Vigil held for an Albuquerque woman fatally struck by a car
(Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Friends and family held a candlelight vigil for a woman killed in a possible street-racing crash in southeast Albuquerque.
KOB-TV reports that people gathered Saturday evening at the spot where 39-year-old Angelica Baca died on March 23 to share memories and sell baked goods to raise money for her funeral.
Baca was crossing a street when she was fatally hit by a car.
The driver of the car was taken into custody and police are looking into whether street racing played a role in the crash.
Baca's children attended the vigil. Her family says Baca loved life, music and was a happy person.
Police investigators are reconstructing the accident scene to determine whether it stemmed from drag racing.
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TV-TRE MAISON DASAN
New Mexico filmmaker examines the children of prison inmates
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico filmmaker's four-year project to document the lives of children with parents in prison is set to air.
Denali Tiller's "Tre Maison Dasan" is scheduled to air Monday on most PBS stations as part of the series "Independent Lens" and comes after she captured more than 350 hours of three Rhode Island boys coping with incarcerated parents.
The Albuquerque Academy says she began the project as a student at Rhode Island School of Design. She eventually was introduced to Tre Janson, Maison Teixeira, and Dasan Lopes who regularly visited a Rhode Island prison to spend time with parents. The film follows the boys of color as the deal with their anger about their situations.
Maison Teixeira, now 14, says he hopes the film opens minds.
CLERGY ABUSE-NEW MEXICO
Fugitive priest accused of abusing boy faces trial
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A priest who was captured after fleeing the U.S. decades ago is facing a federal trial on charges that he sexually abused a New Mexico boy in the early 1990s at an Air Force base and veterans' cemetery.
Arthur Perrault, a one-time pastor in Albuquerque, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual abuse and others counts. His trial is set to begin Monday in Santa Fe with jury selection.
The church sent Perrault to New Mexico in the 1960s for treatment at a center for pedophile priests.
Federal authorities have said in court documents that he had as many as eight other victims. But the charges against him only involve an 11-year-old altar boy.
Perrault was returned to the United States in September after his arrest in Morocco.
His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
HUNTING ROADBLOCKS
New Mexico to put up roadblocks for hunting, fishing seasons
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico wildlife managers will be setting up roadblocks statewide during the upcoming hunting and fishing season to gather harvest data and to look for people who are violating state wildlife laws.
The next season starts Monday, and the state Game and Fish Department says all hunters and anglers are required to purchase a new license. Guides and outfitters also must register with the state.
At the roadblocks, conservation officers also will be checking compliance with the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act, and drivers of those vehicles hauling wood will be asked to show their permits under the Forest Conservation Act.
The agency also is asking people to report any wildlife crimes or suspected crimes to the Operation Game Thief toll-free hotline or online.
GUN CONTROL-NEW MEXICO
Recall effort targets 3 Aztec officials amid gun debate
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An effort is underway in Aztec to recall three city commissioners who did not support a resolution protesting new state gun-control measures approved by the Legislature.
The Farmington Daily Times reports that Aztec resident Diane Hathcock has volunteered to circulate petitions to recall Commissioners Rosalyn Fry and Mark Lewis and Mayor Victor Snover. The three voted against a resolution that would have banned local authorities from enforcing gun laws they believe violate constituents' constitutional right to bear arms.
The vote at the recent commission meeting led to an unruly debate that ended with police intervening.
If enough signatures are gathered for the petitions, then it would be sent to a district court judge for approval. The judge must find the mayor and commissioners violated their oath of office, or acted in malfeasance or misfeasance to approve the petition.
FILM INCENTIVES-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico raises cap on annual rebates for film industry
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico politicians are banking on more film and television producers bringing their business to the state now that annual tax rebate payouts are doubling.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham visited Albuquerque Studios on Friday to sign the film incentive legislation.
The state is increasing the annual rebate cap from $50 million to $110 million. Other major provisions include one-time spending of up to $225 million to address a backlog of unpaid incentives. The backlog is projected to hit $382 million by the end of the year.
Incentives also will be sweeter for productions centered in rural New Mexico.
Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, says producers should know the state wants their creativity and their business. She also mentioned the ripple effect, in which restaurants, hotels and other service industries can benefit.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: Marijuana embraced as salve in opioid crisis
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An advisory board of physicians has revived its calls for New Mexico to expand medical marijuana access to people struggling with opioid addiction.
The state Medical Cannabis Advisory Board voted 4-0 on Friday to recommend the addition of opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions for access to medical marijuana.
The board's recommendation will weigh in a decision by newly appointed Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham campaigned for office last year in support of extending medical marijuana access to patients contending with adverse effects of opioid use.
New Mexico has one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the Western United States, with opioids including heroin listed as a leading cause.
The advisory board separately endorsed medical cannabis treatment for other addiction-related medical diagnosis that could include alcohol, stimulants, hallucinogens and a variety of prescription drugs.