New Mexico’s Snowpack Melting Quickly – Santa Fe New Mexican
Despite a lot of rain and snow early in the winter, the unusually warm temperatures in February means New Mexico has lost about 40 percent of its snowpack.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that a March water supply forecast by the Natural Resources Conservation Service found that river basins in Western New Mexico were particularly hard hit.
However, snowpack in parts of the northern mountains and river basins were above normal or near normal and many reservoirs are higher than they have been for several years.
Officials are hopeful several storm systems moving through this weekend and next week will bring a little more snow to higher elevations.
Attorneys Allege Cover-Up in Hawkes Shooting – Albuquerque Journal
Attorneys representing the family of a woman shot and killed by Albuquerque Police are accusing officers of lying about facts in the case.
The Albuquerque Journal reports attorneys filed a complaint with the Civilian Police Oversight Agency in the case of 19-year-old Mary Hawkes who was shot by Officer Jeremy Dear. He claims she pointed a gun at him. Dear was fired late last year for a pattern of not using his lapel camera.
They are seeking an investigation of officers Tannier Tixier and Isaac Romero, who were on the scene in Southeast Albuquerque after the shooting took place in April 2014.
The family’s attorneys have filed a wrongful death suit against the city over the shooting.
Gov. Martinez Vetoes More Than 150 Capital Outlay Projects – The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susan Martinez has rejected more than 150 capital outlay projects which she called "pork."
The Republican governor issued the line-item vetoes Wednesday before signing a number of bills that authorized funding for hundreds of projects around the state.
In her executive message, Martinez said she struck down the items because they didn't create jobs or develop the state.
Among the rejected projects were $5,000 for band instruments at a Las Vegas high school and $20,000 to renovate facilities and buy zoo animals in Clovis.
She also declined an $8 million request for a new health education building at the University of New Mexico's Rio Rancho campus.
New Mexico Says Oil Company Trespassed, Left Spill – The Associated Press
New Mexico regulators are ordering a Midland, Texas-based company to clean a spill of oil and water on state trust lands in Lea County at a waste-water injection site serving the area's oil and natural gas industry.
The State Land Office on Wednesday accused Texas-based Siana Operating LLC of trespassing under an expired lease of state trust lands in southeastern New Mexico and delivered a cease and desist order. The agency says Siana's lease expired in December 2011 for the skim facility that separates oil from excess water delivered from oil and gas drilling operations.
A Siana representative says the company was aware of the order and is considering its response. The State Land Office has given Siana until march 18 to obtain an entry permit to remediate damage.
DA Candidate Says Justice System Isn't Working – Associated Press
A former federal prosecutor and assistant district attorney has announced he is running to replace Bernalillo County District Attorney Kari Brandenburg.
Democrat Raul Torrez formally announced his candidacy in Albuquerque on Tuesday — the state filing deadline for declaring candidacies. Torrez said his scope of experience working at the local, state and federal levels of the criminal justice system qualifies him for the job.
He says he doesn't think the criminal justice system in Bernalillo County is functioning as it should, citing the high number of criminal repeat offenders who have been blamed by Albuquerque police for a significant portion of the city's violent crime. The Bernalillo County city is home to roughly a quarter of the state's population.
Brandenburg, also a Democrat, said Tuesday morning she would not seek a fifth term.
Gov. Martinez Signs Version Of 'Kendra's Law' – The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed a bill that would require some state residents with severe mental illness to receive court-ordered outpatient treatment.
Martinez signed the bill Wednesday after advocates for years have tried to get lawmakers to pass a similar measure.
New Mexico was one of only five states that didn't have a version of a Kendra's Law — a bill named after Kendra Webdale. She was a 32-year-old woman who was pushed in front of an oncoming New York subway train in 1999 by a man battling untreated schizophrenia.
The New Mexico bill orders some patients to participate in assisted outpatient treatment if the court finds that the patients are a danger to themselves and others.
State Police Investigate Carlsbad Officer-Involved Shooting – The Associated Press
State police say they are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Carlsbad that killed a man who had attempted to flee from agents in a vehicle that struck a police vehicle.
According to authorities, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force had gone to a home in Carlsbad to arrest 41-year-old Daniel Chavez on Monday. They say Chavez tried to escape on foot, and then in a vehicle before he was shot.
He was pronounced dead at the Carlsbad Medical Center.
State Police say Chavez had been wanted on a warrant for violating his probation stemming from charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm or explosives.
The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force's agents include Carlsbad police officers and Eddy County Sheriff's deputies.
Memorial Planned For New Mexico Health Secretary – The Associated Press
Family, friends and colleagues are gathering Wednesday in Santa Fe to remember New Mexico Health Secretary Retta Ward.
Gov. Susana Martinez will be among those at the memorial service. The governor has ordered flags to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of Ward.
The executive order cited Ward's dedication to the people of New Mexico and her passion and quiet confidence in bringing people together in hopes of improving public health across the state.
Before being appointed health secretary in 2013, Ward led the state's Aging and Long-term Services Department.
Authorities suspect the 62-year-old Ward died of a medical episode while she was driving on the city's northern side last week. She was found unresponsive inside her vehicle after it went off the road.
Participants Less Raucous At Rapid Transit Meeting – Albuquerque Journal
A public meeting on a bus rapid transit system planned for Central Avenue in Albuquerque drew about 125 people Tuesday night who were mostly evenly split between opponents and supporters.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the atmosphere was far less contentious than previous public meetings over the plan. The nearly $120 million design would place a series of stations in the middle of Central next to dedicate bus lanes.
Opponents raised concerns about traffic bottlenecks. Supporters say the improved sidewalks and lighting that the design also includes will make Central more pedestrian friendly.
About $100 million of the funding would come from federal sources with the city kicking in about $18 million. The City Council will vote on March 21 on whether to accept the federal funds.
New Mexico Gov. Martinez Set To Sign Uber, Lyft Bill – Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to sign a measure that would allow San Francisco-based ride-booking companies Uber and Lyft to operate in the state.
Martinez is scheduled Wednesday to attend a signing ceremony in Albuquerque after arriving in an Uber car.
The legal status of the companies has been in limbo in the state since they began offering services in 2014. The companies say the state's Motor Carrier Act does not apply to them because they do not operate as commercial taxi businesses.
Uber and Lyft use smartphone apps to connect their drivers with people seeking rides.
Lyft had stopped operating in the state after the state regulators couldn't come up with a solution
The new regulations include background checks for drivers against criminal and sexual offender databases.
New Mexico Track Looks For Quarantine To Be Lifted – Associated Press
Officials at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino in southern New Mexico are hopeful a quarantine imposed in response to an equine herpes outbreak will soon be lifted.
The New Mexico Livestock Board had set Wednesday as the tentative date for lifting the quarantine as long as no new cases of the fast-spreading virus are reported.
Board officials acknowledge they're being cautious. They say they're working closely with veterinarians at the track, but it's not clear when a final decision could come down.
Sunland Park has been on lockdown since Jan. 21, when the first case was confirmed.
Under the quarantine, no horses have been allowed on or off the property. When live racing resumed in late February, the race cards were filled with horses already stabled at the track.
New Mexico Gov. Martinez Signs State REAL ID Bill – Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed a bill revising the state's immigrant driver's license law after years of pressuring lawmakers to pass legislation.
The Republican governor held a signing ceremony Tuesday at the Albuquerque airport.
The measure puts New Mexico in compliance with tougher federal identification requirements.
The REAL ID Act requires proof of legal U.S. residency for those who want to use state identification to access certain areas of federal facilities. New Mexico had no such requirement.
The new law stops the practice of providing driver's licenses to immigrants regardless of legal status.
Immigrants in the country illegally will be able to get driver's authorization cards by submitting fingerprints. Immigrants who already have licenses can skip the requirement.
Residents will be able to get REAL ID compliant licenses.
Officials: 4 Busted In New Mexico Driver's License Scheme – Associated Press
State officials say four Mexican nationals have been arrested for trying to obtain New Mexico driver's licenses using false residency documents.
The arrests Tuesday come the day New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to sign a new measure revising the state's immigrant driver's license law after years of pressuring lawmakers.
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department said two of the Mexican nationals used fraudulent lease agreements to try to obtain New Mexico driver's licenses. Officials say they were caught with a third person, who had already fraudulently obtained a New Mexico driver's license.
State officials say all three lived in Arlington, Texas and had previously been deported.
A fourth person lived in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Their names were not released.
New Mexico Governor Signs Liquor Legislation – Associated Press
The New Mexico Spaceport Authority will be able to apply for a liquor license under legislation signed into law by Gov. Susana Martinez.
The bill was among several signed Tuesday by the governor. The deadline for acting on legislation passed during the recent 30-day session is Wednesday.
Under the legislation, the Spaceport Authority will be included in the list of government entities allowed to pursue liquor licenses. Supporters say it will help the spaceport diversify its customer base and revenue.
Also signed was a measure that permits certain liquor license holders to fill and sell growlers.
Tax officials estimate retail growler sales could reach $1.6 million in 2018 if just 10 percent of eligible license holders take advantage of the change in law.
A third bill clarifies alcohol sales at ski areas.
New Mexico Governor Signs Wildfire-Related Bills – Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation aimed at better positioning New Mexico to protect its forests from wildfires and flooding.
One bill clears the way for the State Forestry Division to be reimbursed by the federal government for thinning and other conservation work done by state employees.
Another measure allows New Mexico to become a member state of the Interstate Compact for the Prevention and Control of Forest Fires. The group shares strategies for preventing and fighting fires.
New Mexico had back-to-back record fire seasons in 2011 and 2012. Thousands of square miles burned and communities are still living with the threat of post-fire flooding.
Martinez also signed measures related to geothermal resources, natural gas vehicles and mining.
The deadline for acting on legislation passed during the recent 30-day session is Wednesday.
Court Denies Appeal Of Man Wounded By Albuquerque Police – Associated Press
A federal appeals court has denied the appeal of a man who unsuccessfully sued the city of Albuquerque and police officers who shot and wounded him during a 2008 confrontation.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling Tuesday denies Stephan Cordova's appeal of a federal judge's pretrial ruling against some allegations in Cordova's suit and of a jury's verdict against him on a remaining claim of excessive force.
The confrontation occurred after Cordova had a medical episode and his family called for medical assistance but he refused treatment.
Three officers testified that they each fired at Cordova because he was holding a gun, refused to drop it and began raising it in their direction.
An assault charge against Cordova was eventually dismissed on speedy trial grounds.
Dona Ana County Treasurer Of Offering Worker Money For Sex – Associated Press
Prosecutors are accusing the Dona Ana County treasurer of offering $2,000 to an employee in his office to have sex with him.
County commissioners recently asked District Attorney Mark D'Antonio to investigate Treasurer David Gutierrez and D'Antonio say he decided after a "thorough investigation" that there's enough evidence to prosecute Gutierrez.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday by D'Antonio's office accuses Gutierrez of using his public office to obtain personal benefit, failed to behave in a manner that justifies public confidence and failing to disclose a conflict of interest.
D'Antonio spokesman Patrick Hayes said the case will be submitted to a grand jury.
Gutierrez did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Hayes said he didn't know if Gutierrez has an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
Allegiant To Fly Between Albuquerque And Las Vegas, Austin – Associated Press
Albuquerque is getting new air service with new routes served by Allegiant, a discount airline based in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Allegiant announced Tuesday that it will begin offering nonstop flights from Albuquerque to Las Vegas, Nevada, to and Austin, Texas.
The flights will be offered Thursdays and Sundays, beginning June 2.
Allegiant will be the eighth airline serving Albuquerque.