Las Vegas Optic

12/29/2025

🍾 New Year’s Eve 🍾

You are invited to celebrate in Byron T‘s house, New Year’s Eve, inside the beautiful Plaza Hotel. Come as a flapper, dress as a gangster or silent screen star, it’s going to be fun no matter the dress just bring yourself and we’ll do the rest.

Wednesday, December 31st at 6 o’clock!

Party favors
Music
Champagne
Food

Ring in the New Year with us at the Plaza Grill!

There will be exceptional energy, remarkable music, and an upscale atmosphere.

Join us inside the Ilfeld Ballroom (inside the Historic Plaza Hotel) for an immersive night filled with music, lights, laughter, and lasting memories.

Cocktail hour 6pm-8pm 🍾
Food selection available 🥩

DJ Kirk, The Muzilspecialist will spin live playing the best!
⬇️
Country
Spanish
Oldies
Mexican Music
Hip-Hop
Old School
Special requests

12/22/2025

Luna Community College's Adult Education program is providing a supportive pathway for adults seeking high school equivalency, improved literacy and career training. The program offers multiple entry points, individualized support and free instruction, removing financial barriers and fostering a welcoming environment for adult learners.

Luna Community College's Adult Education program is providing a supportive pathway for adults seeking high school equivalency, improved literacy and career training. The program offers multiple entry points, individualized support and free instruction, removing financial barriers and fostering a wel...

12/22/2025

WANTED

Michael Shawn Nicholls is wanted for homicide and is currently being sought by the New Mexico State Police.

On December 20, 2025, at approximately 8:20 PM, agents with the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau were called to investigate a homicide in the Tecolote area of San Miguel County.

There is an active warrant for the arrest of Michael Shawn Nicholls for an open count of First-Degree Murder.

Nicholls is described as a 55-year-old white male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, with blue eyes.

Nicholls is considered armed and dangerous. The public is advised not to approach.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact New Mexico State Police Dispatch at 505-425-6771 or call 911 immediately.

This case remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police.

12/05/2025

Once again, the City of Las Vegas is graced with the generous gift of two beautiful Christmas trees for the holiday season—one standing in the former Safeway parking lot on Douglas Avenue and 7th Street, and the other shining proudly in historic Plaza Park. This cherished tradition has become part of the city’s heritage, made possible by local families who offer not only trees, but pieces of their history. This year, both gifts come from families whose roots run deep in the land and life of Las Vegas, NM.

Once again, the City of Las Vegas is graced with the generous gift of two beautiful Christmas trees for the holiday season—one standing in the former Safeway parking lot on

12/05/2025

Could there be life on Mars? New Mexico Highlands University students will get the chance to explore the possibility of alien life thanks to a grant from NASA.

The university’s Natural Resources Management Department and its Biology Department collaborated on securing the $25,000 grant, said Dr. Michael Petronis, NMHU environmental geology professor. The funds will help two students – one from each department – explore the signs of microbial life on rocks on Earth, primarily in New Mexico.

New Mexico’s terrain is highly volcanic – similar to the Tharsis region on Mars, Petronis said, meaning that this region has similar geological features as New Mexico. Therefore, studying rocks in New Mexico might help shed light on what could be found on this region of Mars.

Could there be life on Mars? New Mexico Highlands University students will get the chance to explore the possibility of alien life thanks to a grant from NASA.

12/04/2025

A San Miguel County jury acquitted a man accused of murder following the 2024 death of a family member.

Greg Sena died from a gunshot July 15, 2024, on his family’s ranch south of Ribera. Prosecutors charged his brother, 46-year-old Charles A. Sena, with second-degree murder. At the conclusion of a four-day trial in Las Vegas District Court late last month, the jury found him not guilty.

Fourth Judicial District Attorney Tom Clayton said it was a difficult case that tragically involved the loss of human life, and that Greg Sena will be missed.

“We are disappointed with the verdict, but we respect the process and the final decision,” Clayton said. “We extend our condolences to the entire Sena family.”

A San Miguel County jury acquitted a man accused of murder following the 2024 death of a family member.

11/24/2025

Luna Community College's Rough Rider Mentorship and College-Readiness Program is fostering a college-going mindset among students in northern New Mexico. The initiative, which offers free after-school and summer programs, aims to build academic success habits and demystify the college experience.

Luna Community College's Rough Rider Mentorship and College-Readiness Program is fostering a college-going mindset among students in northern New Mexico. The initiative, which offers free after-school and summer programs, aims to build academic success habits and demystify the college experience. ...

11/07/2025

🚨 URGENT: CAT FOSTERS NEEDED 🚨

The City of Las Vegas Animal Care Center has been notified that approximately 18 cats, all abandoned in poor condition, will be arriving tomorrow morning. The shelter is already operating at full capacity and must clear space immediately to accommodate this emergency intake. Due to the limited size of the cat room, the Center is urgently seeking foster homes to temporarily house current shelter cats so the incoming group can be received safely.

All supplies, veterinary care, and ongoing support will be provided — fosters simply need to offer a safe and loving temporary home. If you are able to foster even one cat, your help will make a direct impact in saving lives and preventing overcrowding.

This is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and staff may not be able to answer calls immediately. Please leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Due to the intake operation, the Animal Care Center will open late tomorrow at approximately 1:00 p.m. to ensure all animals are safely settled and foster arrangements are coordinated.

The City of Las Vegas Animal Care Center sincerely thanks the community for its continued compassion and support in helping animals in need. 🐾

📞 For more information or to sign up as a foster, please contact the City of Las Vegas Animal Care Center at 505-426-3289.

11/06/2025

UPDATE: At 4:15 p.m., the City of Las Vegas issued a statement saying they local police have "conducted a thorough check of all vehicles in the vicinity." The statement said that the area has now been cleared by LVPD and there is no immediate threat to public safety.

The situation remains under active investigation. If anyone has any information or leads related to this incident, please call LVPD at 505-425-7504.

LVPD informed businesses and schools around the Bridge Street and Plaza Park area of Las Vegas that a bomb threat had been made this afternoon. The area has been temporarily

11/06/2025

We will be operating remotely for the rest of today, Nov. 6. If you need anything, call 505-425-6796. Thank you!

11/05/2025

Click the link to see the unofficial results of the Nov. 4 local election. All results will remain unofficial until they are certified. Candidates appear in the order they appeared on the ballots. Congratulations to all those victorious tonight!

The following are the unofficial results of the Nov. 4 local election. All results will remain unofficial until they are certified. Candidates appear in the order they appeared on the

11/05/2025

In a convincing outcome, David Romero has been elected Mayor of Las Vegas, according to unofficial results released by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website. Romero earned 68 percent of the 2,834 votes cast throughout the city.

“Tonight, the people of Las Vegas made their voices heard,” Romero said in a statement to the Optic Tuesday night. “They chose hope over hate. Community over division. Facts over fear. I extend my hand to every resident. To those who voted for me, thank you for your trust. To those who did not I will still show up for you. I will still fight for your family. Because that is what leadership is.”

In a convincing outcome, David Romero has been elected Mayor of Las Vegas, according to unofficial results released by the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website. Romero earned 68 percent