New Mexico school district eyes mandated drug teaching
Schools-Drug Testing
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico school district may require all teachers, staff and student athletes to undergo drug testing amid an opioid crisis that has severely hurt parts of the region.
West Las Vegas Schools is considering a proposal that would mandate drug testing aimed as monitoring staff as a precaution, the Las Vegas Optic reports.
"In light of the recent events of what's happened at schools, I think that anybody, or any teacher, any administrator who may be using a prescription medication or may be using narcotics, poses a safety threat to the school," said West Las Vegas Schools board member Ambrosio Castellano, who introduced the proposal this month.
Castellano said those using narcotics or medications may not be fully aware or fully coherent during an emergency.
He cited a poll conducted among teachers which found that 35 percent of them said that their stress level was very high, and they were coping by taking antidepressants or other medications.
Superintendent Chris Gutierrez said he would look into the issue and conduct a survey to get feedback from teachers.
Castellano said he came up with the idea after he attended a National School Board Conference in San Antonio, Texas, where an insurance provider presented an opioid forum on the epidemic among teachers.
It's unclear if the proposal would require testing of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and opioids, or just opioids.
New Mexico had one of the highest overdose rates in the nation for the better part of two decades and only recently plateaued amid a series of pioneering policies aimed at combating opioid addiction, including becoming the first state to require law enforcement agencies to provide officers with overdose antidote kits.
The state also has a prescription monitoring database to prevent overlapping drug sales and has expanded access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses.
NAVAJO-VETERANS CENTER
Navajo Nation approves $2.4 million for veterans facility
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has given approval to help fund a veterans facility in New Mexico that will prevent patients from having to travel far for care.
Navajo Nation council members voted 19-0 this week to give $2.4 million toward the construction of a service center for veterans in the community of Thoreau.
The center, which will be about 33 miles (53 kilometers) east of Gallup, will offer physical therapy as well as medical services.
Thoreau Chapter Veterans Committee Commander Lester Emerson says they will work with the state Department of Veterans Services to hire a doctor to be based there.
Emerson says the hope is that veterans will no longer have to make the two-hour journey to Albuquerque for medical services.
The facility also will have a space for events and meetings.
WASTEWATER SYSTEMS-FUNDING
Federal funding OK'd for Dona Ana County wastewater systems
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say the federal government has agreed to provide more than $14 million to help renovate wastewater systems serving two unincorporated communities in Dona Ana County.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $8 million grant and approved a loan of $6.2 million to improve systems for Mesquite and Brazito.
The senators' announcement says the funding provided to the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority will pay for connections to eliminate the use of hundreds of septic tanks and reduce the possibility of groundwater pollution and contamination.
The two communities have 1,088 residential and 20 commercial users.
PECOS RIVER-WATER LEVELS
Water managers warn of rising levels on the Pecos River
FOR SUMNER, N.M. (AP) — Federal water managers are warning that levels on the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico are expected to rise as the Bureau of Reclamation moves water downstream for farmers.
The release from Sumner Reservoir will begin Monday.
The Carlsbad Irrigation District has called for about 10,000 acre-feet of water to be released from storage. One acre-foot (1,233 cubic meters) is enough to supply a typical U.S. family for a year.
The release rate is expected to be between 1,300 to 1,600 cubic feet per second. It will last for about three days.
Officials say people should be cautious when working or playing along the river between Santa Rosa Lake and Brantley Reservoir through the summer. Water levels could change due to movement for irrigation, releases for endangered species or weather events.
WILDFIRES-NEW MEXICO
Fire threatening homes in south-central New Mexico
BERNARDO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire is threatening some homes and railroad tracks in south-central New Mexico.
Wendy Mason with New Mexico State Forestry says the fire began Friday afternoon and has charred an estimated 30 acres (12 hectares) north of Bernardo in Socorro County. She says between 10 and 15 homes are threatened.
The fire has also forced the closure of State Highway 116.
State forestry crews along with local fire departments from the area are fighting the flames.
The fire weather outlook for much of New Mexico remained critical on Friday as other parts of the state and neighboring Arizona and West Texas were elevated.
OBIT-NERSES KRIKORIAN
Krikorian, 'giant' in national security science, dies at 97
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — Nerses "Krik" Krikorian, who escaped the Armenian genocide as boy and later became a legend in the once-secret New Mexico city where the atomic bomb was developed, has died. He was 97.
Officials at Los Alamos National Laboratory have confirmed that Krikorian died Wednesday at his home in Los Alamos.
Born on a Turkish roadside in 1921, he and his family eventually found their way to the United States. After earning a chemistry degree, he began what would be an illustrious career that spanned decades.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Krikorian was known for his science and security work and the impact he had on the lab and the community.
Lab Director Terry Wallace called Krikorian "a giant" in the world of national security science and said the lab is a better place because of him.
ALBUQUERQUE-HOMELESS KILLINGS
Albuquerque revives Native American homeless task force
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest city has revived a task force to address Native American homelessness after a homeless man was shot and killed last month.
Mayor Tim Keller announced Friday that he was resurrecting the Albuquerque Native American Homeless Task Force and would ask city councilors to pass an ordinance to expand its reach.
The task force was initially formed during former Mayor Richard Berry's tenure in response to the 2014 beating deaths of two Navajo men while they slept in a vacant lot.
In the latest case, police said two Hispanic teenage boys shot 50-year-old Ronnie Ross "for fun." Ross was from the Navajo community of Shiprock.
A criminal complaint doesn't identify a motive, but it says the teen suspects bragged to friends about the shooting.
Keller says he believes it was a hate crime.
SCHOOL SHOOTING-STUDENT PROTESTS-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: New Mexico student seek answers on gun violence
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Hundreds of New Mexico students are venting their frustrations and concerns about gun violence and safety at public schools in a public forum and rally at the state Capitol.
High school students peppered state lawmakers, law enforcement officials and local school representatives Friday with questions about how to ensure classroom safety in a wake of a December shooting at Aztec High School that killed two students.
Student organizers stressed that the event was focused on gun-safety and not necessarily stricter gun control laws.
Democratic House speaker Brian Egolf urged students to register to vote if they turn 18 before November general elections, highlighting the veto of a 2017 bill aimed at limiting gun access for people with permanent protective orders for domestic violence incidents. Republican lawmakers were invited but did not attend the forum.
Outside the building, the Beatles song "Don't Let Me Down" blared from a stage set up for student speeches and performances.
FOUR CORNERS-OUTDOOR RECREATION
New Mexico region launches outdoor recreation initiative
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Officials in northwestern New Mexico are teaming up as part of an effort to diversify the economy in a region that has been dependent for years on the oil and gas industry.
The city of Farmington, San Juan County, Four Corners Economic Development, San Juan College and numerous other groups are backing the initiative to boost outdoor recreation.
The initiative plans to highlight the area's opportunities for fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking and rock crawling as well as locations such as the Bisti Wilderness and Lake Farmington.
Officials say the hope is to create more demand for guides, outfitters and outdoor recreation equipment manufacturing.
A community meeting is planned next Thursday at the Farmington Civic Center to discuss the effort.
Schools-Drug Testing
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) — A northern New Mexico school district may require all teachers, staff and student athletes to undergo drug testing amid an opioid crisis that has severely hurt parts of the region.
West Las Vegas Schools is considering a proposal that would mandate drug testing aimed as monitoring staff as a precaution, the Las Vegas Optic reports.
"In light of the recent events of what's happened at schools, I think that anybody, or any teacher, any administrator who may be using a prescription medication or may be using narcotics, poses a safety threat to the school," said West Las Vegas Schools board member Ambrosio Castellano, who introduced the proposal this month.
Castellano said those using narcotics or medications may not be fully aware or fully coherent during an emergency.
He cited a poll conducted among teachers which found that 35 percent of them said that their stress level was very high, and they were coping by taking antidepressants or other medications.
Superintendent Chris Gutierrez said he would look into the issue and conduct a survey to get feedback from teachers.
Castellano said he came up with the idea after he attended a National School Board Conference in San Antonio, Texas, where an insurance provider presented an opioid forum on the epidemic among teachers.
It's unclear if the proposal would require testing of drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and opioids, or just opioids.
New Mexico had one of the highest overdose rates in the nation for the better part of two decades and only recently plateaued amid a series of pioneering policies aimed at combating opioid addiction, including becoming the first state to require law enforcement agencies to provide officers with overdose antidote kits.
The state also has a prescription monitoring database to prevent overlapping drug sales and has expanded access to naloxone, a drug that can reverse overdoses.
NAVAJO-VETERANS CENTER
Navajo Nation approves $2.4 million for veterans facility
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation has given approval to help fund a veterans facility in New Mexico that will prevent patients from having to travel far for care.
Navajo Nation council members voted 19-0 this week to give $2.4 million toward the construction of a service center for veterans in the community of Thoreau.
The center, which will be about 33 miles (53 kilometers) east of Gallup, will offer physical therapy as well as medical services.
Thoreau Chapter Veterans Committee Commander Lester Emerson says they will work with the state Department of Veterans Services to hire a doctor to be based there.
Emerson says the hope is that veterans will no longer have to make the two-hour journey to Albuquerque for medical services.
The facility also will have a space for events and meetings.
WASTEWATER SYSTEMS-FUNDING
Federal funding OK'd for Dona Ana County wastewater systems
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Members of New Mexico's congressional delegation say the federal government has agreed to provide more than $14 million to help renovate wastewater systems serving two unincorporated communities in Dona Ana County.
Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich on Friday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $8 million grant and approved a loan of $6.2 million to improve systems for Mesquite and Brazito.
The senators' announcement says the funding provided to the Lower Rio Grande Public Water Works Authority will pay for connections to eliminate the use of hundreds of septic tanks and reduce the possibility of groundwater pollution and contamination.
The two communities have 1,088 residential and 20 commercial users.
PECOS RIVER-WATER LEVELS
Water managers warn of rising levels on the Pecos River
FOR SUMNER, N.M. (AP) — Federal water managers are warning that levels on the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico are expected to rise as the Bureau of Reclamation moves water downstream for farmers.
The release from Sumner Reservoir will begin Monday.
The Carlsbad Irrigation District has called for about 10,000 acre-feet of water to be released from storage. One acre-foot (1,233 cubic meters) is enough to supply a typical U.S. family for a year.
The release rate is expected to be between 1,300 to 1,600 cubic feet per second. It will last for about three days.
Officials say people should be cautious when working or playing along the river between Santa Rosa Lake and Brantley Reservoir through the summer. Water levels could change due to movement for irrigation, releases for endangered species or weather events.
WILDFIRES-NEW MEXICO
Fire threatening homes in south-central New Mexico
BERNARDO, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a wildfire is threatening some homes and railroad tracks in south-central New Mexico.
Wendy Mason with New Mexico State Forestry says the fire began Friday afternoon and has charred an estimated 30 acres (12 hectares) north of Bernardo in Socorro County. She says between 10 and 15 homes are threatened.
The fire has also forced the closure of State Highway 116.
State forestry crews along with local fire departments from the area are fighting the flames.
The fire weather outlook for much of New Mexico remained critical on Friday as other parts of the state and neighboring Arizona and West Texas were elevated.
OBIT-NERSES KRIKORIAN
Krikorian, 'giant' in national security science, dies at 97
LOS ALAMOS, N.M. (AP) — Nerses "Krik" Krikorian, who escaped the Armenian genocide as boy and later became a legend in the once-secret New Mexico city where the atomic bomb was developed, has died. He was 97.
Officials at Los Alamos National Laboratory have confirmed that Krikorian died Wednesday at his home in Los Alamos.
Born on a Turkish roadside in 1921, he and his family eventually found their way to the United States. After earning a chemistry degree, he began what would be an illustrious career that spanned decades.
The Los Alamos Monitor reports that Krikorian was known for his science and security work and the impact he had on the lab and the community.
Lab Director Terry Wallace called Krikorian "a giant" in the world of national security science and said the lab is a better place because of him.
ALBUQUERQUE-HOMELESS KILLINGS
Albuquerque revives Native American homeless task force
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest city has revived a task force to address Native American homelessness after a homeless man was shot and killed last month.
Mayor Tim Keller announced Friday that he was resurrecting the Albuquerque Native American Homeless Task Force and would ask city councilors to pass an ordinance to expand its reach.
The task force was initially formed during former Mayor Richard Berry's tenure in response to the 2014 beating deaths of two Navajo men while they slept in a vacant lot.
In the latest case, police said two Hispanic teenage boys shot 50-year-old Ronnie Ross "for fun." Ross was from the Navajo community of Shiprock.
A criminal complaint doesn't identify a motive, but it says the teen suspects bragged to friends about the shooting.
Keller says he believes it was a hate crime.
SCHOOL SHOOTING-STUDENT PROTESTS-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
The Latest: New Mexico student seek answers on gun violence
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Hundreds of New Mexico students are venting their frustrations and concerns about gun violence and safety at public schools in a public forum and rally at the state Capitol.
High school students peppered state lawmakers, law enforcement officials and local school representatives Friday with questions about how to ensure classroom safety in a wake of a December shooting at Aztec High School that killed two students.
Student organizers stressed that the event was focused on gun-safety and not necessarily stricter gun control laws.
Democratic House speaker Brian Egolf urged students to register to vote if they turn 18 before November general elections, highlighting the veto of a 2017 bill aimed at limiting gun access for people with permanent protective orders for domestic violence incidents. Republican lawmakers were invited but did not attend the forum.
Outside the building, the Beatles song "Don't Let Me Down" blared from a stage set up for student speeches and performances.
FOUR CORNERS-OUTDOOR RECREATION
New Mexico region launches outdoor recreation initiative
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — Officials in northwestern New Mexico are teaming up as part of an effort to diversify the economy in a region that has been dependent for years on the oil and gas industry.
The city of Farmington, San Juan County, Four Corners Economic Development, San Juan College and numerous other groups are backing the initiative to boost outdoor recreation.
The initiative plans to highlight the area's opportunities for fly fishing, mountain biking, hiking and rock crawling as well as locations such as the Bisti Wilderness and Lake Farmington.
Officials say the hope is to create more demand for guides, outfitters and outdoor recreation equipment manufacturing.
A community meeting is planned next Thursday at the Farmington Civic Center to discuss the effort.
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