Injured Albuquerque Officer Was Involved In Meth Sting – The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Police involved in an undercover operation that resulted in an officer shooting an undercover detective were trying to bust two men for selling $60 worth of methamphetamine.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that criminal complaints against two drug suspects describe how one of them met with an undercover officer on Friday to buy "shards," a slang term for meth.
According to the complaint, narcotics detectives watched Bailey and Edmond Vester get into a car with undercover detectives.
Vester allegedly got meth from a hotel room and all four drove to a nearby McDonald's, where the shooting occurred. The complaints make no mention of the incident.
Authorities say the officer who was shot remains in critical but stable condition.
The suspects were booked on drug trafficking charges.
Albuquerque Homicide Total In 2014 Below Past Years' Levels - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque police had the fewest homicides to investigate in 2014 than in any year since 1990.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, police in Albuquerque investigated 28 homicides in 2014.
That's well below the average in years past of one homicide per week and the highs of 56 homicides in 2009 and 1995 and 70 in 1996.
Albuquerque police suggest the decrease is due to several factors, particularly improvements in medical care provided by responders and emergency room personnel.
Other factors cited by police include improved police work, social programs' success and the fact that some homicide victims' bodies are found outside city limits.
New Mexico Utility Disputes Testimony By Fired Plant Manager – The Associated Press
Public Service Co. of New Mexico disputes a fired plant manager's testimony that PNM caused higher spending for electricity by cutting operating and maintenance spending and padded other costs to potentially earn more profits.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Gregory Smith testified during a November deposition for an environmental group in preparation for a regulatory proceeding now underway
PNM says Smith signed off on the San Juan Generating Station's budget for 2013 long before he was fired in May 2013.
The current hearing is on PNM's proposal to close and modify parts of the coal-fired plant.
PNM succeeded in keeping much of Smith's testimony out of the current proceeding, but a hearing examiner has said it could be suitable for consideration during a separate rate case for PNM.
New Mexico Governor Unveils Budget Proposal – The Associated Press
Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has unveiled a nearly $6.3 billion spending plan for growing New Mexico's economy and bolstering a slew of education initiatives.
Martinez detailed her plan Monday during a visit to Dona Ana Elementary School in Las Cruces. The plan includes $68 million for raising the minimum wage for new teachers, expanding early childhood education initiatives and meeting other public school needs.
Martinez and the Legislature will begin hashing out a final budget for the next fiscal year when the 60-day legislative session begins Jan. 20.
Both the Martinez administration and lawmakers have warned the state will have less money to spend due to falling oil prices. A $1 change in oil prices causes a $7.5 million change in revenue for the state's main budget account.
Winter Weather To Hamper Travel In New Mexico This Week - The Associated Press
The National Weather Service says bad weather could create hazardous travel conditions for parts of northern and central New Mexico this week.
An upper-level trough is expected to produce rain and higher-elevation snow today, mainly from the central mountain chain westward.
Forecasters say areas of freezing fog will develop east of the central mountain chain tonight.
Significant snow accumulations and potential major traffic impacts are anticipated starting tomorrow.
Below-freezing temperatures are expected at all elevations by Tuesday night.
Travel conditions are expected to include snow-packed and icy roads, and heavy snow may block some roads.
Former Santa Fe Executive To Pay $250K For Embezzling - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
A former Santa Fe hospital executive accused of embezzling $3 million has avoided jail time.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that 60-year-old Richard Crabtree was ordered Friday to pay $250,000 restitution and serve five years' probation under a plea agreement.
The former chief operating officer at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center and his then-girlfriend, Loretta Mares, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud over $20,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.
Prosecutors say the pair defrauded the hospital in 2007 and 2008 through payments to companies owned by Mares' brothers.
They say the funds went to the couple's bank accounts and paid for credit card bills, country club memberships and other expenses.
Crabtree's attorney says his client feels the deal is fair.
New Mexico Lawmakers Eye Hemp Production Bill - The Associated Press
A Democratic New Mexico senator wants to allow farmers to grow an industrial version of marijuana's non-intoxicating cousin.
Sen. Cisco McSorley has filed legislation aimed at legalizing the sale of hemp and licensing of farmers to grow the crop.
Hemp has a negligible amount of THC, the psychoactive compound that gives marijuana users a high. Many products made from hemp, such as oils and clothing, are legal.
The 2014 Farm Bill included a provision that allows institutions of higher education and state departments of agriculture to cultivate industrial hemp.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states, including California and Colorado, have laws to provide for hemp pilot studies or for production.
Santa Fe Hotel Powers Guest Rooms With Solar – The Associated Press
A Santa Fe hotel is powering its guest rooms with sunshine.
Guest rooms at the Hotel Santa Fe The Hacienda and Spa are now 100 percent solar-powered as part of an effort by the hotel and Stay.Solar, a company looking to bring solar power to the hotel industry.
There are no solar panels on the roof. Instead the energy is produced at large-scale solar installations elsewhere and is delivered to the hotel by smart-grid technology.
Officials say guests won't notice anything different — other than a sign on the hotel registration desk and in each room explaining the solar sourcing.
Hotel Santa Fe is the first hotel to convert to all-solar power with Stay.Solar.
The hotel is majority-owned by Picuris Pueblo, an indigenous community north of Santa Fe.
New Mexico Legislator Wants Pharmacies To Take Back Drugs - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
A New Mexico legislator says he will push for drug take-back programs at pharmacies.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, Democratic Sen. Michael Padilla has already filed his bill in advance of the legislative session set to begin Jan. 20.
Padilla's legislation would require the state Board of Pharmacy to establish a program so retail pharmacies can collect unused or unwanted drugs from consumers.
New Mexico health officials say prescription drugs accounted for 60 percent of the nearly 450 drug overdose deaths in 2013.
A 2010 change in a federal law now permits pharmacies to have collection receptacles for unused drugs.
The New Mexico Pharmacists Association has not yet taken a position on the legislation.
New Mexico Pueblo's Casinos Are Key To Scholarship Program - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
Tribes in New Mexico say revenue from their casinos has been crucial in developing scholarship programs and boosting graduation rates.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that several Indian pueblos in the state are siphoning more gambling funds each year into college scholarships.
Leaders of the Pojoaque Pueblo, which operates two casinos, say their scholarship program is why the tribe's graduation rate is currently 85 percent, compared to 50 percent a decade ago.
They say the $1.5 million set aside for college scholarships each year all comes from gaming.
Gambling enterprises have been a source of contention between some tribes and the state.
The Pojoaque Pueblo and Gov. Susana Martinez's administration have failed to agree on a new gambling compact to replace one set to expire this year.
Albuquerque Hikers Rally, 'Take Back The Trail' - The Associated Press and KOB-TV
Hundreds of people ran along an Albuquerque trail Saturday night to show they would not be scared off by the recent assault of a female jogger.
KOB-TV reports that more than 200 supporters came out for a "Take Back the Trail" event near the Bear Canyon Arroyo in the Northeast Heights area.
Participants ran or walked for 3 miles down the same trail where a woman was assaulted last month.
Members of the Albuquerque police department and the National Guard also attended.
Many say they were there because they wanted to combat the fear the assault had stirred up.
Police say the suspect is between 18 and 20 years old and may be a student who goes by the name Craig.