Wolf Creek opens early for skiing

While Northern New Mexico ski areas are nowhere near ready to open, Southern Colorado's Wolf Creek Ski Area announced Friday its earliest-ever opening this weekend, Saturday and Sunday.

Wolf Creek, in the mountains east of Pagosa Springs, reports it received 36 inches of new snow this week, leaving a midway base of 27 inches with 30 inches at the summit.

The previous record for the earliest season opening at Wolf Creek was Oct. 27, 2006.

Ski lifts are scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., "servicing a variety of beginner, intermediate and expert terrain," the announcement said.

Rates will be $33 for adults and $19 for seniors 65 and older or children 12 and under. The ski school will be offering both group and private lessons.

Santa Fe gas price drop a dime

The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Santa Fe area dropped by another dime this week, according to the latest AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch.

The survey pegged the average pump price at $3.24 as of Oct. 5, down from $3.34 a week earlier.

That is below the national average of $3.39 and the statewide average of $3.29.

Albuquerque, as usual, is reporting the least expensive average among major metropolitan areas in the state: $3.13.

According to AAA New Mexico, market analysts say the downward pressure on the market price of crude oil is the result of the same global economic weaknesses that have been weighing down the commodities markets for several weeks.

Exotic trees being cut at Pecos park

PECOS — Crews at Pecos National Historical Park are removing several exotic tree species within the 380 acres of the Pigeon's Ranch Subunit.

Species being removed during October include Siberian elm, Russian olive and tamarisk.

A news release said the removal will begin to restore the Glorieta Civil War Battlefield viewshed, improve traffic and pedestrian safety on sections of N.M. 50 and reduce and/or eliminate from the park these exotic flora (current plants and major seed source).

Traffic control operations are being conducted and lane closures enforced during cutting activity adjacent to the roadways, the announcement said.

Pecos National Historical Park is 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe.

Closures on U.S. 84/285 planned

Starting 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the Pojoaque Tribal Police Department will be conducting intermittent closures of U.S. 84/285 in northern Santa Fe County.

These closures will be in both the north and southbound lanes and will last approximately 10 minutes. The closures are needed to allow a communication company to string cable across the highway and work should be finished by late afternoon.