- Suspect arrested in Arizona bear killing with bow and arrow
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A suspect has been arrested in the shooting of a bear with a bow and arrow near Taos in October. The Albuquerque Journal reports a man was charged in Taos Magistrate Court with unlawful killing of big game by shooting from the road and failing to tag the bear, both misdemeanors. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish said last month it was investigating the Oct. 29 incident in Arroyo Seco. Bears are a protected species in New Mexico, but bear hunting was allowed in that area at the time of killing. But court documents say the man shot the bear twice then left it behind in a tree.
- New Mexico county concerned about forest proposal
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — Otero County commissioners are voicing concerns about a proposed plan that will guide forest management practices for the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico for the next 10 to 15 years. The commissioners voted earlier this month on a resolution in opposition of the proposal. They also approved an official comment letter that stated the draft plan and the draft environmental impact statement conflict with county ordinances outlining land use. Forest officials maintain they reached out to the county multiple times about the proposal but got no response. The final plan is expected to be ready in 2022.
- Rudolfo Anaya weaved bilingual holiday tale for children
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An author known as the father of Chicano literature has left behind a bilingual children's tale after his 2020 death. The book from Rudolfo Anaya about Christmas in the American Southwest is being published posthumously this year, extending a cycle of illustrated children's books with a playful cast of youthful animal characters. Teacher Michelle Garcia says works like this help children inhabit and understand a unique culture and think about a few of life's lessons from Anaya. Enrique Lamadrid collaborated with Anaya to translate the work, welcoming children to explore both English and Spanish literature.
- Business owners leave big tip for Albuquerque servers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Two servers at an Albuquerque restaurant got a big surprise when a group of business owners left a $5,555 tip. It was the idea of Battle Tested Business, a local entrepreneurship and leadership organization. Founder Ramon Casaus told KOB-TV that he and his colleagues look for ways to invest back into the community. Casaus said after the recent dinner party, each person left a $505 tip. They called it "The 505 Dinner" in reference to Albuquerque's area code. Battle Tested Business said on its Facebook page that local restaurants and their staff were devastated during the pandemic and that the group believes in the mission of helping in its own backyard.
- Strong, damaging winds expected in New Mexico
Forecasters say a weather system is expected to produce strong to damaging winds Friday across much of New Mexico as well as rain, with snow expected in higher mountains. The National Weather Service issued a warning in eastern New Mexico for high winds up to 40 mph into Friday evening from Mexico on the south to Colorado on the north. The warning says winds are expected to blow down trees and utility poles and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages and making travel difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. High winds are also forecast for multiple mountain ranges across the state.
- Hobbs voters to decide changes to economic development plan
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — It will be up to residents in Hobbs to approve a proposed change to the New Mexico city's economic development ordinance that could result in larger retailers locating in the community. Under the proposal, the ordinance would include cultural facilities and retail businesses as qualifying entities for receiving public support as defined by the state Local Economic Development Act. The proposal will be on the March 1 ballot. State lawmakers earlier this year expanded the types of support and the definition of retail businesses to account for municipalities with populations of more than 15,000. Hobbs officials have said the change could boost competitiveness.
- $2.5B headed to tribes for long-standing water settlements
WASHINGTON (AP) — Native American tribes are awaiting a one-time windfall that could help deliver reliable, clean water to their residents. The federal infrastructure bill signed last month includes $2.5 billion for tribal water rights settlements. The Interior Department hasn't said how it will be doled out. But the agency says tribes included in more than 30 settlements are eligible. Among them is the White Mountain Apache Tribe in eastern Arizona. Congress approved the tribe's water settlement more than a decade ago. But the tribe says it hasn't received the money it needs for water storage, surface water treatment facilities and miles of water pipelines.
- Forecasters: New Mexico should brace for worsening drought
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The last three months have been very dry in New Mexico and it's going to get worse. That's the word from forecasters with the National Weather Service and other climate experts in the state. They said during a meeting this week that New Mexico reservoirs continue to be far below historical averages and that ranchers are bracing for a winter with little moisture out on the range. Some snow is expected in the higher elevations on Christmas Eve, but it will be less than the precipitation that has helped to ease drought conditions elsewhere in the West in recent weeks.