Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For local events please visit Local News Releases.
New Mexico Supreme Court opinion provides guidance about pretrial detention
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 May 2023 22 May 2023
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today issued an opinion providing guidance to district courts in deciding pretrial detention requests from prosecutors.
In a unanimous opinion, the justices clarified the analysis that courts should follow in determining whether legal requirements have been met for a person charged with a felony to be held in jail while awaiting trial.
Under state law, a felony defendant may be detained if prosecutors file a written motion and prove to a district court that the charged person is dangerous and that “no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.”
The Court’s opinion provides the legal reasoning for an order by the justices in February that reversed a district court’s denial of a motion for pretrial detention of Joe Anderson, a Bernalillo County man charged with first-degree murder.
State Supreme Court vacates felony murder convictions but affirms willful and deliberate murder convictions in a triple homicide case
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 May 2023 22 May 2023
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court has upheld the first-degree willful and deliberate murder convictions of a northern New Mexico man for the 2018 killings of three people in a home near the community of Dixon in Rio Arriba County.
However, the Court vacated three felony murder convictions that a jury returned against Roger Gage for the same three deaths. The justices concluded that Gage’s convictions of three counts each of first-degree willful and deliberate murder and three counts of felony murder violated constitutional protections against double jeopardy.
“While only one capital sentence was imposed for each murder, under the judgment and sentence, Defendant stands convicted of six first-degree murder convictions for three killings,” the Court wrote in a unanimous opinion by Justice Michael E. Vigil.
Nominations Sought for New Mexico Livestock Inspector of the Year
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 May 2023 22 May 2023
By: Michelle Frost-Maynard, NMCGA
Deadline for submitting nominations is September 15, 2023. New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association (NMCGA), is seeking nominations for its annual New Mexico Livestock Inspector of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the 2023 Annual Joint Stockmen's Convention, December 14th – 16th, in Albuquerque.
"NMCGA honors a livestock inspector employed by the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) for outstanding service to the livestock industry," said Loren Patterson, NMCGA President. The NMLB mission is to protect the integrity of New Mexico's livestock industry. The inspectors continuously patrol and perform inspections around the state to help keep livestock free from disease and safe from theft.
Real Estate Activity was Mixed in April 2023
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 21 May 2023 21 May 2023
In April 2023, New Mexico home sales decreased by 12.75% compared to the previous month. While still 26% behind April 2022 sales, the numbers reflect an increase in the median sold price. In Q1 of 2023, the National Association of Realtors® reported that Santa Fe was one of the top ten metro areas with the largest percent gains in existing single-family home prices at an 11.7% increase.
National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said the Federal Reserve's most recent rate hike was unnecessary, and he expects the Fed will stop raising interest rates further. "Inflation will not reignite – inflation will come down closer to 3% by the year's end," Yun stated. Fast-rising rent prices remain the largest contributor to elevated inflation. According to Yun, the housing market is being held back by the lack of housing inventory, a problem that existed before the pandemic. “Seeing a drop to 6% rates on 30-year mortgages, we expect to see more renters transition to home ownership as inventory becomes available,” remarked Hubert Hill, NMAR President.
I-10/I-25 Roadway Memorial Interchange Dedication
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 21 May 2023 21 May 2023
“In memory of SFC Antonio Rey ‘Rod’ Rodriguez”
LAS CRUCES – Saturday, May 20, 2023, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), distinguished guests and community members held the official dedication of Interstate 10 Eastbound from milepost 143.69 to milepost 145.43, Interstate 10 Westbound from milepost 145.43 to milepost 143.69, and Interstate 25 from milepost 0 to milepost 0.19 in Doña Ana County (I-10/I-25 Interchange), as the “SFC Antonio Rey ‘ROD” Rodriguez Memorial Interchange.
Guadalupe Rodriguez Jaramillo, President of the SFC Antonio Rey “ROD” Rodriguez foundation, met with Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales and executive staff members of the NMDOT to formally request, on behalf of the foundation, the dedication of the I-10/I-25 Interchange in memory of United States Army Sergeant First Class (SFC) Antonio Rey ‘ROD” Rodriguez.
T or C Construction Update: Water Outage Rescheduled Wednesday, May 24, 2023
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
5/24/2023 from 3:30-8:30 p.m. - will affect some businesses and organizations
Update as of Friday, May 19, 2023
NOTE: All construction is weather permitting and is subject to changes without notice.
Crews will relocate a section of water line to continue work on an 8-inch sanitary sewer line. During this work, scheduled Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 3:30-8:30 p.m., the water will be shut off.
Affected businesses and organizations include:
- Sierra Vista Hospital and Rural Health Clinic
- Hot Springs High School
- Truth or Consequences Middle School
- Shell Gas Station
- Lakeway Shopping Center, including Organtica Truth or Consequences, Subway, World Finance, Dollar General, Gila National Forest, Black Range District Office, Metro by T-Mobile and Truth Smoke Shop & Vape
Heinrich, Grijalva Introduce Legislation to Modernize Antiquated Mining Law
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
Legislation comes as demand grows for critical minerals necessary for the transition to a clean energy future
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, introduced House and Senate versions of the Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act to modernize the nation’s severely antiquated Mining Law of 1872. The bills will address major environmental justice concerns, protect the environment, and ensure a fair return for the American people.
"We cannot go all in on a clean energy future with a 19th century mining policy on the books. This antiquated law has become a driving force behind centuries of legacy mining pollution that is leaking toxic heavy metals and acid mine drainage into streams and rivers all across the West,” said Heinrich.
Heinrich Announces Legislation to Improve Electric Transmission Planning
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 19 May 2023 19 May 2023
The Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act will help build a more reliable and robust 21st century energy infrastructure
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced legislation to jump start the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) interregional transmission planning process.
“If we want to confront the climate crisis and make our electric grid more resilient and reliable, we need to be thinking across regions,” said Heinrich. “This bill will direct FERC to formalize an interregional planning process. It will be key to modernizing our electric grid in a way that creates good-paying jobs and helps us transition to a clean energy future.”
The bill, first introduced by Senator Heinrich in 2019, directs FERC to create an interregional transmission planning process and ensure that cost allocation methodologies consider economic, reliability, and operational benefits. The bill directs FERC to promulgate a final rule within 18 months of enactment.