[eldoradude]

The local post office was also evacuated and closed. NSO has nothing about it on their site, and nothing to indicate they are currently closed to the public. They are typically open to the public between dawn and dusk, and visitors are allowed to freely wander around most areas of the observatory according to the New Mexico tourist site.

The statement from Otero County Sheriff Benny House -

“The FBI is refusing to tell us what’s going on. We’ve got people up there (at Sunspot) that requested us to standby while they evacuate it. Nobody would really elaborate on any of the circumstances as to why. The FBI were up there. What their purpose was nobody will say.”

The sheriff also claimed there was a Blackhawk helicopter at the site and work crews on towers and around antennas.

Fertile ground for speculation - could be white powder mail since the post office was also evacuated. Security measure - hmmm. Work crews on towers and around antennas though doesn't seem to support the mail bomb/substance theory. Repurposing technology to replace something broken or disabled? What would the NSO have that could be useful to the DS or Q?

[StormFlag]

Wonder if it is tied to the indictments...

Residents of New Mexico compound indicted on federal charges
Prosecutors say group was preparing for violent attacks on government, military, educational and financial institutions

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/09/11/residents-of-new-mexico-compound-indicted-on-federal-charges/