The City of Las Vegas will be under a Red Flag Warning  on Wednesday and Thursday due to strengthening southwest winds and critically low humidity. These conditions increase the risk of rapidly spreading fires, especially in areas with dry vegetation. A High Wind Warning  will also be in effect Thursday, with wind gusts up to 60 mph expected. Combined with single-digit humidity, this will result in extremely critical fire weather. Residents should avoid outdoor activities that could create sparks, as conditions are highly favorable for fire ignition and spread. Blowing dust may impact travel, particularly for high-profile vehicles. Critical fire weather is expected to continue through Friday. Stay alert, follow fire restrictions, and remember that open burning is strictly prohibited within city limits. Be prepared for potential power outages due to fallen trees or power lines. Keep an emergency kit with water, food, and flashlights. PNM is monitoring weather conditions and may consider a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). No planned outages are scheduled at this time. Sign up for outage alerts by texting #ALERT   to 78766, visiting pnm.com/outage , or calling 888-DIAL-PNM. For updates, visit the City of Las Vegas website   at lasvegasnm.gov  or follow the Las Vegas City Government Facebook Page.

Due to mechanical issues, a portion of today’s solid waste pickup is delayed. The affected areas include Alamo Street, Silva Lane, and McRae Street. The Solid Waste Division is working quickly to complete repairs and ensure tomorrow’s service runs as scheduled. Updates will be shared as needed. 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.

Controlled wastewater discharge into the Gallinas River Attention City of Las Vegas Residents: We’re committed to ensuring reliable services for our community. To achieve this, we want to inform you about an important update. What You Need to Know: Who is Affected: Resident living downstream of the Gallinas River. When: Saturday, April 12th, 2025, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. What is Happening: Approximately 333,330 gallons of controlled wastewater was discharged into the Gallinas River which may cause elevated levels of bacteria and other contaminants to temporarily impact the water quality downstream. Safety First: Do not swim, fish or use the water from the river for drinking or irrigation until further notice. Ensure livestock are kept away from the river during this period. Monitor Updates:   The city will provide updates on water quality testing and when it is safe to resume regular use.   We’re Here to Help: Utilities: (505) 454-3832 Website: lasvegasnm.gov   Your safety and the health of our community remain our top priority.  Thank you  for your cooperation as we work to serve you better  and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please obey and follow all signage around construction zones. Be mindful of all city employees. Should you require any further information please contact the City of Las Vegas Utilities Division at (505) 454-3832 and ask for Travis Martinez.

The City of Las Vegas will be hosting a Residential Bulk Amnesty Day on Saturday, April 19, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the City Transfer Station, located at 35 Aragon Road. Residents with a city solid waste bill can dispose of various items for free, including household trash, furniture, appliances, up to four passenger vehicle tires, mattresses, drywall, and yard waste (cut to no more than 6 feet).   Please note that all loads must be tarped, and larger items need to be strapped down. For a smooth experience, make sure to follow staff instructions and be mindful of traffic flow, as residents live at both ends of the road.   Certain items will not be accepted, including cement, bricks, paint, chemicals, dirt, sand, car batteries, computers, large commercial tires, rocks, and animal carcasses.   Cleaning your yard brings many benefits, such as improved safety, better health by reducing allergens and pests, and more usable space. It also helps prevent overgrowth and water damage, while boosting your property value. Additionally, maintaining a tidy yard fosters a sense of community pride.   The City of Las Vegas is proud to support the “Breaking Bad Habits”  statewide beautification campaign, featuring Bryan Cranston as Walter White from Breaking Bad . The initiative aims to reduce litter and beautify New Mexico.  Thank you for planning to do your part to keep the City of Las Vegas clean and beautiful!

The Plaza inner circle in Las Vegas, NM will be closed on Thursday, April 10 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a permitted event. Access will be limited, but parking remains available on Bridge Street, the Valencia Parking Lot, and nearby side streets. Detours will be in place, so please follow signage and plan alternate routes to avoid delays. Thank you for your cooperation.

Date:  Saturday, April 26, 2025 Time:  10 AM – 2 PM (Local Time) Location: Las Vegas Police Department Address:  318 Moreno Street, Las Vegas, NM 87701   Join the City of Las Vegas Police Department  to safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Let’s work together to keep our community safe and healthy! #cityoflasvegaspolicedepartment #LVPD #lasvegasnm #DrugTakeBack #DEA #CommunityFirst #SafeLasVegasNM

Starting Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, the intersection of Lopez St. and Santa Ana will be closed for the replacement of a 6-inch steel gas line. The closure will continue through Thursday, April 10th, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From Monday, April 14th through Friday, April 18th, the intersection of Lopez St. and Santa Ana, along with the 700 Block of Lopez St. (ending at Rio Arriba St.), will be fully closed from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This closure is required for the continued gas line replacement. Traffic control will be in place, and drivers are encouraged to plan for alternate routes. 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.

The City of Las Vegas Water Distribution team will be transferring water services from the old water main to a newly installed water line today at the intersection of Plata Drive and Porter Street. Work will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no interruptions to water service expected. A road closure will be in effect during this time. Motorists are advised to exercise caution, follow detour signs, and remain alert to workers in the area, as traffic control measures will be in place. Drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. For more information, please contact the City of Las Vegas Utilities Department at 505-454-3832.

The City of Las Vegas Streets will be conducting pothole patching work on South Pacific Street today, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The work is scheduled to take place between 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Drivers traveling through the area are advised to exercise caution and be aware of the ongoing work. Traffic control measures will be in place, and detour signs will guide motorists around the affected area. The city appreciates the public's cooperation and patience as they work to improve the road conditions.

The City of Las Vegas will be hosting a Residential Bulk Amnesty Day on Saturday, April 19, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the City Transfer Station, located at 35 Aragon Road. Residents with a utility bill can dispose of various items for free, including household trash, furniture, appliances, up to four passenger vehicle tires, mattresses, drywall, and yard waste (cut to no more than 6 feet). Please note that all loads must be tarped, and larger items need to be strapped down. For a smooth experience, make sure to follow staff instructions and be mindful of traffic flow, as residents live at both ends of the road. Certain items will not be accepted, including cement, bricks, paint, chemicals, dirt, sand, car batteries, computers, large commercial tires, rocks, and animal carcasses. To dispose of waste at the City of Las Vegas Transfer Station, make sure to present a current city utility bill as proof of residency. Cleaning your yard brings many benefits, such as improved safety, better health by reducing allergens and pests, and more usable space. It also helps prevent overgrowth and water damage, while boosting your property value. Additionally, maintaining a tidy yard fosters a sense of community pride. Thank you for helping keep the City of Las Vegas clean and beautiful!

The City of Las Vegas Customer Service Division at Utilities is currently experiencing a phone system outage and is working to resolve the issue. In the meantime, utility bill payments can still be made in person at 1335 1st Street, Las Vegas, NM, or online at www.lasvegasnm.gov . The office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work to restore the system.

Behind the Scenes of Event Planning: The Hard Work Taking Place at City Hall By: Amanda C. Salas, Mayor Liaison/Public Information Officer Planning large events is no easy task and requires a significant amount of time and effort. Many people may not realize the level of work involved, especially with the City of Las Vegas organizing around fifteen annual events, including the grandest of them all—the Fiestas de Las Vegas, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. Beyond these major events, the city is also committed to introducing one or two new events annually, constantly striving to bring fresh experiences to the community. To dive deeper into the behind-the-scenes process, Chuck Griego, Event Planner/Film Liaison, and Thomas Fernandez, Marketing Coordinator, shared the behind-the-scenes process of their work. Both play key roles in making these events happen, and they offered valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of their work in the city’s event planning efforts.  Q: What are your roles in event planning, and how long have you been doing this? Chuck: “My role is to complete an event from its inception to its completion – to plan, design and execute the event. I’ve been with the city for about 20 years in different roles and have been the event planner since 2018, so around 7 years now.” Thomas: “My role is more logistical. I assist Chuck with sending out all applications, ensuring proper permits are executed; review all applications, contracts and any other paperwork for completion. My job is to streamline the process for all involved. I started in this role last August, so this is my first full year helping Chuck plan events.” Q: How long does it take to plan a city event? Chuck: “For the Fiestas, planning starts right after the event ends and continues all year long. It requires a significant budget, artist and band contracts, vendor applications, permits, and planning with other departments and state agencies for safety. We also have to make sure the proper public safety, fire safety, and the electrical setups for vendors are in place which takes collaborating with other city departments. Another challenge is the layout of the park, which must account for all these safety needs. There are other events tied to the Fiestas like the Fiesta Royal Court, Fiesta Run, Royal Dinner, Fiesta Parade, and Carnival, all of which require similar extensive planning. The Fireworks display is primarily handled by Fire Chief Steve Spann, which is a huge help. Other events follow the same process, but the Fiestas take the longest to plan.” Q: Can you explain the importance of event permits? Chuck: “Event permits are essential to ensure everything is fair and organized. They ensure that every department involved—from public safety and fire services to traffic control and sanitation—are informed and aligned on the event’s logistics. By keeping everyone in the loop, permits allow these departments to provide the necessary support, which is especially important when it comes to safety. For example, proper permits ensure that there are sufficient emergency services, correct crowd control measures, and compliance with local laws and regulations. These permits not only protect the city by ensuring events are safe and legal but also help guarantee the event runs smoothly for both the organizers and attendees. This way, we can prevent potential disruptions and provide a seamless experience for the community, all while minimizing risks and ensuring the event’s overall success.” Q: What are the best parts of your job? Chuck: “I feel guilty planning events because I love my job. Not many people can say they get paid to do something they enjoy. Like the saying goes, ‘If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.’” Thomas: “I enjoy doing my part and making people happy.” Q: What are the most challenging aspects of the job? Chuck: “The most challenging part of my job is getting others to see my vision and being able to effectively communicate and sell my ideas. It’s important to share a clear picture of what I want to achieve, but I also have to be flexible and open to adjusting my plans to accommodate new ideas and perspectives. Balancing my vision with input from others can be difficult, but it’s essential for creating an event that is both well-organized and embraced by the team, stakeholders, and the community.” Thomas: “I think one of the most important aspects of the job is ensuring that all departments, external organizations, and communication channels are on the same page. Consistent and clear communication is key to making sure everyone is aligned and that the event runs smoothly. Whether it’s coordinating with vendors, public safety, or community partners, keeping everyone informed and working together is crucial for a successful event.” Q: What events are you focused on right now? Chuck: “Right now, we’re fully immersed in planning for the Fiestas, which takes up a lot of our time and focus. In addition to that, we’re also working on the WeBe Racing event coming up in April. We’re gearing up for other significant events like the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, Salute to the Troops, Friday Al Fresco, and the Balloon Fiesta. Each of these events requires a great deal of preparation and coordination, and we’re making sure everything is set to provide an amazing experience for the community.” Q: Any new events you can share a sneak peek of for the public? Chuck: “We’re planning the ‘Friday Finale’ which will be the last Friday Al Fresco event. This event will honor Steve Leger and Yvette Arellanes, two individuals who were instrumental in the creation of the Al Fresco series. It will span two days and feature incredible music artists and food vendors. We’re holding the event in memory of Mr. Steve Leger, who passed away this past February. More details will be announced soon!” Event planning requires careful coordination, creativity, and dedication, and Chuck and Thomas are working hard to ensure every event is memorable and safe for the community. Stay tuned for more exciting events coming your way.