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Headlines: San Miguel County On Oil And Gas, Jemez Pueblo On Valles Caldera

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San Miguel County To Consider Drilling OrdinanceThe Associated Press

San Miguel County commissioners are scheduled to vote today on an ordinance that would impose some of the strictest requirements on oil and natural gas exploration in the country.

The measure would restrict oil and gas exploration to a sparsely populated stretch on the eastern side of the county, some 60 miles away from the county seat of Las Vegas.

Under the ordinance, drilling companies would have to pay various application fees and would have to foot the bill for pre-drilling assessments, among other things.

County officials say the requirements are aimed at protecting the health, safety and environmental welfare of residents.

The commission's vote comes as a federal judge considers the constitutionality of efforts by neighboring Mora County to ban all oil and gas development.

Report:  Major NM Federal Lab Misused Contract Funds - The Associated Press

Federal officials say managers at one of the nation's premiere federal laboratories in New Mexico improperly used taxpayer funds to influence members of Congress and other officials in an effort to extend the lab's $2.4 billion management contract.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General released a report Wednesday saying the use of the funds by Sandia National Laboratories was a violation of federal codes and provisions in the contract itself.

The report includes recommendations, and Sandia officials say they'll cooperate with the inspector general.

The inspector general determined that the lab formed a team and worked with consultants beginning in 2009 to develop a plan for securing a contract extension without having to go through a competitive process.

That plan called for lobbying Congress and trying to influence key advisers to then-Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Martinez Won't Seek House Leadership Position - The Associated Press

New Mexico House Speaker Ken Martinez says he won't seek any leadership position when House Democrats reorganize in the wake of losing their majority in the chamber.

Martinez told legislative colleagues in a letter that it's a time to rebuild and to learn from the campaign, which saw Republicans win a House majority for the first time in more than half a century.

The 55-year-old Grants lawmaker also said House Democrats have a "deep and talented bench" and that it's time for him to pass the baton.

Democratic Reps. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe and Eliseo Alcon of Milan say they'll run to be minority leader.

Republicans gained four seats in the 70-member House in last week's general election to gain a 37-33 majority.

San Miguel County Approves Drilling Ordinance - The Associated Press

San Miguel County commissioners have voted in favor of an ordinance that imposes some of the strictest requirements on oil and natural gas exploration in the country.

The unanimous vote came Wednesday during their regular meeting in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Several dozen people were in attendance.

The measure replaces a moratorium on oil and gas development that had been in place since 2010.

Under the ordinance, exploration and drilling is restricted to a sparsely populated stretch on the eastern side of the county. Drilling companies will have to pay steep application fees, foot the bill for pre-drilling assessments and post bonds.

County officials say the requirements are aimed at protecting the health, safety and environmental welfare of residents.

The oil and gas industry says the new ordinance effectively discourages any development in the area.

Spaceship Pilot Unaware That Copilot Unlocked Break - The Associated Press

The pilot of the Virgin Galactic spaceship that tore apart over the Mojave Desert didn't know his co-pilot had prematurely unlocked its brakes, despite protocol requiring the co-pilot to announce the step.

Pilot Peter Siebold told the National Transportation Safety Board that he wasn't aware co-pilot Mike Alsbury unlocked the brakes before the rocket was done accelerating. Seconds later, SpaceShipTwo began to disintegrate.

An agency spokesman said Wednesday that protocol was to announce the unlocking. It's not clear if Siebold didn't hear it, or Alsbury never voiced it.

Spokesman Eric Weiss says the safety board plans to analyze audio from the flight starting next week.

The Oct. 31 crash killed the co-pilot and injured Siebold.

It could take a year for the NTSB to determine the crash's cause.

Cases Tied To Fallen NM Deputy May Be Dismissed - The Associated Press & KOAT

Some pending cases in Santa Fe County will likely be dismissed after authorities say a Santa Fe County deputy shot and killed a fellow lawman last month.

That's because former Deputy Tai Chan is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center for the shooting death of Deputy Jeremy Martin.

KOAT-TV reports that authorities say both deputies had pending cases, like traffic tickets and first offense DWIs.

Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office Major Ken Johnson says the 29-year-old Martin was assigned to the patrol division — a division that routinely handles misdemeanor cases.

As for felony cases, officials say the district attorney will decide how to proceed without the deputies.

Court To Hear Arguments On Valles Caldera Claim - The Associated Press

A federal appeals court will hear legal arguments Thursday in Albuquerque on a case involving the Jemez Pueblo's claim to recover land now included in the Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will consider the Jemez Pueblo's appeal of a federal judge's 2013 ruling that dismissed the tribe's 2012 lawsuit over 89,000 acres that it considers sacred.

The judge ruled in September 2013 that the federal government did not consent to being sued.

The preserve is home to vast grasslands, the remnants of one of North America's few super volcanoes, and one of New Mexico's most famous elk herds.

The hearing will be held at the University of New Mexico School of Law. The 10th Circuit is based in Denver.

Thefts To Cause Dismissal Of Cases - The Associated Press & KOB

San Juan County's top prosecutor says thefts from the Farmington Police Department's evidence room affects about a dozen cases and will likely result in dismissal of charges in about four of those.

KOB-TV reports that District Attorney Rick Tedrow said dismissal of charges is probably the appropriate and just thing to do in cases when there's been tampering with evidence.

A 28-year-old police evidence technician has resigned and is charged in the alleged thefts in which $9,000 in cash is missing.

Martinez Won't Seek House Leadership Position - The Associated Press

New Mexico House Speaker Ken Martinez says he won't seek any leadership position when House Democrats reorganize in the wake of losing their majority in the chamber.

Martinez told legislative colleagues in a letter that it's a time to rebuild and to learn from the campaign, which saw Republicans win a House majority for the first time in more than half a century.

The 55-year-old Grants lawmaker also said House Democrats have a "deep and talented bench" and that it's time for him to pass the baton.

Democratic Reps. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe and Elisio Alcon of Milan say they'll run to be minority leader.

Republicans gained four seats in the 70-member House in last week's general election to gain a 37-33 majority.

Despite DOJ Deal, Albuquerque Protests May Resume - The Associated Press

City officials have signed a U.S. Justice Department agreement to overhaul Albuquerque police. Families of those fatally shot by Albuquerque officers say they are pleased with the blueprint. And advocates are praising police for peacefully ending recent standoffs.

Still, Albuquerque may see another round of angry protests.

Federal officials have not said if officers involved in the March shooting death of 38-year-old homeless camper James Boyd will face charges. Some advocates say not indicting officers will lead to demonstrations. 

The uncertainty comes as the St. Louis region braces for a grand jury decision on whether to charge a police officer for fatally shooting 18-year-old Michael Brown in the suburb of Ferguson.

NM Veterans' Services Secretary Stepping Down - The Associated Press

New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services Secretary Timothy Hale is stepping down.

Gov. Susana Martinez made the announcement yesterday during a Veterans Day ceremony in Albuquerque. She says Hale is leaving his post to spend more time with family and to take a job as a pilot with a local company.

Martinez called Hale an amazing secretary, saying he has helped to make things easier for those being deployed as well as those returning from duty around the globe.

Taking Hale's place is retired Brig. Gen. Jack Fox. He's an Army veteran and has served in the New Mexico National Guard.

No explanation was given as to why this announcement was made on Veterans Day.

Sewage Leaks Into Animas River At Farmington - The Associated Press and Daily Times

Farmington officials say the failure of two pumps at a lift station resulted in raw sewage seeping across a field and into a pond connected to the Animas River.

The Daily Times reports that officials aren't certain how much waste leaked into the river, which already exceeds state standards for a bacterium associated with human waste.

Two of the three pumps at the facility malfunctioned Sunday morning for unknown reasons. The third pump was down for maintenance.

City officials learned of the situation when notified by a resident, and they alerted down-stream river users the same day.

Prosecutor: Thefts To Cause Dismissal Of Cases - The Associated Press and KOB TV

San Juan County's top prosecutor says thefts from the Farmington Police Department's evidence room affects about a dozen cases and will likely result in dismissal of charges in about four of those.

KOB-TV reports that District Attorney Rick Tedrow said dismissal of charges is probably the appropriate and just thing to do in cases when there's been tampering with evidence.

A 28-year-old police evidence technician has resigned and is charged in the alleged thefts in which $9,000 in cash is missing.

Another New Mexico Coyote Hunting Event Draws Fire - The Associated Press and KOAT TV

A southeastern New Mexico gun shop is drawing criticism for hosting a coyote hunting competition.

KOAT-TV reports that Larry's Gun Shop in Roswell is sponsoring the "Third Annual Great Coyote Hunt" this week and says it will help ranchers and dairy farmers get rid of the predators.

But Phil Carter, of Animal Protection of New Mexico, called the event a thrill-killing contest that celebrates the death of animals.

Under the rules, the two-member team that kills the most coyotes wins to assault rifles.

Several coyote hunting contests were held in New Mexico last year in which firearms were awarded as prizes for those hunters killing the most coyotes.

Those contests also sparked protests among animal rights advocates who say the practice gives New Mexico a bad reputation.