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.
BLM opens protest period for oil and gas lease sale in New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 14 August 2023 14 August 2023
SANTA FE, N.M. – The Bureau of Land Management New Mexico State Office today opened a 30-day public protest period to receive public input on eleven oil and gas parcels totaling 595.59 acres that may be included in an upcoming lease sale in New Mexico and Oklahoma. The protest period ends September 13, 2023.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2023 and held a 30-day a public comment period that concluded in June 2023 on the parcels, potential deferrals, and the related environmental analysis.
City of Rocks State Park and Rockhound State Park astronomy program schedule.
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 14 August 2023 14 August 2023
City of Rocks State Park and Rockhound State Park in conjunction with the Astronomy Friends of The Parks announce the ’23 fall/winter and ’24 Spring astronomy program schedule.
Weather permitting, about 20 minutes after sunset, a laser guided tour is given on the highlights of that evening sky. Followed by visual observations with telescopes with assistance from members of the park friends, lasting approximately 2 hours. Please try to arrive around sunset to 15 minutes after sunset to become familiar with the program layout. Chairs are limited, so if not an inconvenience, bring your own would-be good advice.
City of Rocks programs are given at the Orion group campsite. The Gene & Elizabeth Simon Observatory located at the campsite further compliments the setting.
Rockhound programs are given at the viewing patio, just west of the Visitors’ Center.
Supreme Court provides guidance on law enforcement authority during traffic stops
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 14 August 2023 14 August 2023
SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today clarified the authority of law enforcement officers to expand the scope of their investigation during a traffic stop to ask a passenger in a vehicle for identifying information such as a name and a date of birth.
In a unanimous opinion, the Court concluded that a Clovis police officer had the necessary “reasonable suspicion” of criminal activity to ask about the identity of a front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped because of a broken license plate light.
The Court held that Officer Brice Stacy’s questioning of Hugo Vasquez-Salas was permissible under federal and state constitutional provisions that protect against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Vasquez-Salas was subsequently arrested and in 2018 a jury convicted him of possession of burglary tools. He appealed his conviction.
Stopping a vehicle for a possible traffic violation represents a seizure of the driver and passengers under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which requires law enforcement to have reasonable suspicion to make the traffic stop and investigate whether a traffic offense or crime has occurred. Today’s opinion by the Court addressed the constitutional requirements for police to expand their investigation beyond the initial stop for a traffic offense.
Truth or Consequences - Construction Begins Soon
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 14 August 2023 14 August 2023
Construction Update: Construction Begins Soon on Second Part
Of I-25 Business Loop Reconstruction Project
in Truth or Consequences
Update as of August 14, 2024
NOTE: All construction is weather permitting and is subject to changes without notice.
CONTACTS for questions and concerns or to sign up for email updates on the project:
Patti Watson, 505-245-3134 office; 505-269-9691 cell; pattiw@cwastrategic.com
Alex Montealban, 505-245-3138 office: 505-417-9989 cell; alex@cwastrategic.com
Construction will begin in late August or early September on the second part of a two-part project to reconstruct the I-25 Business Loop in Truth or Consequences.
NMSU to host additional listening sessions on future leadership in Las Cruces
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 14 August 2023 14 August 2023
New Mexico State University will host two listening sessions at the Corbett Center Student Union auditorium Wednesday, Aug. 23, to gather input on what the university should look for in its next leader.
The first listening session will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 23, and an evening session will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 23. Participants may also view and provide input via Zoom. The campus community and the general public are invited to participate in the sessions.
In December, the NMSU Board of Regents authorized and instructed the university’s administration to begin working with the board on a search process for the university’s next president. The Board of Regents hosted two listening sessions in Las Cruces in May, and have hosted additional listening sessions statewide.
Traffic Report for week of August 13 to 20, 2023.
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 11 August 2023 11 August 2023
In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice. Double fines for speeding in work zones may be in effect.
White Sands Missile Range Notification
For information regarding closures, you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.
Interstates:
I-10 to I-25 Ramp Closure, Las Cruces
The New Mexico Department of Transportation will keep the I-10 eastbound to I-25 northbound ramp closed until repairs can be made. Paving operations are currently taking place on the ramp, concrete repairs will begin in the next week. Citizens are strongly encouraged to obey the road closure and stay out of the area. The ramp has no known reopening date at this time.
Date St. Business Loop Roundabout Project, T or C CN1101231/32
La Calerita Construction LLC. (Contractor) construction, the first project is near completion with the contractor completing colored median pavement and cleanup around the project. The roundabouts at New School Rd and Smith Road are now in operation. The third roundabout project will begin at the end of August. The contractor will be working on removal of vegetation, storm drain construction and building the detour. Motorists are encouraged to use extra caution in the construction zone, obey lower posted speed limits and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Regular work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends as needed.
Heinrich Welcomes White House Supplemental Request
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 11 August 2023 11 August 2023
Heinrich Welcomes White House Supplemental Request to Invest in Securing Southern Border, Repairing Broken Immigration System, Fighting Opioid Epidemic, Bolstering Wildland Firefighter Pay, & Supporting Ukraine
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) welcomed President Joe Biden’s FY24 supplemental funding request that includes substantial investments in New Mexicans’ health and safety by strengthening border security, repairing and expediting the nation’s immigration process, and combatting the flow of illicit fentanyl. Additionally, the request includes $60 million to continue current wildland firefighter pay levels before short-term pay increases are set to expire on September 30, and more funding in humanitarian and defense assistance to Ukraine.
“By investing in resources that will enhance border security to repair our nation’s immigration system and ensuring wildland firefighters receive the living wages they deserve, this supplemental request reflects the kind of investments Congress should be making to protect the health and safety of all New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “I’m especially pleased to see that the Administration is pursuing a first-of-its-kind comprehensive fentanyl tracking system that I called for in the Senate’s Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill. This system will be critical to better understanding the movement of illicit drugs and more effectively combatting the fentanyl drug epidemic that’s devastating our communities.”
Heinrich added, “The United States must also continue working with our European allies to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend their democracy and sovereignty. It is in America’s national security interest to ensure that Ukraine wins this war. This funding is crucial to getting that done.”
NMSU conducts active-shooter drill on Las Cruces campus
- Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
- Published: 11 August 2023 11 August 2023
New Mexico State University successfully conducted a multi-agency active shooter training and crisis management exercise Thursday, Aug. 10, on the Las Cruces campus.
The training exercise focused on NMSU’s emergency response plan to an active shooter situation and an incident involving explosive devices found on campus. The NMSU Police Department and NMSU Fire Department staged the exercise to help assure a coordinated, timely and effective response and recovery in the event of a major incident.
The training got underway Thursday afternoon at two locations on campus. First, police responded to an active shooter at the Aggie Health and Wellness Center, 3080 Breland Drive. Officers dispatched to the scene detained a role-playing shooting suspect within two minutes of the 911 call. The suspect had entered the facility under a ruse of seeking medical treatment before opening fire inside and wounding two people.