ALBUQUERQUE RAPID TRANSIT-CRASHES
Albuquerque's new rapid service on Route 66 sees 5th crash
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A fifth crash has struck Albuquerque's new rapid transit system along the city's historic Route 66 just days into operation. City officials say the accident took place Sunday across the street from the El Vado Motel when a car over-corrected into a left lane and hit the Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus. No injuries were reported. The city has seen five crashes involving the new buses in just nine days. Authorities say officers are issuing warnings to drivers who cross bus lanes and have plans to write tickets starting in January.
COYOTES-CYANIDE BOMBS
New Mexico granting fewer cyanide bomb OKs for coyotes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Records show New Mexico has approved fewer licenses for the use of cyanide bombs _ a device deployed by ranchers to kill coyotes. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports records show state-issued licenses for cyanide bombs has declined from 86 in 2015 and 2016 to 54 in 2019. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week reauthorized the use of cyanide bombs targeting coyotes. Ranchers say they still need the devices, also known as M-44s, to kill hungry coyotes, which can cost the industry thousands of dollars a year in livestock losses. Environmentalists say the devices are a horrible way to kill coyotes.
OFFICER-DRUNKEN DRIVING
Las Cruces detective facing DWI charges fired
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces police detective arrested in October on drunken driving charges has been fired. Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said Stephanie Carabajal was terminated from the department on Thursday. Her firing comes a day after the charges against the 26-year-old Carabajal were temporarily dismissed to avoid violating her rights to a speedy trial. Prosecutors say the charges will be re-filed when the necessary evidence has been compiled and the state is prepared to proceed to trial.
OIL BOOM-SEWAGE
Oil boom, housing crisis bringing sewage problems in camps
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Officials in southeastern New Mexico are struggling to monitor sewage problems from hundreds of camps used to house transient oil field workers. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that state officials say more than 140 unregistered RV parks in Eddy County were violating liquid water requirements, typically linked to improper sewage lines. The New Mexico Environment Department reported only about 20% owners in those cases were working with authorities to comply with standards. An Eddy County planner says the problem has grown since a boom in oil and gas production in 2011 and 2012. The production has created a housing crisis in cities like Hobbs and Carlsbad.
JUVENILE DETENTION
County options for juvenile detention in New Mexico shrink
ALAMOGORDO, N.M . (AP) — A southern New Mexico county has renewed an agreement with another county hundreds of miles away to continue housing its juvenile detainees. The decision by the Otero County Commission comes as the number of juvenile detention facilities around New Mexico shrinks. That means more youths are being detained far from home. A state Supreme Court Justice recently told a panel of lawmakers that the time has come to find ways to keep detained youths adequately supervised and cared for near their home while helping counties in finding ways to meet the high cost of 24-hour detention.
MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED
Suspect in Santa Fe killing arrested in Albuquerque area
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a suspect in a Santa Fe killing was arrested Saturday in the Albuquerque area. The New Mexico State Police said 26-year-old James R. Garcia was arrested while a passenger in a car whose driver allegedly tried to evade police and nearly struck an officer. Garcia was arrested on warrants alleging murder, tampering with evidence and probation violation. He was wanted in the death of 20-year-old Daniel Gisler, who was reported missing Nov. 21 and whose body was found Friday. The woman driving the car also was arrested. The State Police said 27-year-old Mercardy Jalessa Rose Montoya was arrested on suspicion of aggravated fleeing and other charges. Online court record records don't list attorneys for Garcia or Montoya who could comment on the allegations.
BOARDING HOME-RULES
New Mexico announces emergency rules for boarding homes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has enacted emergency rules governing the licensing and regulation of boarding homes that house individuals discharged from mental or behavioral health care institutions. The Department of Health said Friday in a statement that the emergency rules took effect Thursday and were established for the health, safety and welfare of residents of boarding homes. The department said boarding homes subject to the rules must apply for a license within 30 days and meet basic health and safety requirements. According to the department, a permanent boarding home rule will be proposed and announced to the public in February, followed by a public hearing to be scheduled in March.
Albuquerque's new rapid service on Route 66 sees 5th crash
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A fifth crash has struck Albuquerque's new rapid transit system along the city's historic Route 66 just days into operation. City officials say the accident took place Sunday across the street from the El Vado Motel when a car over-corrected into a left lane and hit the Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus. No injuries were reported. The city has seen five crashes involving the new buses in just nine days. Authorities say officers are issuing warnings to drivers who cross bus lanes and have plans to write tickets starting in January.
COYOTES-CYANIDE BOMBS
New Mexico granting fewer cyanide bomb OKs for coyotes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Records show New Mexico has approved fewer licenses for the use of cyanide bombs _ a device deployed by ranchers to kill coyotes. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports records show state-issued licenses for cyanide bombs has declined from 86 in 2015 and 2016 to 54 in 2019. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week reauthorized the use of cyanide bombs targeting coyotes. Ranchers say they still need the devices, also known as M-44s, to kill hungry coyotes, which can cost the industry thousands of dollars a year in livestock losses. Environmentalists say the devices are a horrible way to kill coyotes.
OFFICER-DRUNKEN DRIVING
Las Cruces detective facing DWI charges fired
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces police detective arrested in October on drunken driving charges has been fired. Las Cruces police spokesman Dan Trujillo said Stephanie Carabajal was terminated from the department on Thursday. Her firing comes a day after the charges against the 26-year-old Carabajal were temporarily dismissed to avoid violating her rights to a speedy trial. Prosecutors say the charges will be re-filed when the necessary evidence has been compiled and the state is prepared to proceed to trial.
OIL BOOM-SEWAGE
Oil boom, housing crisis bringing sewage problems in camps
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Officials in southeastern New Mexico are struggling to monitor sewage problems from hundreds of camps used to house transient oil field workers. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that state officials say more than 140 unregistered RV parks in Eddy County were violating liquid water requirements, typically linked to improper sewage lines. The New Mexico Environment Department reported only about 20% owners in those cases were working with authorities to comply with standards. An Eddy County planner says the problem has grown since a boom in oil and gas production in 2011 and 2012. The production has created a housing crisis in cities like Hobbs and Carlsbad.
JUVENILE DETENTION
County options for juvenile detention in New Mexico shrink
ALAMOGORDO, N.M . (AP) — A southern New Mexico county has renewed an agreement with another county hundreds of miles away to continue housing its juvenile detainees. The decision by the Otero County Commission comes as the number of juvenile detention facilities around New Mexico shrinks. That means more youths are being detained far from home. A state Supreme Court Justice recently told a panel of lawmakers that the time has come to find ways to keep detained youths adequately supervised and cared for near their home while helping counties in finding ways to meet the high cost of 24-hour detention.
MURDER SUSPECT ARRESTED
Suspect in Santa Fe killing arrested in Albuquerque area
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a suspect in a Santa Fe killing was arrested Saturday in the Albuquerque area. The New Mexico State Police said 26-year-old James R. Garcia was arrested while a passenger in a car whose driver allegedly tried to evade police and nearly struck an officer. Garcia was arrested on warrants alleging murder, tampering with evidence and probation violation. He was wanted in the death of 20-year-old Daniel Gisler, who was reported missing Nov. 21 and whose body was found Friday. The woman driving the car also was arrested. The State Police said 27-year-old Mercardy Jalessa Rose Montoya was arrested on suspicion of aggravated fleeing and other charges. Online court record records don't list attorneys for Garcia or Montoya who could comment on the allegations.
BOARDING HOME-RULES
New Mexico announces emergency rules for boarding homes
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has enacted emergency rules governing the licensing and regulation of boarding homes that house individuals discharged from mental or behavioral health care institutions. The Department of Health said Friday in a statement that the emergency rules took effect Thursday and were established for the health, safety and welfare of residents of boarding homes. The department said boarding homes subject to the rules must apply for a license within 30 days and meet basic health and safety requirements. According to the department, a permanent boarding home rule will be proposed and announced to the public in February, followed by a public hearing to be scheduled in March.
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