Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces motorists are advised that flagging operations are currently in place for a portion of Sonoma Ranch Boulevard. The operations will be in effect for approximately one and a half weeks.

Both the north and south bound traffic on Sonoma Ranch Boulevard will be subject to flagging operations approximately 250 feet from the southern portion of the South Fork Arroyo.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – An escape attempt for a DUI suspect went afoul after Sheriff's Deputies were able to subdue the suspect before he was able to flee after a brief struggle, resulting in injuries to a Sheriff's Deputy.

According to Sheriff's Investigators, on July 16, at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sheriff's Deputies detained a DUI suspect and transported him to the Anthony sub-station for processing.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins has promoted Trey LeFluer to the position of Elections Supervisor.

LeFleur has been a temporary employee in the Dona Ana County Bureau of Elections since March 18, 2010. Ellins said LeFleur was instrumental with the success of the June 1 Primary Elections and has demonstrated a skill set that suits him well for the promotion.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County Sheriff Todd Garrison has suspended radio advertisements promoting the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department until Nov. 3, 2010, the day after the General Elections.

"Although the advertising campaign is reflective of an ongoing and dynamic effort to rebrand the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department to the community, I am sensitive to the fact that we are in an election cycle," Garrison said. "With that in mind, I have informed the internal committee that commissioned the campaign of my decision to suspend it."

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Seven other Latin American countries want to join Mexico in supporting a lawsuit challenging Arizona's immigration enforcement law.

Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Paraguay and Peru filed separate, nearly identical motions to join Mexico's legal brief supporting the lawsuit filed by U.S. civil rights and other advocacy groups.

A federal judge formally accepted Mexico's filing July 1 but did not immediately rule on the latest motions filed late last week.

By KRWG News

Albuquerque – The Aperture Center in Albuquerque will test advanced battery technology for the solar industry.

Solar power's future depends on new battery technology to create a constant power source from solar panels.

Since weather conditions can interrupt solar- or wind-generated electrical power, those industries are interested in battery technology that has the promise of storing energy to use during down times, boosting the use of renewables.

The Aperture Center uses photovoltaic solar panels for its electricity.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says his administration plans to start developing a state-based exchange for small businesses and individuals to buy health insurance.

Richardson said Monday a state-managed exchange was recommended by an administration task force that looked at how New Mexico should implement provisions of a federal health care overhaul.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the driver who purposely struck a pedestrian on June 26.

Shortly before 2 a.m. June 26, 2010, Las Cruces Police we dispatched to an affray near the corner of Ancho Avenue and Magdalena Drive. When officers arrived, they learned that a 19-year-old man had been struck by a vehicle and had numerous abrasions to his back, arms and legs.

The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday, Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A multi-agency investigation headed by the Las Cruces Police Department - using technology to combat cybersex crimes against children - has led to Monday morning's arrest of a 74-year-old man on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.

David Rounbehler, of the 4300 block of Del Prado Way in Las Cruces, was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Monday, July 19, in Boston, Mass. Rounbehler is charged with seven counts each of possessing and distributing images related to sexual exploitation of a child.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – On Oct. 7 and 8, Honor Flight of Southern New Mexico will take their third group of World War II Veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the World War II Memorial. None of these American heroes, many of whom are at or near 90, have ever had the opportunity to see "their" memorial before.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman this week will hold an Energy and Natural Resources Committee meeting to consider pending legislation, including two bills authored by Bingaman.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A warrant has been obtained by Dona Ana County Sheriff's Investigators for the arrest of an individual who falsely reported to two different law enforcement agencies that his "friends" after losing a bet, set him on fire, leaving him on the side of the road.

By KRWG News

Deming – A body found in the desert north of Deming has been identified as 76-year-old Ramon G. Marquez.

Luna County Sheriff's Capt. Arturo Baeza says the body, which was found last week off U.S. 180, showed no signs of violence. Investigators are waiting for results from a toxicology test, which won't be ready for two or three weeks.

Authorities located a resident alien card for Marquez by checking immigration records. Baeza says Marquez had a Deming address that turned out to be bogus.

An investigation is continuing.

By KRWG News

Texas – Everyone from lobbyists to lawyers and journalists are rushing to get permits to carry guns inside the Texas Capitol because it will give them VIP-style access to the building.

A unique loophole in a new security procedure means a gun permit is like a special-access pass. It allows people who are certified to carry a gun to bypass lines at the metal detectors that were set up after a shooting incident earlier this year.