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Machines Could Boost Chile Acreage, Trump Piñata, 911 Dispatcher Hangs Up On Pleading Woman...

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Machines Eyed In Boosting New Mexico Green Chile Acreage Associated Press

A group of investors and inventors are set to launch a test run they believe could save New Mexico chile.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the group this week plans scaled-up trial runs of mechanized harvesting and de-stemming of green chile.

Experts and farmers say mechanization is the best way to halt, and even reverse, a long-term trend of declining chile acreage in New Mexico.

The trial runs involve a harvesting machine by a U.S. company matched with a specialized chile-harvesting device from Etgar, an Israeli company.

Meanwhile, a separate machine in development by inventor Nag Kodali of Pelham, New Hampshire, will be used to pull the stems from the chile pods.

Federal numbers showed overall chile acreage harvested across New Mexico fell in 2014 to a 43-year low.

Albuquerque Firefighter Tells 911 Caller To 'Deal With It Yourself' – The Associated Press

An Albuquerque, New Mexico, firefighter has been removed from the city's dispatch center after telling a 911 caller who was trying to keep alive a gunshot victim to "deal with it yourself."

KRQE-TV reports 17-year-old Jaydon Chavez-Silver was fatally shot during a party on June 26.

In the recording, the panicked caller snaps at the dispatcher for repeatedly asking whether Jaydon is breathing.

The dispatcher responds that the caller can deal with it herself and adds, "I'm not gonna deal with this, OK?" before hanging up.

A spokesman for Jaydon's family says they're astonished at the call, but want to focus on finding their son's killer.

Albuquerque Fire Chief David Downey said in a statement that the department has launched an internal investigation into the call.

Santa Fe Police Chief Announces Immediate Retirement – The Associated Press

Santa Fe's police chief is stepping down after just more than a year in office.

Police Chief Eric Garcia on Tuesday announced his retirement effective immediately after a meeting with the city manager.

Garcia said in a statement released by the city that the department has laid a foundation for improving community policing, and City Manager Brian Snyder expressed gratitude for Garcia's work to decrease crime, expand community engagement and raise morale within the department.

The statement said the city's training specialist, Patrick Gallagher, will serve as interim chief.

The city's statement said Gallagher has 27 years in law enforcement and served in several police departments, including those in New York City, Santa Fe and Truth or Consequences. He was a captain in the Santa Fe Police Department.

GOP Official Ousted Over Anti-Trump Piñata Santa Fe Party – The Associated Press

A New Mexico Hispanic Republican Party official has been removed from his post after hosting an anti-Donald Trump event that included a necktie-wearing blonde piñata.

Former Santa Fe County GOP treasurer Ignacio Padilla says he wasn't acting as a party official when he organized the event last week to allow residents to hit a piñata that bore Trump's likeness.

Padilla says he was exercising his right to free speech and believes Trump's previous comments about Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans belittles Latinos.

The group's executive committee voted Padilla out of his leadership role the same day of the event.

Chairwoman Jo Ann Eastham says elected party officials are required to maintain neutrality in primaries. She says Padilla was warned not to host the event.

New Mexico Religious Leaders: Pope Right On Climate Change – The Associated Press

A coalition of religious leaders in New Mexico is calling on residents to support Pope Francis' recent plea for bold action to curb climate change.

The leaders are scheduled Tuesday to sign a letter supporting the papal document that argued climate change was a global problem with grave implications.

Last month, Francis called for a bold cultural revolution to correct the "structurally perverse" economic system of the rich exploiting the poor that is turning Earth into an "immense pile of filth."

Francis will be making his first trip to the U.S. in September, starting in Washington, where he will meet with Obama and address a joint session of Congress.

Alleged Accomplice In Albuquerque Motel Shooting IndictedAssociated Press

A man suspected of being an accomplice to the would-be robber who was shot and killed by a former CNN staffer at an Albuquerque motel has been indicted.

A Bernalillo County grand jury on Monday indicted 30-year-old Skyy Barrs on attempted first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and other charges.

Barrs was arrested July 9 by Albuquerque police. He's being held on a $500,000 cash only bond.

Authorities say Barrs allegedly conspired with 27-year-old Tomorio Walton to rob former CNN anchor Lynne Russell and her husband, former CNN reporter Chuck de Caro.

They say Walton demanded money from the couple on June 30.

Walton and de Caro exchanged gunfire and Walton died in the motel's parking lot.

De Caro was shot four times and still is recovering at an Albuquerque hospital.

Taos Animal Shelter To Lay Off Workers, Stop Taking PetsTaos News

The main shelter for stray animals in Taos County will not take any more stray dogs or cats.

The Taos News reports that 17 staff members at Stray Hearts Animal Shelter will be laid off and office operating hours are being cut back. It’s part of a plan to drastically reduce services.

Executive Director Harvey Yocum said animals at the shelter would still be cared for. But the nonprofit cannot continue to accept dogs and cats while being paid at its current rates by local governments, which he said was too little to cover operating expenses.

Law enforcement officials said there is now no place for them to take stray animals collected by animal control officers.  

Intakes at Stray Hearts have increased 150 percent this year over last, according to Yocum, and the shelter is over capacity.

Countersuit In California Case References State AuditorAssociated Press

New Mexico's state auditor has surfaced in a California legal fight involving a former employee of a Native American consulting firm.

The Albuquerque Journal reports court documents claim State Auditor Tim Keller was "improperly paid" to help the company win contracts from Native American clients.

Keller is not party in the lawsuit and denied last week ever soliciting work for the firm, where he worked as a financial analyst from the summer of 2009 until last fall.

The lawsuit comes after Keller recently announced New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Secretary Demesia Padilla was subject of an investigation into potential criminal activity.

Republicans dismissed his claims as politically motivated.

Trial Set For Man Who Threw Banana Peel At Dave Chappelle Associated Press

The man accused of throwing a banana peel at comedian Dave Chappelle during a New Mexico performance is headed to court.

Assistant District Attorney Anastasia Martin told the Santa Fe New Mexican that jury selection is scheduled for Sept. 23 for Christian Englander's trial.

The 31-year-old Englander, who is white, is facing charges of disturbing the peace and battery after the fruit-throwing disturbance in March. The petty misdemeanors each carry a jail sentence of up to six months and a possible fine of $500.

Englander told police he threw a peel from a banana he'd eaten earlier because he took offense to jokes told by Chappelle, who is black.

Englander told a judge at a hearing Monday that he'd take a plea deal if it were offered.

New Mexico Religious Leaders: Pope Right On Climate Change Associated Press

A coalition of religious leaders in New Mexico is calling on residents to support Pope Francis' recent plea for bold action to curb climate change.

The leaders are scheduled Tuesday to sign a letter supporting the papal document that argued climate change was a global problem with grave implications.

Last month, Francis called for a bold cultural revolution to correct the "structurally perverse" economic system of the rich exploiting the poor that is turning Earth into an "immense pile of filth."

Francis will be making his first trip to the U.S. in September, starting in Washington, where he will meet with President Obama and address a joint session of Congress.