News Flash

Las Cruces Utilities East Mesa Customer Central Closed Until June 21

In-Person Car Seat Inspection in Las Cruces

Note: As a partner with the New Mexico Department of Transportation, the City of Las Cruces is sharing this information with residents. The New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division (NMDOT TSD) and Safer New Mexico Now will conduct ...

Vax 2 the Max $1 million Drawing Produces First 4 Winners

City Council to Meet June 21, 2021

The Las Cruces City Council will meet via video conference at 1 p.m. Monday, June 21, 2021, for a regularly scheduled meeting.

City Council will consider adoption of a Resolution approving an affordable housing grant agreement between the...

City Hosts Awareness Meeting About Park Trees

High winds on June 12 that were responsible for a fallen tree at Apodaca Park and a broken branch in Pioneer Women’s Park have compelled the Parks & Recreation Department to conduct an additional assessment of tree health in parks where olde...

City Clerk Participates in Government Transparency Webinar

City Clerk Christine Rivera recently was a presenter in a webinar called “A Clear View into Great Governance: Transparency and Efficiency in Public Meetings.”

Rivera’s presentation focused on how the development and preparatio...

City Awarded $190,000 NMDOT Grant for Crosswalk Light on Picacho Avenue

The City of Las Cruces has been notified by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) that it has been awarded a $190,000 Municipal Arterial Program grant.

The funds will be used for the planning, design, construction and any needed reconstructio...

Las Cruces Museum System Fully Opens to the Public

The Las Cruces Museum System announces its plan to fully open to the public after being partially closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic response and public health orders.

Beginning Tuesday, June 29, City museums, with the exception of Branigan Cultural Cente...

New Mexico Pandemic Restrictions to End July 1

Family Game Nights

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department will host Family Game Nights at Plaza de Las Cruces, 100 N. Main St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Thursday night beginning July 8.

Bring the family out for an evening of games, activities, and fun com...

Officers Help Restore Basketball Court at Buena Vida Apartments

Several officers with the Las Cruces Police Department Community Outreach Unit recently partnered with staff from Buena Vida Apartments to repair and replace basketball goals on that property. LCPD officers learned the basketball court at Buena Vida Apar...

FEMA Grant will Add 12 Certified Paramedics to Fire Department

The Las Cruces Fire Department has received a grant of nearly $400,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to train 12 firefighters to become certified paramedics. The Assistance to Firefighter Grant, awarded by FEMA, is for $393,186. To accept ...

4th of July Celebration Schedule

The City of Las Cruces and New Mexico State University (NMSU) will co-host the City’s free annual 4^th of July Celebration.

This popular annual event will be at Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, 3205 Arrowhead Drive, on the NMSU campus. Gin Blo...

In-Person Programs Return to the Museum of Nature & Science

The Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science, 411 N. Main St., welcomes visitors back with in-person programs this July.

The programs are free but will require registration in advance. To register please email education@las-cruces.org or call 575/522-3120...

Joint Information Center Notes for June 16, 2021

OBJECTIVE: To streamline communication between local government agencies during the COVID-19 response. Partner organizations include city and county representatives, local hospitals, the Department of Health, jail and prison facilities, first responders, ...

Free App Connects Visitors with the City Parks

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department has launched a mobile app to provide visitors and prospective visitors with information about City parks including parks finder and maps, park amenities, and services.  Some key highlights ...

Las Cruces Fire Department is Now Certified to Provide Ambulance Service

The Las Cruces Fire Department (LCFD) has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission to provide ambulance service.

The Certificate was issued May 12, 2021. It will enable&am...

Make Music Day in Las Cruces Includes Demonstrations and Live Music

In celebration of International Make Music Day, which takes place June 21 every year, a variety of local organizations will serve as hosts of free live concerts throughout the city that will feature local musicians, mus...

City Extends Availability of Cooling Stations

With the National Weather Service forecasting near triple-digit temperatures for Las Cruces through Tuesday, June 22, 2021, the City of Las Cruces has extended the availability of designated facilities as cooling stations until at least that date.

Temperat...

Installation of Sports Netting at Lions Park Handball Courts Begins June 16

As part of the City’s commitment to preserving infrastructure assets, construction will begin Wednesdy, June 16 to install protective sports netting at Lions Park Handball Court, 701 W. Picacho Ave.

The handball court will be closed Wednesday, June 16 thro...

Las Cruces Hosts 25th Annual USSSA Slowpitch Softball Tournament on June 19 and June 20

For the 25th consecutive year, Las Cruces will serve as the host of the Annual New Mexico United States Specialty Sports Association (NMUSSSA) Slowpitch Softball Father’s Day Invitational, June 19 and June 20 at Harty Ballfield Complex, 1840 E H...

New Mexico Set to Open the Economy by July 1

New Mexico health officials urge state residents to help reach a 60 percent vaccination rate by Thursday, June 17 so that New Mexico can open its economy fully without any limitations by  July 1.

New Mexico is 40,810 vaccines away...

Physical Fitness Exams in Las Cruces; Recruiters in El Paso

The Las Cruces Police Department’s training academy staff will have a busy weekend with physical fitness exams Saturday morning in Las Cruces and a recruiting booth Saturday and Sunday in El Paso. The academy will conduct a physical fitness exa...

LCPD Offers Incentives for New Recruits and Lateral Transfers

The Las Cruces Police Department is offering a slew of attractive financial incentives for new recruits to its 51^st training academy and for current law enforcement officers who are considering a lateral transfer. The new incentives come as the departmen...

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

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 & Recreation Department Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) will conduct its next Team Up to Clean Up eve...

Klein Park Basketball Court Improvements and Additions

The Klein Park basketball court, 438 E. Organ Ave, will undergo improvements as part of GO Bond Question 1, Parks and Sports Improvements and Additions.

Reconstruction of the basketball court will begin Monday, June 14 and continue through Saturday, July 9...

Branigan Library and Branigan Cultural Center Receive NEA Big Read Grant

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library and the Branigan Cultural Center are two of 61 organizations across the U.S. that have been selected to receive a 2021-2022 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read grant.

A grant of $17,000 will support a community r...

Cardon Park Basketball Court Park and Sports Courts Improvements and Additions

Improvements will be made to the basketball court at Cardon Park, 1505 N. Mesquite St., as part of GO Bond Question 1, Parks and Sports Improvements and Additions.

Reconstruction of the Cardon Park basketball court will begin Monday, June 14 and continue t...

Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center Summer Fitness Schedule

The Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave., will begin to re-introduce instruction-based fitness classes beginning June 21, 2021.

Non-aquatic fitness sessions will be offered Monday through Saturday, beginning the week of June 21. ...

Listen to Your Art with the Las Cruces Museum of Art

The next Listen to Your Art lecture with the Museum of Art will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 25.

Danila Rumold will discuss the life and work of German-born American artist Eva Hesse. The lecture will be hosted through Zoom and is accessible with the follo...

“LCPD Cares” Mural Set in Stone

The Las Cruces Police Department’s “LCPD Cares” campaign is set in stone – quite literally – at the East Mesa Public Safety Complex, 550 N. Sonoma Ranch Boulevard. On Wednesday, June 9, individuals from v...

Branigan Memorial Library's Summer Reading Program a Success Because of 26 Teen Volunteers

With the assistance of 26 teenage volunteers, Thomas Branigan Memorial Library’s Tails & Tales summer reading program has been successful.

This is the first year for the Teen Summer Volunteer Program at Branigan Memo...

Rio Grande Theatre to Reopen July 2 with Back-to-Back Productions

Blank Conversation Theater Company to perform The Mad One and The Complete History of America (abridged) 

The historic Rio Grande Theatre, 211 N. Main St., will reopen July 2 with back-to-back performances from Blank Conversation Theatre Company (B...

Economic Development Department Partners with United Way to Create Financial Literacy Pilot Program

The City of Las Cruces Economic Development Department has begun a partnership with the United Way of Southwest New Mexico to create a pilot program regarding financial literacy program for housing services clients and referrals from housing services clie...

City Hall Outdoor Lights to Change in Observance of Pride Month

The outdoor lights at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St. have been changed to multi-colored lights in observance of Pride Month, during June.

Colored light-emitting diode (LED) flood lights were installed Friday, June...

Papen Community Center Basketball Court Closure

Improvements to the basketball court at Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center, 304 W. Bell Ave., will begin Monday June 7, 2021 and will continue through the end of June. The project is part of the General Obligation (GO) Bond Question 1, Parks and Sports...

2021 Movies in the Park

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department presents the 2021 Movies in the Park program.

Movies in the Park will begin at dusk on Saturday, July 17, with “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Movies will be shown on select Saturdays i...

Parks & Recreation Aquatics Facilities Summer Schedule

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department Aquatics Section outdoor pools, splash pad, and Plaza de Las Cruces Interactive Fountain will open June 19.

Peak summer hours of operation will be from June 19 through Sept.&nbs...

Make Music Day Returns to Las Cruces June 21

In celebration of International Make Music Day, which takes place June 21 every year, a variety of local organizations are set to host free live concerts throughout Las Cruces that will feature local musicians, music demonstrations, and music-themed givea...

Juneteenth Jazz Festival at the Branigan Cultural Center

Experience the power of jazz, history, and Black Movements with this year's celebration of Juneteenth and jazz!

Immerse yourself in a diversity of jazz ensembles, get active in workshops, and learn from speakers on jazz and Juneteenth through this...

Sports Still Available for 2021 Summer Recreation Program

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department still has spots available for the Summer Recreation Program for youth grades kindergarten to fifth grade. Come join us as we provide a safe, fun and exciting summer for all participants. The progra...

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library Mystery Book Group

Do you love a good murder mystery?  Come join us for Thomas Branigan Memorial Library’s Mystery Book Group, Murderous Reads.

Each month you can read any, or as many, books from our featured mystery ser...

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library Tails & Tales: Summer Reading 2021 Library at FYI Meal Sites

Thomas Branigan Library announces a partnership with Families and Youth, Inc.

For the second year in a row, Branigan Library will be at three Summer Food Service meal sites signing up community members for the L...

Thomas Branigan Memorial Library Tails & Tales: Summer Reading 2021

Thomas Branigan Library announces the start of our Tails and Tales Summer Reading program. Tails and Tales Summer Reading program begins June 1, 2021 and will end on July 24, 2021. Summer reading is for everyone!

Partici...

June Activities at the Branigan Cultural Center

The Branigan Cultural Center is still closed to the public for scheduled maintenance, but you can enjoy the museum from home through these online programs. 

“Culture of Empowerment: Organizations Serving LGBTQAI+ Folks”

5:30 p.m...

Cadets Undergo Domestic Violence Training

Cadets from the Las Cruces Police Department’s 50^th Training Academy went through a series of realistic training scenarios, complete with paid actors in newly constructed site-built homes, as part of their domestic violence curriculum. LCPD&...

Gin Blossoms to Headline the Las Cruces Fourth of July Celebration Concert

The City of Las Cruces and New Mexico State University (NMSU) are teaming up to host the City’s annual Fourth of July Celebration concert and fireworks display at the Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, 3205 Arrowhead Drive, on the NMSU campus....

New Infrastructure for Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park Treatment Facility

By Cassie McClure  

The Las Cruces Innovation and Industrial Park Wastewater Treatment Facility (Facility), operated by Las Cruces Utilities (LCU), treats approximately 150,000 gallons of wastewater a day.

There is plenty of equipment that helps th...

UtilityHawk Keeps an Eye Out for Waste

By Kelly Koepke

Imagine what an undetected water leak at your home or rental property could cost you over time.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water per year across the U.S. That...

Applicants Sought for Wrecker Rotation Program

The City of Las Cruces is accepting applications for the Wrecker Rotation Program that allows for towing services to be on a rotational system for crashes, traffic obstructions and other circumstances when a wrecker, or tow truck, is needed. Before 2019,...

Roof Repair Scheduled for Thomas Branigan Memorial Library

As part of the City’s commitment to keep its facilities in a clean, safe, and well-maintained condition, along with providing responsive customer service, Facilities Management has contracted with a local firm to repair and recoat the roof of Th...

2021 Electric Light Parade Call for Entries

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department is accepting entries for lighted floats to participate in the 2021 Electric Light Parade.

This year’s parade theme is “Stars and Stripes Forever!” 

The parade wi...

LCPD Recruiters in El Paso this Weekend

Recruiters from the Las Cruces Police Department will be at the Bassett Crafts Market in El Paso this weekend. Recruiters will be at the Bassett Crafts Market, 6101 Gateway Boulevard West, in El Paso, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 8, and from no...

Notice of Intent to Approve Winegrower License Applications for FARMesilla, LLC

Notice is hereby given that the Las Cruces City Council will conduct a Public Hearing to discuss the approval or disapproval of a Winegrower Liquor License Application, for FARMesilla, LLC., at 1840 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, New Me...

UtilityHawk Keeps an Eye Out for Waste

By Kelly Koepke

Imagine what an undetected water leak at your home or rental property could cost you over time.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water per year nationwide. That equ...

Are You with Me? At the Las Cruces Museum of Art

Are You with Me? by contemporary Chicana artist Sonya Fe opens May 7 and continues through July 24.

Fe’s exhibit is a biographical depiction of her own life and of those who are often overlooked. Fe’s work reflects social and cultural i...

LCPD Accepting Applications for Police Cadets

The Las Cruces Police Department is now accepting applications for its 51st training academy that is tentatively set to begin in January 2022. Applications for Police Cadet must be received no later than July 4, 2021. The starting salary for police cade...

Walking Program Begins April 12

With Doña Ana County now in the Yellow Level of the New Mexico Department of Health's (NMDOH) Red to Green Framework, the City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department will reopen some of the allowed facilities and/or programs.

The...

Las Cruces Minimum Wage to Increase to $10.50 an Hour on January 1

The City of Las Cruces Minimum Wage Ordinance will increase on Jan. 1, 2021, to $10.50 an hour. The wage for tipped employees will be $4.20 an hour, plus any reported tipped wages.

The City’s minimum wage will follow the state of New Mexico&r...

City of Las Cruces Audit Report Released

The Office of the New Mexico State Auditor (OSA) has released a report involving a fraud examination and investigation initiated by the City of Las Cruces.

The report identified serious conflicts of interest and revealed more than $1.8 million in mishandle...

New Fees for City Building Permits Go into Effect on November 5

A new fee schedule for all building and inspection permits issued by the City of Las Cruces Community Development Department will go into effect on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020.

New fees will apply to:

1. Administrative fees, including the Technolo...

City Manager Search Begins

The national search for a new city manager for the City of Las Cruces has officially begun. Well-qualified candidates may apply electronically to The Novak Consulting Group at thenovakconsultinggroup.com.

The application is accessed by selecting the blue &...