Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A total of eight candidates have filed petitions to have their names placed on the ballot for the four municipal offices up for election on November 3rd. Today was the only day to file.

The four municipal offices to be decided on the November ballot are council districts 3, 5 and 6 and municipal judge.

Filing for district 3 is Incumbent City Councillor and current Mayor Pro-Tem Dolores C. Archuleta who is seeking re-election. She will face off against Olga Pedroza.

By KRWG News

Deming – A judge has extended a restraining order against two men who allegedly harassed the mayor and police chief of Deming.

The extension is good for 10 working days and orders Jerry Turner and Duane Lyon to maintain at least 50 yards distance from Mayor Andres Silva and Deming Police Chief Michael Carillo.

The city's petition followed "weeks of escalating conduct, which includes shouts, threats and harassment" in which Turner and Lyon continued "to act in an aggressive and threatening manner."

By KRWG News

Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services says a preliminary report shows flu is "widespread" across the state.

Department spokesman Doug McBride said Tuesday that it's assumed that most of that flu is the H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu.

Widespread the highest classification means there have been reports of an increase in flulike illnesses and lab-confirmed flu cases in at least half of the state's regions.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The State Investment Council is making a $15 million loan for "The Resident," a film starring Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank.

Swank plays a doctor who moves into an apartment only to discover the landlord is obsessed with her.

The film is expected to be released next year. Nearly 200 New Mexicans worked as crew members during 30 days of photography in the state, which finished in July.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The shooter involved in the drive-by incident at Dona Ana Community College on Monday has been charged with four (4) felonies, and may face additional charges. No one was injured in the shooting.

Omi Gutierrez, 22, of Las Cruces, has been charged with three (3) counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one (1) count of shooting from a moving vehicle. He is currently being held in the Dona Ana County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University police had to deal with a bomb threat Tuesday, when a device was found on campus. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces notifies the public of several road closures due to the Whole Enchilada Fiesta this weekend.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – NMSU Police have issued an "all clear" for the bomb threat at the College of Health and Social Services. A device has been rendered safe. All normal activity in the area may resume.

By KRWG News

Deming – A 19-year-old originally charged with first-degree murder in a 2008 shooting has pleaded guilty to two counts of tampering with evidence in a homicide.

State District Judge Daniel Viramontes on Monday accepted Joshua Tena's pleas.

In exchange, the district attorney dropped the first-degree murder charge that had been filed in the Nov. 6, 2008, shooting death of 15-year-old Luther Garcia.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Border Patrol says three law enforcement agencies were involved in chasing a vehicle that tried to circumvent a Border Patrol checkpoint Monday on Interstate 10 west of Las Cruces.

A spokesman for the El Paso, Texas, Border Patrol sector, Doug Mosier, says the driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and fled into Mexico on foot. He says marijuana was found inside the vehicle and some had been thrown out during the chase.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – Producers and farmers in New Mexico can receive help implementing clean energy projects that will save them money. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Martino and Las Cruces Sun News Business Editor Brook Stockberger discuss the latest local business news.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's assistance in locating an individual wanted for Second degree kidnapping and other related criminal charges stemming from a Domestic incident.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of RALPH LIRA, age 19, of Odessa, Texas, charging him with Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member, Battery Against a Household Member, Interference with Communications and Criminal Damage to Property.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A statewide competition designed to attract New Mexico students interested in computer science is looking for local teams to participate.

The Supercomputing Challenge has opened its registration for teams of middle and high school students interested in addressing real-world problems with computer technology. Over the course of the school year "Challenge" participants learn how to solve real world problems with the help of scientific mentors and team sponsors. Teams compete for awards, prizes and scholarships.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Five men are safe after spending a night stranded in the Texas desert east of El Paso.

El Paso County deputies, working with the U.S. Border Patrol, rescued the men Sunday morning after one of them called for help.

The group, deputies said, got stranded trying to find a piece of property a relative had bought in the desert. They were found in nearby Hudpseth County.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.