Regional

By KRWG News

El Paso – An appeals court has rejected an effort to remove a federal judge in El Paso as he presides over a public corruption case.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans denied the petition filed on behalf of former El Paso County Judge Luther Jones and District Clerk Gilbert Sanchez. Both are accused of conspiracy.

They challenged the impartiality of U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo. The judge denies the allegations.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – For the second time a Do a Ana County Magistrate Judge has given jail time for a conviction of cock fighting.

Pedro A. Rubio-Ochoa of Mesquite, New Mexico was convicted today in Magistrate Court on one count of cock fighting.

Assistant District Attorney Scot Key who successfully prosecuted the case asked the courts for a stiff sentence.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police arrested a woman responsible for a hit-and-run crash and another who called 911 and falsely claimed the vehicle was stolen.

Angelita B. Trillo, 19, of the 700 block of Baca Road, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, driving without a license, driving without insurance, driving with expired registration or plates, and three other traffic violations.

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By KRWG News

Anthony, NM – Anthony residents have overwhelmingly approved a measure that will turn the New Mexico community on the state's border with Texas into an official city.

Some 410 voters, or 73 percent, favored incorporation, while 151 opposed it.

That's according to unofficial results from Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins.

The totals include results from early voting and from ballots cast on election day Tuesday.

Ellins says about 22 percent of the eligible voters turned out.

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By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Prosecutors say gunmen killed 13 people in a single day in the violence-plagued Mexican border city if Ciudad Juarez. Two of the dead are police officers.

The Chihuahua state Attorney General's Office issued a news release that says Monday's string of killings may be tied to organized crime, but they have not arrested anyone.

The shootings occurred in eight different locations throughout the city.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – An Alamogordo man has pleaded guilty but mentally ill in the shooting death of his neighbor after an argument a year and a half ago.

District Attorney Diana Martwick says the plea agreement for 52-year-old Timothy Wayne Hardegree was based on a psychological evaluation.

She says he could receive the same sentence as if he pleaded guilty, but the Department of Corrections has to provide mental health treatment for him.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect believed to be responsible for two armed robberies that occurred early in the morning of Dec. 31, 2009.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police arrested a burglary suspect responsible for Monday evening's break-in at an apartment on Majestic Ridge.

Jared Perez, 20, of the 4700 block of Quail Run Avenue, is charged with one count of burglary of a dwelling. Perez was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson is proposing an unspecified $200 million tax increase to shore up state finances and balance next year's budget.

Richardson on Tuesday released budget recommendations to the Legislature for 3 percent cuts in spending in the fiscal year that starts next July. The cuts will save $158 million.

The governor proposed spending more than $5 billion next year on public education and general government programs.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A legislative panel proposes cutting salaries of state workers and educators by 2 percent next year to help balance the budget.

The Legislative Finance Committee on Monday released budget recommendations for spending more than $5 billion on public education and government programs.

The proposals represent a cut of almost 5 percent, or $278 million, from the state and federal money being spent in the current fiscal year.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is being sued over an earlier decision not to add to the federal endangered species list a rare butterfly found only in southern New Mexico.

The lawsuit over the Sacramento Mountains Checkerspot butterfly was filed Monday in federal court by WildEarth Guardians. The action is part of a campaign started last week to persuade the Obama administration to make endangered species a priority.

By KRWG News

Deming – Two hunters have discovered human remains in an arroyo at Rockhound State Park.

The state Office of the Medical Investigator collected an undisclosed number of bones after Thursday's discovery and stored them for later examination.

Luna County Sheriff's Capt. Arturo Baeza says there have been no reports of missing persons in the Deming area. He suggested the bones may have been at the location for some time and could have been the remains of an undocumented immigrant.

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By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Every Monday on Morning Edition at 7:51am, Fred Martino speaks with Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Residents of Las Cruces have a few thoughts for the New Year. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.