Some Wildfire Evacuees Can Go Home – Associated Press
Some residents in central New Mexico who have been forced to evacuate their homes due to a wildfire will be allowed to go back home Tuesday.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department made the announcement Monday evening at a community meeting in Moriarty.
Evacuees living in Torrance County south of La Para also will be able to return home starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. The Albuquerque Journal reports the fire is 46 percent contained.
County sheriff's deputies, National Guard and state police officers will be stationed along main roads to check people's identification as they return home.
The Dog Head Fire has destroyed two dozen homes as it raced across 28 square miles of tinder-dry forest in the Manzano Mountains south of Albuquerque. It showed signs of slowing down thanks to more favorable weather Monday.
Gov. Susana Martinez directed the New Mexico National Guard over the weekend to take extra measures to secure the communities against any threats of looting and to prepare for post-fire flooding once summer rains develop.
Report: New Mexico 49th In Child Well-Being For Third Year – Associated Press
A report examining child well-being among states shows New Mexico stuck near the bottom of the list for a third year in a row.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count assessment released Tuesday says New Mexico ranks 49th. The state has held the spot since 2014, with only Mississippi ranking lower overall.
The report measures child well-being on a variety of indicators, including health, education, and the economy.
Veronica Garcia, executive director for the non-profit Voices for Children, says New Mexico's standing in the health category improved slightly this year.
But the state fell to last place in the poverty and education categories.
She says even as the state made strides in early childhood education, other states also gained ground, making it difficult for New Mexico to pull ahead.
Las Cruces Man Gets Prison In 2012 Bombing Of Tattoo Parlor – The Associated Press
A Las Cruces man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison after being convicted on conspiracy, explosives and firearms charges.
Prosecutors say 38-year-old Clifford Raymond Salas also was ordered Tuesday to pay more than $111,000 in restitution to victims.
Salas and two co-defendants were charged in the August 2012 firebombing of a Las Cruces tattoo parlor in Las Cruces.
An indictment charged Salas with maliciously damaging and destroying the parlor by throwing at least one Molotov cocktail into the building.
He also was charged with using a destructive device in furtherance of an act of violence and being a felon in possession of an explosive.
Salas elected to have a jury trial, which resulted in a guilty verdict in March 2015.
Backlog For New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program Worsens – The Associated
Medical marijuana patients and advocates say extended delays for renewing program cards have forced some seriously ill New Mexicans to purchase cannabis on the black market.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the state Department of Health says the backlog was caused by a surge in demand from new applicants.
State law gives the department 30 days to approve or deny an application, but spokesman Kenny Vigil says that the current wait is about 40 to 50 days.
Vigil didn't respond to an interview request but said in a written statement that the department is working hard to get caught up.
Nicole Morales, CEO of patient advocacy group Empowering Medical Patients and Compassionate Treatment, says patients would prefer not to purchase marijuana from the black market.
Abuse Survivors Approve Gallup Diocese Settlement – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
Victims of clergy sexual abuse have approved of a plan for the Gallup Diocese to dole out millions of dollars in compensation.
The Albuquerque Journal reports (http://bit.ly/28Q8rI7) that an attorney for 57 abuse survivors told a federal judge Tuesday that all had signed off on the plan.
Under the agreement, each claimant will receive roughly $350,000.
The Gallup Diocese is establishing a fund of between $21 million and $25 million for professional fees and settlements.
The Catholic Mutual Relief Society of America, which insured the diocese during the years much of the abuse occurred, will contribute the largest share with $11.6 million.
The diocese is expected to provide $3 million.
It may have to sell its chancery offices in Gallup, subject to the terms of a bank loan agreement.
Court Finds Skype Testimony Violated Rights In Murder Trial – Associated Press
The New Mexico Supreme Court is reversing a murder conviction and ordering a retrial in a 2010 killing of a woman in Albuquerque because court testimony over a Skype video link deprived the defendant of the right to confront a hostile witness.
The court on Monday reversed murder and kidnapping convictions against Truett Thomas in connection with the killing of 28-year-old Guadalupe Ashford.
A forensic analyst who moved away from New Mexico while Thomas was awaiting trial testified over a two-way Skype video link. The analyst was unable to see Thomas, the jury or the district court judge.
The court found enough evidence existed against Truett to warrant a retrial. Kidnapping charges were dropped.
Ashford's body was found with a fractured skull after apparently being beaten with a paver stone.
Officer Awarded $900,000 In Whistleblower Suit Against State – Albuquerque Journal
A former officer with the Department of Public Safety won a $900,000 whistleblower suit against DPS after reporting a fellow officer for allegedly fraternizing with prostitutes.
The Albuquerque Journal reports records recently unsealed show Jeremy Romero settled a suit over his firing from DPS in 2011. He went on to work as a police officer in Corrales and was nearly paralyzed in a car crash in 2014 while on duty.
Romero is nicknamed Robocop for the robotics that allow him some ability to walk.
His lawsuit claimed his firing was in retaliation for reporting a fellow officer to superiors after he says he saw the man with prostitutes.
DPS officials denied any wrongdoing. The department has paid out $1.2 million in claims associated with the former agent in Romero’s suit, Timothy Carlson. That includes a settlement with a former prostitute who said she was forced to perform sexual acts on him.
Threatening Note Targets Albuquerque School Board Member – KOAT-TV, Associated Press
A member of the Albuquerque Public School Board believes a threatening message found at her home is connected to her stance on transgender policy.
Peggy Muller-Aragon filed a report with Albuquerque police after she found the note taped to her car over the weekend which called her "hateful" as well as an expletive.
Muller-Aragon has opposed the school district's proposal allowing transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms for the gender they identify with.
Muller-Aragon told KOAT-TV Monday that she is not intimidated by the threat.
Fellow board member Steven Michael Quezada supports the transgender policies but says Muller-Aragon has the freedom to disagree.
Superintendent Raquel Reedy recently enacted the policy despite no board vote.
Muller-Aragon is working with an attorney to see if Reedy violated protocols.
Legislators Eying Additional Budget Cuts – Albuquerque Journal
The head of the Legislative Finance Committee warned lawmakers that the revenue outlook is weak, prompting talk of a special legislative session to implement more spending cuts.
The Albuquerque Journal reports David Abbey, director of the LFC, said during a committee meeting on Monday that revenue is lagging by about 10 percent compared to their levels at this time last year.
The fiscal year stars July 1 with a $6.2 billion budget and represents the first state spending decreases in five years. Cash reserves have decreased as lawmakers tapped them to avoid more drastic cuts.
State Sen. John Arthur Smith, chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee, said if revenue projections don’t improve a special session may be required as early as August. But Gov. Susana Martinez does not plan to call a special session.
Low oil and gas prices have impacted revenues and there are plans to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers. But some Republican lawmakers indicated they are open to discussing tax increases.
Medical Marijuana Expo Planned For Southern New Mexico – Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
An expo in southern New Mexico aims to help marijuana producers and lawmakers improve the state's growing medical marijuana industry.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports the use of medical marijuana will be featured at the 2016 Southern New Mexico Cannabis Expo at Hotel Encanto this weekend in Las Cruces.
Expo leaders expect to educate the public and provide consultations to patients seeking to get approval from the state through a doctor's recommendation.
There are 23 licensed producers operating 37 dispensaries around the state.
According to the Department of Health, during the first quarter of 2016, sales tallied $9,964,932. Producers paid $768,605 in gross receipts taxes to the state.
New Program To Showcase New Mexico Architectural History – Associated Press
A new state initiative aims to connect tourists with centuries of New Mexico architectural history.
The New Mexico Economic Development Department recently announced a partnership between New Mexico MainStreet and the New Mexico Tourism Department to encourage visitors to take in architectural treasures around the state.
A new website will allow residents and visitors to search for historic and cultural attractions and businesses in New Mexico's MainStreet and Arts & Cultural Districts. The site also offers visitors easy navigation of local businesses including hotels, restaurants and boutiques.
Officials say the trails highlight New Mexico architecture from several styles, including: Adobe, Victorian, Classical and Modern.
Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela says the Architecture Trails will help tourism and economic opportunities for local businesses.
Sculpture Of Indigenous Dog Deity On Display In Albuquerque – Associated Press
A contemporary sculpture of an indigenous deity with origins from central Mexico is being displayed at the University of New Mexico.
"Xolotl: Dios Perro," or Dog Diety, is in the main lobby of the Center for the Arts building thanks to a loan from the Mexican Cultural Center through the Consul of Mexico in Albuquerque.
Xolotl is a representation of the Aztec God who was Lord of the underworld, and brother of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent.
The deity was charged with protecting the sun as it passed through the underworld. It is said that he helped his brother in the creation of the humankind.
The piece will be on display until Sept. 2.