Air Force C-130's Join Fire Fight

KOB TV - Two Air Force cargo planes equipped to fight wildfires have flown seven missions and dumped about 12,000 gallons of retardant on blazes in New Mexico. The Air Force said Friday the C-130s are basing their operations at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. They arrived there Wednesday. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Mirelly Taylor to Play Lead in Roswell-FM

Mirelly Taylor
Los Angeles - Director Stephen Griffin (310 House Productions LLC) announced today that Mirelly Taylor has been selected to play the female lead in "Roswell FM," a feature film scheduled for shooting on location in Roswell, N.M. starting July 25th. Taylor is best known for her originating role as Isabella Alpert on the TV show LOST. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico) Taylor has guest-starred on hit shows "CSI NY", "Numb3rs" (CBS), PunK'd (MTV), "Las Vegas"(NBC), "Lovespring International Inc." (LifeTime), "Crash" (2009) (Starz!) and just recently "Terriers" on FX. A romantic comedy, Roswell FM is a lighthearted story about a man who must decide between his dream job hosting a quirky, UFO-themed talk show in Roswell, and the financial needs of his family. He is surrounded by a group of hysterically eccentric characters at the radio station, including the female lead character Lacy Del Rio (Mirelly Taylor).



Share/Bookmark

Barela on C.D. # 1: "We're Looking at it."

Jon Barela
Mountain View Telegraph - Even though Jon Barela was at the first meeting of the newly formed Sandia Tea Party as the secretary-designate of the state’s Economic Development Department, he sure sounded like a candidate. “I’m here to talk about how the sun will rise on America again,” Barela said in his opening comments to an appreciative crowd. After his speech, Barela demurred when asked if he was considering a run for Congress. Barela was defeated by Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich in 2010 for the job of representing New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District. “We’re looking at it,” was all Barela would say about another run. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Two New Judges for Taos, Colfax and Union Counties

Susana Martinez
SANTA FE – Governor Susana Martinez announced today that she has filled two vacant judgeships in New Mexico’s 8th Judicial District, appointing Sarah Backus and Andria Cooper, both of Taos, to the 8th Judicial District bench. Sarah Backus will be appointed to fill the vacancy in Division II, created by the resignation of Judge Sam Sanchez. Andria Cooper will be appointed to fill a new judicial position in Division III created by House Bill 188, which was approved by the Legislature during the last legislative session and signed by the Governor in April. “These judges are entrusted with the important job of upholding the law with integrity and fairness,” said Governor Martinez. “Both Ms. Backus and Ms. Cooper have demonstrated that they are capable attorneys and public servants and I believe that they will work hard on behalf of the people of Taos, Colfax, and Union Counties.” Sarah Backus is the Director and Attorney for El Valle de los Ranchos Water and Sanitation District in Ranchos de Taos.
Prior to that, she worked in private practice, specializing in land use, real estate, and domestic relations, and also worked as a Domestic Relations Hearing Officer for the 8th Judicial District Court. Backus also served as Assistant Town Attorney for Taos. She is a graduate of Sacramento State University and earned her law degree at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. Andria Cooper is an attorney at the Alan Maestas Law Firm in Taos, representing clients in matters of civil litigation, criminal defense, and tribal law. She has previously worked in the Taos office of the New Mexico Public Defender Department and worked as Assistant County Attorney in Ellis County, Kansas. Cooper graduated from Fort Hays State University and earned her law degree from the University of Kansas.

Share/Bookmark

Pearce Opposes Moving of Mail Facility

Steve Pearce
Las Cruces, NM (June 17, 2011) Friday, Congressman Steve Pearce voiced his opposition to the proposed closing of the mail processing facility in Las Cruces. This move was already attempted in 2007, and failed so completely that the decision was reversed. The USPS has failed to demonstrate that this move would be any different. “New Mexico cannot afford the lost jobs and delayed mail that will come as a result of this move,” said Pearce. “The public is vocally opposed to this proposal—the job loss alone will have a damaging economic impact that far outweighs any potential savings. It is unacceptable that the Postal Service has failed to take responsible measures to save money, and is trying to pay for these failures on the backs of New Mexico’s businesses.”
Local businesses and postal professionals have communicated to Rep. Pearce that this move would result in delays in mail delivery for much of the Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Silver City, and Deming areas. The proposal would leave the second largest city in New Mexico without a mail sorting facility, which Rep. Pearce—like residents of the Second District—finds unacceptable. While Rep. Pearce understands the need for savings, he is confident that the USPS can find ways to save money without a cost to the local economy. Congressman Pearce and his office have been watching the issue closely. An overwhelming number of constituents have contacted Rep. Pearce expressing their opposition to the move. A recent public meeting on the proposal was attended by representatives from Rep. Pearce’s office. Public opinion at the meeting was almost unanimously against the proposal.

Share/Bookmark

Murphy Charged with Violating Ethical Principles of Public Service

Michael Murphy
Las Cruces Sun-News - LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces judge already under indictment for allegations of bribery has been charged with an additional crime: violating the "ethical principles of public service" law, a misdemeanor. New Mexico State Police on Thursday seized a computer from state District Court Judge Michael Murphy's chambers and began a two-day process of copying hard drives belonging to Las Cruces businessman Edgar Lopez, whom Murphy is alleged to have given envelopes of cash, State Police Capt. Ryan Suggs confirmed. In both searches, officers were looking for "electronic communications" and records, Suggs said Friday. Murphy has pleaded "not guilty" to all charges. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Weekend Service Ending for Rail Runner

Santa Fe New Mexican - Weekend train rides on the Rail Runner Express will be a thing of the past after August, the board overseeing the rail service decided Friday. Facing a loss of federal funds, the Rio Metro Regional Transit District Board considered changes to weekday service, but instead opted to nix Saturday and Sunday trains. The decision to curtail service between metropolitan Albuquerque and Santa Fe, which will mean no more tourists, day-trippers and others riding the rails on weekends, disappointed local merchants. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark

Latest Polls From Rasmussen

Rasmussen - For the third week in a row, a generic Republican candidate edges President Obama in a hypothetical 2012 matchup, but the race to become the GOP candidate remains wide open. Following Monday night’s debate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has taken his biggest lead yet in the race for the Republican nomination, but Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has surged into second place following her official entry into the campaign. Businessman and talk show host Herman Cain is the only other Republican in double digits.Of course, that line-up could change. Read full story here: News New Mexico
Share/Bookmark