Waste Isolation Pilot Plant workers report that a calculation error prompted short-lived concerns of a radiation release earlier this week. Federal Department of Energy officials say there was no indication of a radiation release underground Sunday, despite a directive to WIPP employees to prepare for trouble. This as WIPP prepares to re-open the nuclear waste- repository after a February 2014 radiation leak and fire. That incident stemmed from a chemical reaction among waste improperly packed inside a drum. Officials later said that multiple checks had shown no signs of contamination. A news release said, quoting: "Radiological control technicians have determined a calculation error caused a false positive. Based on this information, the event has been terminated. There is no release."
Santa Fe’s Finance Committee this week unanimously rejected a proposal by City Councilor Patti Bushee to let the Council continue meetings that run past midnight. The New Mexican reports that Bushee’s proposal followed two consecutive Council meetings that went on past that time. Both meetings had controversial development projects that drew large crowds and much public comment. A proposal by Councilor Patti Bushee to remove a provision that allows the council to continue a regular or special meeting past midnight failed to make it out of the Finance Committee on Monday. The committee unanimously rejected the proposal. She introduced the resolution after back-to-back council meetings with controversial development projects that drew big crowds and ran past midnight. These hours-long meetings generated public criticism and a call for change. The plan would have continued meetings to take-up issues not considered by the Council by 11:30pm. The Finance panel’s rejection, however, is not necessarily the last word. Bushee has requested the topic be considered by the Public Works Committee, a panel that she’s a member of.
New Mexico parents facing possible arrest for unpaid child support have been offered temporary amnesty by Governor Susana Martinez’s administration. The amnesty window closes at the end of August, and the governor’s office says the offer will precede an enforcement crackdown for those parents who have arrest warrants for being in arrears. State officials say individuals can visit a state Child Support Enforcement Division office without fear of arrest and pay a bond to cancel outstanding bench warrants for not paying child support. They say efforts will be made to negotiate a payment plan for those who can't afford the full bond.
A year ago, Senator Tom Udall helped lead the call in Congress to investigate Veteran’s Administration whistleblower claims about scheduling gimmicks and long wait times at the Albuquerque V-A hospital and elsewhere across the country. The New Mexico Democrat has continued to push to correct the scheduling problems and improve care for veterans in New Mexico. *****080515-Udall-2 :22***** Udall says since the crisis became apparent, Congress sent a strong message that VA employees who manipulated scheduling and other data will be held accountable. He added that Congress must keep a close eye on the VA even when the headlines fade away.
Church officials in Las Cruces say they will conduct security reviews following two explosions that startled Sunday churchgoers in the southern New Mexico city. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that no one was injured in either explosion, but police say the explosives could have killed or seriously injured someone nearby. Holy Cross Catholic Church and Calvary Baptist Church, where the explosives went off, will hold services Sunday as planned. Church officials, however, are planning to meet in Las Cruces this week to discuss how to improve public safety during services. Calvary's associate pastor Scott Rogers says the church is considering contracting security guards, among other options. The Diocese of Las Cruces Deacon David McNeillJr. says the diocese will review safety practices at all its churches, including Holy Cross.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny skies today and tomorrow, with today’s high 89, rising to 92 tomorrow. Tonight: Mostly clear skies with the overnight low dipping to 56.