Las Vegas Optic

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Vanessa Maciel

Centuries-old trees that thrived before burning in a wildfire are now getting a second chance at a repurposed life, thanks to the efforts of a former biology teacher and woodworker. Micah Daboub has been using his carpentry skills to repurpose slabs of wood from trees burned in wildfires, including the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and the Little Bear Fire, which took place in Ruidoso in 2012.

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Phil Scherer

There are few things more devastating than the loss of a young life. Kids fresh out of high school are so full of life, so full of potential. And in the blink of an eye, everything can change. It’s cruel. It’s unfair. It’s unimaginable. But it can happen, as we experienced this past week in Las Vegas. Two young men, Orlando Romero and Marquez Espinoza, both just 18 years old, were taken from us far too soon. I think as a community we are all still in a state of shock.

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Vanessa Maciel

Mora County officials have issued a response after the State Auditor’s Office stepped in to investigate allegations that $2.7 million in public funds have gone missing from the county. The state’s Department of Justice is also conducting an investigation into Mora County’s finances and governance following concerns brought to that office by the state’s Department of Finance and Administration. In a press release shared with The Optic on June 11, Interim Mora County Manager Richard R.

1 week ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Vanessa Maciel

Growing up in Las Vegas, David Bustos never imagined that he’d someday own a restaurant on the Plaza. “I have to pinch myself a little bit,” Bustos said of operating The Plaza Grill and Tavern – an eatery that will soon open at 230 Plaza St, inside the Plaza Hotel. Bustos, who is busy making final arrangements for the operation, said he aims to open The Plaza Grill and Tavern on June 25.

2 weeks ago | lasvegasoptic.com | Vanessa Maciel

For the first time in its recent history, Mora County has paid firefighters protecting its people and land. Up until this spring, Mora County and its surrounding areas depended on about 100 volunteer firefighters working out of 11 volunteer fire departments. But now, thanks to the efforts of Mora County Fire Administrator Kris Romero, the area can count on five paid, full-time firefighters. The firefighters are Josh Martinez, Jarrod Duran, Casey Benjamin, Shawn Martinez and Jayden Marquez.