Storms Raised Some Pollutants From Mine Spill, Not Others – The Associated Press
Researchers who studied a river in Colorado after a massive mine spill say runoff from fall storms kicked up the levels of some contaminants in the water but not others.
A report released Friday by the Environmental Protection Agency may offer clues about what will happen this year when melting mountain snow makes the Animas River run higher, potentially stirring up pollutants that settled to the bottom.
An EPA cleanup crew inadvertently unleashed 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater from the Gold King Mine in August. The spill polluted rivers in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.
The Mountain Studies Institute in Silverton monitored the river about 60 miles downstream from the mine for the EPA. Its report said concentrations of six contaminants increased after some storms, while the levels of five others decreased. Seven didn't change.
New Mexico Graduation Rate Dips For 2014-15 School Year – The Associated Press
New Mexico saw a dip in the number of students who earned diplomas last year, but state education officials say the graduation rate for 2015 is still an improvement over levels reported a few years ago.
Figures released Friday by the Public Education Department show the statewide graduation rate dropped about 1 percent to 68.6 percent.
Albuquerque and Rio Rancho saw declines as did schools in the Las Cruces district, but officials reported an improved rate in Santa Fe.
Districts in Bernalillo, Bloomfield, Clovis and Espanola all saw rates increase by 5 percent or more.
In Belen, high school principal Rodney Wright was ecstatic about a more than 14 percent increase. He said the success will be celebrated but teachers and staff will continue to work to track student progress.
Restoration Projects At Questa Mine Up For Discussion – The Associated Press
State and federal officials will be gathering in northern New Mexico later this month to begin discussions about restoration projects aimed at offsetting damage stemming from mining operations in Questa.
The state, the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department will be seeking public comment during an April 27 meeting regarding projects that would benefit groundwater and other aquatic resources in the area.
The ideas will be evaluated and included in a draft environmental assessment.
Any projects that are selected would be funded from a natural resources damage settlement that was approved by a federal judge in September 2015.
The agreement required Chevron Mining Inc. to pay $4 million for restoration work and transfer 225 acres of land in Taos County to the Bureau of Land Management.
New Mexico Unemployment Rate Declines Slightly In March – The Associated Press
New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment declined to 6.2 percent in March, down from 6.4 percent in February and 6.5 percent a year ago.
The state Department of Workforce Solution's monthly report issued Friday says total nonfarm payroll employment grew by 3,000 jobs between March 2015 and last month.
The report says six industries added jobs in March and seven reported losses.
Education and health services was up 6,800 jobs while leisure and hospitality gained 4,800 jobs.
Mining lost 6,900 jobs while transportation, warehousing and utilities lost 1,800 jobs.
Española Vehicle Explosion Likely Caused By Cigarette – The Associated Press
Authorities say a vehicle explosion in Española that injured two people was ignited when a lit cigarette came into contact with a canister of oxygen.
New Mexico State Police said Saturday that Henry Wilton and Eric Lucero are hospitalized with severe injuries at an Albuquerque hospital.
According to Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, Wilton was driving a Jeep Friday morning that was carrying 15 oxygen canisters.
Lucero, the only other passenger, reached back while holding a lit cigarette in his hand to stop a canister from leaking.
Police say the canister blew up, causing the car to become engulfed in flames.
Both men were able to escape the vehicle before three other canisters exploded.
There were no other injuries.
Two vehicles sustained damage from debris from the scene.
Ex-New Mexico Postal Employee Sentenced For Destroying Mail – The Associated Press
A former U.S. Postal Service employee in New Mexico has been sentenced to one year of probation for opening and destroying mail.
Federal prosecutors say 33-year-old Phillip Duran, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge Thursday.
After entering his guilty plea, Duran also was ordered to pay an $800 fine.
Duran was charged last month with unlawfully opening other people's mail while employed as a U.S. Postal Service officer.
Prosecutors say Duran committed the crime between November 2015 and January 2016 in San Miguel County.