Santa Fe–The New Mexico Department of Health on Monday announced that all vaccineNM.org registrants ages 16 and up can now schedule their own COVID-19 vaccine appointments. To do so, users simply log in to vaccineNM.org using their confirmation code and date of birth, choose their location, and then select from available appointments in their area. 

In the event that a user does not immediately find an available appointment, DOH encourages them to check back again. Providers are continually updating their appointment schedules. Seniors and those with disabilities can also call 1-800-432-2080 for support with registration and scheduling.

Print this entry

Road tests for new driver’s licenses are being suspended at Motor Vehicle Division offices in counties designated as ‘Yellow’ or ‘Red’ under the state’s red-to-turquoise COVID-19 reopening framework.

Nine counties regressed to either the Yellow or Red level in the most recent map, released Wednesday: Catron, Chaves, Eddy, Harding, Lincoln, Rio Arriba, Sierra and Socorro regressed to the Yellow level, and Colfax moved to the Red level.

Also at the Yellow level are Bernalillo, Dona Ana, Grant, Luna, Sandoval, San Juan and Valencia.

Although many MVD services can continue to be safely delivered in yellow and red counties, road tests require an MVD agent and the customer to drive together in the customer’s vehicle—a small indoor space. Road tests will continue to be provided in a safe manner in green and turquoise counties.

All offices are open by appointment only, which can be made at mvdonline.com.

New Mexico’s county-by-county system uses key health metrics – the per-capita daily incidence of new COVID-19 cases and average COVID-19 test positivity within county borders – to determine the level of public health risk and requirement for each county. A county that meets one criterion may operate at the Yellow Level; a county that meets both may operate at the Green Level. A county that has met both for two consecutive biweekly map updates may operate at the Turquoise Level.

Print this entry

Students encouraged to register and get vaccinated 

Santa Fe–The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and Public Education Department (PED) on Thursday announced Student COVID-19 Vaccination Week. During the week of May 3-8, students aged 16 and older will be given priority for making appointments on the NMDOH COVID-19 Vaccine Registration System, vaccineNM.org.

“With public schools back in session and summer just around the corner, we want students to know that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 protects them and their families – and will help us all get back to doing the things we miss,” said Department of Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. 

“Vaccinating against this virus protects students’ health and the health of the school community,” Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart said. “Additionally, once students are fully vaccinated, they won’t have to quarantine if they’re identified as close contacts of someone with COVID-19. That could help reduce school closures in the future.”  

Beginning next Monday, April 26, all New Mexicans 16 years and older will be able to self-schedule their own vaccination appointments through vaccineNM.org, no event code required. 

To schedule a vaccination appointment, register online at VaccineNM.org. Vaccinations for New Mexicans under age 18 require parental consent, and Pfizer is the only vaccine available for students 16-to-17-years-old.  The Department of Health can also assist those who need help registering – including those who do not have internet access. Please call the COVID-19 hotline at 1-855-600-3453, press option 0 (zero) for vaccine questions, and then option 4 for tech support.

Print this entry

Print this entry

Give the Mescalero WIOA Program a call at 575-464-9202/9217 for more info!

Print this entry

Print this entry

Print this entry

A few students from Mescalero Apache High School’s wind energy class, had the unique opportunity to climb a wind tower.

With supervision and loads of safety equipment, the students worked up the courage to climb.

Mr. Raynor, wind energy teacher, looked on proudly as the students climbed with excitement.

Planning the trip to Mesaland Community College didn’t come easily as planners had to postpone several times due to COVID-19 even though the trip was scheduled before the pandemic.

Nonetheless, wind energy students like Madisyn Yuzos, Lani Cojo, Kaylan Ahidley and Caydence Palmer all earned college credit as they participated in the trip.

This is the second year of the program at MAHS and the trip was a huge success with the students.

With hopes of more students being able to participate in trips just like this one, Mr. Raynor thanks Region IX and their partners for a successful visit.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Print this entry

The month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. Sexual assault by definition is any intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or any attempts to commit these acts.

Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion, or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.

• Consent will not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance.

• Consent is NOT the absence of NO; it IS the presence of YES

Sexual assault is a crime, one of the most heinous crimes committed against another human being. One of the greatest myths regarding sexual assault is that it is a crime of passion, when in fact; it is a crime of aggression. A sexual assault perpetrator acquires his or her gratification through the power and control that they are able to exercise over their victim, and not by the sexual act itself.

The typical rapist:

• Plans and premeditates his attacks
• Uses multiple strategies to make his victim vulnerable, i.e. gains victim’s trust, acts like the “nice guy”
• Uses alcohol deliberately…. as a weapon …. to his advantage

Predators are skilled at sensing fearfulness, especially in someone who has been victimized before. He will violate your personal space by standing too close and if he sees fear on one’s face (common in someone who has a history of trauma/abuse) he knows he can dominate you. But, if one exhibits anger or that of being turned off by his advances, he will sense that you are someone he cannot push around, and more often than not, he will back off.

Sexual assault prevention is EVERYONES responsibility!

We all need to work together as a community to put an end to sexual violence.

Print this entry

RUIDOSO, NM – Apr. 9, 2021 — The Smokey Bear Ranger District on the Lincoln National Forest plans to conduct a prescribed burn near Baca Campground starting Monday, April 12, 2021, as conditions allow.

The prescribed fire located south of Forest Service Road 57 and southwest of Baca Campground will remove an accumulation of woody debris on the forest floor which can contribute to high-intensity wildfire. Fire crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants which improves forage for animals. Prescribed burning also reduces the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts by removing excess wood on the forest floor and removes ladder fuels which can cause wildfires to climb to the tops of trees and spread.

Smoke may be visible along Rd 57, Rd C0002 and possibly from Lincoln, NM, along Hwy 380. Although smoke from prescribed fire can be a nuisance, it is usually for a shorter time and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce.

Print this entry