Los Alamos Lab Finds Record Number Of Spotted Owl Chicks - The Associated Press
Los Alamos National Laboratory officials say biologists have located a record number of federally protected Mexican spotted owl chicks on the lab's property in northern New Mexico.
Nest surveys conducted last month found seven chicks, which wildlife biologist Chuck Hathcock says is encouraging because it indicates the lab's efforts to protect the species is making an impact.
The previous record under monitoring started in 1993 was three chicks.
The lab has a habitat management plan for protection of species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Those species include the Mexican spotted owl and the Jemez Mountain salamander.
The Las Conchas Fire in 2011 destroyed much of the owls' primary habitat in the Jemez Mountains.
Bankruptcy Mediation To Start Again For Gallup Diocese – The Associated Press & The Gallup Independant
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup wants a new mediator in its bankruptcy case after negotiations fell apart last week.
The Gallup Independent reports the diocese filed for bankruptcy in November 2013 as lawsuits mounted over claims of clergy sex abuse.
Lawyers for the diocese filed a motion in bankruptcy court following last week's mediation, calling for a new mediator, while attorneys representing the claimants have filed a motion to remove bankruptcy protections preventing civil lawsuits against the diocese from proceeding.
Phoenix attorney Robert E. Pastor represents 17 of the case's sex abuse claimants, and filed an amended lawsuit in Coconino County Superior Court that adds a plaintiff.
A hearing is set for Friday before U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge David T. Thuma.
Fort Sill Tribe Challenges Decision From Gambling Panel – The Associated Press
An Oklahoma-based American Indian tribe is challenging a recent decision by federal gambling officials that prohibits the tribe from conducting gambling on its land in southern New Mexico.
The Fort Sill Apache contend in a motion filed late last week that the decision made by the National Indian Gaming Commission in May is contrary to law and violates a 2007 settlement with the tribe.
The tribe also is adding the federal government and the U.S. Interior Department as defendants in the case.
The tribe wants to operate a casino on land near Deming that was put into trust in 2002.
The state also has rejected those efforts. The tribe has asked the New Mexico Supreme Court to reconsider its decision not to force Gov. Susana Martinez to sign a gambling compact with the tribe.
Mom In Chase Where Police Fired At Van Of Kids To Face Judge – The Associated Press
A Tennessee woman accused of child abuse and fleeing from police during a chaotic 2013 traffic stop in which a New Mexico officer shot at her minivan full of children is set to face a judge.
Oriana Farrell is scheduled Monday to appear before a judge in the tourist town of Taos after her lawyer and prosecutors reached a plea agreement last week.
The 41-year-old Farrell was traveling through New Mexico when she sped away from police twice and was stopped by another officer. An officer fired three shots toward Farrell's van carrying her five children when she drove away.
No one was injured. The officer, who said he was aiming at a tire, was fired.
Farrell has said she was trying to protect her family when she sped away.
Las Cruces City Council To Review Minimum Wage Hike's Impact - The Associated Press and Las Cruces Sun-News
Las Cruces officials are reviewing the impact of an ordinance increasing the minimum age since its implementation six months ago.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that the Las Cruces City Council will discuss the ordinance in a work session Monday.
The meeting is expected to draw a significant number of people for and against the three-step plan.
Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima says it will be a forum on how it has affected residents directly but councilors are not seeking to change anything.
The city's minimum wage rose from $7.50 to $8.40 last January.
Two more raises are scheduled to take effect in January 2015 and January 2019, respectively.
Supporters say the raise was necessary to help the city's lowest-paid employees.
Opponents fear it will negatively affect the economy.
Teens Accused Of Killing Man Came From Troubled Homes - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
The father of one of the teens accused of gunning down an Albuquerque man in his driveway says he is sorry for the victim's family but his son "is not an animal."
The Albuquerque Journal reports that police reports show that four of the six teenage boys charged in the killing of 60-year-old Steve Gerecke came from troubled homes with parents who had run-ins with the law too.
Police say the four had a history of running away from home or accusing an adult family member of abuse.
Only five have a previous criminal history.
The Associated Press is not naming the suspects because of their ages.
Meanwhile, more than 100 people attended a memorial Saturday for Gerecke. His family says they blame the teens' parents for his death.
Lawmaker's Father Settles Suit Over Santa Fe County Arrest - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
The father of a New Mexico lawmaker has settled two lawsuits in which he claims he was wrongfully arrested for drunk driving and assaulting an officer.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Luciano Trujillo, whose son is state Rep. Carl Trujillo, will receive $85,000 from Santa Fe County's insurer.
Trujillo filed a lawsuit in federal court against individual officers and one in state District Court against Santa Fe County and Sheriff Robert Garcia.
In his federal suit, Trujillo says a law enforcement employee ran a check on the license plate of the vehicle he was driving 15 minutes before he was stopped by Pojoaque tribal police in 2011. Tribal police had been commissioned to enforce traffic laws in that area.
Prosecutors dismissed the charges against the then 70-year-old.
Thousands Flock To New Mexico City For International Market - The Associated Press
The International Folk Art Market is headed for another banner year, and dozens of artisans — many from developing countries — are reaping the benefits as they work to start their own businesses and improve their communities.
Now in its 12th year, the three-day market entered its final stretch Sunday.
Thousands of people crowded onto Santa Fe's Museum Hill to browse the booths of more than 150 artists from around the globe. Everything from hand-woven baskets to carved gourds and rugs made of recycled clothes were on display.
Organizers say the first two days were sold out and more than $700,000 in art was sold in less than four hours during the first night, a 12-percent increase over 2014.
Last year, sales topped $3 million for the weekend.
FBI Seeks New Mexico Victims Of Child Pornographer - The Associated Press and Carlsbad Current Argus
The FBI in New Mexico is seeking potential victims of a Florida man who they say tricked hundreds of females into giving him sexually explicit images of themselves.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus says says 26-year-old Lucas Michael Chansler, of St. Johns, Florida, pleaded guilty last year to several counts of child pornography production but 250 images he had remain unidentified.
FBI spokesman Frank Fisher says the images may involve New Mexico teens.
According to Fisher, Chansler operated a "sextortion" scheme dating back to 2007.
He posed as a teenage boy on social media sites and manipulated girls into sending photos or exposing themselves. He then threatened to post or share them if they didn't send more pictures or videos.
The FBI previously identified victims from New Mexico in other images.
Motorcyclist Killed After Crashing On Albuquerque Road - The Associated Press and KOAT-TV
Police say a motorcyclist has died after hitting a median on an Albuquerque road.
KOAT-TV reports that the unidentified motorist was riding late Saturday night on Taylor Ranch Road when he crashed his motorcycle into the center median.
He came to rest in a landscaped area.
Police say he was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
They say he was wearing a helmet.