The Associated Press

NM Officials To Help Victims Of Unlicensed Dentist

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:49:48 +0000

New Mexico Department of Health officials want to help any victims of an unlicensed tooth doctor who was operating as a "mobile dentist" out of a sedan around Santa Fe.

State health officials are offering counseling and testing services for any victims of a man known as "El Dentista."

The services include no-cost confidential blood tests and referrals for additional services if needed.

'No Spanish' NM High School Games Called 'Pattern'

The Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:38:28 +0000

The League of United Latin American Citizens says two recent cases of Spanish being banned at New Mexico high school games are examples of a "disturbing" pattern.

Ralph Arellanes, New Mexico LULAC state director, said Monday that the group has heard of a least five cases of high school players being ordered this school year not to speaking Spanish. Arellanes says LULAC will begin an aggressive effort to monitor future cases, and if necessary, will file lawsuits.

Alford Buyout Agreement To Net UNM $625K

The Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:08:01 +0000

The University of New Mexico says it has reached an agreement in principal with former men's basketball coach Steve Alford over his buyout.

Alford said in April he was willing to pay a $200,000 buyout for leaving the Albuquerque school to take a job at UCLA, but he wouldn't pay the $1 million payment that New Mexico wanted.

The dispute stemmed from the timing of his announcement and a term sheet he had signed just weeks before agreeing to a new 10-year contract with New Mexico that included a $1 million buyout.

NM Court Allows Pecos River Hearing To Proceed

The Associated Press — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:26:50 +0000

New Mexico's highest court is allowing the state's top water manager to decide proposed water rights transfers to increase flows in the drought-stricken Pecos River.

The state Supreme Court ruled Monday the state engineer's office can move ahead with an administrative hearing on a proposal to transfer water rights to allow more pumping of groundwater near Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico. The water will go by pipeline into a reservoir to boost river flows.

Judge Grants Injunction In Concealed Carry Case

The Associated Press — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:38:44 +0000

A gun-rights group has won a preliminary injunction that will keep New Mexico from enforcing part of its concealed handgun carry law.

The Second Amendment Foundation sought the injunction on behalf of Rio Rancho resident John Jackson, a legal immigrant who was denied a concealed carry permit. Under New Mexico law, permits are granted only to U.S. citizens.

Bernalillo County Watering Limits Go Into Effect

The Associated Press — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:07:40 +0000

Monday marks the beginning of daytime watering restrictions in Bernalillo County.

Those who use sprinkler irrigation systems between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. will be subject to fines.

Katherine Yuhas of the Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority says only about half of the water reaches the ground when residents water during the hottest and windiest part of the day. The other half evaporates.

Smaller New Mexico airports set for closure

The Associated Press — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:24:08 +0000

Santa Fe, Roswell and Hobbs could lose their airport control towers because of federal budget cuts.

Officials with American and United airlines, which service the small airports, have declined to comment on whether such cuts would impact service.

Homeowners Appeal Approval Of Religious Compound

The Associated Press — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:10:47 +0000

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A group of Santa Fe-area homeowners is appealing Santa Fe County's decision to allow construction of a church where members drink a hallucinogenic tea as a sacrament.

The six Arroyo Hondo homeowners object to the county spending about $400,000 to extend a waterline and build a sewage-treatment system there.

The notice of appeal filed in state court Wednesday argues using taxpayer money violates New Mexico's anti-donation clause and the U.S. Constitution's separation of church and state.

Work On Abandoned Mines Near Deming To Start

The Associated Press — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:02:27 +0000

State officials have awarded a contract to begin safeguarding more than two dozen abandoned mines near Deming.

The Mining and Minerals Division says the $475,000 contract with Duran Bokich Enterprises represents the first of a multiple-phase project involving old mines in the Florida and Little Florida Mountains. The mines are on private property and land managed by the federal government.

San Juan Deputies Seize Starving Horses Near Aztec

The Associated Press — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:52:26 +0000

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Sheriff's deputies in San Juan County have seized four emaciated horses from a property outside Aztec they say were at risk of dying as a winter storm moved in.

Sheriff's officials say they took the horses to a local veterinarian for treatment until they're healthy enough to be released.

Spokeswoman Beth Utley says deputies went to the home after a concerned neighbor reported the horses were sick.

Former SF Hospital Exec Pleads Guilty To Fraud

The Associated Press — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:28:02 +0000

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A former Santa Fe hospital executive has pleaded guilty to conspiracy and fraud charges but will avoid jail time as part of a plea agreement with the state Attorney General's office.

Richard Crabtree also agreed to repay St. Vincent Hospital, now known as Christus St.

Albuquerque Police Launch Officer Steroid Probe

The Associated Press — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:25:18 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Detectives are investigating allegations of steroid use among Albuquerque police officers.

Albuquerque Police Chief Ray Schultz confirmed the probe at a news conference Wednesday but said he did not know how many officers may be involved.

Las Cruces Clinic Gets $500,000 Grant

The Associated Press — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:14:28 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A health clinic in Las Cruces is getting a half-million-dollar grant to expand into the border community of Santa Teresa.

U.S. Senator Tom Udall announced Wednesday that La Clinica de Familia will receive a two-year, $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to build a new health center next to Santa Teresa High School and strengthen its existing school-based health services.

Bingaman Bids Farewell To Senate

The Associated Press — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:39:21 +0000

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman has bid his farewell to Washington.

In his speech on the Senate floor Thursday, the retiring Democrat said it was an honor and a privilege to have represented the people of New Mexico in the Senate for the last 30 years. And he thanked New Mexicans for their confidence in his representation.

Native American Head Start Program Gets Funding

The Associated Press — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:17:01 +0000

An Albuquerque organization will receive more than $820,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its Early Head Start program.

Native American Professional Parent Resources serves more than 70 families, including expectant moms and families with infants and toddlers. The funds will be used to expand its services.

Governor appoints Ron Griggs to Senate vacancy

The Associated Press — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:43:46 +0000

Gov. Susana Martinez has appointed former Alamogordo mayor Ron Griggs to a vacancy in the state Senate.

Griggs was elected to the southern New Mexico Senate seat in the general election and succeeds Republican Vernon Asbill, who did not seek re-election and resigned at the end of October.

Off-highway group sues over Santa Fe travel plan

The Associated Press — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:39:24 +0000

A statewide off-highway vehicle user group is suing the Santa Fe National Forest over its travel management plan.

The New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance filed the lawsuit in federal court Tuesday.

Lawsuit seeks reclassification of Mexican wolves

The Associated Press — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:23:06 +0000

Environmentalists have filed another lawsuit as they push for reforms of the federal government's troubled effort to reintroduce Mexican gray wolves in the American Southwest.

The latest lawsuit centers on a decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reject a petition that sought the classification of Mexican wolves as an endangered subspecies or separate population of gray wolves.

Officials may seek sex offender registry change

The Associated Press — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:21:50 +0000

Gov. Susana Martinez and Attorney General Gary King may ask the Legislature to clarify registration requirements for out-of-state sex offenders who move to New Mexico.

Sex offenders are required to register with law enforcement for certain New Mexico crimes or the equivalents of those crimes in other states.

Audit faults teacher preparation programs

The Associated Press — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:53:30 +0000

Legislative auditors say New Mexico's colleges of education should toughen their admission standards to provide more qualified teachers and potentially improve student performance.

A Legislative Finance Committee audit on Wednesday said none of the colleges with teacher preparation programs require minimum ACT scores by students for admission.

Pearce, Lujan push for uranium mine cleanup

The Associated Press — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:52:22 +0000

Two members of New Mexico's congressional delegation are pushing for a House vote on legislation that would free up federal funding to clean up abandoned uranium mines.

U.S. Reps. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., say House approval is needed to get the bill to the president's desk. Pearce and Lujan spelled out their request in a letter to House leaders on Wednesday.

APD stun gun probe, two officers won't face charges

The Associated Press and The Albuquerque Journal — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:38:56 +0000

Prosecutors say two of three Albuquerque police officers who were investigated for their conduct during a May arrest at a park will not be criminally charged in the incident.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Officers Ronald Surran and Shad Solis will not be charged in the May 31 incident, but misdemeanor battery and aggravated battery charges are pending in state District Court against officer Connor Rice.

State Securities Division: NMFA "Culture of Complacency"

The Associated Press — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:36:00 +0000

New Mexico's securities regulator says in a new report the New Mexico Finance Authority's former controller was able to forge a financial audit because of management and oversight failures at the agency.

The Securities Division said Monday those problems were aggravated by a "culture of complacency" at the authority that played down the importance of the audit to investors and placed too much of an emphasis on obtaining high credit ratings for agency bonds.

Wolf Pups On Their Own After NM Pack Separates

The Associated Press — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:19:55 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Environmentalists say the survival of two six-month old Mexican gray wolf pups is in question now that the animals have become separated from what's left of their troubled pack.

Tracking shows members of the Fox Mountain pack have separated since the alpha female, the pups' mother, was captured and removed from the wild.

Stink Bugs, Flea Beetles Found in Shipments of Red Peppers

The Associated Press — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:12:55 +0000

COLUMBUS, N.M. (AP) — Inspectors working border crossings in southern New Mexico and West Texas have discovered two types of agricultural pests in separate shipments of red peppers from Mexico.

Officials Say No Drought Relief in Sight for New Mexico

The Associated Press — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:53:24 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Weather forecasters and state and federal water managers are painting a grim picture of the chances of drought-stricken New Mexico making up any ground this winter.

It's early, but officials say the state is already starting off with half of the average snowpack for this time of year and weather models aren't offering any hope for more snow.

7,000 New Mexicans May Lose Unemployment Benefits

The Associated Press — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:47:34 +0000

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say about 7,000 jobless New Mexico will lose unemployment benefits at the end of the year if Congress and the president don't agree to extend the payments.

Sipapu To Bring In NM Ski Season

The Associated Press — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:24:47 +0000

VADITO, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico will be kicking off the start of the ski season Saturday with the opening of the Sipapu resort.

Snowmaking has started at some ski areas around New Mexico, but Sipapu will be the first to open. The resort is reporting an 18-inch base.

Fort Sill Apache Reservation Celebrates One Year Anniversary

The Associated Press — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:55:11 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — One year after being granted reservation status in New Mexico, the Fort Sill Apache Friday raised their flag on their 30-acre plot of land in the Akela Flats of southern New Mexico. But tribal Chairman Jeff Haozous says it will likely take generations to re-establish a true presence on the tribe's homelands.

U.S. Attorney Gonzales Nominated For Federal Court

The Associated Press — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:08:51 +0000

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — President Barack Obama has nominated U.S. Attorney Ken Gonzales to a federal district court judgeship in New Mexico.

Gonzales' nomination was among seven announced by the White House on Wednesday. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Gonzales will replace retiring federal Judge Bruce Black of Santa Fe.