Latest news with #JemezPueblo
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jemez Springs prepares for overhaul of sewage collection system after overflow spill
JEMEZ SPRINGS (KRQE) – A northern New Mexico village known for its outdoor recreation had some sewer overflow spill into their river last week- it's the second time this year. 'This system has aged to a point where we're going to have these problems more often,' said Village of Jemez Springs Mayor Mike Nealeigh. Story continues below New Mexico Insiders: Leader Of Albuquerque FBI Steps Down News: Video: Santa Ana police officer arrested for DUI and alleged battery Community: Poll: Where is the best place to go camping in New Mexico? For outdoor enthusiasts and tourists, Jemez Springs has a lot to offer, including beautiful landscapes, trails, the iconic hot springs, and the Jemez River. But sewage problems continue to trouble the small town of just about 200 people, as they deal with the aftermath of an overflow in their sewage collection lines last week. 'The impacts, you don't want to be fishing in a river that has wastewater fluent in it,' Mayor Nealeigh said. 'We're always concerned about the economic impact, of course, of this issue and forest fires; anything that shuts down the forest or causes people to think twice about coming up and enjoying the recreational opportunities.' An alert was sent out to residents about the issue, while workers from the village and Jemez Pueblo helped to restore flow in the system. Due to the spill, several recreational sites down river, like campgrounds and fishing access points, were shut down for several days. Mayor Nealeigh said the problem is due to how 'fragile' the collection system is. A mixture of root damage to the lines, its decades-old age, and having a one-man wastewater team has made it difficult to keep up with ongoing issues. He also said it's been years since it's been regularly maintained. 'That has not been done in probably 20 years,' Mayor Nealeigh explained. However, the village has taken steps to find a long-term fix. They're preparing to renovate millions of dollars' worth of lines. 'We're working, right now, to clean the manholes, to clear the lines so that the cameras can get in there, see exactly where the problems are; and then the 3 million dollars will be applied to the problems in the order of their urgency,' Mayor Nealeigh added. The mayor said recreational sites south of town were reopened a few days following the spill, after speaking with the U.S. Forest Service to see if it was safe. The village hopes to begin the renovation process in about six months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
11-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Tortillas fall flat in New Mexico, but will California add Bigfoot to its list of state symbols?
A proposal to designate the tortilla as New Mexico 's official state bread had unanimous support from lawmakers. On Friday, though, it ended up falling flat. It wasn't because Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham isn't a fan of the round wraps that have long been a staple of Mexican, Central American and Southwestern U.S. cooking. It was because she believes lawmakers missed opportunities to debate bills that deal with weightier matters as the state faces extraordinary challenges. 'Of course, I enjoy celebrating our unique culture,' she wrote in her veto message, ticking off numerous official state symbols and songs that New Mexico has adopted over the years. 'The question should not be how many more symbols we can collect — but whether we are meeting the moment with the gravity it demands,' she continued. 'We are living in perilous and unprecedented times. The stakes for our state have never been higher.' New Mexico's lawmakers were hardly alone in wanting to pad their state's list of symbols this legislative season. Georgia lawmakers recently passed a bill to recognize cornbread as their state's official bread. The Oregon Legislature, meanwhile, is considering adopting the T-bone steak as an official symbol. And there's a proposal in California to name Bigfoot the state's official cryptid — a creature that has never been proven to exist. Striking a balance? Legislating isn't always about taxes, tariffs and other serious issues. Lawmakers sometimes yearn for levity and the rare chance to find common ground. With the push to adopt the tortilla, which was proposed by Las Cruces fourth-grader Adaline McIntosh, lawmakers debated the kinds of flour needed for the perfect specimen. Their conclusion: It depends on the meal. They also got a history lesson from state Sen. Benny Shendo, a member of Jemez Pueblo tribe who explained that the first bread in what is now New Mexico was made by Pueblo people who cooked blue corn paste on a hot stone. State Sen. Cindy Nava talked about growing up on her mother's homemade tortillas. 'This is much bigger than a simple piece of legislation," Nava told fellow lawmakers. "This is culture and this is cultural awareness that we desperately need.' From cattle to cocktails Official state symbols date to the late 1800s, as legislatures throughout the U.S. sought to stake cultural claims and foster pride among their residents. First came flowers and flags. Then came fossils and foods, with the practice growing into a clever marketing tool to boost conversation and commerce. Oregon already has an official state nut, fruit and pie. But adopting the T-bone would recognize the role that cattle has played in the state's development and its contribution to the economy, supporters say. It's all about Nashville hot chicken in Tennessee, where a proposal calls for making the popular dish an official state food, joining hot slaw and Memphis barbecue. Whereas some states adopted milk as their official drink, Nevada is considering a less wholesome option, Picon punch. The home of Sin City is weighing legislation that would add the cocktail that traces its roots to Basque immigrants who settled out West to its list of state symbols. Shooting for the stars In North Carolina, lawmakers are considering adopting the Moravian star, a multi-pointed decoration that symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and has become synonymous with Christmas. Minnesota might adopt a whole constellation, with legislation pending that would add Ursa Minor to that state's list. Texas, meanwhile, is considering adding the cannon as an official gun. The Lone Star State already has an official handgun — the Colt Walker pistol. But those who introduced this year's resolution say historic weapons such as the cannon are powerful reminders of the state's struggle for freedom. That includes the first battle of the Texas Revolution, when settlers coined the phrase 'Come and Take It" during a skirmish with the Mexican military over a bronze cannon. A nod to nature Colorado's list of symbols now includes Agaricus julius, a mushroom once mistaken as 'The Prince mushroom" that supporters say plays a vital role in high-elevation spruce and fir forests. Iowa and Michigan are considering adding butterflies to their lists. There are dueling proposals in Michigan, with black swallowtails and monarchs duking it out. Minnesota lawmakers are mulling adopting an official state fossil — a giant beaver that was about the size of a small bear and roamed the area during the last ice age. It's part of a campaign led by the Science Museum of Minnesota. California lawmakers are considering adding two things to their state list: solar energy and Bigfoot. California has the country's largest solar market, according to industry groups. As for the legendary creature, Bigfoot's proponents say it's part of popular culture and inspires searches that boost tourism in rural parts of the state.
