Regional

Trial to begin Monday in 3 killings in Las Cruces, NM

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:05:11 +0000

A 50-year-old man goes on trial Monday in Las Cruces in the 2010 killings of a New Mexico couple and their business partner from California.

First-degree murder charges accuse Eugene Ferri of fatally shooting 69-year-old Gilles Delisle, 72-year-old Helga Harries Delisle and 68-year-old Peter J. Weith of San Diego.

Ferri had worked for the Delisles as a contractor, and they and Weith had sued Ferri for $1.3 milion.

Jill Biden Speaks To Navajo Tech Graduates

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:02:53 +0000

Graduates at Navajo Technical College got to hear from Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, during their commencement ceremony Friday.

A longtime educator, Biden shared some lessons about the importance of community and told the graduating class to continue to reach out to each other for support and encourage one another.

New Mexico Jobless Rate Drops Slightly In April

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:01:45 +0000

The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that New Mexico's unemployment rate dropped last month and that job growth has improved.

State officials said Friday the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in April. That's down from 6.9 percent in March and 7 percent in April 2012.

New Mexico has gained about 7,900 jobs during the past 12 months, for a 1 percent growth rate.

Ex-NM Paramedic Convicted In Creek Bed Child Rape

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:00:21 +0000

A former Gallup paramedic convicted of raping of an 11-year-old boy in an Albuquerque arroyo has been sentenced to more than 40 years in prison.

State District Judge Kenneth Martinez sentenced Genaro Sandoval on Friday in Albuquerque District Court to 41 1/2 years in prison for criminal sexual penetration of a child under 13, kidnapping and sexual exploitation of a child.

Cross-Country Ride For Vets Cruises Through NM

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:58:48 +0000

Hundreds of motorcyclists are being greeted by honks and waving flags as they make their way across parts of central and southern New Mexico.

The riders are passing through New Mexico as part of the annual Run For The Wall, a cross-country trip in honor of military veterans, prisoners of war, those killed in action and their families.

Panel Solicits Applicants For Insurance Regulator

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:41 +0000

Former State Insurance Superintendent Chris Krahling has been named to a panel that will select New Mexico's top insurance regulator.

A nine-member committee will select the next superintendent of insurance, who starting in July will be in charge of an independent office regulating insurance rates and policies.

Documentary TV Series To Film In NM

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:29:29 +0000

A new version of Carl Sagan's 1980 Public Broadcasting Service series "Cosmos" will be filming in Santa Fe through early June.

State film officials say the production of "Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey" will mean jobs for at least 80 New Mexico crewmembers, principal actors and background talent.

Freeze Of Albuquerque Oversight Commission Sought

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:27:59 +0000

Operations of an appointed advisory commission that investigates citizen complaints against the Albuquerque Police Department would be suspended while the City Council considers the commission's future.

Councilors Trudy Jones and Brad Winter plan Monday to propose that the Police Oversight Commission's operations be put on hold. A decision would come later.

Girl Accused Of Trying To Blackmail Man Over Sex

KRWG News And Partners — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:26:30 +0000

New Mexico State Police say a 17-year-old Glorieta girl is accused of trying to blackmail a 43-year-old man over consensual sex by threatening to falsely report that he raped her.

According to police, the man said the girl demanded that he pay her $1,500.

How DWI Recommendation Could Affect NMSU

Sloan Patton — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:35:25 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vshWhXmlWlE&feature=youtu.be

BBB Warning About Utility Bill Scams

KRWG News And Partners — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:58:09 +0000

According to national news reports, the Better Business Bureau is warning of a new utility bill scam that is popping up throughout the U.S. and Canada. The scam involves asking people to pay their bills with prepaid debit cards.

Reward In Mesilla Restaurant Burglaries

KRWG News And Partners — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:56:46 +0000

Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps identify the three suspects who broke into a Mesilla restaurant twice since April 9.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the two burglaries at Meson de Mesilla, at 1803 Avenida de Mesilla, which occurred on April 9 and May 15. Surveillance photos from the restaurant show three men entering the restaurant shortly after 3 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

Ex-Director Of NM Halfway House Pleads Guilty

Edmundo Resendez — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:19:55 +0000

The former director of an Albuquerque halfway house for criminal defendants and former inmates has admitted she stole from the federally funded treatment center.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 56-year-old Robin Cash pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of thefts from a program receiving federal funds and three counts of willfully failing to file a tax return over three years.

NM High Court Considers Appeal On Back Pay, Raises

Edmundo Resendez — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:11:50 +0000

The New Mexico Supreme Court is considering whether thousands of state workers covered by union contracts are owed back pay and raises totaling millions of dollars.

The state high court on Wednesday heard arguments on an appeal by the administration of Gov. Susana Martinez.

Her administration is appealing a state Court Appeals' ruling.

Jemez Site Designated As National Landmark

Edmundo Resendez — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:09:30 +0000

A northern New Mexico historic site that is considered one of the best preserved examples of a 17th century Spanish colonial mission has been designated as a national historic landmark.

The San Jose de los Jemez Mission Church was added to the list of landmarks Thursday. There are now nearly four dozen national historic landmarks in New Mexico.