Fire Inside Espanola Newspaper Office Suspected As Arson - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
Authorities believe a fire that broke out in the office of a northern New Mexico newspaper is the work of an arsonist.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that firefighters were called to a fire at the Rio Grande Sun in Espanola around 5:30 a.m. Saturday.
Crews contained the blaze to an office before it could spread.
Espanola police spokesman Daniel Espinoza says a window was broken and someone had poured gasoline before lighting the room on fire.
Espinoza says investigators are looking at surveillance video but have yet to identify any suspects.
Publisher Robert Trapp says he has no idea who would target the weekly newspaper.
New Mexico Auditor Finds $4.5 Billion In Unused Funds - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
The state auditor's office says New Mexico has more than $4 billion in unspent funds tied up in hundreds of state agencies.
A report made public Saturday by state Auditor Tim Keller looks at whether some of the $4.5 billion in reserved funds could be spent on other projects.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports it is the first time such a study has been done by Keller's newly established Government Accountability Office.
The funds cited do not include employee salaries, operating costs or retirement and permanent trust funds.
They are mostly involving infrastructure, water and road projects. Medicaid and a state job training program also have some unused funds.
Site Of 1st Test Of Atomic Bomb To Hold Open House – The Associated Press and Alamogordo Daily News
The test site of the world's first atomic bomb will be open for visitors for one day next month.
The Alamogordo Daily News reports that the public can access Trinity Site during an open house April 4.
Visitors will be able to walk about a quarter-mile to where a small obelisk marks the spot where the bomb went off.
They can also ride a shuttle to the ranch house where scientists put together the bomb's plutonium core.
The only other day Trinity Site will be open this year is Oct. 3.
Scientists first detonated the atomic bomb at the site at 5:29 a.m. on July 16, 1945.
Today, the area lies within the boundaries of White Sands Missile Range.
Spaceport Director To Give Update In Dona Ana County - The Associated Press and Las Cruces Sun-News
Dona Ana County officials will get an update this week on the progress of Spaceport America.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that spaceport authority executive director Christine Anderson is scheduled to speak Tuesday morning at a county commissioners meeting.
Anderson will make a presentation to the five-member panel about the spaceport, which is about 60 miles north of Las Cruces.
Taxes imposed in Dona Ana and Sierra counties have helped pay for the spaceport, which has cost more than $200 million.
Some state lawmakers say they are tired of taxpayers continuing to foot the bill.
Sen. George Munoz introduced a bill last month that would call for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority and other agencies to sell the futuristic hangar.
Taxes that pay for the project would be rescinded.
Fatally Injured Horse Closes Albuquerque Road At Rio Grande - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say a horse that became stuck after falling on a walkway over the Rio Grande has died from its injuries.
Police spokesman Daren DeAguero says the horse's leg got caught in a storm drain Saturday afternoon while crossing the river on Montano Road.
The horse's owner called a veterinarian but the animal had suffered severe injuries and died.
DeAguero says authorities had to close the road to remove the horse's remains.
There were also repairs made on the storm drain.
Albuquerque Woman Charged With Attacking Repo Man - The Associated Press and KRQE-TV
An Albuquerque woman has been charged for allegedly trying to injure a repo man with her car.
KRQE-TV in Albuquerque says Cassandra Gore posted bond after a court hearing Saturday on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Police say two repo men went to the hotel where Gore works as a human resources director last month to seize her BMW.
According to police, Gore punched and scratched one of them in the face. She also ripped up repo documents.
She is accused of then pinning the victim between the car and a wall before driving away, nearly hitting him in the process.
New Mexico Cycling Race In Need Of Sponsorship - The Associated Press and Silver City Sun-News
Organizers of the annual Tour of the Gila in southwestern New Mexico are holding out hope that enough financing will come through for this year's race.
The Silver City Sun-News reports that race director Jack Brennan says a decision will be made Thursday whether the cycling event will proceed.
Brennan says he is still looking for a title sponsor and $40,000 in funding to put on the April 29 race, which has financial backing from Silver City.
Tour of the Gila has been a signature event in Grant County for nearly 30 years.
The five-day race includes road races, an individual time trial and criterium. The final stage is the brutal Gila Monster Road Race, which covers more than 100 miles for the pros.
New Mexico Military Institute Commandant Leaving Post - The Associated Press and Roswell Daily Record
The commandant and dean of students at the New Mexico Military Institute is leaving campus life.
The Roswell Daily Record reported Thursday that Brig. Gen. Richard Geraci will not be returning in the fall.
Geraci says he is moving to Kansas City, Missouri, to be closer to his children and grandchildren.
A 1975 graduate of NMMI and in the school's Hall of Fame, Geraci has been with the school for more than a decade.
He was hired in December 2004 after retiring from the U.S. Army.