This Optic front page is from August, 9, 1999. The date was blacked out on the microfilm image. The New Mexico rifle team broke camp this morning at Camp McDonald and will leave at midnight for Camp Perry where they will compete with all the teams of the United States

After forty-four years, the Las Vegas Arts Council’s beloved annual showcase of local and regional art and crafts is getting a makeover, with a new name, The People’s Festival of Art and Culture, a new location, in the Historic Railroad Avenue District, and a new date, Sept. 26. The Las

Felicia R. Martinez, LCSW, poses with Gameboy, a miniature horse she uses in therapy sessions at Martinez Wellness, LLC, on Tuesday. Described as “majestic” by the therapist who sometimes uses them to help patients, six buffalo are the newest addition to a local ranch and therapy business. Social worker Felicia

Music fans from throughout the region are just a train ride away from a weekend of live blues, food, local history and culture. Ride the Rails to the Blues will bring live musical performances, food and fun to the Castañeda Hotel, 524 Railroad Ave., and Buffalo Hall & Cowboy Café

Editor The murder trial for a Wagon Mound man accused of killing three individuals while driving drunk in 2022 got underway Monday, more than four years after the incident took place. Jesse James Blanco, now 26 years old, faces three felony charges of homicide by vehicle, along with misdemeanor charges

The Frijoles Fire, pictured Aug. 8, 2026, has grown to more than 3,000 acres as of Aug. 10, 2026. New Mexico officials on Monday warned that smoke from the Frijoles Fire and other wildfires burning in the state poses health risks, particularly to the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses.

The following individuals were booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center between August 4 and August 10, 2026: Marcos Gonzales, Battery (Household Member). Edwards Hurtado, Battery (Household Member). Jimmy Ray Romero, Bench Warrant FTA/FTP. Michael Helm, Criminal Sexual Penetration First Degree (Child Under 13), Criminal Sexual Contact of a

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - NOVEMBER 23, 2025: Thaddeus "Tuk" Koslik and his wife Tracie Koslik pose for a portrait inside his home in Albuquerque, NM on November 23, 2025. CREDIT: Adria Malcolm for New Mexico In Depth When Thaddeus “Tuk” Koslik arrived at an Albuquerque assisted living facility one Saturday

Front page of the Aug. 5, 1918 issue of the Las Vegas Optic. Fred Mendenhall was arrested last night and taken off the train at Springer, by telegram from Sheriff Lopez, and this morning Deputy Sheriff Joe Lopez took the train for that place and will bring his man in

D.P. Benjamin Monday, July 17, 2023 Amtrak Station Albuquerque, New Mexico Peering at the bus schedule displayed on a faded wall, Addison Peshbrook reckoned it would be two hours until the next shuttle. He closed his eyes and tried to meditate. The bustle of the station seemed to evaporate, and

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of child sexual abuse that may be upsetting for some readers. Discretion is advised. Police arrested a Las Vegas man this week and charged him with sexually assaulting a child seven years ago. Michael A. Helm, 36, is charged with felony counts of criminal

Jumbo prawns served over parmesan polenta and calabacitas was served as a special menu item at Harvey’s 1898 Kitchen & Bar inside the Castañeda Hotel. The eatery recently expanded its menu options to include lunch and dinner. A new, expanded menu has pulled into the Castañeda. Harvey’s 1898 Kitchen &

Las Vecinas del Norte is pleased to host a special forum exploring the medical delivery challenges to patients and providers in the medically underserved counties of San Miguel and Mora. People in need of medical care— major and minor— often have to travel two hours or more to receive care

From left: Mario Salas, Ava Miller and Elizabeth Caldwell pose for a photograph at The Optic office on July 23. Miller, 16, is a local student accepted to the United World College in Montezuma. Ava Miller may be the first local teenager to attend boarding school in her own backyard.

Bilgesu Sümer, a political science professor at New Mexico Highlands University, is shown Friday at the state Capitol in Santa Fe after finishing his last day of work at the university. Sümer, a Turkish national and the university’s only political science professor, says he was pushed out after university officials

New Mexico has made strides in improving maternal and infant health in recent years. But for many families, another challenge is growing: finding a place to give birth. As hospitals across the state close labor and delivery units, pregnant patients are traveling farther for care and access itself is becoming

For adults evaluating digital personal growth tools, the app experience is where platform descriptions become practical. BlossomUp delivers its personal development features through accessible web and mobile experiences, giving users a structured environment for assessments, guided challenges, habit-building, journaling, reflection, relationship insights, and long-term growth tracking. The platform is built

D.P. Benjamin To give readers a taste of a new novel set entirely in Las Vegas, The Las Vegas Optic presents a serialized preview of the story. The author is D.P. Benjamin, a Colorado native and frequent visitor to New Mexico. The book’s title is Once Upon a Time and