Teens Accused Of Homeless Killings Could Be Tried As Adults – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
The state's high court could decide whether teens charged alongside 18-year-old Alex Rios with beating two homeless men to death will be tried as adults.
The Albuquerque Journal reports Second Judicial District Judge Briana Zamora is letting defense lawyers for the two minors challenge the state's serious youthful offender law before the New Mexico Supreme Court ahead of the October trial.
Zamora issued an opinion disagreeing with defense lawyers' arguments that the statute violates a guarantee for equal protection under New Mexico's constitution.
Jeff Buckets of the Law Office of the Public Defender says the high court will get the application to review Zamora's ruling by July 13.
Prosecutors say the three teens killed 44-year-old Allison Gorman and 46-year-old Kee Thompson in July 2014.
The defendants are not being named because of their ages.
City Weighs Plan For Upgrades For Albuquerque Zoo - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
City officials are weighing a plan that could determine what improvements the Albuquerque zoo receives over the next 20 years.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that an advisory board for the BioPark has submitted the proposal to the Albuquerque City Council for approval.
However, even if it doesn't get approved, the 108-page plan could serve as a framework for the city to determine how to boost the BioPark.
Some of the proposal's ideas include electric carts for visitors, adding space for wild cats to wander and creating more room for exhibits.
Officials say some of the zoo's current structures are too old and worn down to be maintained.
Zoo supporters are currently petitioning for a vote in October on raising the gross receipt tax to generate funds for renovations.
Law Preventing Property Seizures Cutting Into Police Budgets - The Associated Press and Daily Times
New Mexico law enforcement agencies say a new state law that prevents authorities from seizing assets from people unless they are convicted of a crime will devastate their budgets.
The Daily Times in Farmington reported Saturday that various police departments say a civil forfeiture law that took effect this month will mean less money for resources.
Under the law, police cannot seize a suspect's property unless they prove a crime occurred.
Police could previously take items for auction. The revenue funds police equipment or training.
Now, law enforcement agencies must store the items and either send them to the state Treasurer's Office or auction them locally.
But the proceeds go to the state's general fund either way.
Supporters say the law protects people who haven't been found guilty.
Officials Encourage Reporting Of Suspected Child Abuse – The Associated Press
State and local officials are calling on New Mexicans to contact authorities if they suspect a child is being abused or neglected.
Gov. Susana Martinez was among those to issue the reminder Monday during a news conference in Albuquerque. She says reports of suspected abuse decline over the summer months when children are not in school.
Teachers are among those who most often report suspected abuse.
However, a ruling issued by the New Mexico Supreme Court earlier this year clarified a state statute that calls for "every person" to report abuse or neglect, not just those occupations spelled out by the law.
Child welfare officials say the state's abuse and neglect hotline received more than 17,000 calls during the first five months of 2015. That's on par with last year.
Albuquerque Police To Update Ammunition Policies – The Associated Press & The ABQ Journal
The Albuquerque Police Department says it's making changes to better track its ammunition.
The changes were prompted by a recent audit that found the department was unaware of how much ammunition it had and didn't have policies and procedures for how it tracks and stores ammo.
Police spokeswoman Celina Espinoza tells the Albuquerque Journal that the department has assigned someone at its training academy to order and track ammunition for the city's different area commands.
Those area commands in turn will keep better records of their ammunition.
The police force is implementing a number of policy changes and reforms as part of a settlement between the city and the U.S. Department of Justice. That agreement follows a harsh report that faulted police over allegations of excessive force.
Food Stamp Recipients Can Get More At Farmers' Market – The Associated Press & KOB
Food stamp recipients now get double their money at New Mexico farmers' markets.
KOB-TV reports that people who belong to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, can scan $20 from their benefits cards at participating markets to get another $20 in spending.
According to the New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association, the USDA awarded $100,000 for the program last month.
State lawmakers appropriated $400,000 toward the program last week.
Organizers of the Rail Yards Market in downtown Albuquerque, one of 30 participating markets statewide, say the program has been successful.
Rail Yards marketing coordinator Alex Paramo says people have spent between $3,000 and $4,000 on fresh, local produce.
New Mexico Highlands Regents Set Goals For New President – The Associated Press & The Las Vegas Optic
Improved recruitment and retention are among goals set by the regents of New Mexico Highlands University for the school's new president.
The Las Vegas Optic reports that new President Sam Minner's five-year employment contract sets the goals.
They include developing and implementing effective plans for marketing and recruitment campaign and for student retention.
Other goals include developing plans for professional development of senior management and for outreach to faculty, students, staff and the community.
The contract specifies that annual pay raises for Minner will be tied to whether he meets the goals set by the board.
Governor Appoints New Aging, Long-Term Services Secretary – The Associated Press
The New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department has a new secretary.
Gov. Susana Martinez recently appointed Myles Copeland to the post. He replaces Gino Rinaldi, who is stepping down after more than two years.
Copeland has been the deputy secretary of the department since 2013. Previously, he worked with issues relating to Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementias.
Martinez says Copeland has the right background as an advocate to build on the department's efforts and to connect older New Mexicans, those with disabilities and their caregivers to critical resources.
Before working with the state, Copeland was the communications and advocacy director for the Alzheimer's Association. He earned degrees from Whittier College in California and the University of New Mexico.
Food Stamp Recipients Can Get More At Farmers' Market – KOB-TV, The Associated Press
Food stamp recipients now get double their money at New Mexico farmers' markets.
KOB-TV reports that people who belong to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, can scan $20 from their benefits cards at participating markets to get another $20 in spending.
According to the New Mexico Farmers' Marketing Association, the USDA awarded $100,000 for the program last month.
State lawmakers appropriated $400,000 toward the program last week.
Organizers of the Rail Yards Market in downtown Albuquerque, one of 30 participating markets statewide, say the program has been successful.
Rail Yards marketing coordinator Alex Paramo says people have spent between $3,000 and $4,000 on fresh, local produce.
Elusive Carjacking Suspect In Albuquerque Police Custody - The Associated Press
Albuquerque police say a carjacking suspect who eluded capture several times in the past week is now in custody.
Police say 30-year-old Kevin Folse was arrested Saturday on multiple charges including kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a felon and aggravated assault on a police officer.
According to a criminal complaint, Folse was driving a stolen vehicle Tuesday and allegedly tried to run down a police officer who jumped out of the way.
Police say he crashed his car during a high-speed pursuit Thursday. They say that is when he fled and carjacked a running vehicle, threatening the 13-year-old boy inside with a gun.
Police say the teen managed to escape.
Folse then ended up in a SWAT standoff at Wayland Baptist University but managed to escape.
New Mexico State Fair To Toast Official Beer - The Associated Press and KOAT-TV
A special beer is brewing just for the New Mexico State Fair.
KOAT-TV reports that La Cumbre Brewing Co. has been chosen by the state's brewers' guild to whip up the official New Mexico State Fair Beer.
La Cumbre owner Jeff Erway says it took five months to cultivate the final product, a cream ale made with New Mexico-bred hops.
The ale will be available in cans and on tap at local retailers, leading up to the State Fair.
Body Of Man Found In Pecos River In Carlsbad - The Associated Press
Carlsbad police are investigating the discovery of a body in the Pecos River.
Lt. Jon Blackmon says officers responded to a call from city workers at the river, just north of the Bataan Bridge off of Park Drive, on Sunday.
Blackmon says the workers found the body of a male floating in the water.
Police are trying to determine the cause of death.
They are not releasing the man's identity pending notification of next of kin.