Drug Overdose Deaths At Record High – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
Last year was a record for drug overdose deaths in New Mexico.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the 536 deaths last year represented a 19 percent increase from the previous year. That comes after a two-year decline according to the Department of Health.
State Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Landen says the state needs to expand the use of naloxone, which can counteract a drug overdose. Last year that was used in more than 900 cases to prevent overdoses.
Prescription opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone were the leading causes of overdose deaths in 2014. Landen says declines in 2012 and 2013 may have led to complacency about the problem.
Explosion At Santa Fe Medical Marijuana Dispensary – Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
Firefighters say an explosion and fire at a medical marijuana dispensary in Santa Fe has left two people hospitalized.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Battalion Chief Carl Crook says the blaze at NewMexiCann Natural Medicine appeared to have resulted from a process in which butane is used to extract THC, the active ingredient of cannabis.
Crook says the two victims suffered third-degree burns from the explosion. They were airlifted from a Santa Fe hospital to University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, which has a specialized burn unit.
NewMexiCann Natural Medicine is one of the 23 state-licensed distributors of medical marijuana. Owner Len Goodman and his wife, Susan, were among the first in the state to obtain a license.
No structural damage was caused to the building.
Police: DEA Joining Probe In Santa Fe Pot Dispensary Blast – The Associated Press
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating an explosion and fire at a Santa Fe medical marijuana dispensary that injured two people.
Santa Fe Police Lt. Andrea Dobyns told The Associated Press on Friday that the DEA is looking "into the process" that started the fire. Dobyns says DEA agents have seized evidence and are examining the site.
Authorities say the explosion and small fire in a production building at NewMexiCann Natural Medicine on Thursday damaged a room and sent two people to the hospital.
Dobyns says 29-year-old Nicholas Montoya is listed in critical condition and 28-year-old Aaron Smith is listed as stable.
Dispensary owner Len Goodman did not immediately respond to email and telephone inquiries from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Indictments Charge 6 Teens In Killing Of New Mexico Man – The Associated Press
New indictments charge six previously arrested New Mexico teens with murder in the shooting death of a 60-year-old Albuquerque man.
They've also been charged with attempted murder in another shooting and numerous other crimes.
The indictments stem from a June 26 streak of break-ins and auto burglaries that led to shots being fired at one man and the slaying of Steven Gerecke in his driveway.
The teens charged in the indictments announced Friday range in age from 14 to 17.
Each faces at least 40 criminal counts. Four are being prosecuted as adults and could face life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. Two are being prosecuted as juveniles. They could face either adult or juvenile penalties if convicted.
The Associated Press isn't identifying the teens because of their ages.
Gov. Martinez Defends State Tax And Revenue Chief – The Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says she has total faith in state Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla about allegations of wrongdoing by Padilla until evidence reveals that she shouldn't.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Padilla, who has served as tax secretary since 2011, is accused of trying to pressure employees to give preferential treatment to her former client in a tax audit.
The allegations against Padilla were brought to light this month by State Auditor Tim Keller. Keller's office hired a firm that found evidence supporting the accusations.
A spokesman for Padilla says that Keller never interviewed Padilla or other department officials. A spokesman for Keller maintains that the investigation "included interviews with multiple people" at the department.
The state attorney general is reviewing the evidence.
ENMU Struggling To Fill Some Open Positions – The Associated Press
Eastern New Mexico University officials say they are struggling to fill vacancies before the fall 2015 semester starts.
ENMU President Steven Gamble told the Portales News-Tribune this week that despite the university's website containing all the available jobs to the public, the candidates have not been very strong in some areas.
Gamble says the university is having a difficult time getting a good pool of candidates for some positions.
The school is trying to fill a student recruitment coordinator job and the Communication Department also has two assistant professor vacancies.
Officials: Progress Made Cleaning Up Massive Jet Fuel Spill – Associated Press
State and federal officials are becoming increasingly confident they'll be able to clean up a massive plume of jet fuel at the edge of Albuquerque before it reaches drinking water wells.
Kirtland Air Force Base and state environment officials updated the public on the effort during a meeting Thursday evening.
A pump-and-treat system began operating earlier this month, and officials have plans to bring more extraction wells online before the end of the year. More monitoring wells are also planned.
Environment Department geologist Dennis McQuillan says those will help determine how far north the contamination extends.
First detected in 1999, the fuel leak is believed to have been seeping into the ground for decades. Estimates of the amount of fuel spilled range from 6 million to 24 million gallons.
Verdict of $165M Upheld In Fedex Fatal Highway Crash – Associated Press
A Santa Fe judge has upheld a $165 million verdict against FedEx for a highway crash that killed a mother and her 4-year-old daughter in 2011.
District Judge Francis Mathew on Wednesday denied FedEx's request for a new trial in the wrongful death lawsuit alleging negligence by the company.
The family of 22-year-old Marialy Morga and her daughter filed the suit after a FedEx tractor-trailer rig crashed into the back of Morga's pickup truck on Interstate 10 near Las Cruces.
Judge Mathew took over the case after the trial judge recused herself over a phone call she had with plaintiffs' lawyers following the trial.
Defense lawyers argue that Mathew wasn't fit to handle the case, because he didn't oversee the trial. FedEx may appeal the judge's decision.
Gila River Diversion Entity Gets Approval After Long Road – Albuquerque Journal, Associated Press
The Interstate Stream Commission has approved a resolution designating a 14-member unit to design and build the Gila River diversion project in southwestern New Mexico.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the resolution was approved Wednesday at an Albuquerque meeting and identified parties making up the New Mexico CAP, or Central Arizona Project, entity.
The creation of the unit was necessary to proceed with the project that provides for the annual diversion of water from the Gila River for use in Catron, Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties.
Authorized by the 2004 Arizona Water Settlement Act, the project provides for the diversion of up to 14,000 acre-feet of Gila River water each year.
An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover 1 acre to a depth of 1 foot.
New Mexico Police Chief Wants 1971 Fugitive In Cuba Returned – KOB-TV, Associated Press
The New Mexico State Police chief says he would personally pay for a return ticket for a fugitive living in Cuba wanted in the killing of a New Mexico police officer.
Chief Pete Kassetas told The Associated Press and KOB-TV on Thursday that the agency is working with the FBI on the possible return of Charlie Hill to face charges now that the U.S. and Cuba have restored formal diplomatic relations.
Hill fled to the communist island after authorities say he killed state police officer Robert Rosenbloom in New Mexico in 1971.
Responding to President Barack Obama's move to thaw relations with Cuba, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez in December renewed a request that the Obama administration try to extradite Hill, who is now 65 years old.
He is the last living suspect in Rosenbloom's death.
Police Say Carjacking Suspect Was Sought In Robbery Case – Associated Press
Authorities say a suspect in two Albuquerque carjackings was being sought by investigators in an armed robbery case when he started to steal vehicles in a bid to evade capture.
Thomas Martinez, 26, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of vehicle theft, carjacking and being a felon in possession of a gun.
Investigators say the spree began as officers were conducting surveillance at a hotel in hopes of taking Martinez into custody in the robbery case.
Martinez is accused of fleeing on foot as officers approached him, carjacking a vehicle and dragging a detective with the sedan until the officer was able to break free. The officer's injuries weren't serious.
Investigators say Martinez carjacked a second vehicle, crashed it and was arrested.
It's unclear whether Martinez has an attorney.