Albuquerque probing 'emergency' involving hyena, zookeeper
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque Biological Park officials are investigating an "emergency incident" involving a zookeeper and a hyena. KOB-TV reports the zoo confirmed Monday it is looking into a Nov. 7 episode before the park opened. According to emergency dispatch calls, first responders reported a 40-year-old female with "some type of hand injury" who was bleeding profusely. The calls also indicated the need for medical transport at the time and that "this is a city employee." The city's Cultural Services Department says the hyena was inside the enclosure the whole time and wasn't harmed.
STATE SENATOR-DRUNKEN DRIVING
New Mexico state senator found guilty of drunken driving
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico state Sen. Richard Martinez has been found guilty of aggravated drunken driving and reckless driving in connection with a June car crash. Judge Francis Mathew delivered the verdicts on misdemeanor charges against the former magistrate judge and prominent Democratic legislator in connection with a June 28 wreck in the community of Española. Martinez's car hit another vehicle that was stopped at a red traffic light, injuring Martinez and two people in the stationary vehicle. Police say Martinez refused a blood-alcohol test after the crash. Police body-camera video showed Martinez fumbling over a field sobriety test.
SAUDI STUDENT ARRESTED-NEW MEXICO
Saudi student in alleged 'kill list' plot ordered held
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Saudi Arabian student who prosecutors say illegally obtained a gun in the U.S. and told someone he wanted to kill a professor and others has been ordered held until his trial. A U.S. magistrate judge ruled Tuesday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that Hassan Alqahtani posed a danger after hearing allegations of domestic violence and threats made to others. Witnesses told investigators that the 27-year-old Alqahtani had physically attacked his wife and threatened a girlfriend. He is facing a federal firearms charge. His defense attorney says the case is based on hearsay.
FILM OFFICE STAFF EXPANSION
New Mexico Film Office restructures office, adds 2 employees
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A film office in New Mexico has expanded its staff to better meet the demand of film productions and public inquiries. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the New Mexico Film Office has added two full-time employees to its previously three-person staff in the past month. Officials say they are seeking another two positions to further restructure the Santa Fe office. Film Office officials say the office expects to have overseen about 80 completed productions in the state by the end of the year. Officials say 29 projects were in production as of early December including eight television shows and nine films.
DINE COLLEGE-LAW SCHOOL
Symposium centers on creation of law school at Dine College
TSAILE, Ariz. (AP) — The first college established decades ago by an American Indian tribe in the United States is now working to create a law school. Formal efforts picked up speed with a recent two-day symposium held at Diné College on the Navajo Nation. Officials talked about everything from the college's original mission and accreditation to student courses, judicial advocates and what community such an institution would serve. The director of the college's Navajo Sovereignty Institute says ideally, the proposed law school would specialize in emerging areas of Indian law that are significant to the Navajo Nation economy.
UNIVERSITY-BOTANIC GARDEN GRANT
Grant to help build botanic garden at New Mexico university
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State University has been awarded a grant that will go toward building the only botanic garden within 100 miles of the southern New Mexico campus. The garden will be used to grow and study plants native to New Mexico and the Chihuahuan Desert that might attract bees and other pollinators. In addition to the research side, officials are aiming to create a garden that will be welcoming for visitors. The plan incorporates paths throughout the garden and a large gazebo for shade and outdoor events. It will likely take several years for the garden to be completed.