Regional

By KRWG News

Deming – The New Mexico Supreme Court has ordered a Deming judge to respond to a citizens' petition for a grand jury.

Gordon Mast, who petitioned for the grand jury, asked the Supreme Court to intervene after he waited more than a year for a response to his petition seeking an investigation into local government.

Mast wants a grand jury convened immediately.

Last week, three Supreme Court justices ordered state District Judge Daniel Viramontes to respond by Aug. 13.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – An alert victim of a Saturday home burglary called police on Tuesday after he spotted his stolen watch on the arm of one of the men who took it.

The call led Las Cruces Police to the arrest of four men responsible for Saturday's burglary and the recovery of some of the property that was stolen.

Martin Ramirez Tovar Jr., 24, Agustin Rey Garcia, 23, Damacio Bernal, 20, and Richard Nieto Jr., 18, were arrested Tuesday evening and are each charged with one count of residential burglary and tampering with evidence.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – "Jam Session in Las Cruces," a two-month long series of events that focus on the art and culture of jazz, will take place at various city locations between December 10, 2010 and February 3, 2011. The project will feature multi-media exhibits,concerts, films, public gallery talks, and educational outreach to students of all ages.

By KRWG News

Texas – Two white students who were denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin are asking a federal appeals court to rule that the school impermissibly uses race in its undergraduate admissions decisions.

A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals didn't immediately rule Tuesday after hearing arguments.

A federal judge in Austin last year dismissed the suit filed by Abigail Fisher and Rachel Michalewicz, who were denied admission to UT's 2008 freshman class.

By KRWG News

Juarez, Mexico – Mexico says more than 28,000 people have been killed in drug violence since President Felipe Calderon launched a crackdown against cartels in 2006.

Intelligence agency director Guillermo Valdes says authorities have confiscated about 84,000 weapons and made total cash seizures of $411 million in U.S. currency and $26 million worth in pesos (330 million pesos).

Valdes says drug violence in Mexico "is still growing."

By KRWG News

Santa Fe – A teenager who pleaded guilty to several charges in a hazing case involving the 2008 sexual assault of fellow members of the Robertson High School football squad has been sentenced to two years in state custody.

Judge Mark Macaron during a hearing in Santa Fe on Tuesday ordered 18-year-old Michael Gallegos to spend two years in the custody of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Child Crisis Center of Southern New Mexico is receiving $250,000 in federal funds.

Gov. Bill Richardson says the state Children, Youth and Families Department will manage the award.

He says it will allow the state agency to invest in care for children and their families, including services aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.

CYFD Secretary Bill Dunbar says southern New Mexico has seen deadly child abuse cases in recent years, including several in the last few months.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The New Mexico State Fair is keeping a lid on ticket prices and there will be no increases this year.

Fair officials said Tuesday that admission is $7 for ages 13 to 61. The cost is $5 for children who are 6 to 12, and for senior citizens 62 and older. Admission is free for kids 5 and under.

Parking is $7 and fair officials said that's the same price charged in 2007.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A traffic enforcement operation conducted Tuesday afternoon along Missouri Avenue netted 51 citations for violating of the city's cell phone ordinance and another 43 citations for various other offenses.

The operation was conducted between 1:30 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3, along Missouri Avenue between Payne Street and Don Roser Drive. Las Cruces Police officers cited 51 motorists for violating municipal ordinance 27-12-6-12.18 which prohibits drivers from using a cell phone without a hands-free device.

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The Dona Ana Wilderness Bill introduced recently by our New Mexico U.S Senators has cleared a senate committee hurdle and may soon make it to the Senate floor. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By Vanessa Dabovich

Las Cruces, NM – The City of Las Cruces is at the top of the list for a potential relocation of Ruidoso Downs. KRWG's Vanessa Dabovich reports

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) is offering FREE adoptions this weekend to the public.

The ASCMV, located at 3551 Bataan Memorial West, is hosting the free adoptions in conjunction with the statewide tax free holiday weekend. The free adoptions will be offered on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., there will also be animals available for adoption on Saturday at the Farmers and Crafts Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in downtown and Pet's Barn, 1600 S. Valley from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Dona Ana County Sheriff's Investigator Alfred Sanchez, on Friday, July 30, arrested and charged, CRYSTAL MEJIA, age 24, of the 1500 block of West Picacho, with one third degree count of Child Abuse - Negligently Permit (No Death or Great Bodily Harm), along with her boyfriend, JEREMY GARCIA, age 19, of the 1100 block of Tamony Lane, who was charged with two, third degree counts of Child Abuse - Intentional (No Death or Great Bodily Harm).

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced the City of Las Cruces will receive a grant award of $146,700 to help purchase new vans for RoadRunner Transit. The funding was secured by Bingaman in the bill that funds the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. "This investment in Las Cruces will help make getting around easier for New Mexicans who depend on public transportation," Bingaman said.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that four New Mexico Airports have been awarded grants through the Federal Aviation Administration.

"Our state's airports play an important role in helping attract good jobs to New Mexico. I'm glad our state is benefitting from these FAA grants," Bingaman said.

Aztec Municipal Airport will receive a $1.209 million grant for reconstruction work on runway 8/26.