New Mexico police discover third open field death this month
(Information from: Gallup Independent, http://www.gallupindependent.com)
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico authorities have reported a man was found dead in Gallup marking the third open field death police responded to this month.
The Gallup Independent reported Thursday that two people walking in the area discovered the body Tuesday and stood by until Gallup Police arrived.
Police Capt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo says the body appears to be that of a Native American man, but he has yet to be identified.
Authorities say the body was sent to a medical investigator for an autopsy.
Police say two other bodies were discovered dead this month.
Toadlena-Pablo says her cousin 45-year-old John Toadlena was identified after his body was found Nov. 2.
Authorities say the other person was discovered Nov. 10 but the release of his name is pending until family is notified.
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INSPECTING NEW MEXICO
Inspectors wanted: New Mexico sets sights on public health
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — From taco stands to toxic waste, environmental regulators are tasked with inspecting tens of thousands of businesses, restaurants and industrial sites every year.
Demand far outpaces the number of available inspectors, so the head of the New Mexico Environment Department is calling for legislators to make a bigger investment in the agency to address the problem.
Environment Secretary James Kenney is asking for an additional $8.8 million in state general funds. He says that would help pay for nearly 70 more employees and fund operations aimed at ensuring public health.
First-year Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supports the proposal. Her administration is pushing for greater regulation of emissions from the oil and gas sector and also needs to build up the permitting and inspection infrastructure needed for the burgeoning hemp industry.
COYOTE KILLING CONTEST
New Mexico prosecutor warns against coyote killing contests
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says coyote killing contests are illegal and anyone caught organizing one or participating could face a misdemeanor.
The warning came Friday, after authorities learned through a social media post that a contest was planned Saturday in Curry County.
Balderas' office and the State Land Office sent letters to the sheriff, requesting an investigation. State police and local prosecutors also were notified.
Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill outlawing the contests earlier this year.
Many ranchers and outfitters say the contests are a tool for managing packs of coyotes that threaten livestock.
Balderas said he supports ranchers' rights to protect their livestock but said the law doesn't allow for unlimited killing through contests for cash prizes.
DWI CHECKPOINTS
New Mexico police to crack down on DWI in December
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police officers will be watching for drunk drivers throughout the month of December.
State officials this week announced the sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, saying they will occur throughout New Mexico over the next few weeks.
Authorities say bringing awareness to the crackdown is part of an effort to change society's attitude about drinking and driving and to ultimately reduce alcohol-related fatalities.
Nearly 350 traffic fatalities were reported for the first 10 months of the year. That's higher than the fatalities recorded during the same period in 2017 and 2018, but statistics compiled by the state show the number of alcohol-related fatalities so far this year is far lower than the previous two years.
The numbers show 92 traffic fatalities between January and October involved alcohol.
ALBUQUERQUE RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT
Albuquerque's rapid transit system to begin operations
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials in New Mexico's largest city say after false starts and delays, the Albuquerque Rapid Transit project is expected to begin operations Saturday.
The new system includes designated bus-only lanes and 19 stops along Central Avenue.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the first ART bus is expected to leave the station at 5:20 a.m. Saturday. Buses will continue running through 11 p.m. that day.
Transportation officials say ambassadors will be stationed at each stop to answer questions and help direct passengers.
Rides will be free through Dec. 31.
Law enforcement says there are plans to issue warning citations and eventually fines for people who drive or park vehicles in the bus lanes.
The long-embattled transit project was put on hold last year over issues with buses made by the original vendor.
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WATER PROJECTS-FINANCING
New Mexico communities get funding for water projects
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Nearly $34 million in federal funding is being funneled to New Mexico to help make improvements to water and wastewater systems.
The U.S. Agriculture Department says in all, $635 million is being invested in 122 projects across the country. Those include projects at Laguna Pueblo and the cities of Lordsburg and Truth or Consequences.
A loan and grant financing package worth more than $19 million has been awarded to Laguna Pueblo to rehabilitate existing sewer lines. The money also will be used to enlarge a sewage lagoon.
Lordsburg will use nearly $5 million to complete a massive rehabilitation project of the city's water system. That includes the installation of a backup power generator and replacement of old water lines.
In Truth or Consequences, more than $9.4 million is going toward system upgrades.
NEW MEXICO WEATHER
Albuquerque breaks Thanksgiving Day snowfall record
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest city has set a record for snowfall on Thanksgiving Day.
The National Weather Service says 3.1 inches (7.8 centimeters) were recorded at the Albuquerque airport Thursday. Looking back over 60 years of data, forecasters say the previous snowiest Thanksgiving was only a half-inch (1.27 centimeters) in 2007.
Some areas around Albuquerque and Santa Fe reported even more snow Thursday.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect for some areas.
Forecasters say a second round of snow and strong winds will begin Friday afternoon. The storm will move in from the west and through the northern mountains late Friday where the highest elevations could see another foot (30 centimeters) of snow or more.
A cold front will affect western and central portions.
NEW MEXICO-ENERGY FUTURE
New Mexico utility stands by plan to close coal-fired plant
(Information from: The Daily Times, http://www.daily-times.com)
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric provider says continued operation of a coal-fired power plant using carbon-capture technology wouldn't be in the best interest of customers.
Public Service Co. of New Mexico made the declaration in testimony filed with state regulators who are weighing the San Juan Generating Station's pending closure.
The recent filing was in response to concerns that the utility had not presented an alternative case for installing carbon capture at the plant. At issue is the economic effects closure will have on the region.
The utility is standing behind its proposal to rely on a mix of natural gas, renewable resources and batteries.
The utility's modeling shows carbon capture technology would cost slightly less than an all-renewables plan. But overall savings would be less than under PNM's preferred option.
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