Non-Local News Releases

Santa Fe, NM – November 14th, 2024 - With Fall weather in the air and winter on the way, temperatures are getting colder, and nights are getting longer. This also means that trees are shedding their leaves and dropping their needles. As these burnable materials pile up, they become a fuel bed and can become a fire hazard under dry conditions. In the event of a wildfire, leaves and needles are a fuel source for embers and can ignite easily allowing fires to spread to your home. Wildfire preparedness is an ongoing process and you can set yourself up for success by taking care of the fine fuels on your property this Fall.

State pushes 'Breaking Bad Habits' and showcase natural beauty

SANTA FE — Three state agencies—the Departments of Transportation, Tourism, and Environment—have collectively awarded $4.7 million in grants to 97 local entities, funding projects that aim to make New Mexico cleaner, greener and more beautiful.

The funding initiative is part of a statewide #BreakingBadHabits campaign that encourages residents to preserve New Mexico's unparalleled landscape.

"New Mexico is the most beautiful state in the nation and it's time for all of us to commit to 'Breaking Bad Habits' of littering and trashing our state," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "These grants will play a vital role in our push to eliminate litter and protecting our state's spectacular beauty."

Alamogordo, NM – On July 15, 2023, at about 2:18 a.m., officers from the Alamogordo Police Department initiated a traffic stop near Puerto Rico and 9th Street in Alamogordo. The driver, Dominic De La O, 27, fled from law enforcement and crashed into a light pole. He then exited the vehicle with a sawed-off shotgun, and a foot pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, De La O turned and fatally shot Officer Ferguson, who was airlifted to the University Medical Center, in El Paso, Texas, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 16, 2023

On November 8, 2024, after a week-long trial prosecuted by the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office, a jury found De La O guilty of Murder in the 1st Degree, Tampering with Evidence, Aggravated Fleeing of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting/Evading an Officer and Criminal Trespass. On November 12, 2024, De La O was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

SANTA FE – Freshman college enrollment continues to surge in New Mexico, the Higher Education Department announced Wednesday.

First-time enrollment in colleges and universities has risen 9.2 percent statewide, according to data for the fall 2024 semester.

This is yet another year-over-year increase in first-time, full-time college participation in New Mexico; meanwhile, the national trend is heading in the opposite direction.

This fishing report, provided by the Department of Game and Fish in cooperation with Dustin Berg of www.gounlimited.org (“supporting disabled anglers”), has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.

Diabetes can lead to serious health problems

SANTA FE – November 14 is World Diabetes Day, a health observance created in 1991 by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation to raise awareness about diabetes as a public health threat and draw attention to actions people can take to prevent and manage the condition.

Some 12.5% of all New Mexicans were diagnosed with diabetes in 2023. Nearly a quarter of them are 65 years or older. The state's Hispanic/Latino population makes up nearly 15% of all cases. And 8.46% of all cases fall within the age range of 18 to 64.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – November 12, 2024 – Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands fire crews are preparing to implement prescribed (Rx) fire Thursday November 14thon 34 acres of piles within the previously announced Sulphur unit of the Sandia Rx Fire Plan.

Fire managers are taking advantage of recent precipitation, snow covered ground, cooler temperatures, and relative humidity recoveries that creates suitable conditions for burning piled slash and woody debris from earlier forest restoration work.

Landowners affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires may apply

SANTA FE – Following the disastrous South Fork and Salt Fires earlier this year, the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department's Forestry Division is accepting requests for post-fire erosion and hazardous tree mitigation assistance from landowners in the fire-affected areas.

State Forestry will pay contractors to conduct site assessments and carry out post-fire hazard mitigation projects on private land. These projects will reduce hazards from dead trees that may fall on houses or roads and help stabilize slopes to mitigate future potential flood risk.