Holiday travel down at New Mexico's largest airport
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Officials at New Mexico's largest airport say that 72% fewer people passed through Albuquerque International Sunport this Christmas week than they did last year. Airport spokesman Jonathan Small said Wednesday that officials saw around 30,000 passengers pass through from Dec. 20 to 26 on their way to holiday destinations. The TSA has reported that air travel nationwide is down as well amid the coronavirus pandemic. More than 900,000 people around the country flew Dec. 22 to holiday destinations compared with more than 1.9 million on the same date last year.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
Businesses sue over New Mexico coronavirus restrictions
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A group of businesses has sued in federal court to try to end New Mexico's COVID-19 public health order. They claim that Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials have imposed arbitrary and unnecessary rules in response to the pandemic. A spokesman for the state Health Department called it the worst pandemic in a century and said the lawsuit "appears to be out of step with these realities." Confirmed COVID-19 infections in New Mexico have topped 141,000, while more than 2,430 people have died. Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said Wednesday that planning continues for the rollout of vaccinations.
AP-US-NATIONAL-PARK-VISITOR-TASED
US Park Service releases video involving tasing of visitor
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says a man who was tased during a confrontation with a park ranger in New Mexico was seen climbing on and among petroglyph cliff features off-trail. The federal agency released video late Tuesday of the interaction between the ranger and Darrell House, saying an investigation is ongoing. The video shows the ranger telling House that Native American tribes from the area consider Petroglyph National Monument as sacred and that visitors are supposed to stay on designated trails to preserve the cultural resources. The video shows House, who identified himself as Navajo and Oneida, trying to walk away. House did not return messages seeking comment.
EDUCATION FUNDING-RULING
New Mexico judge says public school building funding unfair
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico judge has ruled that the state's system for funding the construction of buildings in public school districts is unconstitutional and ordered officials to devise a fair system. The ruling by 11th Judicial District Court Judge Louis E. DePauli Jr. on Tuesday said the funding system was not properly equitable. Democratic state Rep. Patty Lundstrom says lawmakers should change the system in the upcoming 60-day legislative session. Democratic State Sen. Mimi Stewart believes some parts of the judge's ruling don't accurately describe the state's capital outlay funding and that the state should appeal the order.
FORMER OFFICER SENTENCED
Former police officer sentenced in vehicular homicide case
ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) — A former police officer in southern New Mexico has been sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for his involvement in a deadly crash. Luke Maxwell Towner had pleaded guilty in October to charges that include vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. The Roswell Daily Record reports that the 31-year-old Tularosa resident was sentenced earlier this month. Court documents say Towner was speeding when he ran into another vehicle at an intersection in Roswell last December. Doug Annis was in the back seat of the other vehicle and died. Two others were injured in the wreck.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation reports 153 new virus cases, four more deaths
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Officials on the Navajo Nation say they're seeing improvement in the number of cases reported daily on the reservation. But they're concerned about the impact of holiday gatherings not yet reflected in the latest numbers. They're urging people to celebrate the new year with only the people in their immediate household. Health officials on Tuesday reported 153 new cases of the coronavirus and four more deaths. The figures bring the total number of cases on the reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to 22,526. The death toll is 781.
AP-US-NATIONAL-PARK-VISITOR-TASED
US Park Service says New Mexico tasing case is under review
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says it's investigating an incident in which a visitor was tased by a ranger at Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico. Darrell House was stopped by the ranger for walking off trail in a closed area. Video taken by House shows the ranger asking for his identification and House declining. He insisted he hadn't done anything wrong. In his post, House says the use of force was uncalled for. House identified himself as Navajo and Oneida and said he goes to the monument to pray. Regional park officials say the case has been referred to the agency's internal affairs unit for review.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
2 Albuquerque churches fined $5K for virus safety violations
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two Albuquerque churches have been fined for violating New Mexico's COVID-19 public health order. Both venues held Christmas gatherings. The state Health Department fined Legacy Church and Calvary Church $5,000 each on Monday after photos and video showed violations of mandates that call for capacity limits, mask wearing and social distancing. Legacy Church officials accused the state of trampling on their constitutional rights. Calvary Church's pastor said they urged people to follow guidelines and blocked every other row to practice social distancing. New Mexico health officials on Tuesday reported an additional 1,221 confirmed infections, bringing the statewide total to nearly 140,000.