New Mexico Court Asked To Settle Fight Over Stream Access – Associated Press
The head of an agency that oversees hunting and fishing across New Mexico is asking a judge to settle a long-running dispute over public access to rivers and streams that flow through private property.
The state Game and Fish director filed a complaint in state district court Wednesday. He asked for clarification on whether and under what circumstances private landowners can prohibit people from fishing and otherwise using waterways that cross their property.
The state Game Commission voted last year to reconsider a contested rule adopted by previous commissioners that limited access.
Environmentalists, sportsmen groups and some lawyers have said state wildlife officials have no authority to weigh in on how waterways should be classified because water policy and law is beyond their scope.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's office previously said the ultimate goal is finding a balanced solution that ensures access for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts while also protecting private property rights.
New Mexico Brings In Over $108M In Oil, Gas Royalty Payments – Associated Press
Oil and natural gas royalty payments for development on state trust lands netted nearly $109 million for New Mexico in one month.
Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard announced the record revenues Friday, saying the State Land Office is on track to raise another $1 billion this year for public schools, hospitals and other beneficiaries.
The State Land Office's Royalty Management Division reports royalty revenue three months after production, so the revenue reported for the month of February actually reflects production from November.
Much of the drilling activity is happening in the Permian Basin, which straddles the New Mexico-Texas state line.
Very Large Array To Close For Group Tours To Contain Virus – Associated Press
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is cancelling group tours of its Very Large Array in New Mexico to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The observatory said Friday that the visitor center and gift shop will remain open and self-guided walking tours will continue. But a semi-annual open house, guided tours and special tours for school groups will be put on hold between March 15 and May 31.
Observatory Director Tony Beasley says the move is meant to protect visitors and the workers who keep the facility running. Astronomers use the Very Large Array to observe natural radio waves from distant stars and planets.
Las Cruces To Pay $1M In Lawsuit Over Fatal Police Chase – Las Cruces Sun-News, Associated Press
The city of Las Cruces has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the widow of a retired police officer who was fatally struck by a vehicle fleeing police in 2017. That’s according to a report by the Las Cruces Sun-News.
The paper reported that 61-year-old J.R. Stewart was killed while on his motorcycle by a carjacked SUV driven by two suspects who fled authorities. The lawsuit accused police of violating city policy forbidding police pursuits when the danger to the public exceeds the danger to the officer.
According to court documents, the Border Patrol called off its own pursuit out of concern for public safety, but police units chased the vehicle throughout the city, reaching 110 mph.
The newspaper says the city did not acknowledge liability in the death of J.R. Stewart.
2 Men Killed In Industrial New Mexico Oil Drilling Accident – Carlsbad Current-Argus, KRQE-TV, Associated Press
Authorities say two men have died after an apparent industrial accident at an oil drilling site in southern New Mexico.
Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage says deputies responded to the accident Wednesday where they found 28-year-old Nicholas D. Gerberich of Roswell and 24-year-old Storm Hutchins of Carlsbad lying on the ground, unconscious and not breathing.
Emergency medical service personnel pronounced both men dead at the scene. Authorities say the accident occurred at a Concho Resources lease location.
Carlsbad Current-Argus and KRQE-TV said attempts seeking comment from Concho Resources were unsuccessful. The county sheriff's office was still working to determine what happened.
Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also on scene.
Governor Signs Bill To Extend New Mexico's Tax Holiday – Associated Press
New Mexico's tax holiday will be extended for another five years under a measure signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The legislation suspends the collection of gross receipts tax on the sale of qualified items at New Mexico small businesses. The governor says Small Business Saturday has become a tradition for many families during the holiday season and it's a way to support local businesses and save money on gifts.
This year's tax holiday will be Nov. 28. Toys, electronics, sporting goods and other categories of merchandise qualify for the tax-free status as long as individual items cost less than $500.
New Mexico Won't Release Prison Records On Use Of Force - Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has accused the state Corrections Department of violating public records law by denying a request for documents related to use of force against inmates in a Las Cruces prison.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the department cited internal policies intended to keep inmates safe that call for keeping inmate grievances and use of force within prisons confidential.
The complaint filed Monday in the state district court in Santa Fe asks the judge to determine if the policy is unlawful.
Department spokesman Eric Harrison said he could not comment on pending litigation.
New Mexico Shifts Focus To Elderly In Preventing Coronavirus - Associated Press
New Mexico health officials say they are placing a new focus on safeguarding the state's elderly population from potential transmission of the new coronavirus.
The state has no known infections since testing began this week for people with an elevated risk of infection because of travel and other factors.
The first 10 tests for the new coronavirus were negative. Symptoms can include fever, cough and breathing trouble.
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has awarded an initial $500,000 to the state for enhancing testing and surveillance.
"We are now specifically identifying our elderly population as a vulnerable group," David Morgan, a spokesman for the Health Department, said in an email Thursday.
New Mexico Governor Signs Union Bargaining, Other Laws - Morgan Lee, Associated Press
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed an overhaul of the state's collective bargaining laws pertaining to public employees over the objections of open-government advocates who say the changes could shield access to information about job titles, salaries and work locations for government workers.
Lujan Grisham also signed legislation Thursday that eliminates a six-month waiting period for public disclosure of financial settlements to resolve accusations of abuses or misbehavior by public officials.
A spokesman for Lujan Grisham said the administration has worked to restore transparency and open access to public records.
The governor also signed a bill that establishes new penalties for public contractors who pay workers less than the prevailing wage and benefits set out in state statute for a variety of trades and professions.
International Balloon Fiesta To Be Focus Of New Exhibition - Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
A colorful spectacle often described as one of the world's most photographed events will celebrate its 50th year in 2021.
Organizers of the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and officials at the international balloon museum are wasting no time planning.
They've already amassed $400,000 through donations and state and local funds.
They will be raising more money this year for a new permanent exhibition dedicated to telling the story of how New Mexico's largest city became the ballooning capital of the world. It will feature historical artifacts, virtual flights and a digital timeline.
The nine-day fiesta draws hundreds of thousands each year.
Migrant Sentenced In Roswell-Area Killing Of Ranch Co-Worker - Roswell Daily Record, Associated Press
A migrant in the United States illegally will serve nine years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in the shooting death of a co-worker at a Roswell-area ranch.
Jose Dominguez was sentenced Wednesday in the 2018 killing of 46-year-old Luciano Sifuentes, a fellow migrant from Mexico. The Roswell Daily Record reports that a prosecution recommendation accepted by District Judge Justin Hunter resulted in Dominguez being sentenced to 15 years in prison but with six years suspended.
Hunter said Dominguez will be deported back to Mexico upon completion of his sentence.
Dominguez acknowledged to investigators that he'd shot Sifuentes, He said Sifuentes had "disrespected" him and that he feared Sifuentes was going to hit or stab him.
Report: Neighbor Steals Skeleton Over Offensive Gesture - Santa Fe New Mexican, Associated Press
A cuyamungue woman is facing a larceny charge after authorities say she stole a neighbor's anatomical skeleton model that allegedly was making an offensive gesture toward her.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports court documents filed Monday show that Diana Hogrebe was charged with one count of larceny in connection with the skeleton heist.
Hogrebe of told Santa Fe County Sheriff's deputies she was offended by the way the skeleton's hand was posed _ with the middle finger pointed up.
The skeleton has not been located, authorities said.
According to the deputy's statement of probable cause, the skeleton was a gift to Downs from a family member and was worth about $1,500.
Hogrebe told the Santa Fe New Mexican the episode was the culmination of a months long feud between her and neighbor Joseph Downs, who she said has hassled her family and other nearby residents.