DELAYED COURTHOUSE
Southeastern New Mexico courthouse project facing delays
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Construction of a courthouse in southeastern New Mexico is a year behind schedule and more delays are expected.
Documents obtained by the Hobbs News-Sun show there remained 101 non-conforming issues as of May 2 for the planned Lea County Judicial Complex. The five-story structure in Lovington, New Mexico, was supposed to be occupied in August 2018.
Lea County Chairwoman Rebecca Long says many issues with the project haven't been addressed yet. For example, she says one of the main drains is cemented in and there are possible leaks in the roof.
County officials contracted Albuquerque-based HB Construction, Inc., in December 2016 to build the facility for around $30 million.
HB Construction President Matthew Mulligan says all parties are working actively to get the project to the finish line.
___
FILM-BLACKBEARD'S TREASURE
Treasure hunting film begins production in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An independent film about two sisters searching for pirate treasure will be filmed in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Film Office made the announcement Monday.
"Sierra Sisters The Hunt for Blackbeard's Treasure" will film starting in mid-June through July in Albuquerque, Los Lunas and Zia Pueblo.
Josh Relic is directing the film. It's being produced by Spanish Broom Productions and Dream Catcher Productions, LLC.
About 45 people in New Mexico will work on the film as crew members, actors and background talent.
The film follows sisters Hera and Athena as they go treasure hunting and try to outsmart their rivals.
STATE SENATOR-CAR CRASH-DWI
'Are you serious?' Police describe senator's DWI arrest
ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) — Police say a New Mexico state senator expressed surprise when he was told he was being arrested on a drunken driving charge, saying to officers, "Are you serious? Jesus Christ."
A court official says Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Espanola, has five days to appear in court on charges of aggravated DWI and reckless driving.
The former Rio Arriba County magistrate judge is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
He was arrested Friday night after a collision at an intersection in Espanola, and booked into jail before being released the following day.
No one answered The Associated Press' calls at a number listed for Martinez.
Senate Democrats said in a statement that Martinez, 66, is "a valued member of our caucus" entitled to due process.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
New Mexico utility charts closure for coal-fired power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric utility is submitting to regulators its plan for shutting down the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station, how it intends to replace the lost power and what it's going to cost customers.
The filing with the Public Regulation Commission comes as a new state law dictates more aggressive renewable energy requirements while allowing Public Service Co. of New Mexico to recoup from customers some of the costs.
The application for abandonment of the plant and the building of replacement power includes the utility's preferred option, which it describes as the most cost-effective plan, as well as three alternatives.
The preferred option would save customers about $7 a month in the first year. Utility executives couldn't say what the savings, if any, would be beyond that.
They say the goal is to be emissions-free by 2040.
CLERGY ABUSE-NEW MEXICO
Creditors group seeks info on church foundation's assets
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It will be up to a U.S. bankruptcy judge whether to order the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to produce records related to $48 million in assets.
A creditors committee of clergy sex abuse survivors filed a motion last week in the ongoing bankruptcy case involving the archdiocese. The Albuquerque Journal reports the panel wants to determine whether the foundation's assets are property of the archdiocese's estate.
The archdiocese filed for reorganization last December, citing the financial strain of the abuse scandal.
In its bankruptcy petition, the archdiocese claimed nearly $50 million in assets. The filing also said more than $57 million in property was being held in trust for numerous parishes and property transfers worth an additional $34 million were done over the past couple years.
___
ASYLUM SEEKERS-MEXICO
Group say conditions dire for asylum seekers stuck in Mexico
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new report from Human Rights Watch says the Trump administration should end its practice of making asylum seekers wait in Mexico because families have been stranded with no means to survive and are facing physical violence.
As of last week, Mexico reported 15,079 people, mostly from Central America, had been returned. According to the report, that number includes 4,780 children and at least 13 pregnant women.
Several asylum seekers interviewed by the nonprofit were attacked, kidnapped or sexually assaulted. When some go for their hearings, they lose their shelter and have no place to return because of overcrowding in the U.S.
The report was based on interviews and court monitoring done by the watchdog group in Mexico and the U.S. in May.
The Trump administration is expanding the practice.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS-NEW MEXICO
Fire restrictions start in central New Mexico mountains
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The first fire restrictions of the year on national forest land in New Mexico now are in effect.
They started Monday on the Gallinas Mountains southeast of Albuquerque near Corona. That's in the Cibola National Forest's Mountainair Ranger District.
Forest officials say the abundant grass that grew as a result of a fairly wet winter has dried out and now is a wildfire risk.
Visitors won't be allowed to build campfires except within designated areas. Smoking also is prohibited except in vehicles, enclosed buildings or developed recreation sites.
Anyone found guilty of violating fire restrictions can be fined up to $5,000 and spend up to six months in jail.
Southeastern New Mexico courthouse project facing delays
(Information from: Hobbs News-Sun, http://www.hobbsnews.com)
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Construction of a courthouse in southeastern New Mexico is a year behind schedule and more delays are expected.
Documents obtained by the Hobbs News-Sun show there remained 101 non-conforming issues as of May 2 for the planned Lea County Judicial Complex. The five-story structure in Lovington, New Mexico, was supposed to be occupied in August 2018.
Lea County Chairwoman Rebecca Long says many issues with the project haven't been addressed yet. For example, she says one of the main drains is cemented in and there are possible leaks in the roof.
County officials contracted Albuquerque-based HB Construction, Inc., in December 2016 to build the facility for around $30 million.
HB Construction President Matthew Mulligan says all parties are working actively to get the project to the finish line.
___
FILM-BLACKBEARD'S TREASURE
Treasure hunting film begins production in New Mexico
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An independent film about two sisters searching for pirate treasure will be filmed in New Mexico.
The New Mexico Film Office made the announcement Monday.
"Sierra Sisters The Hunt for Blackbeard's Treasure" will film starting in mid-June through July in Albuquerque, Los Lunas and Zia Pueblo.
Josh Relic is directing the film. It's being produced by Spanish Broom Productions and Dream Catcher Productions, LLC.
About 45 people in New Mexico will work on the film as crew members, actors and background talent.
The film follows sisters Hera and Athena as they go treasure hunting and try to outsmart their rivals.
STATE SENATOR-CAR CRASH-DWI
'Are you serious?' Police describe senator's DWI arrest
ESPANOLA, N.M. (AP) — Police say a New Mexico state senator expressed surprise when he was told he was being arrested on a drunken driving charge, saying to officers, "Are you serious? Jesus Christ."
A court official says Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Espanola, has five days to appear in court on charges of aggravated DWI and reckless driving.
The former Rio Arriba County magistrate judge is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
He was arrested Friday night after a collision at an intersection in Espanola, and booked into jail before being released the following day.
No one answered The Associated Press' calls at a number listed for Martinez.
Senate Democrats said in a statement that Martinez, 66, is "a valued member of our caucus" entitled to due process.
NEW MEXICO ENERGY FUTURE
New Mexico utility charts closure for coal-fired power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest electric utility is submitting to regulators its plan for shutting down the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station, how it intends to replace the lost power and what it's going to cost customers.
The filing with the Public Regulation Commission comes as a new state law dictates more aggressive renewable energy requirements while allowing Public Service Co. of New Mexico to recoup from customers some of the costs.
The application for abandonment of the plant and the building of replacement power includes the utility's preferred option, which it describes as the most cost-effective plan, as well as three alternatives.
The preferred option would save customers about $7 a month in the first year. Utility executives couldn't say what the savings, if any, would be beyond that.
They say the goal is to be emissions-free by 2040.
CLERGY ABUSE-NEW MEXICO
Creditors group seeks info on church foundation's assets
(Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — It will be up to a U.S. bankruptcy judge whether to order the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to produce records related to $48 million in assets.
A creditors committee of clergy sex abuse survivors filed a motion last week in the ongoing bankruptcy case involving the archdiocese. The Albuquerque Journal reports the panel wants to determine whether the foundation's assets are property of the archdiocese's estate.
The archdiocese filed for reorganization last December, citing the financial strain of the abuse scandal.
In its bankruptcy petition, the archdiocese claimed nearly $50 million in assets. The filing also said more than $57 million in property was being held in trust for numerous parishes and property transfers worth an additional $34 million were done over the past couple years.
___
ASYLUM SEEKERS-MEXICO
Group say conditions dire for asylum seekers stuck in Mexico
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new report from Human Rights Watch says the Trump administration should end its practice of making asylum seekers wait in Mexico because families have been stranded with no means to survive and are facing physical violence.
As of last week, Mexico reported 15,079 people, mostly from Central America, had been returned. According to the report, that number includes 4,780 children and at least 13 pregnant women.
Several asylum seekers interviewed by the nonprofit were attacked, kidnapped or sexually assaulted. When some go for their hearings, they lose their shelter and have no place to return because of overcrowding in the U.S.
The report was based on interviews and court monitoring done by the watchdog group in Mexico and the U.S. in May.
The Trump administration is expanding the practice.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS-NEW MEXICO
Fire restrictions start in central New Mexico mountains
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The first fire restrictions of the year on national forest land in New Mexico now are in effect.
They started Monday on the Gallinas Mountains southeast of Albuquerque near Corona. That's in the Cibola National Forest's Mountainair Ranger District.
Forest officials say the abundant grass that grew as a result of a fairly wet winter has dried out and now is a wildfire risk.
Visitors won't be allowed to build campfires except within designated areas. Smoking also is prohibited except in vehicles, enclosed buildings or developed recreation sites.
Anyone found guilty of violating fire restrictions can be fined up to $5,000 and spend up to six months in jail.
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