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Photo Of JFK's Visit To Los Alamos Stumps Researcher, Martinez Vetoes $22 Million In Education Cuts

Los Alamos Monitor
/
Creative Commons
President John F. Kennedy talks to a team of scientists working at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1962.

Photo Of JFK's Visit To Los Alamos Stumps Researcher The Associated Press & The Los Alamos Monitor

Author John Bisney is trying to unravel a mystery as he writes a book about former President John F. Kennedy and his role in America's space program.

The Los Alamos Monitor reports the former CNN correspondent is combing through old photographs of Kennedy's visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1962 and wants to identify workers in the photos.

Bisney said he's come up against dead ends so far, including at the Los Alamos Historical Society.

People can see the photos here and send tips to lanews@lamonitor.com.

"The Space Age Presidency of John Kennedy" is expected to be released in spring 2018.

It is the latest collaboration between Bisney and space photo archivist J.L. Pickering.

The two have made several photo books on the American space program.

Governor Vetoes $22 Million In Education Cuts - The Associated Press 

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is vetoing $22 million in proposed cuts to public school programs.

Martinez approved about $150 million in agency spending cuts on Monday as New Mexico struggles to close a major state budget deficit.

Line-item vetoes by the governor restore funding to performance-based pay incentives for teachers and other hallmark initiatives of the governor's education agenda.

State finances are in turmoil amid a downturn in the oil and natural gas sectors. The second-term Republican governor says lawmakers went too far in cutting over 20 percent of classroom reform programs.

Most state agencies will see their budgets cut by 5.5 percent for the current fiscal year. No cuts were proposed for the Public Safety and Children, Youth and Families departments.

Employers' Costs For Work Injuries, Deaths May Drop In 2017The Associated Press 

New Mexico employers could see a decrease in their insurance costs for on-the-job injuries and deaths.

The state Office of Superintendent of Insurance says a key factor in calculating individual employers' workers' compensation costs will drop by an average of 9 percent in 2017.

The office says this is the second consecutive year in which businesses will see an average decrease in the so-called "pure premium."

That's the portion that employers pay insurers to cover costs for claims stemming from job-related injuries and deaths.

The office says there other costs related to workers' compensation but that the pure premium is the main factor between annual cost changes.

The office notes that the 9 percent decrease is an average and individual employers' costs also vary by industry, claims experience and payroll.

Immigration Status Serves As Barrier For Some StudentsSanta Fe New Mexican, Associated Press

Some students say they're losing out despite a New Mexico law that allows them in-state tuition at public colleges or universities and state-funded financial aid regardless of their immigration status.

The law has been in effect for 11 years but New Mexico's 14 public universities and colleges operate independently from one another and their policies regarding immigrant students vary.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that New Mexico Highlands University imposes some of the toughest barriers, according to interviews with students and school officials from around the state.

The interviews indicate some of the problems immigrant students encounter may be largely because staff members aren't informed about the law.

The state Higher Education Department says the schools set their own enrollment policies, but they must follow state and federal immigration laws.

Video Of Officer Being Shot Is Shown In CourtThe Associated Press

Police video has been played in federal court showing the fatal shooting of an Albuquerque police officer last year during a nighttime traffic stop.

The video from Officer Daniel Webster's lapel camera was screened in court Monday during the bench trial of ex-convict Davon Lymon.

Lymon is facing federal charges of being a felon in possession of the firearm used to kill Webster.

Albuquerque police named Lymon as a suspect last year. State charges have yet to be filed in the case.

In the video, a man is heard shouting and indicating he's in pain while the officer yells for a suspect to give him his hand so he can cuff him.

Shots are fired moments later as Webster gets out of his vehicle.

New Mexico's Top Court Reconsiders Closed Primary System – The Associated Press 

The New Mexico Supreme Court is considering a challenge of the state's closed primary system by an independent voter who alleges violations of his constitutional right to participate in all public elections.

Justices heard oral arguments Monday in a lawsuit brought by Albuquerque attorney David Crum against state and Bernalillo County elections officials. A decision will be reached later.

Currently, only Republicans and Democrats can vote in their respective primary elections in New Mexico. Critics of the closed system say it effectively disenfranchises independent and small party voters, while supporters say it ensures distinct ideological choices in general elections.

A district court dismissed the lawsuit by Crum after the New Mexico Republican Party objected to interference with its rights to political association.

Man Charged In New Mexico Officer's Death Wants Trial MovedLas Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press

An Ohio man charged in the killing of a New Mexico police officer wants his trial moved.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Friday that attorneys for 38-year-old Jesse Denver Hanes recently filed a motion asking that his trial next year be held outside of Doña Ana County.

In court documents, Hanes says media coverage of the death of Hatch police Officer Jose Chavez would make a fair trial impossible.

Police say Chavez pulled over a vehicle in Hatch on Aug. 12 that was occupied by Hanes, James Nelson and a hitchhiker. Authorities say Hanes then shot Chavez, who died at a hospital.

Hanes and Nelson were both fugitives wanted in a shooting death in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Hanes pleaded not guilty last month to several charges including murder.

Deputies Seize 130 Marijuana Plants From Chaparral Home Alamogordo Daily News, Associated Press

Authorities say they have found 130 marijuana plants growing in the backyard of a Chaparral woman's home.

The Alamogordo Daily News reported Saturday that 61-year-old Candace Wilson is behind held in lieu of bond until a court appearance.

Otero County sheriff's deputies arrested her Friday on a charge of marijuana distribution after a detective investigating a separate case saw the plants from the street.

Deputies produced a search warrant and seized the marijuana.

Undersheriff Liliana McDowell-Schnell says the plants were growing behind a trailer on 1 ½ acres of land.

She says the suspect's license to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes expired in July.

Furthermore, Wilson was growing more than the number of plants allowed.

It was not immediately known Sunday if she had an attorney.

Gallup Man Accused Of DWI, Hitting Medical HelicopterAssociated Press

Authorities say a suspected drunk driver crashed into a medical helicopter and fire truck overnight in McKinley County.

Sheriff's deputies say the incident happened early Sunday on Highway 566 near Gallup.

According to investigators, a medical transport helicopter was in a landing zone when the suspect went around a barricade and hit it and the fire truck.

Deputies say the helicopter was supposed to transport a patient from a rollover crash but it was unoccupied and not in operation at the time.

Twenty-six-year-old Glenn Livingston, of Gallup, has been booked on charges of aggravated DWI, resisting arrest and other offenses.

All the vehicles involved, including the helicopter, had to be towed from the site.

New Initiative Would Use Retired Police To Fight Property CrimeAlbuquerque Journal

Two Albuquerque city councilors have introduced legislation that would allow the city to hire a firm using retired police officers to address property crime.

The Albuquerque Journal reports Mayor Richard Berry announced the plan last week. City Councilor Pat Davis, a Democrat, is sponsoring the bill with Councilor Brad Winter, a Republican.

Berry has pushed unsuccessfully for a plan allowing the city to rehire retired officers. The contractors would likely be able to collect fingerprints and write reports, but Chief Gorden Eden said they wouldn’t make arrests. This would allow commissioned officers to focus on other crimes.

But Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association, raised concerns about privatizing the police force.

Lab Workers In 1962 Presidential Visit Photos Stump AuthorLos Alamos Monitor, Associated Press

Author John Bisney is trying to unravel a mystery as he writes a book about former President John F. Kennedy and his role in America's space program.

The Los Alamos Monitor reports the former CNN correspondent is combing through old photographs of Kennedy's visit to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1962 and wants to identify workers in the photos.

Bisney said he's come up against dead ends so far, including at the Los Alamos Historical Society.

People can see the photos at lamonitor.com and send tips to lanews@lamonitor.com.

"The Space Age Presidency of John Kennedy" is expected to be released in spring 2018.

It is the latest collaboration between Bisney and space photo archivist J.L. Pickering.

The two have made several photo books on the American space program.

3 Albuquerque Police Officers Hurt In Collision With SuspectAssociated Press, KRQE-TV

Albuquerque police say three officers were injured while pursuing a suspect, who is now in custody.

Authorities say the officers were responding to a domestic violence call Saturday afternoon.

Officer Fred Duran says upon their arrival, the suspect had fled the area in a car when they tried to approach him.

A chase ensued and ended with a head-on crash with a police vehicle near Coors and Central.

The officers were treated and released from a hospital.

KRQE-TV reports the suspect, Michael David Pacheco, pointed a shotgun at police and an officer fired at Pacheco from inside his vehicle

Duran said Pacheco was arrested and was found wearing body armor, including a bullet proof vest.

State May Get $17M From Volkswagen Settlement – Santa Fe New Mexican

A federal settlement with Volkswagen over emissions from its diesel engines is expected to bring about $17 million to New Mexico.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports the funds could be used to build refueling stations for electric and natural gas-powered vehicles.

A settlement worth about $14.7 billion is in the offing after the U.S. Department of Justice found the company guilty of manipulating its diesel engines to make it appear they were meeting emission standards.

Most of the funds will go to owners so they can purchase lower-emission cars. But nearly $5 billion will go for environmental mitigation and a fund for zero emission vehicles.

New Mexico and other Western states are set to receive money and can choose a variety of clean air measures for investing the funds.

Border Mass Aims To Bring Attention To ImmigrantsAssociated Press

The representative of Pope Francis in the U.S. led a cross-border mass on Sunday in an effort to bring awareness to the plight of immigrants and refugees.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, was the principal celebrant as the 3 p.m. mass got underway in both Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico.

At least 250 people showed up on the Arizona side, said Steff Koeneman, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Tucson. It wasn't immediately clear how many came on the Mexico side. An altar was erected on both sides of the border.

Some sat in camping chairs or held umbrellas while listening to the mass in 80-degree weather.

The mass is the third one along the Arizona-Mexico border this year and is organized by Dioceses Without Borders, a group composed of church leaders from around Arizona and the Mexican border state of Sonora.