News Flash

Businesses: Got Big Trash? The Grappler is available for you, too!

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 8/18/19 

The Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Grappler is not just for residential pickup of large, bulky items; it’s ready to assist businesses, too. For residences, t...

A More Conventional Space: The Expansion of the Las Cruces Convention Center

Last week, on Saturday, August 10, 2019, the Las Cruces Convention Center hosted its first local event after the completion of its 17,000 square foot addition to the existing 55,000 square foot building. The 16-month project focused on adding meeting, bre...

City Council Preview for August 19, 2019

Regular Meeting

The Las Cruces City Council will conduct a regular meeting at 1 p.m. Monday, August 19, 2019 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St.

The meeting will be televised live at 1 p.m. Monday on Comcast Cable channel 20 and will be webcas...

Las Cruces Partnership for Community Schools

Las
Cruces Public Schools and the City of Las Cruces continue working on efforts tocreate additional community schools in our area. The Las Cruces
Partnership for Community Schools Board, which was establish through Joint PartnershipAgreement in 201...

September Saturday Night Dance at Munson Center

The
Senior Programs monthly Saturday Night Dance will be held from 5-7 p.m.,Saturday, September 7, 2019, at Munson Center, 975 S. Mesquite St. Admission is
$3. Residents can purchase tickets at Munson Center the week of the dance, orat the door.

Save...

The "Flushable" Fantasy: DO NOT FLUSH ANY WIPES

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in theLas Cruces Bulletin 8/16/19.

Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) again warns customers that advertised “flushable” wipes clog pipes. Wipes can not only damage the pipes at the resid...

“Architecture in Arid America” with Troy Ainsworth

The
Branigan Cultural Center will host the lecture “Architecture in Arid American”with Troy M. Ainsworth, Ph.D., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 24. Henry Charles
Trost (1860-1933) designed many buildings in the Southwest in an aesth...

Branigan Library Offers Free Computer Literacy Classes in August

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library offers free computer literacy classes in August. Each session is an independent class. Registration is not required, however, only the first 9 attendees will be guaranteed a computer. Attendees are welcome to bring their o...

Branigan Library Offers Free Computer Literacy Classes in August

Thomas
Branigan Memorial Library offers free computer literacy classes inAugust. Each session is an independent class.  Registration is not
required, however, only the first 9 attendees will be guaranteed a computer.Attendees are welcome to...

Libraries as Launchpads Returns to Branigan Library

Libraries as Launchpads is returning to the Branigan Library! Last spring, ten new business leaders were given support and advice for their great ideas through this program, but due to limited space, some entrepreneurs were not selected.

If you have a new ...

Libraries as Launchpads Returns to Branigan Library

Libraries
as Launchpads is returning to the Branigan Library! Last spring, ten newbusiness leaders were given support and advice for their great ideas through
this program, but due to limited space, some entrepreneurs were not selected. 

Ify...

Rube Goldberg Machines at the Museum of Nature & Science

The
Museum of Nature & Science presents “Rube Goldberg Machines,” from 5 – 7p.m. on Wednesday, August 28. The program is part of the Las Cruces Museum
System’s “Summer Wednesdays” evening...

Teen Connection Registration

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department still has open spots for the Teen Connection Program. This program is designed to provide a place where teens can gather socially in a safe environment to engage in a variety of supervised education...

Art Trading Card Night at the Branigan Cultural Center

The
Branigan Cultural Center, and all the City of Las Cruces museums, are openuntil 8 p.m. Wednesday evenings, June through August. Join us and other artists
from 5 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28 for a FREE Artist Trading Card night!

ArtT...

City, NMSU Plan Patriot Day Ceremony on 9/11

New Mexico State University and the City of Las Cruces will commemorate the 18-year anniversary of 9/11 with a Patriot Day Ceremony on the NMSU campus.

The Patriot Day Ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 at the east end of Horseshoe ...

Helping Las Cruces Residents Keep Their Cool

NASA Earth has shared its heat study on Las Cruces. The study can be read online here.

The City’s Sustainability Office worked with NASA DEVELOP and Arizona State on a special project to identify areas at risk from extreme heat in Las Cruces. DEVELOP is a ...

Kudos to the Concrete Crew

To: Concrete Crew, Public Works

From: Sarah Cundiff on behalf of Cheryl Mac Donald, Resident

While the Concrete Crew of Public Works was inspecting the damage to a reported sidewalk this week, they noted many other sidewalks in need of repair, one being a s...

Quilts for Cops Donates to LCPD Officer

Quilts for Cops, a nonprofit organization in Dundee, Oregon, has donated a handmade quilt to Las Cruces police Officer Antony Harrison who was injured June 17 in a shooting near Lohman Avenue and Nacho Drive.

Officer Harrison is pictured holding the quilt....

Suspect in SWAT Callout Suspected of Hurling Rocks at Officers

A man suspected of throwing rocks at a marked police unit, shattering a window and damaging a second vehicle, was arrested early Wednesday morning after a SWAT callout on the grounds of a local elementary school.

Armando Rodriguez, 34, of the 700 block of ...

"Outside Employment" Officers Patrol Las Cruces Walmart Stores

Las Cruces police officers are now patrolling City Walmart stores in the wake of the Aug. 3 mass-shooting that killed 22 and injured several more in El Paso, Texas.

The City of Las Cruces entered into agreement with Walmart, through a private security comp...

Ceiling Tile Replacement, Change in Soap Dispensers at City Hall

As part of the City’s commitment to
improve customer service, safety, and to keep its facilities in proper shapeand appearance, City of Las Cruces Public Works/Facilities Management has
contracted with a local service provider to replace cei...

Man Charged with Felony after Cat Tests Positive for Meth

Charges against a Las Cruces man arrested in June for allegedly battering his girlfriend and mistreating two pets have now been upgraded after their cat tested positive for methamphetamine.

On June 3, 2019, Las Cruces police were dispatched to a home on Bo...

Former Hobbs Officer Joins Las Cruces Police Department

Kevin Martinez was sworn in Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 as an officer with the Las Cruces Police Department.

Third Judicial District Court Judge Conrad Perea officiated the brief ceremony that was witnessed by Police Chief Patrick Gallagher, pictured on left. Ma...

Team Up to Clean Up District 5 Event – Call for Volunteers

Volunteers are needed! Get rid of weeds, trash, junk, graffiti and other debris in your
neighborhood the “Team Up to Clean Up” way! The Parks & RecreationDepartment Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) will have its next Team Up to ...

Team Up to Clean Up District 5 Event – Call for Volunteers

Volunteers
Needed! Get rid of weeds, trash/junk, graffiti and other debris in yourneighborhood the “Team Up to Clean Up” way! The Parks & Recreation
Department Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) will hold its next Team Up to CleanUp event from 8 a...

Water Outage Planned on Reymond Street and Armijo Street

Residents
on Armijo Street and Reymond Street, between Court Avenue to Las Cruces Avenue,will experience a water outage from 9 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2019 until 1
a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2019 while Morrow Enterprises completes a water maintie-i...

Las Cruces Utilities Opens New Water Quality Laboratory

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 8/11/19

After nearly 30 years of planning and one year of construction, the new Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Water Quality Laboratory is ready to take the community&rsqu...

Man Suspected of Arson in Fire that Damaged Home

The man suspected of starting a fire in his home has been arrested and charged with arson.

Christian Charles Henry, 27, of the 4900 block of South Fork Road, is charged with one count of arson over $20,000. The charge is a second-degree felony.

About 10:45 ...

Mother Charged after Children Test Positive for Meth

A Las Cruces mother was arrested after her three young children – ages 7, 3 and 4-months – tested positive for methamphetamines.

Maria E. Ludden, 24, of the 2200 block of Dona Ana Road, is charged with three counts of negligent child ab...

RoadRUNNER Transit Dial-a-Ride Fare Reduced

Customers of RoadRUNNER Transit Dial-a-Ride service will receive a break in fare rates following the approval of Mayor Ken Miyagishima’s resolution by City Council at the Monday, August 5 City Council Meeting. The Dial-A-Ride fee will be temporarily reduc...

School Zone Infractions: Speeding, Changing Lanes, Passing Other Vehicles

Speeding, changing lanes and passing other vehicles are three common traffic violations motorists make in school zones. Each of those violations is punishable by a fine of $162 plus court costs.

Local public schools begin classes Aug. 8 so the Las Cruces P...

Suspect in Embassy Drive Shooting Charged with Third-degree Felony

The man suspected in Saturday’s shooting on Embassy Drive has been charged with a felony.

Andrew Jason Torres, 35, of the 1600 block of Embassy Drive, is charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He&...

Water Confidence Annual Report Available Now (CCRs)

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 8/4/19 

Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) now publishes 6 different Water Quality Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) every year to provide comprehensive information about drinking ...

Dock Diving for Dogs on Valley Drive

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 8/2/19

In the sweltering Las Cruces summers, it’s not just humans who feel the heat, but also our pets. For both the adventurous dog and owner, a cool way to cool off is a...

Event Sponsorship Applications Now Being Accepted

The City of Las Cruces is now accepting event funding applications for 2019-2020 events. The upcoming submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2019.

Sponsorships are available in these categories:

Tourism-related event: Eligibility is determined...

Event Sponsorships

The City of Las Cruces is now accepting event funding applications for 2019/2020 events. The upcoming submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Friday, August 30, 2019.

Sponsorships are available in three categories:

1. Tourism-Related Event: Eligibility determined...

Las Cruces Utilities Learns from Annual Customer Survey

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 8/2/19

Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) is on a continual journey of improvement in its mission to provide four utilities to the residents and businesses of Las Cruces.

Key to evaluating t...

Public Hearing

The
Las Cruces City Council will hold a Public Hearing to discuss approval ordisapproval of the issuance of a Small Brewer 1^st Off-Site Location Liquor License to Truth or Consequences Brewing Company d/b/a T or C Brewing Company, to be located at 2001...

Branigan Library to Present Informational Meetings for GED Seekers

Have you been thinking about getting your high school equivalency diploma? Don’t wait any longer! Come to Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E. Picacho Ave., to discuss options that will work for you. We will share information about both the ...

Mayor Introduces Resolution to Reduce Senior, ADA Fees for Dial-A-Ride

Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced today, July 30, 2019, he has authorized placing on the agenda for the August 5 Las Cruces City Council meeting the following resolution:

A resolution to authorize a budget transfer of $100,000 to the Transit Fund, reducing t...

Mayor Introduces Resolution to Reduce Senior, ADA Fees for Dial-A-Ride

Mayor Ken Miyagishima announced today, July 30, 2019, he has authorized placing on the agenda for the August 5 Las Cruces City Council meeting the following resolution:

A resolution to authorize a budget transfer of $100,000 to the Transit Fund, reducing t...

Parks & Recreation Master Plan is a Commitment to Residents

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Master Plan is a commitment to residents and visitors that the City is dedicated to the health and welfare of the community through investment in parks and recreation facilities. The Parks & Recreation Mas...

Area Youth Get Real Work Experience with Youth Conservation Corps

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

It was a tour of the Las Cruces Utilities’ (LCU) Jacob Hands Wastewater Treatment Facility that first sparked an interest in the mind of a local youth. Dustin Arriola remembered the class trip to tour the fa...

Area Youth Get Real Work Experience with Youth Conservation Corps

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 7/28/19

It was a tour of the Las Cruces Utilities’ (LCU) Jacob Hands Wastewater Treatment Facility that first sparked an interest in the mind of a local youth. Dustin Arri...

A Summer of Learning: City of Las Cruces & Youth Conservation Corps

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/26/19

Even at 8 a.m. it’s hot. Despite the hot temperatures, 15 young City of Las Cruces employees under a local Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) grant are ready to start their duti...

Valley Drive Bike Lanes A Comfort to Former Las Crucen

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/26/19

Marc Wright walked along Valley Drive in amazement. He hadn’t been back in Las Cruces for 25 years, and while he expected changes, he didn’t expect the b...

Get Notified of City News and Stay Informed!

The City of Las Cruces would like to inform you that you can now sign-up for all kinds of City news! Simply click on the link to the Notify Me sign-up page. You'll have numerous options to select, from Community Alerts, the City Manager Report, Parks and ...

LCU: A Strong Partner for New Business (The Fresh Chile Company)

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 7/21/19

Randy McMillan, owner of The Fresh Chile Company, is hoping to open his new chile roasting business in time for the fall harvest, just weeks away. He’s working wit...

Keeping us Safe: Utilities Sniffer Truck

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/19/19

It looks very similar to other City of Las Cruces trucks you see on the streets, except for the attachment on the front that might cause you to take another look. Hanging fr...

Quick Delivery from Frontier Roofing Supply on Valley Drive

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/19/19

As the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) moves into the final phase of Valley Drive road reconstruction, the road work has landed right outside the front of do...

Political Signs

Due to numerous complaints of sign violations in elections past and in an attempt to be proactive, all candidates for election are being advised of the ordinances pertaining to the placement and duration of political signs.

For more information or to repor...

Maintaining Underground Gas Lines through a "Keyhole"

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Sun-News 7/14/19.

The task at hand: locate the underground yellow polypipe gas line, find where it joins to the older, steel piping under La Fonda Drive, update Geographic Information System...

2019 Music in The Park Series

The Music in the Park Series begins at 7 p.m., Sundays at Young Park, 1905 E. Nevada Ave. Thursday Night Music on the Plaza begins at 8 p.m., at the Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St.

Schedule, times, and locations are subject to change.

Sunday Night Musi...

NMDOT Road Reconstruction Tops the List at District 4 Meeting

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 7/12/19

On Monday, June 24th, residents of District 4 gathered at an evening community meeting, hosted by City Councilor Jack Eakman and held at the Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Admin...

Animal of the Month: Big Bend Slider

Animal of the Month July 2019: Big Bend Slider (Trachemys gaigeae) 

Also known as the Mexican Plateau Slider, this species of turtle is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. This species of turtle is only found in the Rio ...

Assessment of Corrective Measures at Old Foothills Landfill

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Sun-News 7/7/19

On June 20th, more than 30 residents came out to Desert Hills Elementary to hear Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) present the Assessment of Corrective Measures Report (ACM) on what is ...

Easily Accessible and No Wait: LCU East Mesa Customer Service Center

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin on July 5, 2019

Customer Central staff have a quick smile for Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) customers walking through the frosted door of the East Mesa Utilities Customer Service Offic...

Easily Accessible and No Wait: LCU East Mesa Customer Service Center

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 7/5/19

Customer Central staff have a quick smile for Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) customers walking through the frosted door of the East Mesa Utilities Customer Service Office at 5195 Bat...

Las Cruces Collision Center: Front seat view Valley Drive Construction

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 7/5/19

It’s 8 a.m. and 3 employees in the Las Cruces Collision Center (524 N. Valley Drive) are already hard at work: one woman stands on a wooden box to gain height while put...

Utilities Tiny Robotic Truck does a Big Job!

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 7/12/19

Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Wastewater Collection Inspector Lonnie Orona gets his little truck ready to cruise through the pipes. It’s a small robotic truck with wheels...

Water Quality Reports

The 2018 Consumer Confidence Report for the City of Las Cruces water supply is now available on the Utilities/Water/Water Resources/Annual Water Quality – Consumer Confidence Reports page.

 http://www.las-cruces.org/1943/Annual-Water-Qua...

Capital Improvements Advisory Committee Tours LCU Facilities

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Sun-News 6/30/19

The Las Cruces Capital Improvements Advisory Committee (CIAC) is dedicated to reviewing the City’s infrastructure growth necessary to support our growing community. CI...

NAPA Auto and Truck Parts

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 6/28/19

Levi Livingston had a great sale last week at NAPA Auto & Truck Parts on Valley Drive, with more than 200 customers coming in to find new tools and maybe a spare part or two...

Vescovo Toyota: Seeing Success on Valley Drive

By Cassie McClure and Suzanne Michaels

Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 6/21/19

They say good things come to those who wait, and good things have come to fans of Vescovo Toyota in Las Cruces. When the dealership made the move to the new location at 780 S. V...

RoadRUNNER Transit Lower Rates and Longer Hours

RoadRUNNER Transit will be more affordable than ever beginning Saturday, June 1 when the new lower rate for adult and reduced rate day passes goes into effect. Transit users can take same day, unlimited rides anywhere in the city by purchasing a Day Pass ...

Noise Ordinance Input Meeting

The City is asking for public input on changes proposed to the City of Las Cruces Ordinance 1988 that regulates noise throughout the City of Las Cruces. Ordinance 1988, “Noise,” is included in Chapter 19, Offenses and Miscellaneous Pro...

RoadRUNNER Transit Amends Transit Tariff

Customers
of RoadRUNNER Transit will pay less for day passes as one of the benefits thatcome with the approval of the amendment to the RoadRUNNER transit tariff, which
was approved by City Council at the Monday, May 20 City Council meeting. Withthe ...

Asylum Seekers FAQ

Is Las Cruces a sanctuary city? No. City Council has never designated Las Cruces a sanctuary city. To do so must be through a resolution in a vote of the City Council at a public meeting.

Did City Council ask that asylum seekers be brought to Las ...

Personal to Political

There is no singular way to address the conversation of race and representation in contemporary art. Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press presents fourteen artists who capture the personal narratives an...

The Front Porch

Storm Sermay's photographs provide a survey of local front porches, offering a unique glimpse into life and culture in Las Cruces.

May 3, 2019 - July 20, 2019 at Branigan Cultural Center

From the Ground up XXIX Regional Juried Ceramics Exhibition

Museum of Art

August 2, 2019 - July 20, 2019

Ceramic artists living and working throughout the Rocky Mountain region of the United States exhibit utilitarian and sculptural ceramics. From the Ground Up is a biennial exhibition brought to you by the Museum o...

Amending America

Have you ever wondered how the Bill of Rights was created - and how it has been changed? This exhibit illustrates how America came to have the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This exhibition was created by the National Archives and Records A...

Building/Business Licenses

As of December 2018, the City of Las Cruces Community Development Department completed the implementation of online building permits & business registrations.

We are here to help you! If you have questions about the transition or need assistance, pleas...

Capital Improvement Projects

Las Cruces now has a new way to find out about the City’s capital improvement projects (CIP). These are projects that impact the quality of life in the community and focus on streets, parks, city buildings or facilities, water quality, energy, a...

Minimum Wage 2019

On January 1, 2019, the minimum wage in Las Cruces became $10.10 per hour and $4.04 for tipped workers. Every employer shall post in a conspicuous place at any workplace or job, or the site where any employee works, a notice published by the City to infor...

Money Ranks Las Cruces the No. 3 Best Place to Go in U.S. in 2019!

Just in time for spring break and summer vacations, MONEY ranks Las Cruces third in the United States as a place to visit in 2019.

Our community’s overall efforts to market Las Cruces as a travel destination are paying off. City government, our partners in...