Regional

  ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s largest city is taking more heat for flaws in its crime statistics.

The numbers released in July and at the end of 2018 have been revised dramatically to include hundreds — and in some cases thousands — more incidents than were reported initially, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

The city has blamed a lack of staffing at the records unit that prepared the data and a software glitch that resulted in chunks of data missing.

LAS CRUCES, NM - Las Cruces Police remind drivers who warm up their vehicles to refrain from leaving them unattended as they could become vulnerable to theft.

With freezing morning temperatures, many drivers start their vehicles remotely, or with a key, and leave them running for extended periods of time to warm up. Some vehicles left running and unattended can be stolen in a matter of seconds.

Most modern vehicle engines require only a few seconds to ‘warm-up’ prior to driving. The majority of people who warm their vehicles for extended periods of time do so simply for convenience – to warm the cabin – and not for the good of the vehicle.

New Mexico’s first 100% Community Summit on Trauma-Free and Thriving Childhoods will be held in Las Cruces on Tuesday. The day-long summit will be at the Las Cruces Convention Center, 680 E. University Ave.  Here is a statement from the City:

The summit will bring together mayors, city council members, county commissioners, school board members, state lawmakers, university and community stakeholders and other government and nongovernment leadership to work toward one goal: Trauma-free and thriving children, students, families and communities.

  Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM-2), Chairwoman of the Oversight, Management and Accountability Subcommittee, and Ranking Member Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-2) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve border security through enhanced detection technology at land ports of entry. Here is a statement from the office of Rep. Torres Small:

Specifically, the Securing America’s Ports Act aims to increase the scanning rates of vehicles entering the United States at land ports of entry with large-scale non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses these systems to inspect contents of commercial and passenger vehicles for potential contraband, such as drugs and guns, without physically opening or unloading it.

The success of any operation depends on its employees. For Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Jacob Hands Wastewater Treatment Facility (JHWWTF), the tiniest workers needed a rehabilitated home providing just the right conditions for them to do their job. “As part of the wastewater treatment process,” explains John Mrozek, deputy director Wastewater, “we cultivate specialized microorganisms (Mesophilic Bacteria) that have the important job of breaking down solids in wastewater. They also produce the methane gas, which is now fueling our new Co-Generation units, producing electricity to power this facility, and is expected to save the City of Las Cruces more than $200,000 every year in electric bills.” 

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The number of domestic violence incidents in New Mexico has remained steady over the last three years despite an increase in funding for services.

Analysts with the Legislative Finance Committee also found that the number of clients receiving services over the same period has dropped.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State Police officers will be watching for drunk drivers throughout the month of December.

State officials this week announced the sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, saying they will occur throughout New Mexico over the next few weeks.

Authorities say bringing awareness to the crackdown is part of an effort to change society's attitude about drinking and driving and to ultimately reduce alcohol-related fatalities.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Nearly $34 million in federal funding is being funneled to New Mexico to help make improvements to water and wastewater systems.

The U.S. Agriculture Department says in all, $635 million is being invested in 122 projects across the country. Those include projects at Laguna Pueblo and the cities of Lordsburg and Truth or Consequences.

A loan and grant financing package worth more than $19 million has been awarded to Laguna Pueblo to rehabilitate existing sewer lines. The money also will be used to enlarge a sewage lagoon.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — From taco stands to toxic waste, environmental regulators in New Mexico are tasked with inspecting tens of thousands of businesses, restaurants and industrial sites every year, but some officials are concerned that demand has far outpaced the number of available inspectors.

Environment Secretary James Kenney says the state Legislature needs to make a bigger investment to bolster the tools his agency has so it can meet its regulatory responsibilities.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas says coyote killing contests are illegal and anyone caught organizing one or participating could face a misdemeanor.

The warning came Friday, after authorities learned through a social media post that a contest was planned Saturday in Curry County.

Balderas’ office and the State Land Office sent letters to the sheriff, requesting an investigation. State police and local prosecutors also were notified.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill outlawing the contests earlier this year.

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s largest electric provider says continued operation of a coal-fired power plant using carbon-capture technology wouldn’t be in the best interest of utility customers.

Public Service Co. of New Mexico made the declaration in testimony filed with state regulators who are weighing the pending closure of the San Juan Generating Station.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Jamal Hartwell II had 17 points as George Mason took control in the second half to beat New Mexico State 68-64 to claim the Cayman Islands Classic championship on Wednesday night.

Justin Kier had 13 points for George Mason (8-1) and AJ Wilson added 12 points and 14 rebounds as the Patriots rallied from a 35-23 halftime deficit for the win.

LAS CRUCES, NM -  The Las Cruces Police Department is encouraging shoppers to follow some basic safety tips that may help keep them out of harm’s way this holiday season.

Possibly the most sensible rule doubles as the most enjoyable: take a friend as people are less vulnerable to criminal activity when traveling together.

Additional shopping safety tips include:

• Do not leave personal electronics, valuables, merchandise or wrapped presents visible in a vehicle. Conceal those items in a trunk or take them home before continuing to shop.
• Roll up windows and lock doors when leaving vehicle.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a parked vehicle.
• If you take children shopping, keep them nearby at all times.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico health officials say flu activity is already widespread across the state and they’re recommending vaccinations to prevent spreading the illness.

The Health Department said Wednesday that different variations of the virus are circulating in different parts of the state. The agency says 21 pneumonia and flu deaths have been reported so far this season.

Last season, 237 New Mexicans died of pneumonia and/or influenza.

Symptoms may include rapid onset of illness with fever, cough, sore throat, headache and/or muscle aches.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are urging residents to shop local.

This year’s Small Business Saturday tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and runs through midnight.

For 24 hours, the state suspends collections of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items at businesses that have fewer than 10 employees and whose primary place of business is in New Mexico.

Taxation and Revenue Secretary Stephanie Schardin Clarke says it’s a great opportunity to support home-grown New Mexico businesses.

Lost or stolen identification is a commonly reported problem in the homeless community.

Recently, several state agencies helped provide birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other services to people in need at the Mesilla Valley Community of Hope.

In this video essay by Michael Hernandez, Workforce Solutions Dept. Secretary Bill McCamley speaks about the aim of the event and we hear from some of those getting ID.

SANTA TERESA, NM - New Mexico State police have released the identity of the motorcyclist killed yesterday in Santa Teresa as 24 year-old Francisco Zavala of Juarez.

They say Zavala was stopped at a red light at the intersection the Pete Domenici Highway and McNutt when he was rear ended by a Ford Explorer driven by a 23 year- old Canutillo man. Police haven’t released his identity but say they don’t believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say two people are dead following a house fire in southwest Albuquerque late Tuesday night.

A third person was taken to a hospital. That person’s condition wasn’t released and no identities were released.

Albuquerque Fire Rescue says crews responding to a report of a fire in the residence with victims trapped inside found smoke and flames when they arrived.

Cause of the fire is under investigation.