due to a prior commitment.

The City of Las Vegas, in coordination with contractor GM Emulsion, will be conducting important step replacements at South Pacific Park throughout the day on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Due to this work, South Pacific Street will have traffic control measures in place. Motorists should expect delays, exercise caution, and be mindful of crews working in the area. The city advises the public to plan ahead and consider alternative routes to minimize disruptions. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank the community for its patience and cooperation during this improvement project.

The City of Las Vegas Water Distribution Department is currently working on renewing a water service on the 2000 block of 8th Street. As part of this project, the street is closed between Kathryn Drive and Lori Lane. During the course of the work, residents in the area may experience low water pressure or intermittent water outages. There will be traffic control measures in place. Remain caution in the area, seek alternative routes and be mindful of city staff. If you have questions, please reach out to City of Las Vegas Utilities Department at 505-454-3832.

The City of Las Vegas’ Residential Bulk Amnesty Day, held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, was an overwhelming success, with an impressive community turnout. A steady line of vehicles—including trailers and dump trucks—arrived filled with everything from old couches and mattresses to tires, tree branches, and bags of trash. Twelve solid waste employees began work earlier than scheduled to meet the high demand, unloading two to four truckloads at a time. The operation ran smoothly and efficiently, with crews working hard to clear space on the tipping floor, compacting debris using heavy machinery, and transferring loads into semi-trucks bound for the Northeastern Regional Landfill in Wagon Mound. By the Numbers:                                                            157 trucks and trailers (including dump trucks) unloaded 530 bags of trash collected 125 tires recovered 56 tons of total solid waste material processed “We are ecstatic that the community came out and is actively helping to keep our neighborhoods clean,” said David Marquez, Gas/Interim Solid Waste Director. “A lot of people have been asking when the next event will be, and I want to assure everyone that we plan to host Amnesty Days more frequently. We’re currently aiming for Saturday, June 7, as our next date.” The City is also proud to have partnered with the statewide beautification campaign “Breaking Bad Habits,” which features Breaking Bad  star Bryan Cranston as Walter White, encouraging New Mexicans to help reduce litter and beautify their communities.  The campaign, supported by the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Department and the New Mexico Environment Department, provides essential grant funding that helps make events like this possible. We extend our sincere thanks for their continued support.

Las Vegas, NM  — The City of Las Vegas announces that City Manager Tim Montgomery submitted his resignation on Monday as he prepares to pursue new professional opportunities.   “I am incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in such a critical and meaningful role for the City of Las Vegas, said Montgomery. “There are so many positive things happening in the community, and I have full confidence that this leadership team will continue to support and advance those efforts. This transition represents a positive step forward and a demonstration of collaboration between myself and the Governing Body. I’m excited to see what’s next for both the City and for myself.” Mayor David Romero and Governing body extend their gratitude to Mr. Montgomery for his service and leadership during his tenure. His work has played a key role in advancing city initiatives and improving public services for residents. The City will soon appoint an interim City Manager to ensure seamless continuity of city operations and progress on major projects. “We appreciate Tim’s commitment to Las Vegas and thank him for his contributions,” said Mayor Romero. “We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.” For media inquiries or additional information, please contact the Office of the Mayor at 505-454-1401, Ext. 1006.

The Las Vegas Police Department, Las Vegas Fire Department, and the City of Las Vegas extend our deepest condolences to the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office on the sudden and unexpected passing of Sheriff Billy Merrifield. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in blue during this profoundly difficult time. Sheriff Merrifield’s unwavering dedication to public service and his steadfast commitment to his community will never be forgotten. We honor his legacy, share in the sorrow of his loss, and recognize his service. End of Watch: April 20, 2025

The City of Las Vegas Utilities-Customer Service Division   is currently experiencing a system outage that is affecting their ability to process customer payments both online and in person. The outage is expected to continue throughout the day. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to resolve the issue. For questions or assistance, please contact: Utilities-Customer Service: (505) 425-6353 For water-related emergencies (if you are unable to reach customer service): Las Vegas Police Dispatch: (505) 425-7504

The City of Las Vegas Water Distribution Department is currently working to repair a water leak on the 2000 block of 8th Street, which will be closed from Kathryn Drive to Lori Lane. Residents in the area may experience low water pressure and intermittent water service. Detours and traffic control measures are in place. Please drive with caution around city workers   and use an alternative route for your safety. For more information, please contact the City of Las Vegas Utilities Division at 505-454-3832.

Starting Monday, April 21st, 2025, the City of Las Vegas Gas Department contractor will begin replacing a gas line on Lopez Street and Rio Arriba Street. This work will continue through the week until Friday, April 25th, 2025, with construction hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Traffic control measures will be in place. Drivers are encouraged to plan for alternate routes and remain cautious when traveling through the area. Updates on road closures will be posted on the City website at www.lasvegasnm.gov and the Las Vegas City Government Facebook Page. For additional information, please contact the City of Las Vegas Gas Division at (505) 454-3832.

Due to high winds and potential fire danger, PNM has shut off power north of Las Vegas, including the Camp Luna area, which has affected the pump house serving the area. As a result, Camp Luna residents will be without water until power is restored. The water treatment plant is fully operational, and this is a localized outage affecting only the Camp Luna area. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. For more information or any questions, please contact the City of Las Vegas Utilities Division at (505) 454-3832.

The City of Las Vegas Solid Waste Division has completed mechanical repairs on several collection trucks and is currently working to catch up on delays from Tuesday’s solid waste pickup. Today’s pickup services will continue, though some delays may still occur as crews work through the backlog. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. For more information, please contact the City of Las Vegas Solid Waste Division at 505-454-3832.

The City of Las Vegas Water Distribution Division will be renewing a residential water service today, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in the 800 block of Union Street, between Bernal Street and   Sapello Street. A road closure will be in effect throughout the day, and residents in the area may experience low water pressure or intermittent water outages during this time. Drivers are urged to exercise caution, follow detour signs, and be aware of workers in the area as traffic control measures will be in place. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For further details, please contact the City of Las Vegas Utilities Department at 505-454-3832.