Boy in suspected DWI crash in Albuquerque dies


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A 2-year-old boy injured in an Albuquerque crash involving a suspected drunken driver has died. 

KOB-TV  cites the Albuquerque  Police Department in saying that Vicente Griego's family took the boy off life support Thursday. The boy had sustained a broken neck and brain injuries in the Saturday  crash.

Fewer weeks of jobless benefits to be offered


ALBUQUERQUE,  (AP) — Fewer weeks of unemployment benefits will soon be  available to jobless New Mexicans and the Department of Workforce Solutions says  it's because of a change in federal law.

A maximum of 54 weeks of unemployment compensation will be offered with  claims effective Sept. 2. That's down from 60 weeks currently.

The department says New Mexicans eligible for 60 weeks of benefits before  Sept. 2 can continue to receive payments for up to that amount of time during a phase-out period.

Some closures lifted following Gila forest fire 

  SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — State and federal officials have lifted some of the  closure orders that were put in place while a massive wildfire burned through  parts of the Gila National Forest earlier this year.

The Whitewater-Baldy Fire charred more than 465 square miles to become the  largest fire in New Mexico's recorded history. It burned for several weeks after  being sparked by lightning.

Rehabilitation of some burned areas is wrapping up.  Still, forest officials say some trails will remain closed until assessments can be done.

Forest Supervisor Kelly Russell says the area is dealing with the effects of summer rains and officials are concerned about the stability of the trail beds.

Standing dead trees are also a concern.  Forest officials say an assessment of trails impacted by fallen trees will be completed next spring.

Local Crime  Report    8/31/12    
 
(Deming) – Here’s the area crime  report:
    
Sharla Parra, age 30, was arrested for aggravated DUI and no driver’s   license.  William White, age 19, was arrested for battery against a household 
member, false imprisonment, interfering with communications, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.   Angel Padron, age 34,  was arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine, tampering with evidence and on  a District Court warrant for a probation violation.  Edward Lynch, age 39, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for trafficking in a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and child abuse.  
       
Benny Lerma, age 25, was arrested on a District Court warrant for a  probation violation and on a Columbus warrant for speeding.   Vicente Armendariz,  age 39, of Columbus, was arrested on a Dona Ana County warrant for failure to  pay fines.   Janeth Duran-Alfaro, age 20, was arrested on a Municipal warrant for  failure to appear, and Karie Wisenberg, age 45, of Silver City, was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

New 'black berets' exhibit opens at NMSU 
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A new photo exhibit showcasing New Mexico's "Black  Berets" of the Chicano Movement has opened.

Photographs of the Black Berets are now display at the New Mexico State University's Conroy Honors Center Gallery until Oct. 26.

The Mexican-American community activist group, which operated in Albuquerque from 1969-73, created a health clinic and programs for youth. The group was  loosely based on the Black Panthers and formed chapters in California and other
states in the southwest to fight discrimination and police brutality. 

The Black Berets also are the subject of a new documentary, "New Mexico's  Black Berets: An Untold Story."

Groups work to sign up new voters 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A coalition of nonprofits are banding together to get more New Mexicans registered to vote.

According to census data, some 616,000 eligible New Mexicans are not  registered to vote. So organizations such as the League of Women Voters of New  Mexico, Common Cause New Mexico and the national Voter Participation Center are
working to get people signed up before the Oct. 9 deadline for participating in  the Nov. 6 election.

BLM Plans Control or Eradication of Invasive Species

(Deming) – BLM lands within Luna County could be affected by  a plan to treat non-native, noxious and invasive plant species in the  area.
       
Officials with the Las Cruces District Office of the Bureau of Land  Management have prepared a draft Environmental Assessment which analyzes the environmental impacts of treating the targeted plant species within the counties of Luna as well as Otero, Dona Ana, Sierra, Grant and Hidalgo.
       
In addition, the BLM has been working with partners to treat non-federal  lands within these counties when funding is available.
       
Reportedly, officials are proposing an Integrated Pest Management  approach to controlling or eradicating the non-native, noxious and invasive  plant species that occur on BLM and adjoining lands.
       
The approach would utilize cultural, manual, mechanical and herbicidal  methods to treat the invading plants.
       
Experts say these non-native plants, which have been brought into the  area and have been able to adapt to the conditions here, are now sometimes out-competing native vegetation.
       
BLM officials say the control or eradication of these species will help  return the lands to a productive and healthy condition.
       
The Environmental Assessment is available for public review and comment  at www.blm.gov/nm/lascruces.
       
Comments must be submitted by September  18th.

AP-NM--Ruidoso Downs-Drug tests confirms drug use in horses 

 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Three trainers whose horses tested positive for an  exotic painkilling drug could face suspensions, fines and criminal charges.

New Mexico Racing Commission executive director Vince Mares says independent  lab tests have confirmed that nine horses had been drugged with dermorphin.

He tells the Albuquerque Journal that the cases are being
forwarded to the state Attorney General's Office for possible criminal prosecution.

Trainers can mask an injured horse's pain by using illegal drugs like dermorphin and still race the horse. But the horses could break down, injuring the animals and their riders. 

The three trainers had invoked their right to have their horses' blood and  urine samples re-tested by an independent lab after initial tests in May. 

Mares says they will be subject to an administrative hearing in the coming weeks.

Today's Local Crime Report

(Deming) – Here’s the area crime report:
       
Joseph Gomez, age 20, was arrested for possession of marijuana,  possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with officers… Cesar  Rodriguez, age 25, was arrested on a District Court warrant for failure to appear and on two Magistrate warrants – also for failure to appear… and Connie 
Jimenez, age 34, was arrested on a Magistrate warrant for local  charges.

NM teacher receives probation on voyeurism charges


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An elementary school teacher caught taking images up girls' skirts has been sentenced to five years' probation.

Christopher Lucero apologized in court Wednesday for using a camera attached to his shoe to videotape girls as young as 10 at an Albuquerque amusement park  in 2007. He pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of voyeurism.

KRQE reports that Lucero had faced up  to five years in jail as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Lucero says he's a changed man and recognizes how to stay away from high-risk situations.

 He recently completed a 14-month program for sex offenders, though he's not required to register as one.

West Nile Virus Hits NM Again.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Three more New Mexicans have been diagnosed with West Nile
virus infection, bringing the total in the state this year to eight human cases. 

No deaths have been reported so far. State health officials say two of the cases  are in Bernalillo County and the third is in Dona Ana County.

State requires New Form for immunization exempts

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Department of Health is asking parents to  stop citing philosophical reasons for exempting their children from
immunizations required to attend public school or day care. The Santa Fe New  Mexican reports state officials say the only reasons a child can be exempted  from vaccinations are medical and religious. A new form for those seeking an  exemption asks parents to spell out the nature of their beliefs.