Regional

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A retired executive with the Border Patrol was in Las Cruces Thursday to talk about wilderness legislation that would protect the Organ Mountains. Fred Martino spoke with Ron Colburn, former National Deputy Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The 76-year-old woman involved in Friday morning's traffic crash on Solano Drive has died as a result of her injuries.

Stacey Williams was driving southbound on Solano when her 2009 Yamaha motorcycle collided with a 1996 Nissan pickup that was in a northbound lane and turning west onto Madrid Avenue. The crash occurred at around 9:40 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6.

Williams was not wearing a helmet. She was transported to Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Shoppers in New Mexico can save money this weekend because no tax will be levied on purchases of some clothing, school supplies and computers.

The state's tax holiday starts Friday and runs through Sunday.

Buyers saved more than $4 million by not paying state and local taxes on their purchases during last year's three-day tax holiday, according to the Taxation and Revenue Department.

By KRWG News

El Paso – School districts in the state's five largest cities failed to meet federal education standards amid discrepancies in how the state and federal government count tests taken by special education students.

Districts that failed to meet standards are required to create plans to improve.

Preliminary records released by the Texas Education Agency showed for the third consecutive year Dallas, Houston and San Antonio fell short of the standards. Austin failed last year, and this is the first year for El Paso.

By KRWG News

Texas – Some Texas legislators are asking state environmental regulators to solve a permit dispute with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that has left some of the nation's largest oil refineries in operating limbo.

The bipartisan group of lawmakers made the plea in a July 23 letter. E-mail correspondence obtained by The Associated Press indicates that oil industry leaders lobbied for the letter.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson will be in Colombia this weekend for that country's presidential inauguration.

Richardson will attend Saturday's inauguration at the invitation of President-elect Juan Manuel Santos.

He will return to Santa Fe on Sunday.

His office says no taxpayer money is being used for his travel.

Richardson last traveled to Bogota in 2008 on a humanitarian mission.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Fred Martino speaks with Kat Taylor. The Las Cruces-area woman was diagnosed with HIV about 12 years ago. She speaks to area students about HIV and AIDS and helps the non-profit organization, the Southern New Mexico Aid and Comfort Partnership. The organization holds its 12th annual Red Ribbon Bash on Friday, August 20th at the Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces. Tickets for the fundraiser and dinner are available by calling 575-993-2121.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Governor Bill Richardson today announced a $200,000 Recovery Act award to New Mexico State University's International Relations Institute.

The discretionary award from the Government Services Fund will go to support the development of innovative energy sources for New Mexico farmers and ranchers and to further establish New Mexico State University as a leader in immigration studies.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Transportation Secretary Gary L.J. Gir n announced today that the Department will halt further cottonwood tree removals along Interstate 10.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A new fine art exhibition at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum features the beautiful work of some of southwestern New Mexico's top artists.

"Skylines and Byways: Art from The City of Artists Promotional Association" opens in the museum's Arts Corridor on Aug. 13. An opening reception is planned for 7 p.m. on Aug. 19. The reception will include refreshments and is free to the public.

By KRWG News

Silver City – Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument Superintendent Steve Riley announced today that no entrance fee will be charged for visiting Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument the weekend of August 14 -15, 2010.

The multi-agency Gila Visitor Center is open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The Gila Cliff Dwellings are open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and while the gate to the Cliff Dwellings closes at 5:00 p.m., visitors have another hour in which to complete their hike.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a man who has used obsolete purchase orders from the City of Las Cruces to buy tools and other equipment from a home improvement store.

By KRWG News

Mexico City – President Felipe Calderon says Mexico's cartels in many cases have moved beyond drugs as their main money-earner.

Speaking Wednesday at an anti-crime conference, Calderon says the gangs are even trying to supplant the government in parts of the country. He says gangs are imposing fees like taxes in towns they dominate, extorting money from both legitimate and unauthorized businesses.

He says they may even be taking money from churches.

By KRWG News

Otero County – A southern New Mexico communication cooperative has been awarded more than $435,000 in federal funds to expand access to broadband services.

The grant will allow Dell Telephone Cooperative to provide broadband Internet and improved phone service to residents in a rural area between Cloudcroft and Timberon. The grant is one of dozens that were announced Wednesday around the country.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, says expanding broadband technology is good for New Mexico's long-term economic security.

By KRWG News

Texas – The Texas sales tax holiday is Aug. 20-22 as shoppers prepare to head for stores the weekend before most public schools resume classes.

The Texas comptroller's office says the law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend.

The agency says backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt.