NM Senator Wants Answers From Mental Health Care Officials - The Associated Press
A key Democratic state senator is asking Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's administration for answers as a mental health provider prepares to pull out of southern New Mexico.
Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen says she's concerned about the thousands of people who currently receive care from Arizona-based La Frontera. The provider is set to stop services June 1.
Papen outlined her questions about continuing patient care in a four-page letter made public Monday. She sent the letter to three of Martinez's cabinet members.
Papen says an independent assessment of La Frontera's performance confirms that the needs of those with serious mental illnesses haven't been met over the last 21 months.
The state Human Services Department has said it's working to help clients find services.
Groups File Brief Demanding Investment Council Transparency – The Associated Press
A transparency group and an association of New Mexico newspapers want the state Supreme Court to revisit whether a State Investment Council subcommittee can meet behind closed doors to settle lawsuits.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the state subcommittee has settled cases for a total of $30 million in connection with millions of dollars in "finder's fees" paid out to people close to then-Gov. Bill Richardson. The practice resulted in huge losses to the investment council and teachers' pension fund, which the settlement talks seek to recover.
The funds are being held in escrow while the case plays out. An investment council spokesman said public discourse could eliminate any return for state taxpayers.
The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government and the New Mexico Press Association want those settlements voided.
Freight Trains Collide Head-On Near Roswell – The Associated Press
Two freight trains collided head-on near Roswell in southeastern New Mexico, killing one person and derailing locomotives and freight cars.
New Mexico State Police Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo said one person was killed and a second injured in the Tuesday morning accident. She said she didn't know whether they were train personnel.
Chaves County Sheriff Britt Snyder said the collision occurred about 10 miles southeast of Roswell on tracks belonging to Southwestern Railroad, a Carlsbad-based short line.
Another official said 10-20 freight cars derailed, and photos from the crash site appeared to show several derailed locomotives.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe spokesman Joe Sloan said at least some engines involved in the accident were BNSF equipment being operated by Southwestern Railroad, which didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Retiring Santa Fe Archbishop Says Archdiocese A Better Place – The Associated Press
Retiring Santa Fe Archbishop Michael Sheehan says he's leaving the archdiocese a better place more than two decades after taking over in the wake of sexual abuse scandals.
Sheehan said Monday there's more accountability in addressing allegations of abuse and that the archdiocese now has a "zero tolerance" policy.
The 75-year-old Sheehan is retiring in June as head of New Mexico's largest diocese due to age requirements.
Pope Francis has appointed Salt Lake City bishop and immigration-reform advocate John Wester as Sheehan's replacement.
Albuquerque Attorney Brad Hall, who represents around 20 or so alleged victims of priest abuse, says he's not sure there was a zero tolerance policy under Sheehan.
But Hall says Sheehan did work the stop the widespread sexual abuse occurring before he took over.
County Tax Increase To Cost National Lab $2 Million Annually – The Associated Press
A national lab in Albuquerque will have to pay about $2 million annually under a Bernalillo County tax hike taking effect this summer.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that Sandia National Laboratories has not made any budget decisions yet. Spokeswoman Nancy Salem said the federally-funded lab will have to cut costs to come up with the tax payment.
Most goods and services will be subject to the 19-cent tax per $100 purchase that starts July 1. The increase is estimated to generate $30 million to balance the county budget and pay for behavioral health services.
12-Acre Parcel Added To Rio Grande Valley State Park – The Associated Press
An Albuquerque-area state park has grown by 12 acres.
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District's board has designated a parcel known locally as "Dog Biscuit Hill" as part of Rio Grande Valley State Park.
The parcel is a popular access point to the Bosque and it's been designated the Patrick J. Baca Open Space Unit.
The new unit of the state park will be retained and owned by the conservancy district. It will be maintained and managed for conservation, education, and recreation by the city of Albuquerque under policies of the Rio Grande Valley State Park Management Plan and Joint Powers Agreement.
Xcel Construction Plans Not Hampered By Oil Prices – The Associated Press
Despite a swing in oil prices, a company that provides electricity to customers throughout southeastern New Mexico and West Texas says it's not backing down from plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the region's infrastructure.
Xcel Energy plans to spend more than $630 million on new high-voltage transmission and distribution lines and substations. A quarter of that will be used for projects this year.
The company has already constructed and rebuilt more than 150 miles of distribution lines in and around Hobbs and Carlsbad, where the oil boom increased demand.
While the U.S. oil industry is facing a bust due to dropping prices, Xcel says resources in the Permian Basin could be tapped for decades to come and the grid needs to be ready to meet demand.
More NM Mayors Call For Special Session To Pass Key Bill – The Associated Press
The list of mayors urging Gov. Susana Martinez to call a special session to consider funding more than $260 million in public improvement projects has doubled to nearly 100.
The New Mexico Municipal League sent a second letter to the governor last week adding signatures of an additional 44 mayors from across the state.
All are asking the New Mexico Senate and House of Representatives to craft a mutually acceptable capital outlay bill. It stalled on the final day of the legislative session in March and much finger-pointing has followed.
Martinez's office says it has been working with leaders from both parties. Legislative leaders also have been talking.
There's no indication yet that any agreements have been reached. A bill would have to be done no later than May 15.
Feds Plan Meetings To Discuss Valles Caldera Transition - The Associated Press
Federal officials are planning three public listening sessions as management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve transitions from a board of trustees to the National Park Service.
The first session will be in Albuquerque on May 11. Two more sessions will follow in Jemez Springs and Los Alamos.
The head of the park service's intermountain region, Sue Masica, says the meetings offer a chance for the agency to get to know the communities that surround the 140-square-mile property.
She says the goal is to form a working relationship with them.
In December, Congress designated the preserve as a national park. The management transition will happen this fall.
Valles Caldera 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.
Salt Lake City Bishop Named New Santa Fe Archbishop - The Associated Press
Pope Francis has appointed Salt Lake City Bishop and immigration reform advocate John Wester as the new archbishop for Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced Monday the 64-year-old Wester will replace Archbishop Michael Sheehan in June.
Wester was ordained a priest in 1976 for his native Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The 75-year-old Sheehan, who is retiring became age requirements, became Santa Fe Archbishop in 1993 after then-Archbishop Robert Sanchez resigned amid allegations of sexual relations with women. Sheehan led abuse investigations, removed priests and oversaw the financial consequences of lawsuits.
Church officials say Wester and Sheehan will serve in their current posts until Wester he is installed on June 4.
The Santa Fe Archdiocese includes more than 300,000 Catholics in central and northern New Mexico.
12 Facing Drug Trafficking Charges In Texas, New Mexico - The Associated Press
Authorities say 12 people are facing charges after an investigation targeting marijuana traffickers and money launderers operating in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
Teams of federal, state, county and local law enforcement officers participated in the operation that included arrests Monday mainly in El Paso and Lubbock, Texas and Roswell, New Mexico.
The operation also included the execution of federal search warrants at six residences in Texas and one residence in New Mexico.
Authorities say about 75 pounds of marijuana was seized and more than $22,000 in cash during the course of the investigation.
Law enforcement officers on Monday reported seizing about 40 pounds of marijuana, some $70,000 in cash, 14 vehicles, including a motorcycle and an ATV, and 16 firearms including one reported stolen.
State Investigates Claims Of 132 Dangerous Dog Adoptions – The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
The state's inspector general is investigating allegations that the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department allowed dangerous animals to be placed with families.
The Albuquerque Journal reports department director Barbara Bruin is the subject of a complaint filed in late March by two upper-level employees who say she tried to "pull the plug" on the investigation, and keep evidence of dangerous dog adoptions from investigators.
Bruin denies the allegations. Behavior tests for animals are recorded as pass or fail, but Bruin said that isn't the only factor in whether animals are eligible for adoption. The department is in the process of revising its assessment policies.
Jim Ludwick, the department's second in command, and Carolyn Hidalgo, program manager and animal behavior specialist, claim 132 dangerous dogs were adopted out in 2014.
Civil Suit Targets Predatory Lenders - The Associated Press and Daily Times
Two New Mexico lenders are the defendants in a $900,000 lawsuit that claims they tricked low-income individuals into taking out high-interest tax refund anticipation loans.
The Daily-Times reports interest rates were as high as 240 percent on loans offered by Jeffrey Scott Thomas of J. Thomas Development of NM Inc. and Dennis Gonzalez, owner of Southwest Tax Loans.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Navajo Nation Department of Justice filed the lawsuit, saying tax filers who qualified for the Earned Income Tax Credit were being steered toward these high-interest loans.
Thomas ran four H&R Block franchises, but the company severed its ties with him and is not named in the civil suit. Thomas's lawyer, Allen Denson, said the financial protection bureau has mischaracterized his client's business.
Longtime President Of Navajo Ministries To Step Down - The Associated Press and Daily Times
After 28 years at the helm, Jim Baker is preparing to step down as president of Navajo Ministries Inc.
The Daily Times reports that current Vice President Eric Fisher will take over after May 1.
Navajo Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit that includes the Four Corners Home for Children, the Navajo Ministries School, KNMI Vertical Radio and Navajo Nation Outreach.
Baker and his wife, Kay, moved from Pennsylvania to Farmington 40 years ago to work as house parents at the Home for Children, the nonprofit's largest program. Both Bakers will stay on as part-time co-directors after May.
Fisher will be the nonprofit's third president since its start in 1953. He said he hopes to expand the children's home and add a Navajo heritage museum to the property.
Xcel Construction Plans Not Hampered By Oil Prices - The Associated Press
Despite a swing in oil prices, a company that provides electricity to customers throughout southeastern New Mexico and West Texas says it's not backing down from plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the region's infrastructure.
Xcel Energy plans to spend more than $630 million on new high-voltage transmission and distribution lines and substations. A quarter of that will be used for projects this year.
The company has already constructed and rebuilt more than 150 miles of distribution lines in and around Hobbs and Carlsbad, where the oil boom increased demand.
While the U.S. oil industry is facing a bust due to dropping prices, Xcel says resources in the Permian Basin could be tapped for decades to come and the grid needs to be ready to meet demand.