- WILDFIRES-RESTORATION PROJECT
New Mexico forest plans thinning to reduce fire threat
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service is planning another round of thinning in the mountains east of Albuquerque with the aim of reducing the potential for extreme wildfires.
The Sandia Ranger District says the work beginning later this week will cover more than a tenth of a square mile (0.3 square kilometers). It will involve thinning the area by hand, piling up fuelwood for later collection and chipping the leftover material.
There are no plans to close recreational trails in the area, but officials are warning visitors to use caution.
The entire project area encompasses nearly 30 square miles (76 square kilometers) where high tree density has created unhealthy conditions and has increased the possibility of high-intensity wildfires.
New Mexico State Forestry, The Nature Conservancy and others are helping with the project.
- CLASSIC CAR SEIZED
City to return Albuquerque man's classic car after 10 years
(Information from: KOB-TV, http://www.kob.com)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An Albuquerque man says he is getting his classic 1970 Chevy returned to him a decade after officers seized it and said earlier this year they were going to turn it into a show car.
KOB-TV reports Leo Martinez's 1970 SS Chevy Chevelle 454 was seized in 2009 under a once widely used law enforcement tactic that has since been ruled unconstitutional.
Martinez's car was seized under an asset forfeiture program after he was pulled over on suspicion of drinking while driving. He pleaded guilty to a DWI and spent nine months in jail.
He says he could not locate his car until March when he saw a Facebook photo saying the city had it.
He sued the city. Police tell KOB-TV the car will be returned to Martinez.
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- BORDER-ARMED GROUPS
Authorities: Armed border group moves from private property
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — An armed group that has been patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border has left their campsite in southern New Mexico after authorities said they were on private property.
Sunland Park police and security officers with a railroad company told members of the United Constitutional Patriots on Tuesday they needed to move their trailers and equipment.
Union Pacific Railroad said the group crossed its land to access the site and requested that the group not trespass onto its property.
Group spokesman Jim Benvie said in a social media post that the group will relocate and that operations will continue.
This comes after the group's leader was arrested last weekend on 2017 weapons charges. It also follows widespread criticism spurred by videos of the group stopping migrants who illegally crossed the border.
- POSTAL WORKER KILLED
US Postal Service: Mail carrier fatally shot in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A U.S. Postal Service spokesman says one of its employees has been shot and killed on his mail route in Albuquerque.
Spokesman Rod Spurgeon confirmed for The Associated Press on Tuesday that mail carrier Jose Hernandez was killed while on duty on Monday. He referred questions about the shooting to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albuquerque, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Albuquerque police say the victim was shot around 3:45 p.m. in front of a residence on the southwest side of the city. A suspect was not in custody.
Spurgeon says Hernandez had been a U.S. Postal Service employee since 2007. He was not certain how long he had been delivering mail in the area where he was killed.
- CENSUS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico invests millions to bolster census participation
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is launching multimillion-dollar effort to ensure its heavily Hispanic and Native American population gets an accurate count in the 2020 census.
Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an executive order Tuesday that draws on her Cabinet and advocacy groups to encourage participation in the upcoming census.
Lujan Grisham says the U.S. Census Bureau's new emphasis on counting residents via the internet and by telephone is likely to overlook people in remote, rural areas without reliable communication infrastructure.
State Demographer Robert Rhatigan says that could shrink New Mexico annual, multibillion-dollar share of federal spending on health care, educational programs, transportation and housing.
U.S. Census Bureau Partnership Coordinator Sergio Martinez says the 2020 census takes a "self-response" approach.
- SPORTS BETTING-NEW MEXICO
Sports betting coming to another New Mexico tribal casino
ISLETA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — Another New Mexico tribe is gearing up to offer sports betting at its casino.
Isleta Pueblo announced Tuesday that its program is expected to open this summer, with USBookmaking serving as the provider.
It will be joining Santa Ana and Pojoaque pueblos, which jumped in following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year that struck down a federal sports gambling ban. Isleta officials say it was a victory for those pushing for more gambling options.
Federal officials have indicated that state gambling compacts with the tribes allow for sports betting.
The New Mexico Legislature has yet to approve any measures that would expressly permit sports betting, and a measure that would have prohibited the state lottery from offering games tied to the outcome of sports stalled during the recent session.
- ELECTION 2020-SENATE-NEW MEXICO
Senate candidate disavows armed civilian border group
(Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Republican U.S. Senate candidate has disavowed an armed civilian group that has detained migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border following the arrest of one of the group's members.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that New Mexico candidate Gavin Clarkson tweeted Saturday that he condemns the group's "lawless activities."
Member Larry Mitchell Hopkins was arrested Saturday on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Clarkson appeared in a Facebook video last month with members of the group, describing them as "honest, sincere patriots" performing a necessary service.
Clarkson said Monday that he believed the group was conducting passive surveillance on the border and not detaining people.
The group United Constitutional Patriots has posted videos on Facebook showing members detaining migrants, including children.
Clarkson said Hopkins lied to him.
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- POLITICAL ACCESS-NEW MEXICO
New Mexico governor posts her first appointments online
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An online appointment book is providing clues about who met with New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham during her tumultuous first months in office.
Accessible on Monday, the schedule of daily events and meetings shows Lujan Grisham set aside time for Native American leaders, an ExxonMobile subsidiary and an investor in a proposed racetrack-casino.
Lujan Grisham scheduled time with state lawmakers from both parties as the Legislature approved teacher pay increases, gun control laws and energy reforms. A dinner was reserved for lead House budget negotiator and Rep. Patricia Lundstrom.
The governor's appointments included actor-turned-politician Steven Quezada of "Breaking Bad" fame and a call with President Trump's former secretary of homeland security.
Meetings apparently were held with political strategist David Contarino, former chief of staff to Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson.