- AP-US-NATIONAL-PARK-VISITOR-TASED
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The National Park Service says it's investigating an incident in which a visitor was tased by a ranger at Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico. Darrell House was stopped by the ranger for walking off trail in a closed area. Video taken by House shows the ranger asking for his identification and House declining. He insisted he hadn't done anything wrong. In his post, House says the use of force was uncalled for. House identified himself as Navajo and Oneida and said he goes to the monument to pray. Regional park officials say the case has been referred to the agency's internal affairs unit for review.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials have fined two Albuquerque churches for violating the state's public health orders aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 after both venues held large gatherings for Christmas. The state Department of Health fined Legacy Church and Calvary Church $5,000 each on Monday after photos and video showed both churches violated orders limiting occupancy, mandating masks and practicing social distancing. A spokesman for the governor said the leaders and congregation at the two churches violated state regulations. Legacy Church officials accused the state of trampling on their constitutional rights. Calvary Church's pastor said they urged people to follow guidelines and blocked every other row to practice social distancing.
- NEW LAWS-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — With the start of the new year, New Mexico authorities will be increasing oversight of tobacco and e-cigarette businesses to prevent child access. The state is taking a more assertive approach to the regulation of tobacco products by requiring licenses for the sale, distribution or manufacture of all tobacco products. The changes come as a new statewide minimum wage also takes effect Friday. New Mexico's minimum wage is increasing to $10.50 a hour, up from $9. And a new consumer protection law takes aim at the student debt crisis with financial disclosure requirements for private colleges and universities.
- NEW MEXICO WEATHER
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque say two winter storms will be bearing down on New Mexico this week. The first is expected to bring widespread precipitation through Tuesday evening. The Sacramento Mountains in southern New Mexico and the adjacent highlands will see gusts during the day before a backdoor cold front moves in and crosses the plains. Well below normal temperatures are expected in the storm's wake. The next round will hit Thursday night with some high elevation snow showers possible for northern New Mexico.
- COLORADO-HUMAN REMAINS FOUND
CONEJOS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities have identified a second set of human remains found near a rural town in southern Colorado. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday the remains are those of 34-year-old Shayla Hammel, of Saguache. In early December, the CBI said another set of remains found in the area were those of 37-year-old Myron Martinez, of Del Norte. Searches in November uncovered the remains of three people on two properties near Alamosa. Investigators haven't identified the remains of the third person. Authorities arrested 26-year-old Adre Baroz on Nov. 19, and he is being held on unrelated charges. Baroz's warrant remains sealed.
- PUBLIC RECORDS-MEDICAL INVESTIGATOR
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico attorney general's office says autopsy reports done by the state for a tribal entity or the federal government are subject to open record laws because the work is carried out in part using state funds and resources. The written opinion was issued earlier this month. It stemmed from a request from the Rio Grande Sun newspaper for autopsy reports done by the state Office of the Medical Investigator under contract for the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The newspaper filed a complaint with the attorney general's office in 2019 after being denied the records.
- SKI AREA EMPLOYEE DEATH
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities and a friend identified a Ski Santa Fe employee who died after hitting a tree while skiing during his personal time over the weekend as a 22-year-old from Phoenix. The sister of Bryan Garcia's roommate tells the Santa Fe New Mexican that Garcia was working in equipment rentals at the ski basin. Garcia's roommate, Evan Simpson, created a GoFundMe page to benefit Garcia's family. Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies were called to the ski basin about 2 p.m. Saturday, and authorities said Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-OUTDOOR RECREATION
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are hoping an appetite for outdoor recreation during the coronavirus pandemic will help the state's economy recover. The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division requested more funding for outdoor programs and support initiatives to be considered during the next legislative session scheduled to begin in January. The division requested more than $3 million to fund its Great New Mexico Trails Package, which would provide funding to groups with plans to develop and maintain hiking trails statewide. The division also requested about $1 million for the Outdoor Equity Fund to give funding to youth programs that center on outdoor recreation.