Month: March 2017

SAN ANTONIO (AP) – U.S. regulators ignored expert warnings that hot-air balloons like one that crashed in July in Texas, killing 16 people, have higher accident rates than other aircraft and similar fatality rates, the San Antonio Express-News reported. The newspaper (http://bit.ly/2mNbc6n ) relied on government documents and internal emails obtained under the Freedom of

For many who knew police Officer David Ortiz it’s almost unbelievable a year has gone by since he died. For Ortiz’s family the death is still fresh in their hearts. The chorus rang out at the intersection of Vista Del Sol and Lee Trevino streets. The intersection where Ortiz was killed. Ortiz’s mother, Herlinda Ortiz

Starting next year, students at the Cobre Consolidated School District will attend school four days a week instead of five. The decision came down after years of planning, public opinion and board approval. The district, located near Silver City, includes six schools and encompasses about 1,300 students. If the the proposed state budget is approved,

The New Mexico State women’s basketball remained perfect against WAC competition this season with a 71-63 win over UMKC to advance to the WAC Tournament championship game. The Aggies were able to use a big run in the third quarter to push their lead 14 entering the fourth quarter and held on for an eight-point

The last time the UTEP Miners had been to the Conference USA finals was back in 2011, and it seems the Miners will have to wait another season to get their chance. The UTEP Miners Men’s Basketball team lost to Middle Tennessee in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament 82-56. The Miners only lead

Lawmakers in several states want to require driver’s education courses to teach motorists about proper traffic-stop behavior. A North Carolina bill would require instructors to describe “appropriate interactions with law enforcement officers.” Illinois passed a similar law recently, and another awaits the Virginia governor’s signature. Mississippi, New Jersey and Rhode Island also are considering them.

For the second time in a month, the Canutillo ISD school board finds itself in the middle of a land development issue. The Upper Valley 120 project is located near the southwestern boundary of the district at Artcraft and West Side Drive. Current zoning calls for density not to exceed two and a half dwelling

An employee at Myrtle Cooper Elementary was placed on leave pending an investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct, Socorro ISD Spokesman Daniel Escobar confirms. ABC-7 obtained the transcript of a message sent to parents by Leticia Terraza, the school’s principal. “I am calling to inform you that we received a report of alleged inappropriate conduct by

Detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and assault of a 20-year-old man. 24-year old Belinda Meraz, 20-year old Josue Argenis Marinelarena and 26-year-old Angela Berenice Acosta are charged with Aggravated Kidnapping. Investigators say the three worked together to abduct the victim. They allegedly took him to

The man accused of kidnapping his girlfriend and her two children Thursday afternoon walked into police headquarters Friday morning to turn himself in, officials said. 29-year-old Miguel Angel Mendez, who triggered a statewide manhunt and Amber Alert, was charged with three counts of Aggravated Kidnapping and jailed on bonds totaling $450,000. Police said Brenda Estrada

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has directed the state’s correction department to work with federal authorities on checking inmates’ immigration statuses. The governor’s office said Friday the Trump Administration asked the state for permission to interview prisoners who were born in foreign countries. A spokesman for Martinez said the interviews by federal authorities are meant

The Miners are tasked with their biggest game of the season, and it also happens to be a rematch with Middle Tennesse. UTEP handed the Blue Raiders their sole conference loss all season back in February, and will play the team again, but this time in the C-USA semifinals. Tip-off for the game is earlier

Police officers arrested a woman, reportedly drunk, who allegedly slashed two relatives with a knife when they refused to hand over her child. Police say 22-year-old Jessica Camacho also punched a good Samaritan who tried to help the victims. Camacho was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a count of

Austin senior Kelsie White is a star pitcher for the softball team, but she is more than just that. At just 17 years old, White earned not only a full-ride scholarship to play at New Mexico State, but was also named as 1 of the 11 players on the Junior USA team. “My dream is

MAJOR CLOSURE ALERT: March 12 3am-March 13 6am I-10 East will close at Redd Road. Mesa will be closed at the intersection in both directions. Overnight closures 9pm-6am Eastbound Airway exit ramp closed. Rolling closure east and west between Asarco and Sunland Park. The Resler ramp and the Sunland Park Ramp will be closed to

The NMSU Aggies shook off a slow start in the WAC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday to beat Chicago State by a final of 67 to 53, earning a spot in the tourney semifinals against UMKC. Ian Baker led NMSU with 15 points while Braxton Huggins scored 14 of his own. Eli Chuha also posted a

Residents living near the Socorro Student Activities Complex might be getting some relief. Homeowners say they live in fear from people shooting their guns in a nearby desert. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is now launching an operation that will attempt to curb those firing their weapons in the area. Sgt. Robert Graziano prepared

More than 10,000 animals at the Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley were killed back in 2008. But there is good news to report. That rate has now dropped by 75 percent. The center is working to educate the public on being better pets owners, which means spaying and neutering to help reduce pet

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Prosecutors, who say they shouldn’t have to put Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on trial for free in May, asked Thursday to halt the securities fraud case until they’re paid more than $200,000 in disputed fees. The sudden request throws into doubt when Paxton, a Republican who was indicted six months

Senior Dominic Artis led the Miners with 26 points and 10 boards, good enough for a win against Rice in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament. Artis scored 20 of his 26 in the first half opening up a 20 point lead at the break, while Omega Harris poured in an additional 21 points

Jail Magistrate Judge Penny Hamilton set a bond Thursday of $75,000 for Mario Alberto De Avila, the man accused of four counts of forgery in connection with a mail theft investigation. Court document state De Avila is the ex-boyfriend of Irvin Gonzalez, the transgender woman arrested at the County Courthouse moments after obtaining a protective

A Las Cruces boy scout wants to help kids with special needs, taking on a big project that you’ll soon see come to life at Young Park. 14-year-old Barrow Williams says he was diagnosed with high functioning autism when he was younger. He’s currently a “life scout” who’s earned a lot of badges, but to

The Las Cruces Public School District is bracing for the possibility of more budget cuts. Superintendent Dr. Gregory Ewing says as many as 175 positions, including teachers, could be cut if the legislature forces the district to slash an additional $8-9 million from is operating fund for next school year. “The cuts will be enormous,”

In an attempt to prevent suicide among veterans, provisions for the urgent mental health care needs of former service members with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative charges will be expanded, Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin announced Tuesday. “This is a major step forward in helping veterans,” president of the Veteran Business Association Bill Sparks said.

Iconic alt-rock band Pearl Jam mentioned El Paso in a post related to International Women’s Day and plans to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. “We’ve been wanting to do something to help since we heard about the defunding and closure of some of the more isolated clinics, like El Paso and Midland, that has resulted

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has voted a bill that would have increased the number of sick days that public school teachers can take without impacting their job performance evaluations. Vetoing the bill Thursday, the Republican governor said the bill threatened to reverse recent reductions in teacher absentee rates and increase the use of substitutes

A rollover at I-10 West and Brown has forced police to close two lanes closed. Traffic is backing up to Raynolds. TxDOT expects police to clear the wreck in an hour.

Police arrested an 18-year-old Las Cruces man accused of using a large rock to beat a motorist Wednesday evening. Bryant Keith Williams, 18, of the 100 block of Gallagher Avenue, is charged with one count of “Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon.” Police were dispatched to investigate reports of a fight near 1061 N. Tornillo

A burglary suspect in El Paso was allegedly linked to a 1995 murder in Roswell, New Mexico, El Paso Police said. A warrant for 39-year-old Rafael Rodriguez was issued after an alleged family violence and burglary case reported February 26, 2017. On March 6, 2017, officers were contacted by Rodriguez’s attorney who informed them his