(Deming) — A federal entity that markets and transmits electricity across the West is expressing interest in a proposed transmission line that would link Arizona and New Mexico and serve as a path to get renewable energy to large markets in the region.

Developers of the SunZia transmission project say they and the Western Area Power Administration have reached an agreement that includes terms and options for the agency's potential participation in the project.

SunZia declined to provide details, saying the agreement was confidential. Still, the developers say it's a milestone that could open up more financing opportunities for the $1.5 billion project.

The 515-mile SunZia line would carry wind-generated electricity from the plains of New Mexico to Arizona.

 As it stands now, the SunZia line would come into Luna County near Lake Valley, and a mid-point substation would be built approximately 10 miles north of Deming, just off Highway 26.
​
Construction on the first phase is expected to begin later this year.

(Deming) – The Deming City Council will be meeting in special session Tuesday morning at 10.
     According to the legal notice, the purpose of the meeting is to approve an out of state travel request for two Deming Police officers to attend  SWAT command and leadership training class in Wayne, New Jersey.   The class will be February 5th – 9th. 
     The Council will also hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance for a telecommunications and internet system franchise agreement. 
     The meeting will be held in the Council chambers of The John Strand Municipal building on South Gold Ave. 
​     The meeting is open to the public.

(Deming) – Here’s today’s local crime report:
     Miguel Moreno-Aguilar, age 44, arrested for Aggravated DWI and reckless driving…  Henry Arriola, age 37, arrested for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer…  Nichole Braham, age 29, arrested on a 6th Judicial District court warrant for violating conditions of release… Angel Borunda, age 21, arrested on a Deming Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines and cited for failure to stop and unrestrained child passenger… Caleb Alvarez, age 23, arrested on a Dona Ana warrant for failure to appear, and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia… Michelle Sifuentes, age 31, arrested on a Grant County Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines… Fabian Sanchez, age 24, arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to appear, cited for interference with officers and trespassing.
     David Sainz, age 40, arrested on two Magistrate warrants for failure to appear… Krystal Morey, age 29, arrested on a Dona Ana County Magistrate warrant for probation violations, a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines, and two Deming Municipal warrants one for failure to appear and one for failure to pay fines…   Jeffery Smeyer, age 22, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines…  Jeremy Morales, age 41, arrested for DWI, careless driving and open container…  Audie Price, age 27, arrested for battery on a peace officer…  Christian Ruiz, age 27, arrested for disorderly conduct…  Alejandra Encinas, age 40, from Columbus, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Kimberley Porter, age 41, arrested for possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamines, possession of a controlled substance under an ounce of marijuana, criminal trespassing, and possession of drug paraphernalia… Ismael Martin Chacon, age 27, arrested on two Magistrate warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay fines…
     Stephanie Morales, age 20, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines…  Christopher Martinez, age 34, arrested for Criminal damage to property of a household member, aggravated battery against a household member, assault against a household member, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance under 1 ounce of marijuana…  Jennifer Long, age 39, arrested for DWI… Francisco Aguirre, age 35, arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear… Antonio Carrillo, age 41, arrested on two warrants, a Dona Ana County warrant for failure to appear, and a Magistrate warrant for aggravated battery and criminal damage to property…
     Dolores Garcia, age 41, cited for shoplifting at Walmart… Christina Renfroe, age 39, cited for shoplifting at Walmart… Robert Ramirez, age 40, cited for making threatening or harassing phone calls…  Alanna Garcia, age 19, cited for shoplifting at Walmart… Erasmo Granillo, age 21, cited for resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.
   In other reports, a 9 mm handgun valued at $500 was reported stolen from a residence on Saddler Street…   theft of mail reported in the county near Rockhound and Hermanas road.

(Deming) – Here’s today’s local crime report:
     Paula Mandy Luera, age 35, arrested on a District court warrant for failure to appear… Vishal Gupta, age 33 of Bakersfield California, arrested for possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia…  Horacio Dominguez, age 30, arrested on a Magistrate warrant with local charges…  Leslie Stygar, age 33, arrested on a Dona Ana warrant for failure to appear… Stephanie Gilham, age 31,  arrested on a Magistrate warrant for failure to pay fines…   Troy Lane, age 34, arrested for unlawful use of a license…  Jose Lujan, age 23, arrested for a Magistrate warrant for failure to appear, and cited for possession of under an ounce of marijuana.
     Luis Escalante, age 33, arrested on a District court warrant for failure to appear… Fabian Lopez-Maldonado, age 27, arrested for speeding… Carlos Ransdell, age 23, arrested on a Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines… Krystal Mesa, age 31, arrested on an Adult Probation and Parole Department for probation violation… Whitley Ferguson, age 21, arrested for reckless driving…  Miguel Rangel-Padilla, age 20, arrested on a Magistrate warrant and Municipal warrant for failure to pay fines…  Manuel Perea, age 35, arrested on a USM Federal warrant for probation violations…  Roman Gerardo, age 43, cited for shoplifting at Walmart.
     Finally, a mailbox was reported stolen from a residence on Sur Road.  The property owner went to get the mail, and the mailbox had been taken.  

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Residential customers of New Mexico's largest electric provider can expect to see an average increase of about 46 cents on their monthly bill beginning next month.
     Public Service Co. of New Mexico calculated the increase as part of a compliance filing made Tuesday with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
     The filing marks one of the final steps in a contentious rate case that began last year. Regulators last week ended up adopting a revamped version of an agreement that was initially negotiated by the utility, the attorney general's office, consumer groups and others.
     Aside from the 2018 increase, residential customers can expect an additional monthly increase of about 42 cents in 2019.
With the increase, the utility can recover costs associated with grid improvements, the partial closure of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station and other changes.