DA To Move Quickly Against Suspects In Officer's Killing – The Associated Press
District Attorney Lemuel Martinez says he plans to seek the maximum punishment against a known gang member suspected of shooting and killing a Rio Rancho police officer during a traffic stop.
Martinez acknowledged Thursday that the criminal proceedings against Andrew Romero have just begun, but he says he plans to move as expeditiously as possible and avoid any delays in the case.
Romero is facing multiple charges, including murder, in the death of Officer Gregg Benner. Romero is being held on a $5 million cash bond.
His girlfriend, Tabitha Littles, was charged Thursday with accessory to murder and fleeing a peace officer. She's being held on a $1 million bond.
Martinez says if Romero is convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison without a chance for parole.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of New Mexico Seeks Big Premium Hike – The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is requesting a major premium hike for individual Affordable Care Act plans in 2016.
The Albuquerque Journal reports that the insurer made a request for increases of an average of 51.6 percent in a preliminary rate proposal filed with New Mexico Insurance Superintendent John Franchini. Blue Cross and Blue Shield says the proposal affects an estimated 35,000 customers.
Franchini has the final authority to approve or not approve Blue Cross and Blue Shield's request.
Franchini says he will also consider a 6 percent rate increase proposal from Presbyterian Health Plan on individual plan premiums and a bump of 4 to 5 percent for New Mexico Health Connections individual plans.
The new rates would go into effect Jan. 1.
Girlfriend Of Suspected Shooter Charged In Officer's Death – The Associated Press
The girlfriend of the man suspected of shooting and killing a Rio Rancho police officer during a traffic stop is now facing charges.
Authorities confirmed Thursday that 30-year-old Tabitha Littles has been charged with being an accessory to murder and aggravated fleeing from a peace officer. She's being held on a $1 million cash or surety bond.
Officer Gregg Benner was gunned down Monday evening after stopping a vehicle driven by Littles. Andrew Romero was a passenger in the vehicle.
Police say the officer was shot multiple times as he approached the vehicle.
According to a criminal complaint, Littles said she swerved to get Benner's attention because she was afraid Romero was going to shoot her. She was driving Romero around because he wanted to look for places to burglarize.
New Mexico's Lottery Scholarships To Be Larger Than Expected – The Associated Press
The amount of assistance for New Mexico's lottery scholarships will be larger than expected thanks to higher lottery revenues.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department announced Thursday that the in-state tuition assistance for university and college students will cover around 90 percent of full tuition costs next school year.
Lawmakers had feared that the amount of assistance could drop to around 80 percent of costs due to an expected drop in lottery revenues and because bickering legislators failed to bolster the state's Legislative Lottery Scholarship program's financial underpinnings.
In addition to the higher revenues, the department says more money is available since New Mexico is seeing a drop in student enrollment.
Lottery officials say annual demand tops $60 million.
Officials: Video Of Luna County Jail Disturbance Is Missing - The Associated Press
Luna County authorities are investigating why surveillance video of a May 6 disturbance in the county jail is missing.
The Deming Headlight reports that Detention Center Director Matthew Elwell said Wednesday during a review of the incident that the video was not and would not be available for viewing.
Elwell declined to elaborate, but Sheriff John Mooradian said his office is investigating why the video is missing.
The incident began with a search of cells that prompted resistance from some inmates. Jail personnel used pepper spray and gas canisters after inmates became unruly, failed to respond to commands and kicked at doors.
The incident lasted just over two hours.
Meanwhile, inmates and families of inmates have reported poor conditions at the jail and retaliation against inmates.
More Patrols Coming To Chaparral Parks Following Vandalism – The Associated Press
Sheriff's deputies will conduct more patrols in Chaparral parks following concerns about excessive vandalism there.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that County Sheriff Enrique "Kiki" Vigil told residents Wednesday that he's hiking up patrols in the parks, which the Dona Ana County Commission is threatening to close.
Vigil says closing the parks will make them a haven for vandals and drug dealers. Instead, he suggested the commission consider technology and improved lighting to deter criminal activity.
A number of Chaparral residents asked the commission not to close the parks where they walk, exercise and play.
Vigil says he will need the cooperation of residents in Chaparral if he takes officers from other areas and moves them to the park.
Toddler Attacked By Peacock At Albuquerque Zoo – The Associated Press
An Albuquerque toddler was attacked by a free-roaming peacock during a visit to the BioPark, leaving a cut on his face.
KOAT-TV reports that the peacock lashed out Wednesday after being surrounded by children.
The boy's father, Eloy Padilla, says he thinks the bird got the toddler with one claw. He took the boy to Urgent Care.
Zoo officials say the peacock felt cornered.
BioPark manager Lynn Tupa says park visitors sometimes get too close to the birds as they try to photograph their brilliant plumage.
She says park officials are reassessing the practice of allowing peacocks to roam freely.
Tupa says the birds are very territorial, making it challenging to keep them in an exhibit.
In 2013, a free-roaming peacock at BioPark attacked a 2-year-old. She needed stitches.
Senator Wants To Encourage Utilities To Invest In Storage - The Associated Press
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich wants electric utilities to invest in storage technology.
The New Mexico Democrat and Maine Sen. Angus King have introduced legislation to establish a national energy storage portfolio standard.
The bill would set targets for energy storage to meet growing demand and encourage the integration of renewable energy, including solar and wind generation.
Heinrich says the grid of the future isn't a one-way street, but an ever-changing system where electrons are moving in different directions. He says customers are now generators and utility companies have new responsibilities to provide flexibility, reliability and improved security.
Under the legislation, most state-regulated utilities by the end of 2024 would be required to have enough energy storage available on their system to provide at least 2 percent of the maximum power level they deliver to consumers.
Uber, Cab Companies Fighting Recent New Mexico Regulations - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
The company that operates the ride-booking service Uber wants the New Mexico Supreme Court to overturn new state rules governing "transportation network companies."
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that Uber is joining a group of cab companies in challenging new regulations recently outlined by the state Public Regulation Commission.
Both the two sides are going to court for different reasons.
The taxi companies say the rules are too easy for Uber, objecting specifically to Uber's exemption from mandatory drug testing unless a driver has an accident.
However, Hinter-NM, the company that operates Uber in the state, says those rules are too burdensome.
Lyft and Uber use smartphone programs to connect people seeking rides with people who have cars. Lyft recently suspended operations in New Mexico.
Police: Albuquerque Officer Shot At Suspected SUV Thief - The Associated Press
An Albuquerque officer has been placed on paid leave after authorities say he shot at a man suspected of driving a stolen SUV who "recklessly fled the scene."
Albuquerque police say the officer fired his weapon a number of times Monday at a vehicle that also had two women and a 5-year-old child inside.
According to investigators, police spotted the vehicle in an apartment parking lot and the officer fired shots after the suspect ignored commands and fled the scene.
Police say the driver crashed into a truck and the women and child got out of the car. The mother and the child were taken to a hospital.
Authorities say the suspect and the other woman fled.
The name of the officer was not released.
Albuquerque police places officers involved in shootings on leave while a task forces investigates.
New Mexico Unemployment Rate Rises To 6.2 Percent In April - The Associated Press
New Mexico's unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent in April, up from 6.1 percent in March, while the state continued a long string of over-the-year job growth.
The Department of Workforce Solutions said Wednesday the economy added 12,600 nonfarm jobs in April compared with April 2014, when the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent.
The department said April was New Mexico's 32nd consecutive month with over-the-year employment growth.
Eleven economic sectors added jobs in the past year while two — construction and financial activities — lost jobs.
The department said employment growth has generally been trending upward since September 2009, with the pace of growth accelerating in October 2013.
New Mexico Regulators Delay Decision On Power Plant - The Associated Press
New Mexico regulators are giving Public Service Co. of New Mexico more time to ink agreements with a mining company, delaying a decision on whether to approve a plan to close part of the San Juan Generating Station.
The Public Regulation Commission voted 4-1 during its meeting Wednesday.
Commissioner Valerie Espinoza voted against extending the deadline for PNM, suggesting the utility was trying to submit new evidence in hopes of getting a different outcome.
Two units of the coal-fired power plant in northwest New Mexico would be closed under a settlement aimed at curbing haze-causing pollution in the Four Corners region.
The utility, business groups and environmentalists disagree about the best way to fill the void left by the partial closure, and concerns have been raised about the lack of a contract to supply coal to the plant.
Gallup Diocese Billed $2.25M So Far In Bankruptcy Case - The Associated Press and Gallup Independent
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup has incurred over $2.25 million of legal fees and expenses in its ongoing bankruptcy reorganization case.
The Gallup Independent reports that the cost figures are from billing statements submitted to the federal Bankruptcy Court by attorneys, accountants, insurance researchers and real estate appraisers.
Facing mountain lawsuits alleging clergy sex abuse, the diocese filed in November 2013 for protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
The total cost figure of $2.25 million includes $57,000 already paid by the district. The remaining fees and expenses won't be paid until the diocese has an approved plan for reorganization.
More than half of the total figure consists of over $1.3 million billed by a law firm, Quarles & Brady LLC.
California Police Arrest New Mexico Murder Suspect - The Associated Press and Roswell Daily Record
A Roswell man suspected in a 2013 killing is being extradited to New Mexico from California.
The Roswell Daily Record reports Roswell Police Department Public Information Officer Todd Wildermuth says Modesto, California police arrested 27-year-old Steve Guardado during a traffic stop on May 15.
Guardardo faces a first-degree murder charge in connection with the shooting death of 22-year-old Stormy Joel Vargas outside a Roswell home.
Man Dies After Being Injured In Altercation Outside Store - The Associated Press and Las Vegas Optic
A man who suffered a head injury during an altercation with two other men outside a Las Vegas convenience store has died.
According to the Las Vegas Optic, 50-year-old Joseph Sena had been in critical condition and on life support since the May 17 incident.
Theresa Duran said her brother died Saturday at an Albuquerque hospital after being taken off life support Friday.
The case remains under investigation.
Police Chief Juan Montano said police have interviewed two witnesses and are trying to locate other people of interest.
Investment Council Approves Open Settlement Practices - The Associated Press and Albuquerque Journal
Financial settlements will be voted on in public under a policy change approved by the New Mexico State Investment Council.
The Albuquerque Journal reports the new policy states negotiations can occur privately, but the 11-member council must publicly vote on the settlements.
A transparency group and an association of New Mexico newspapers appealed a judge's ruling in favor of the closed-door practice of settling lawsuits. Santa Fe attorney Daniel Yohalem represented the groups and said as long as open meeting laws are followed, the policy change addresses the lawsuit's complaints.
The subcommittee has settled cases for about $30 million in an attempt recover "finder's fees" paid to people close to then-Gov. Bill Richardson who helped broker investment deals with the state. Those settlements are being held in escrow as lawsuits by whistleblowers settle broader legal issues.
Wildlife Officers Set Cougar Traps In Los Alamos - The Associated Press
Officers with the New Mexico Game and Fish Department are setting up snares in Los Alamos to trap a cougar they say has killed two dogs and attacked another in the last month.
They're asking residents to be aware of the traps, which they say pose little or no danger to people or pets.
It's unusual for cougars to stray from their rugged canyon habitat into residential areas, but department spokesman Dan Williams five cougar sighting have occurred within a one-mile area near Los Alamos County Airport.
The department is asking residents to keep a close watch on children and pets at dusk, dawn and nighttime hours until the cougar is caught.
The traps are being set up largely in gated canyon areas not open to hikers.
St. John's College Picks Outgoing President's Replacement - The Associated Press and Santa Fe New Mexican
A Colorado college's top administrator is coming to New Mexico to serve as the newest president at St. John's College.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports outgoing president Michael Peters is being replaced in January by 59-year-old Mark Roosevelt, who was chosen from four finalists in a national search.
Roosevelt is the president who helped revive Colorado's Antioch College in Yellow Springs when it closed in 2008 for the first time since 1850.
The great-grandson of former U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt and Harvard graduate with degrees in art history and law, he says he plans to work on securing donors and increasing enrollment.
Peters says St. John's has a bright future, and that he and his wife are moving to the East Coast to be closer to family.
Ex-CIA Operative, Author To Speak To New Mexico Graduates - The Associated Press
Former CIA operative, author and activist Valerie Plame will be the keynote speaker at next week's graduation ceremony for the New Mexico School for the Arts.
The ceremony will be held Monday at the Santa Fe Convention Center.
Officials say this will mark the second full four-year class to graduate from the school, which opened its doors in 2010.
In 2003, Valerie Plame was exposed as a CIA operative by officials of the George W. Bush administration in an effort to discredit her husband, Joe Wilson, a former ambassador who had criticized the decision to invade Iraq.
Plame's memoir was a best-seller. She's a consultant to the Santa Fe Institute, a member of the Global Zero Leadership board and is the co-author of a series of espionage novels.