The Latest On A Southern New Mexico Wildfire—Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has declared a state of emergency in response to a wildfire in Otero County. Friday afternoon's declaration will enable the county to order and pay for additional resources needed to fight the wildfire in the southern New Mexico mountain village of Timberon.
The fire has destroyed 67 structures and numerous vehicles and is 16 percent contained after charring about 260 acres.
An update provided Friday by fire incident commanders says approximately 30 vehicles have been destroyed or damaged, including 14 recreational vehicles.
Homes account for at least 30 of the destroyed or damaged structures.
Crews are constructing and improving fire lines and removing debris and dangerous trees in the burn area.
The fire started Wednesday and has burned nearly a half square-mile. Cause is under investigation.
Navajo Nation Community Goes Without Water For 5 Days—Associated Press, Gallup Independent
The Navajo Nation community of Rough Rock went five days without water after a mechanical failure and is again being asked to conserve.
The Gallup Independent reports that Navajo Tribal Utility Authority officials say a water pump motor for the Rough Rock well broke on July 3, leaving 371 customers without water. The pump was repaired on July 7 but then water in the storage tank dropped to a level that caused the motor to stop again.
Utility authority officials say they have been taking water to refill the Rough Rock water storage tank and asking customers to use only about 100 gallons a day. They have ordered a new part for the motor that should arrive Friday.
Community members who own livestock are being directed to other chapters to buy water for their animals.
Praise For Pence Comes From Influential Trump Critic—Associated Press
The chairwoman of the Republican Governors Association is praising the choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as a vice presidential running mate despite her reservations about Donald Trump.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has been critical of Trump's comments about a Hispanic judge and plans to build a border wall during her tenure as chairwoman of the governors association.
On Friday, Martinez issued a statement that praised Pence's handling of the Indiana economy and his dedication to helping other GOP candidates for governor.
Martinez has declined to endorse Trump. She and 23 other New Mexico delegates are obligated to cast their first-round ballots for Trump at the convention under state party rules.
The Republican Governors Association is a fundraising arm of the GOP dedicated to the election of gubernatorial candidates.
Ex-Senator Gets New Arraignment Date In Corruption Case—Associated Press
Former New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego is being called back to court on newly confirmed charges of fraud, bribery and perjury as the criminal corruption case moves toward trial.
New Mexico District Court Judge Brett Loveless has scheduled the arraignment for July 22 at a courthouse in Albuquerque.
State prosecutors allege Griego used his position as a senator to profit from the 2014 sale of a state-owned building in downtown Santa Fe by pushing approval of the transaction through the Legislature without proper disclosure.
Griego has pleaded not guilty to 10 original charges. Loveless says evidence is sufficient to move forward with nine of those counts after hearing testimony from prominent state officials, lawmakers and others.
Griego resigned from the Senate last year amid a Senate ethics investigation.
NMSU Won't Be Funding Its Equestrian Team After Next Season—Associated Press
New Mexico State University plans to phase out funding of the school's equestrian team after the 2016-2017 season.
Supporters of the equestrian program are seeking private funding to make the program self-sustaining.
University officials say NMSU still will fully honor the scholarships of its current equestrian student-athletes for the remainder of their eligibility.
NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers said in a statement Friday that the university continues to be under pressure to trim its budget by more than $12 million.
The school has made recent cuts to its budget due to declining state funding and declining enrollment.
Other cuts include eliminating vacant and filled positions around the university, eliminating the on-campus employee health center and beginning the process to eliminate the engineering surveying program.
Security Guard At Albuquerque Apartment Complex Fatally Shot—Associated Press
Authorities are searching for a suspect in the shooting death of a security guard at an Albuquerque apartment complex.
Albuquerque police have identified the man killed as 46-year-old Stephen Wills.
Police haven't released many details about what happened in Friday morning's shooting.
They say officers were called to a shooting at the apartment complex and found Wills dead in the parking lot.
Police say Wills was working at the apartment complex at the time he was killed.
They also say Wills is an Army veteran and employee of a private security company that provides security patrols to Albuquerque-area businesses.