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DWI Program Promotes Native Culture , Urban Outfitters Case Can Continue

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I-40 Eastbound at Big I is Closed Monday AM

DWI Court's Treatment Program Promotes Native Culture - Mary Hudetz, Associated Press

The state's busiest courthouse has revived a program that gives Native Americans with two or more DWIs an alternative to jail time with treatment that incorporates traditional aspects of Native American cultures.

The treatment program runs as a tract in the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court's DWI and Drug court.

It was suspended in 2009, but re-started a year ago under Judge Maria Dominguez.

About 100 people have graduated in the past year and half from the program, formally called the Urban Native American Healing to Wellness Court.

Officials say the program is the only state-funded DWI wellness court for Native Americans in the country.

Arnett Tafoya, a recent participant, says he "he took full advantage of what was being offered" through the program and credits it with helping him turn his life around.

Judge Says Navajo Case Against Urban Outfitters Can ContinueThe Associated Press

A federal judge has ruled that the Navajo Nation's lawsuit against Urban Outfitters can continue under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.

The tribe sued the clothing retailer and its subsidiaries in 2012 to keep them from using the "Navajo" name or variations of it on their products.

The Daily Times of Farmington reports that U.S. District Judge Bruce D. Black ruled Dec. 21 that the tribe has injury in fact and can continue its claim under the Arts and Crafts Act, which was enacted in 1935 to protect the cultural property of Native Americans.

According to court documents, Urban Outfitters argued the tribe lacks standing to the claims because it cannot show injury in fact.

Mesilla Businessman Indicted For Lying On Candidacy Papers - The Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press

A Mesilla businessman has been indicted for allegedly lying about where he lived so he could run in municipal elections.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that a grand jury indicted 66-year-old Christopher L. Alexander earlier this month on felony counts of making a false statement in a candidacy declaration and falsely swearing to an oath in a municipal election.

Alexander also faces a count of interference with the conduct of a municipal election.

The owner of Ristramnn Chile Co. will have a plea hearing Jan. 4.

State investigators say Alexander lives at a Las Cruces address but listed a Mesilla museum owned by his deceased mother as a residence.

Alexander says the charges are based on others trying to get back at him for "political reasons."

Aviation Police Chief Misused Resources For Personal Gain – The Associated Press

An aviation police chief investigated for misusing official resources is appealing a 90-day unpaid suspension.

The Albuquerque Journal obtained a copy of an internal report last week that says a city-commissioned private investigation found evidence to support that Aviation Police Chief Marshall Katz used official resources, city letterhead and city time for his own benefit.

His administrative assistant Jennifer Fulton said he asked her to sew a button on his pants and type personal letters, among other tasks. A 373-page report says Katz told an investigator sewing the button on may be considered official work since it was for his uniform.

Attorney John D'Amato said he and his client do not know what evidence the city has for "these potentially libelous representations."

An appeal hearing is scheduled to start Feb. 22.