• New this year: semi-open primary elections

• Who’s on the ballot (so far)

• When you can vote

• More about the state election changes

Early voting for New Mexico’s primary election begins May 5, and this year comes with a major change: a new semi-open primary system that allows independent voters to participate in partisan primary elections.

What’s different?

During the 2025 legislative season, New Mexico lawmakers passed Senate Bill 16, which created a semi-open primary system. The new law went into effect on July 1, 2025, and will be used for the first time during this year’s primary election.

If you’re registered with one of the major political parties — Democrat or Republican — you must vote using the ballot of the party listed on your registration. However, you may change your party affiliation at any time before early voting starts on May 5.

If you’re registered as “declined-to-state,” or are with an unqualified minor party, you will be allowed to choose a major party’s ballot at voting time without having to formally change your voter affiliation. Absentee ballot recipients registered as such will be contacted in advance by the clerk’s office.

If you’re registered with one of the state’s “qualified minor parties” — Libertarian Party or Green Party — you can change your party affiliation to a major party or DTS using same-day voter registration in order to vote in the primary election.

The New Mexico Secretary of State’s website (nmvote.org) has a number of links where citizens can register to vote, review their current voter registration and party affiliation, and request an absentee ballot. Registration can also be done by mail or at any MVD office.

The state’s same-day voter registration process can also be utilized by those who are eligible to vote but are not currently registered, along with those who are registered as DTS or with a qualified minor party. Same-day registration is available at the county clerk’s office or at any polling location in the county on Election Day.

Los Alamos ballot snapshot

This year’s primary election in Los Alamos features a mix of contested local races and several candidates currently running unopposed. Keep in mind, however, that independent candidates can register to be on the ballot until June 25, so a win in the primary is not necessarily a guaranteed win in the general election.

Here’s a quick look at the races and major-party candidates in Los Alamos:

County council (four seats): Incumbents Theresa Cull (D) and Melanee Hand (D) are seeking to retain their seats for a second four-year term, while several candidates are looking to get into the council lineup.

Democratic candidates:

• David E. Hampton

• Joseph F. Granville

• Theresa A. Cull (incumbent)

• Steven S. Lynne

• Melanee M. Hand (incumbent)

Republican candidates:

• Eric Roland Stromberg

• Jason Alan Chappel

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County sheriff:

Two Democrats, Antonio L. Maggiore and David Israelevitz, will compete for the position of sheriff. The Republican Party did not file any candidates for county sheriff this year.

Uncontested primary races:

Several local and state positions have only one major-party candidate filed. Those candidates will advance to the general election, assuming they each receive a minimum of one vote in the primary.

• Magistrate Judge: Catherine E. Taylor (D)

• County Assessor: Jeff Casalina (D)

• Probate Judge: Perry C. Klare (D)

• Municipal Judge: Elizabeth K. Allen (D)

• 1st Judicial District Judges: Denise M. Thomas (Family Court) and Anastasia R. Martin (Rio Arriba Civil, Adult Criminal Courts)

• NM House District 43 Representative: Christine Chandler (D)

Statewide races

Other state races on the ballot include governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state auditor, state treasurer, and commissioner of public lands.

New Mexicans will also vote on the U.S. Senator seat currently held by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan. No Republican is running, which leaves Lujan with one primary opponent, Matt Dodson. Voters will also decide three seats for the U.S. House of Representatives, including District 3 that serves Los Alamos, which is currently held by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, who is running unopposed in the Democratic primary; Martin Zamora is seeking the Republican nomination to face Leger Fernández in the general election.

Official sample ballots should be released by the county clerk’s office very soon.

League of Women Voters of Los Alamos will hold its Candidate Forum this Thursday, April 30, from 7 pm to 9 pm — with refreshments at 6:30 pm — at UNM-LA Student Center. The forum will be limited to races where candidates face opposition (Los Alamos County Council and Sheriff.)

When and where to vote in the primary election

• Early Voting: May 5 – 15
  Los Alamos Municipal Building, 8 am – 5 pm

• Expanded Early Voting: May 16 – 30
  Municipal Building and White Rock Town Center, 8 am – 6 pm

• Election Day: June 2, 7 am to 7 pm

A full list of county voting locations can be found on the clerk’s webpage here.

The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.

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The first large-scale community test of Los Alamos County’s emergency notification system will take place on Friday, April 24 at noon.

Residents can sign up for the new system using the online registration link, or by texting “losalamos” (no space) to 888777. Boomtown has verified that the texting-based process is instant and requires no follow-up or account creation. Alerts are sent via text message, phone call, and/or by email, and users can unsubscribe at any time.

The new system is based on the Everbridge platform and replaces the former CodeRED system. Residents must re-register with their current contact information, as no CodeRED information has been transferred.

The county has also emphasized that “Emergency alerts from Los Alamos County’s Everbridge system will come from the number 88911. This is different from the number used by LANL’s Everbridge system.”

More information can be found at the County’s webpage: Emergency Notifications and Alerts.

And as always, we’ll keep Boomtown’s Local Fire Information page updated with current fire information, maps, and other emergency information.

In 2025, Los Alamos Animal Control handled 235 wildlife-related calls, compared to just fifteen involving domesticated animals. Deer accounted for more than half of those calls — 132 in total — while skunks made up the next-highest volume at twenty-six. The remaining incidents ranged from calls regarding coyotes to snakes to birds. The numbers reflect a simple truth about living in Los Alamos: this is not a town with wildlife nearby, it’s a town embedded in it.

This reality shapes the mission and limitations of Animal Control in our county. With a team of just three officers and one supervisor, the small department has a lot to balance. Wildlife response, enforcement of local ordinances, supporting the local animal shelter, and occasional emergency situations — the responsibility is a large one. With this small team, they can’t actively patrol trails or neighborhoods, so much of what keeps the community safe depends on prevention, and on residents’ understanding of their role in that equation.

“People do love their dogs here. We have a good, responsible community. Pets are spayed and neutered, they’re well-trained and well cared-for,” Phelan said. “We have really low incidences of dog bites or attacks.”

Animal Control records indicate there were only eight dog bite cases in 2025. However, a dog that seems harmless and well-behaved to its owner may not seem that way to a stranger, a child, or someone encountering it unexpectedly on a narrow trail. “A big thing pet owners need to realize is your pet is yours,” Phelan said. “You’re comfortable with them. You’re familiar with them. The public doesn’t necessarily know the same.” For that reason, Animal Control encourages leash use at all times, even in areas where off-leash activity is technically allowed.

In addition to leashing up pups, other preventative measures are recommended by Animal Control, especially when out on the trail. Carrying simple deterrents like a small air horn, a sturdy walking stick, or pepper spray are tools that can provide a layer of security and peace of mind when moving through a shared wildlife habitat. These tools aren’t meant to escalate a situation, but to give options: a sudden burst of noise can startle an approaching animal, a stick can help create distance, and spray can serve as a last resort if an encounter becomes aggressive. Small precautions like these can make a difference, for residents and the animals they encounter.

Los Alamos domestic pet ordinances

Local ordinance follows state law and permits dogs to be off leash under “voice and sight control,” meaning the dog must respond immediately and reliably to its owner’s commands. In practice, that can be hard to do; a sudden movement of a deer darting across a trail or a skunk emerging from the brush can override even the best-trained dog’s actions. Voice control areas — including trails — can be found on the Animal Control website.

The expectation is that pet owners maintain control at all times. If a dog runs ahead out of sight, ignores a call or approaches other people or animals without permission, they are no longer considered under control, and the owner may be in violation. The ordinance also makes clear that owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior in all circumstances, at all times.

If a dog causes an injury, creates a nuisance or repeatedly roams, Animal Control can issue citations. In Los Alamos, those citations may be criminal rather than civil, which are used in some other jurisdictions in the state. However, Phelan noted that the department is here to collaborate with the residents of Los Alamos, not necessarily harshly punish them.

As the weather warms and residents open their windows, more dog barking complaints are filed with Animal Control. In 2025, Animal Control saw the highest volume of noise complaints between April and August. If a noisy neighbor’s dog is bothering you, Animal Control will work with residents to investigate, and often mediate, animal noise complaints between neighbors. “We’re not heavy-handed with citations. People are more responsible and receptive to education here,” Phelan said.

Animal Shelter

Beyond enforcement and education, Animal Control is also in charge of supporting the Los Alamos Animal Shelter. With that can come troubling situations beyond the wildlife the officers already encounter. Earlier this year, Los Alamos Animal Control became involved in a multi-state case that began with the transfer of seven cats from an animal shelter in Garland, Texas. When the cats arrived in Los Alamos, they were in bad health, suffering from respiratory infections and pneumonia. One cat required surgery to correct a severe eyelid deformity that had gone untreated.

After being alerted to the cat’s conditions, the Garland shelter traced the origin to a property where sixty-four more cats were being kept as part of a local “rescue.” Authorities ultimately identified the situation as a hoarding case — the scale and condition of the cats pointed to an overwhelmed caregiver rather than a sustainable operation. The individual willingly surrendered the cats to the authorities.

Public health

Animal Control has also managed infectious disease cases, such as rabies, equine herpesvirus, and West Nile virus that occasionally surface in our community. For example, Animal Control responded to a call regarding a sick bat in a Barranca Mesa garage on March 17, 2026. NM Department of Health confirmed the bat tested positive for rabies two days later. While rabies cases are rare, Animal Control has strict protocol for handling and testing suspected rabies cases and cases are taken extremely seriously due to the risk they pose to both humans and animals.

Residents are encouraged to be aware of the signs of rabies, which can include unusual aggression, disorientation, drooling or difficulty moving. Any animal displaying these symptoms should not be touched or engaged with, and Animal Control should be called immediately. Even a pet cat or dog interacting with an infected bat can carry a high risk and warrants a call.

Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week

The takeaway, Phelan suggests, is not just about enforcement, it’s about awareness. Safety is shared in this community. Animal Control is there when something goes wrong, but the first line of defense is always the individual: the hiker who keeps a dog on leash, the homeowner who reports unusual wildlife behavior, or the neighbor who takes responsibility for their animal.

The department has a seven-day-a-week schedule, open from 8 am to 6 pm. It’s a small team that covers a wide range of responsibilities, often behind the scenes. Their work becomes more visible during Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week — celebrated every year during the second full week of April — but the reality is that most of what they do happens quietly, in the background of daily life in Los Alamos. From responding to wildlife calls to managing complex animal welfare cases, their office sits at the intersection of public safety and coexistence with nature.

A Los Alamos man is facing charges related to child sexual abuse in Los Alamos and Albuquerque following separate investigations by police in both cities.

Police in Los Alamos on April 2 arrested 63-year-old Timothy Pacheco on felony charges of criminal sexual penetration of a child and kidnapping following an investigation by detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit.

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• Investigation into crash that killed Brian Easton continues as a foundation launches a scholarship fund in his name

• LAPS Board renews superintendent’s contract through 2028

• LAPS hosts public board candidate forum and budget information session next week

Easton memorial scholarship established as crash investigation continues

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation has established a memorial scholarship fund to honor longtime Los Alamos resident and educator Dr. Brian Easton, who was killed in a pedestrian-vehicle crash at Urban Park on March 15.

LAPSF Executive Director Jenny McCumber told Boomtown that she expects the first scholarship in Easton’s honor to be awarded this year. Donation information is available on the LAPSF website, or contact McCumber at 505-500-6501 or email j.mccumber@laschools.net.

Boomtown contacted the Los Alamos Police Department on April 3 for more information regarding the circumstances surrounding Easton’s death. Los Alamos Police Chief Dino Sgambellone said, “The crash is still under investigation, and we don’t have any new information to share at this time.”

Superintendent Jennifer Guy’s contract renewed

The Los Alamos Public Schools board on March 10 unanimously passed a motion to extend Superintendent Jennifer Guy’s contract through the end of the 2027-2028 school year. The public vote followed a closed-door executive session by the board. The motion also included a provision for Guy to enter compensation renegotiation discussions with Board President Sondra Wyman.

According to the 2025-2026 first-quarter financial expenditure report published by LAPS, Guy currently receives a total compensation package of $260,238.83, consisting of a salary of $204,020.75 and benefits worth $56,218.08.

Monday, April 6: District 1 candidate forum

LAPS will host a public forum for the three candidates who have applied to fill the District 1 seat recently vacated after newly elected board member Margie Serrato resigned on March 26 citing “pressing family obligations that demand an expeditious relocation.”

District 1 includes Western White Rock, as well as Elk Ridge Mobile Home Park and parts of downtown Los Alamos. The three candidates (in alphabetical order) are Elisa Baker, Stephanie Galvez, and Katie Mussack.

School board policy 8250 states that, in the event of a vacancy, remaining board members “will appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.” The appointee will serve only until the next school board election, which will be held in November 2027.

Tuesday, April 7: School budget information session

LAPS district administrators on April 7 will hold a “community input and information session” on the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The in-person meeting is scheduled for 5:30 to 6:30 pm inside the LAPS boardroom at 2075 Trinity Drive.

According to a district press release, “The session will be a collaborative process to give attendees the chance to identify the best ways to support the school district’s strategic plan and improve outcomes for all of our students.”

Details of this year’s budget proposal have not yet been released, but the 2025-2026 LAPS operational budget was approximately 60 million dollars. Superintendent Jennifer Guy will present the proposed 2026-2027 budget to the school board at the April 14 board meeting. Following the meeting, the budget will be sent to state officials for final approval.

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Edited by Ryan Lowery

Photograph by Minesh Bacrania

Editor’s note: Today, on Student Press Freedom Day, Boomtown is pleased to bring you a story about the local school district that’s written and reported by student journalist and Boomtown intern Hannah Waldschmidt.

As high school students, we have enough to worry about with classes, clubs, sports, jobs, and the whole shebang. So when “that time of the month” shows up for some of us, it does nothing to make our lives easier.

When talking to a friend I realized that this is a pretty universal problem. She explained that good old “Aunt Flow” struck out of nowhere while she was in an art class in the high school’s D-wing. “Luckily I had my own pad in my bag,” she said. The nurse’s office, where the school keeps a supply of pads and tampons (i.e. menstrual products), is about as far from D-wing as you can get.

This got me thinking: What happens when someone doesn’t have an extra tampon or pad handy, or is ambushed in the middle of gym class across campus from the nurse’s office, or is just stuck in a bathroom stall during a short passing period?

I shared my observations with my mom later that night. “I know there’s feminine products in the nurse’s office, but I’ve only seen a few other dispensers around campus,” I said. “Did I just miss them? Is it really even an issue? Does this affect the community?”

At that point, my mom told me about a law in New Mexico that requires all public school districts to make free menstrual products available to all public school students.

During the regular 2023 New Mexico legislative session, four legislators — Christine Trujillo, Kristian Ortiz, Tara L. Lujan, and Linda Serrano — introduced House Bill 134, which states:

“Menstrual products shall be provided at no charge to students in: (1) each women’s bathroom and gender-neutral bathroom and at least one men’s bathroom in every public middle school, junior high school, secondary school and high school; and (2) at least one women’s bathroom, one men’s bathroom and one gender-neutral bathroom in every public elementary school.”

The bill passed in the legislature in March 2023 and became law on June 16, 2023.

Over a few days in February this year (nearly three years after the law was enacted), I made the rounds on campus bathrooms to see what I would find.

I checked eighteen gender-neutral and women’s bathrooms and found:

• Five had period products available

• Eleven had no products

• Two bathrooms were closed and labeled “out of order”

I emailed LAHS Principal Eric Ziegler and assistant principals Ryan Finn and Suzanne Montoya to share my findings, but did not receive a response.

My friends and I, however, have noticed that, over the last week, new period product dispensers have been installed in more bathrooms on the high school campus.

This isn’t the first time this issue has been brought up in our community. In September 2025, Boomtown asked the district administration for comment in response to reader inquiries about the lack of period products.

LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy stated by email: “All students in the district have free access to feminine hygiene products at every school. Every nurse’s office stores the products in an accessible location and products are available in many school restrooms. We are in the process of installing new dispensers and receptacles in all bathrooms across the district. This project will be completed by December 2025 and we are in compliance with state law.”

On February 23, 2026, Boomtown reached out to New Mexico’s Public Education Department to get their thoughts on my findings.

“PED stands in support of the law,” spokesperson Martha Pincoffs said. “It is not enough for schools to provide menstrual products in the office area. Schools are provided annual funding to comply with the requirement.”

The New Mexico Legislature allocated $3 million in annual funding for school districts to implement this law. Pincoffs stated that LAPS received $20,793.69 this year specifically to provide free menstrual products in student restrooms. The district received $22,296.59 for the 2024-2025 school year. This money was added directly to the general funding allocation and does not appear to have a reporting requirement.

These products are not merely a convenience to students. Not having access can cause students to miss classes, and can even have significant health problems.

Pincoffs pointed to results of the 2021 State of the Period study that showed four out of five menstruating teens said they have either missed class time, or know someone who missed class time, because they did not have access to period products. Students of color, lower-income students, and rural students were found to be most impacted by lack of access to menstrual products, according to the study.

“These products are a health care necessity that cannot be easily substituted or foregone,” Pincoffs said. “Lack of access to feminine hygiene products can keep students from attending school, distract them from their studies, or stop them from participating in after-school activities. Additionally, wearing a tampon for longer than the recommended time can result in toxic shock syndrome, with teenage girls being at particular risk for TSS.”

As part of my research into this story, I also created an online survey to better understand how this issue affects our community. Out of thirty-two responses, twenty-five (78%) supported the idea that schools should provide period products for a variety of reasons.

“We live one hour away from the school,” one parent anonymously told Boomtown. “There have been a handful of times my daughter starts her period unexpectedly because not every girl is ‘regular’ and sometimes she can have a very heavy flow. I have had to drive to pick her up because she’s embarrassed to go get a pad or tampon from the nurse. Or she ends up bleeding through her jeans by the time she gets to the nurse to get a pad and then rush to the bathroom. She has missed a halfday [sic] of school each time this has happened.”

A former LAHS student said, “Girls should not have to share this information with staff they may not feel comfortable with just to get what they need.”

As of a week ago, the Los Alamos school district was still not in compliance with state law, despite being given more than $40,000 in taxpayer dollars in the last two years. If our school district wants to make its schools a welcoming place and improve attendance and student well-being — if our school district wants to give our students the best chance at succeeding in school — providing these period products would be an easy place to start.

Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just an interested community member, let the school know that this is important to you, and to our community. You can contact administration officials at the following email addresses:

School principals Eric Ziegler, Suzanne Montoya, and Ryan Finn can be reached at: lahs.principals@laschools.net

LAPS School Board President Sondra Wyman can be reached at: s.wyman@laschools.net

LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy, can be reached at: j.guy@laschools.net

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Los Alamos County Council got a first look at the long-awaited North Mesa recreation area master plan (NMRAMP) during its January 13 work session that outlined the multi-phase vision for one of the biggest pieces of public recreation land in the county.

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