Task Force: New Mexico Water Supplies At Risk – Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
Researchers from universities around the state say New Mexico is undoubtedly dealing with a dire situation thanks to a persistent drought and there's no telling when conditions will improve.
The task force of experts on Tuesday delivered their preliminary findings to lawmakers on the vulnerability of the state's water supplies.
University of New Mexico Professor David Gutzler says the current drought has been bad but not as bad as the 1950s. However, he says matters are more complicated now thanks to warmer temperatures and four straight years of dismal snowpack.
That combination has helped to put New Mexico's reservoirs and aquifers at risk over the long haul.
The task force is continuing to look at the implications the drought could have on agriculture and other industries in New Mexico.
Convicted Ex-Sheriff's Bid For New Trial Changes - The Associated Press
A convicted former northern New Mexico sheriff has a new strategy in his attempt to win a new trial.
Attorneys for former Rio Arriba County Sheriff Thomas Rodella had been seeking a new trial on grounds that two key witnesses lied while testifying against Rodella.
However, the Santa Fe New Mexican reports that defense attorney Robert Gorence says in court documents that he can't prove that the witnesses perjured themselves.
Gorence now says he will argue that Rodella deserves a new trial because prosecutors improperly used medical records of Rodella's son to discredit the son as a defense witness.
Rodella was convicted Sept. 26 of brandishing a firearm and deprivation of rights against one of the witnesses.
Rodella faces up to 17 years in prison when sentenced Dec. 26.
NM Agency Seeks More Details On Water Proposal – Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
A revamped application by a commercial venture to pipe billions of gallons of drinking water from western New Mexico to more populated areas of the drought-stricken state still lacks key information.
That's the latest finding by the state engineer's office.
The agency's general counsel told state lawmakers during a meeting Tuesday that Augustin Plains Ranch has been directed to provide more specifics on what type of water rights would be developed and what municipalities or industries would benefit.
Augustin Plains' first application was rejected two years ago. It was one of the most contested filings in the history of the state engineer's office.
The company filed a new application in July.
Critics continued to raise concerns about the latest application during Tuesday's meeting. Some lawmakers described the project as speculative.
New Mexico Court Asked To Intervene In Recount – The Associated Press
New Mexico Land Commissioner Ray Powell wants the state Supreme Court to intervene in a recount in his close statewide race with Republican challenger Aubrey Dunn.
The State Canvassing Board last week ordered a recount in the race between Dunn and the Democratic incumbent when the latest tally showed Dunn with a 704-vote lead out of nearly 500-thousand votes cast in the November 4th general election.
Powell's petition to the Supreme Court contends that the board's plans for the recount would use improper procedures that don't track state law and wouldn't properly check the accuracy of vote tabulating machines.
Rod Adair is spokesman for Secretary of State Dianna Duran. He says the board's procedure would be more accurate than what Powell wants.
The recount is scheduled to begin Monday.
New Mexico Drops Proposed Fee For Medical Pot ID – The Associated Press
New Mexico officials continued to make changes to proposed new medical marijuana regulations, including one that drops a proposed new $50 annual fee for identification for pot purchasers.
Department of Health spokesman Kenny Vigil says the proposed fee is being dropped because many people said they couldn't afford it.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the proposed fee was criticized by many people during a June public hearing after the department unveiled several proposed rule changes in May.
The latest changes also would eliminate controversial proposals to require criminal background checks for patients approved to grow their own supply of medical pot and to reduce the number of plants those people could grow.
The department has scheduled a Dec. 29 public hearing in Santa Fe on the proposed regulations.
Health Center To Pay Settlement In Disability Suit – The Associated Press
An Albuquerque health and rehabilitation center will pay $145,000 to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit involving a worker who was terminated while on leave for a heart attack and other medical conditions.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission says the worker was terminated by Paloma Blanca Health and Rehabilitation in January 2012, about five weeks into an approved 12-week leave under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Doug Johnson was told his position had been eliminated and he was being laid off due to a "reduction in force" but the EEOC says no other workers were discharged at that time due to a reduction in force.
According to the EEOC, other settlement terms include a requirement that the company train employees regarding disability discriminations and requests for reasonable accommodations.
NM School Gets Extra Security After Gunman Scare – The Associated Press
Extra security was dispatched to an Albuquerque elementary school a day after authorities searched a nearby neighborhood following reports of an active shooter.
The beefed up security presence Tuesday followed a tense afternoon when the school was placed on lockdown and parents had to wait for hours to pick up children.
The school was on lockdown after police received reports of a man with a rifle and handgun. Sandia National Laboratories and nearby businesses also were locked down for a nearly four-hour manhunt.
The unknown man reportedly fired shots outside the Emcore Corp. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.
Albuquerque police spokesman Tanner Tixier says detectives Tuesday were looking for any new evidence at the scene.
Lawsuit: NM Inmate Denied Showers, Health Care – The Associated Press
A New Mexico inmate says he's been in solitary confinement for seven years and prison officials aren't giving him proper health care nor letting him shower enough.
A lawyer for Justin Hinzo filed a federal lawsuit this week against the New Mexico Department of Corrections and claims the 39-year-old prisoner isn't being allowed to exercise or leave his cell.
But corrections spokeswoman Alex Tomlin says logs show Hinzo often refuses to take showers and is given access to health care.
The lawsuit seeks attorney fees and $1.4 million in damages.
Hinzo is serving 28 years in prison for 2004 second-degree murder and assault convictions.
The lawsuit comes at a time when the New Mexico Department of Corrections has adopted a number of reforms aimed at improving conditions for inmates.
Report: Fewer New Mexico Adults Dying From Falls – The Associated Press
State health officials say the rate of fall-related deaths among New Mexico adults has dropped nearly 10 percent over a two-year period.
A report released Tuesday on fall-related deaths and injuries shows the rate among adults age 65 and older decreased to nearly the same rate as in 2002 – about 80 per 100,000 people.
Older adults accounted for 85 percent of fall-related deaths in New Mexico in 2013. Unintentional falls among adults resulted in 234 deaths and more than 12,000 emergency room visits last year.
Health Secretary Retta Ward says fall-related injuries can seriously impact quality of life and can reduce a person's independence.
The Health Department is encouraging doctors to conduct comprehensive fall risk assessments at least once a year. Assessments should include vision exams and medication reviews.
Obama Unveils Plan To Help Young American Indians – Blake Nicholson, Associated Press
President Barack Obama has unveiled an initiative to improve opportunities for American Indian youth, more than one-third of whom live in poverty.
Obama's Generation Indigenous initiative will include efforts to boost the career-readiness of American Indian children and develop them as leaders. A White House Tribal Youth Gathering is planned next summer, and Obama Cabinet members will make personal visits to Indian Country next year.
The announcement was made five months after Obama and his wife visited the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in the Dakotas. White House Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz says the Obamas were "deeply moved" by children there.
Obama is hosting the White House Tribal Nations Conference on Wednesday. It involves leaders from 566 federally recognized tribal nations, along with 36 White House Youth Ambassadors.
Ski Santa Fe Opens For Season On Saturday – The Associated Press
Ski Santa Fe is set to open for the season with limited runs on a mix of man-made and natural snow.
The ski area plans to welcome visitors starting Saturday. No snow has fallen there for at least the past week, but some snow showers are expected before the weekend.
The ski area says its snowmaking crews will be busy in the meantime.
The Midland, Easy Street and Pine Flats Beginners Area have a 20-inch snow base and will open this weekend 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ATM Stolen From Coffee Shop, Dragged Down Street – The Silver City Sun-News, The Associated Press
Silver City police say an ATM was stolen from inside a coffee shop and then dragged down the street behind a pickup truck as the thieves left the scene.
The theft occurred at the Javalina Coffee House just before dawn Monday. That's when a man walking his dog saw what he later realized was the ATM lying on the street. When Terry Sheffield returned a short time later, he saw a truck dragging away a large metal box.
Javalina owner Pauline Hassler-Cook says the thieves broke a window and smashed open the front door, apparently to get the ATM outside.
The Silver City Sun-News reports that two people were taken into custody and that a third person was sought. Police did not immediately return a call Tuesday.