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.
Senator David Gallegos Releases Statement Following "Baby Box" Save in Hobbs
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 25 September 2023 25 September 2023
Newborn surrendered Saturday at Hobbs Fire Station One
HOBBS – On Saturday around midday, a newborn baby boy was surrendered in the "Baby Box" installed at Fire Station One in Hobbs, New Mexico. Local firefighters and staff responded immediately to the safety alarm, and the infant was quickly transported to Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital for examination and medical care.
Senator David Gallegos (R-Eunice), who led the effort to secure state funds for a "Baby Box" in every New Mexico county, released the following statement:
"Just over a week ago, the Hobbs community experienced the gut-wrenching tragedy of another abandoned and deceased infant. Today, however, we celebrate a life saved and the mother who made this life-saving choice for her newborn baby boy."
RPNM Wishes Our Jewish Friends a Blessed Yom Kippur
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 24 September 2023 24 September 2023
This evening begins Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in the Jewish faith.
Also known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and the days leading up, are a time of deep introspection while seeking forgiveness from God and others. It is a sacred day of solemn prayer and fasting.
We at the Republican Party of New Mexico wish our Jewish friends in New Mexico and around the world a meaningful fast and a blessed observance.
Allen Fire Update 092423
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 24 September 2023 24 September 2023
Incident Name: Alien fire
Start Date & Time: 9/22/2023 1430
Start Location: Creston Ridge, west of Las Vegas
Latitude: 35.5809
Longitude: -105.2365
Cause of Fire: unknown
Area Vegetation: timber, grass
Allen Fire Update 092323
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 23 September 2023 23 September 2023
The New Mexico Forestry Division would like to update you on a wildfire that is requiring the attention of local, state, and federal resources in New Mexico.
Date/Time/Situation: This morning the Alien Fire is 20% contained, and has burned approximately 25-30 acres, which is adecrease from yesterday’s estimated number. All lines held overnight, and today crews are working to improve and insert new line where needed. Visible smoke has significantly decreased, but there are still scattered pockets of heat and smoke visible throughout the fire. Heavy equipment is improving line which may allow UTV access, but so far crews have hiked in and there is not access for engines at this point. Work has commenced on ordering an investigator to determine the fire’s cause, which as of now is undetermined. The Alien Fire was discovered on September 22 at 2:30 p.m. and is located on the Creston Ridge just west of Las Vegas.
Resources: A total of 15 personnel are responding to the fire, including crews from Forestry Division, the US Forest Service, the City of Las Vegas and City of Santa Fe, San Miguel County, Cochiti Lake, and Angel Fire.
Weather: Temperatures are 71 degrees, with winds at 5 mph from the south. Relative humidity is 19%. Today calls for a high near 79. Breezy, with a west wind increasing to 20-25 mph this afternoon. Tonight, partly cloudy, with a low around 49. West wind 15-20 mph becoming north 5-10 mph in the evening.
Evacuations: Evacuations have been lifted and there are no structures threatened.
Safety: Please stay out of the fire area to allow crews safe access to the fire.
Smoke: Individuals sensitive to wildfire smoke should take precautions and use the New Mexico Department of Health 5-3-1 Visibility Method to determine if it’s safe to be outside. Learn more athttps://nmtracking.doh.nm.gov/environment/air/FireAndSmoke.html. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Internet/ Social Media: The public can continue to follow fires in New Mexico on InciWeb, and New Mexico Fire Information. Fires can also be viewed through the New Mexico Forest & Watershed Institute’s Fire Viewer.
New Mexico Supreme Court issues opinion on partisan gerrymandering
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 September 2023 22 September 2023
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today issued an opinion providing additional guidance to a trial court for resolving a partisan gerrymandering challenge to New Mexico’s congressional districts.
The Court’s unanimous opinion provides the legal reasoning for an order by the justices in August that allowed a congressional redistricting lawsuit to move forward to trial to determine whether alleged partisan gerrymandering violated rights protected by New Mexico’s Constitution.
The lawsuit contends that boundaries of New Mexico’s three congressional districts were drawn by the Democratic-controlled Legislature to unlawfully dilute the voting strength of Republicans in the 2nd Congressional District and allow Democrats to win the seat in an area of the state that traditionally favored GOP candidates. A three-day trial in the case is scheduled to start Sept. 27 in Lovington.
NMSU presidential search enters candidate outreach phase
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 September 2023 22 September 2023
The search for New Mexico State University’s next president is underway and is now entering the candidate outreach phase. Search committee chair and retired NMSU administrator Ben Woods updated the university community on the progress of the search in a message to campus this week.
Woods said the presidential search committee met earlier this month to receive its charge from the board of regents, establish a search timeline, and conduct training in university search procedures and equity, inclusion and diversity topics. The board has also developed a presidential leadership profile to describe the skills, capabilities, commitment and traits desired, as well as the opportunities that await the next president of NMSU.
New Allen Fire 092223 Las Vegas NM
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 September 2023 22 September 2023
Date/Time/Situation: The Alien Fire was discovered on September 22 at 2:30 p.m. and is located on the Creston Ridge just west of Las Vegas. The fire is burning in timber and grass and is exhibiting crowning and torching behavior. The fire is estimated at 65 acres and is zero percent contained. Heavy equipment crews are constructing fire line on the eastern flank. Structures are threatened within the fire’s one-mile radius.
Resources: Crews are responding from Forestry Division, the US Forest Service, the City of Las Vegas and City of Santa Fe, San Miguel County, Cochiti Lake, and Angel Fire.
Weather:
Prescribed Burn Certification Program Goes Live
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 22 September 2023 22 September 2023
Certification will train landowners and help decrease liability
Santa Fe – The Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s Forestry Division has established a voluntary Prescribed Burn Certification program for landowners who wish to conduct prescribed burns on their properties.
In February 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed the Prescribed Burning Act. Certification provides landowners and contractors with the knowledge and training to reduce hazardous fuel on private property through prescribed fire, which helps reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires on the specific property and the surrounding community.