- RESTITUTION-EXTRADITION
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico court ruling says criminal defendants generally cannot be ordered to pay restitution for costs of being extradited. A Court of Appeals ruling overturns a restitution order that a woman pay $2,100 to the San Juan County Sheriff's Department for extradition costs in a forgery case. Natisha George pleaded guilty under an agreement in which other charges were dismissed. But she appealed the restitution order for costs of being returned from New York where she had moved to live with her father. The Court of Apepals said there wasn't a direct tie between George's criminal conduct and the extradition costs and that extradition costs typically are a non-recoverable cost of administering a system of justice.
- TROUBLED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An audit has found a financial takeover of the Española Public School District by state officials in 2016 led to a series of mistakes costing millions of dollars. The Albuquerque Journal reports the district's annual audit for fiscal year 2019, performed by Las Cruces-based firm Fierro and Fierro, found 17 instances of noncompliance in Española Public Schools' finances. Those findings range from uncashed checks worth more than $140,000 to school accounts not matching New Mexico Public Education Department cash reports. Department spokeswoman Nancy Martira says the department was still reviewing the findings.
- NEW MEXICO STATE-COACH
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico State's head basketball coach is staying for another year. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports head coach Chris Jans put to rest speculation on Wednesday that he would leave for East Tennessee State. Jans announced on Twitter that he would return to the Aggies next season. Jans remains under contract through the 2022-2023 season with an annual base salary of $290,000. The Fairbank, Iowa, native is now entering his fourth season as New Mexico State's shot-caller with an 83-17 record under his belt.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
GALLUP, N.M. (AP) — A small New Mexico city where rural residents from the largest American Indian reservation come to stock up on supplies is one of the nation's worst coronavirus hot spots. The governor on Thursday extended a lockdown aimed at stemming the spread in Gallup and surrounding areas near the Navajo Nation. The emergency declaration now runs through noon Sunday. Businesses will be closed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Residents must stay at home except for emergencies. If they go out, they must wear face coverings to any essential business or government building. New Mexico has nearly 4,500 confirmed cases, with the most in the county where Gallup is located.
- ELECTION 2020-HOUSE-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — A new ad by Super PAC working to elect Tea Party-leaning candidates in U.S. House races is calling one GOP hopeful "a Trump-hating liberal." The ad released this week by House Freedom Action Super PAC attacks oil executive Claire Chase over old Facebook posts from the 2016 presidential primary, where Chase expressed dislike for Donald Trump's behavior. The ad then says the president needs allies, not "liberal enemies" like Chase or "nasty" Rep. Nancy Pelosi in Congress. Chase has since apologized for the old post and says she supports Trump now. Chase campaign manager Mike Berg called the ad "disgusting" and said Chase opponent Yvette Herrell has been linked to anti-Trump events.
- MUTILATED BODY-COFFIN
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A lawsuit says a New Mexico funeral home broke the legs of the body of a tall man so he could fit into a smaller coffin. The Albuquerque Journal reports the family of Dakota Powell has filed a lawsuit in state district court against French Funerals and Cremations for allegedly mutilating his corpse and ignoring family instructions for a Jewish burial. Funeral home president Tom Antram says an investigation conducted by the funeral home's insurance company found no wrongdoing. The funeral for the 26-year-old was held in French's chapel in August 2017. The family seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages.
- CARTEL KILLING-IMPRESS
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — A southeastern New Mexico man who reportedly said he wanted to prove himself to a Mexican drug cartel when he allegedly killed another man is heading to trial. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Anthony Breeding is scheduled to face a jury trial beginning October 26 in connection with the death of Jose Angel Rivera. Deputies discovered Rivera lying underneath the carport in a pool of blood from an apparent gunshot wound to the head in December. The 35-year-old Breeding was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated burglary.
- POLICE PURSUIT CRASH-LAWSUIT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A man has sued a New Mexico State Police officer who crashed into his vehicle in January 2019 while chasing a truck. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the 62-year-old says he suffered spinal fractures and other injuries in the head-on collision. The lawsuit filed this week accuses the officer of pursuing a driver because he was not wearing a seat belt. It alleges the chase reached speeds over 80 mph. The man is seeking compensation for pain and suffering and his medical expenses. A state police spokesman declined to comment on the lawsuit.