New Mexico Supreme Court Asked To Review 'Copper Rule' – The Albuquerque Journal, The Associated Press
New Mexico's attorney general and environmentalists want the state's highest court to review an appellate court's upholding of regulations that govern groundwater pollution by copper mines.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Sunday that Attorney General Hector Balderas and several watchdog groups are asking the state Supreme Court to weigh in on a previous ruling maintaining the "copper rule."
The regulations, which were approved in September 2013, include new engineering requirements for handling leftover rock, leach piles, tanks and pipelines.
Clean water advocates say the regulations give copper-producing companies too much leeway to pollute groundwater.
Supporters say overturning the rule at this point could threaten the state's copper industry.
The state Court of Appeals ruled in April that the regulations do not violate the state's Water Quality Act.
Santa Fe, Espanola Sue To Stop County Tax Hike – The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Associated Press
Santa Fe and Española are suing Santa Fe County as well as the state to stop a tax hike from taking effect next month.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the two city governments and several Española businesses have joined in the lawsuit over a county gross receipts tax.
The suit, which was filed Thursday in state District Court in Santa Fe, says the increase would lead to a "tax disincentive for businesses to locate or expand" in parts of the county.
A 2013 state tax package allows local governments to impose a higher gross-receipts tax rate within their jurisdictions.
The two cities claim the new tax doesn't apply within their boundaries. They say county ordinances should only apply to unincorporated areas belonging to the county.
Bernalillo County Settles Lawsuit Over Inmate's Alleged Rape – The Albuquerque Journal, The Associated Press
A female inmate has settled a lawsuit with Bernalillo County over her alleged rape by a jail guard.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Sunday that court documents show the civil lawsuit was settled earlier this month.
Documents did not include the amount but the newspaper reports a settlement of $680,000.
Laura Schauer Ives, an attorney representing the plaintiff, declined to discuss settlement terms.
In the suit, the inmate alleges Metropolitan Detention Center corrections officer Andres Verdugo took her to a closet and raped her in June 2014. He also allegedly threatened inmates if they complained about him.
Verdugo was arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual penetration and intimidation of a witness. He resigned two months later.
An attorney for Verdugo did not respond to a request for comment.
San Juan County Jail Named In Wrongful Death Lawsuit – The Daily Times, The Associated Press
A San Juan County prison has been named in a wrongful death lawsuit for the second time this year.
The Daily Times in Farmington reports that Charles Carter filed a federal lawsuit Friday against the San Juan County Adult Detention Center and its contracted health care provider.
In the complaint, Carter says his brother, William "Billy" Carter," was denied a prescription inhaler before his Feb. 13 death.
Mitch Burns, the attorney representing Carter, says the 57-year-old inmate likely died from a respiratory issue.
Charles Carter is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, and court-mandated changes in prison policy and training.
Billy Carter was being held on charges that he molested several children.
Tom Havel, a detention center administrator and co-defendant, said Friday he had no comment on the suit.
Gov. Martinez Signs Feed Bill On Health Department Funding – The Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed a measure to fund state courts and the state Department of Health.
The Republican governor's office said Friday she signed the bill five days after lawmakers passed it during a special session.
Under the proposal, lawmakers set aside $112,000 for special session costs, $300,000 for courts and $4 million for the Health Department.
Martinez has yet to sign a bill on tax incentives and a measure outlining capital spending that lawmakers also passed during the special session on Monday.
Man Accused Of Killing Officer Indicted On Murder Charge – The Associated Press
A New Mexico man accused of fatally shooting a Rio Rancho police officer during a traffic stop has been indicted on murder charges.
Thirteenth Judicial District Attorney Lemuel Martinez announced Friday that a grand jury handed down indictments against 28-year-old Andrew Romero and his girlfriend, Tabitha Littles, for the May 25 shooting death of Officer Gregg Benner.
Prosecutors say Romero told Littles he was going to shoot the officer before opening fire. Police say Littles had a chance to tell Benner his plans before he was shot during a chaotic traffic stop in a parking lot.
Romero faces nine other counts aside from the charge, including two counts of tampering with evidence.
His lawyer, Stephen Taylor, says he is reviewing the indictment.
Mora County Considers Oil And Gas Drilling Issue Again – The Albuquerque Journal, The Associated Press
A northeastern New Mexico county that unsuccessfully tried to ban a type of oil and gas drilling may consider imposing a moratorium while it drafts a new proposal to impose strict limitations.
Mora County was sued over its 2013 ban of hydraulic fracturing, resulting in a federal judge overturning it in January.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the county Commissioner George Trujillo said a new measure imposing limitations could be similar to ones already on the books in Las Vegas and Santa Fe County.
According to Trujillo, the commission could consider the issue during a July 14 meeting or possibly sooner.
Hydraulic fracturing extracts oil and natural gas from the ground by injecting water, sand or gravel and chemicals at high pressure into cracks beneath the earth's surface.
Navajo Beliefs About Snakes Lead To Removal From Tribal Zoo – Felicia Fonseca, The Associated Press
The Navajo Nation Zoo has shipped off three snakes that were deterring visitors from seeing other animals kept in the same area.
The reason lies in cultural beliefs about snakes as bad omens.
Zoo manager David Mikesic said Friday that the zoo has exhibited snakes for decades but they've been unpopular. He says many school teachers didn't want children seeing them or even breathing the same air as the snakes.
The two bull snakes were shipped to a Utah aquarium in March, and the rattlesnake was sent to a New York zoological society last month.
Navajo medicine man Anthony Lee Sr. says watching snakes eat, shed their skin or mate can affect Navajos' physical and mental health. Navajo ceremonies depict snakes, but they're never a sign of anything good.
Navajo Delegate Wants Officials Publicly Shamed For Theft – The Gallup Independent, The Associated Press
A tribal lawmaker wants Navajo Nation officials who are accused of mismanaging or siphoning tribal government funds to be shamed in the headlines.
The Gallup Independent reports that Navajo Nation Council Delegate Leonard Tsosie says local government officials suspected of stealing community funds should have their names and the allegations against them published local newspapers.
Tsosie made the proposal earlier this week during a meeting in Window Rock, Arizona.
His push for a penalty of public humiliation came after tribal Auditor General Elizabeth Begay recommended no sanctions against the Crownpoint Chapter in New Mexico for missing funds.
A 2011 audit found $25,000 went missing without explanation and questioned another $83,000 in costs at the chapter.
Begay says she will discuss Tsosie's proposal with current tribal Attorney General Ethel Branch.
Judge To Rule On New Mexico Attorney General Firings – The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Associated Press
A judge will determine whether a state board will get to rule on the legality of the firings of 40 New Mexico Attorney General's Office employees.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that an administrative law judge said Friday he will make a recommendation as to whether the State Personnel Office should hear the case.
Judge Richard Levine says he will not decide whether the case actually has merit.
Attorney General Hector Balderas fired the workers when he took office last January.
Twenty of them are appealing their terminations to the State Personnel Board, arguing the State Personnel Act protects their positions.
Ellen Casey, a private lawyer representing Balderas' office, says the attorney general's staff is not exempt.
The board will decide whether to accept or reject Levine's recommendation.
Rail Runner Says Train Shot By 12-Year-Old Boy – KRQE-TV, The Associated Press
Rail Runner officials say a 12-year-old boy shot one of its trains.
KRQE-TV reports that officials say the boy shot at it with small caliber rifle at Kewa Station on the Santa Domingo Pueblo Friday evening.
Although the glass is bulletproof, officials say the first pane of it did shatter.
State police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are investigating. They say they plan to file charges.
The incident will eventually be turned over to homeland security since it was an act against a railroad.