New Mexico Officials Eye Illegal Sale Of Historic Documents – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Commission of Public Records is worried some of the state's archival material dating back to Spanish rule may end up for sale online.
The state agency responsible for archiving New Mexico's past recently issued a warning that the sale of state public records is illegal and comes after officials have notice some documents being sold online.
State Records Administrator Linda Trujillo told The Associated Press officials are not aware of any new cases of state records appearing for sale on online but officials have discovered some in the past.
State officials say New Mexico has lost many historical documents from Spanish, Mexico and territorial periods to private collectors and they fear some may appear online for sale.
Fired Albuquerque Officer Could Lose Certification - The Associated Press and KOB-TV
A police officer who was fired two years ago from the Albuquerque Police Department could lose her law enforcement certification.
KOB-TV reports that a hearing officer has recommended the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board revoke Dawne Roberto's certification because of her alleged involvement with an anti-Albuquerque police blog.
The board accepted the recommendation last week.
Roberto, who currently works as a sergeant for Bosque Farms police, can appeal the board's decision.
She and her attorney did not immediately return calls requesting comment.
Bosque Farms Police Chief Gregory Jones says Roberto is a "terrific employee" and wishes more officers were like her.
Roberto was fired in 2013 for allegedly writing hateful blog posts about police and city officials under a pseudonym.
New Mexico Unemployment Rate For May Stays To 6.2 Percent – The Associated Press
New Mexico's unemployment rate stayed at 6.2 percent in May while the state continued a long string of over-the-year job growth.
The Department of Workforce Solutions said Friday the economy added 8,200 nonfarm jobs last month compared with May 2014, when the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent.
The department said May was New Mexico's 33rd consecutive month with over-the-year employment growth.
Six economic sectors added jobs in the past year with employment growth in education and health services adding 5,000 jobs and continuing to soar above other industry sectors in May.
Five sectors shed jobs including construction, manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and utilities.
Analysts say New Mexico's employment growth has generally been trending upward since September 2009, with the pace of growth accelerating in October 2013.
Caller Threatens Regulator Of PNM San Juan Coal Plant Plan – The Associated Press & The Santa Fe New Mexico
State officials are investigating recent threats made to a state Public Regulation Commission member.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the commission's chief of staff, Vincent Martinez, wouldn't name the commissioner who was targeted but said that they had received two threatening phone calls. The caller threatened to shoot them if they didn't approve Public Service Company of New Mexico's plan to retire part of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station near Farmington.
The controversial plan would replace part of the San Juan plant with other sources, including nuclear, wind and solar.
A hearing was held this week on the utility company's request but was delayed because two commissioners were absent.
The commission plans to maintain a heightened police presence at meetings regarding the San Juan Generating Station.
New Law Allows Prison Inmates To Apply For Medicaid – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
Inmates at New Mexico prisons will be able to apply for Medicaid under a new law that may reduce recidivism.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the new law was among 78 others that took effect Friday. It opens the door for thousands of inmates to apply for Medicaid and receive services once they're released.
Advocates say access to medical and mental health treatment immediately after release could prevent future offenses.
Human Services Department spokesman Matt Kennicott says the agency helped inmates apply for Medicaid upon their release, but that the process had been closed to people who were still incarcerated.
Medicaid will also pay for some inpatient hospital stays under the new law.
Basic health costs aren't part of the new law, and are usually paid by municipalities or counties.
New Mexico Lt. Gov. Sanchez To Lead Trade Mission To Taiwan – The Associated Press
Lt. Gov. John Sanchez says he'll lead a local delegation on a trade mission to Taiwan beginning Sunday.
During the weeklong visit, the group will meet with government officials, trade associations and companies from the energy, manufacturing, automotive parts and technology sectors.
Sanchez says the state needs to continue to pursue new opportunities in the global market.
New Mexico and Taiwan first established an economic relationship in 1985. Last year, the state's exports to Taiwan exceeded $11.3 million. That's a 65 percent increase from 2013.
Sanchez says Taiwan now serves as a gateway to the entire Asian-Pacific market and the state is in a position to benefit from the growing demand for goods and services.
This will be Sanchez's second international trade and cultural mission as lieutenant governor.
New Mexico Legislative Chamber To Trade In Old Technology – The Associated Press
It's been a witness to New Mexico's political history for the last three decades, but the old light bulb board that records votes in the state House of Representatives soon could be going away.
Like other statehouses around the nation, New Mexico is looking to go digital.
The Legislative Council Service has issued a request for proposals to replace the voting system that the House has relied on since the 1980s. It not only records lawmakers' votes and helps maintain order during debates but is tied to software that keeps the chamber's calendar.
House Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry says lawmakers are growing frustrated with the current system. During the last session, some voting buttons weren't working and the board wasn't registering some votes.
Lawmakers say modernizing the system will mark another step toward increasing transparency.
New Mexico Officials Eye Illegal Sale Of Historic Documents – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Commission of Public Records is worried some of the state's archival material dating back to Spanish rule may end up for sale online.
The state agency responsible for archiving New Mexico's past recently issued a warning that the sale of state public records is illegal and comes after officials have notice some documents being sold online.
State Records Administrator Linda Trujillo told The Associated Press officials are not aware of any new cases of state records appearing for sale on online but officials have discovered some in the past.
State officials say New Mexico has lost many of historical documents from Spanish, Mexico and territorial periods to private collectors and they fear some may appear online for sale.
Lt. Gov. Sanchez To Lead Trade Mission To Taiwan - The Associated Press
Lt. Gov. John Sanchez says he'll lead a local delegation on a trade mission to Taiwan beginning Sunday.
During the weeklong visit, the group will meet with government officials, trade associations and companies from the energy, manufacturing, automotive parts and technology sectors.
Sanchez says the state needs to continue to pursue new opportunities in the global market.
New Mexico and Taiwan first established an economic relationship in 1985. Last year, the state's exports to Taiwan exceeded $11.3 million. That's a 65 percent increase from 2013.
Sanchez says Taiwan now serves as a gateway to the entire Asian-Pacific market and the state is in a position to benefit from the growing demand for goods and services.
This will be Sanchez's second international trade and cultural mission as lieutenant governor.
Dona Ana Authorities Investigating A Case Of Animal Cruelty - The Associated Press
Dona Ana Sheriff's officials have seized about approximately 100 pigs, piglets, ducks, chickens, goats and dogs in an ongoing investigation of animal cruelty south of Las Cruces.
County animal control officers assisted with executing a search warrant at a property Tuesday afternoon.
Eight goats were seized along with nine dogs, two cats, 16 ducks, a chicken, a rooster and nearly 70 pigs and piglets.
While deputies, animal control officers and a livestock inspector gathered the animals, two sows began to give birth. At least three piglets died shortly after they were born.
Authorities say one of the ducks had a broken leg and an injured wing and a goat also appeared to be injured.
The animals' owner reportedly leases the property and didn't have the proper permits for the animals.
Roswell Man Pleads Guilty To Fleeing Border Checkpoint - The Associated Press
A Roswell man is facing prison after pleading guilty to fleeing from a New Mexico border checkpoint earlier this year.
Prosecutors say 18-year-old Vincent Edward Romero entered his plea Thursday in federal court in Las Cruces.
Romero was arrested on March 3 during a routine inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 54 in Otero County.
According to a criminal complaint, border agents directed Romero to a secondary inspection area.
They say Romero disregarded the directions and drove away from the checkpoint, leading agents in a high speed pursuit.
Prosecutors say Romero faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison when he's sentenced.
His sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
2 New Mexico Courts To Use New Risk Assessment Tool - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Judges in two of New Mexico's busiest courts will be implementing a new risk assessment tool to better assess which criminal defendants pose the highest risk to the community.
A trial run of the new system will begin July 1 in the 2nd Judicial District and Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque.
The new protocol will rank defendants into four categories meant to measure how likely they are to re-offend before their trial or to not show up for trial. The system also aims to safeguard against low-risk defendants lingering in jail while awaiting trial.
Judges already do similar assessments of defendants, but the protocol will provide for a uniform process.
Metro Court Presiding Criminal Judge Sandra Engel tells the Albuquerque Journal that judges will still have judicial discretion.
Man Dies After Crashing Motorized Glider In Taos - The Associated Press
New Mexico State Police say a 69-year-old man has died after the motorized glider aircraft he was operating crashed at a Taos airport.
Authorities say officers were called around 8 a.m. Thursday to Taos Regional Airport and found the man's body along with the wreckage of the glider.
State Police say the body is that of Herbert H. Waterhouse, of Arroyo Hondo.
The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the cause of the crash.
Authorities did not release any further details.
Arrest Made In Fatal Shooting In Bernalillo County - The Associated Press
The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department says it has made an arrest in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man.
Sheriff's spokesman Aaron Williamson says 29-year-old Carlos Escudero was taken into custody early Thursday at a motel without incident.
Escudero has been booked on one count of murder.
Authorities say Escudero had 22-year-old Jarod Clark drive them in the victim's Mustang on June 7. When the car was stopped, Escudero allegedly tried to steal it and a fight followed.
Escudero is accused of shooting Clark once in the chest and leaving his body in the street.
Witnesses say Escudero tried to sell both the vehicle and a gun.
Investigators have since recovered the gun and will determine if it was the weapon used in the shooting.
Shame Of Throne? New Mexico Fiesta Queen Under Fire - The Associated Press
A queen of a northern New Mexico fiesta who had her crown stolen may be kicked off her throne thanks to angry comments about her mother's crime-plagued town.
The 2015 Espanola Fiesta Council is scheduled Thursday to discuss the future of Fiesta queen Angelina Vigil.
The 24-year-old Vigil attacked Espanola on social media and said she hated visiting the city after her mother's home was burglarized and the crown was stolen this week. She later apologized.
The theft of the crown generated a "Find the Crown" search on social media by organizers of the annual summertime fiesta. They say the crown has a lot of historical value to the region where Latinos idealize its past under Spanish rule.