- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A western New Mexico state senator is urging authorities to stop charging customers near the Navajo Nation without full indoor household plumbing for drinking water at a municipal filling station because of the coronavirus pandemic. Democratic Sen. George Muñoz of Gallup said Thursday that waiving fees at the water loading station would help ease economic hardships and ensure more people can wash hands to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He also said that handling cash and change at the coin operated station increases transmission risks.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO TOURISM
RIO RANCHO, N.M (AP) — New Mexico is canceling its national tourism campaign and is halting related events as COVID-19 restrictions have grounded tourism in the state to a halt. New Mexico Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Jen Schroer said Friday the state's popular destinations have suffered because of the health-ordered restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Schroer warned that hotels and tourist hot spots will continue to suffer until restrictions are lifted. She said hotels can only operate until to 50% capacity but can house more occupants connected to the health care industry.
- FATAL FIRE-ALBUQUERQUE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say one person is dead and a firefighter was injured in a house fire early Friday morning. Albuquerque Fire Rescue says the person who died was found inside the two-story home. The department says a firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment after suffering minor injuries in falling through the second floor while searching the home. No identities were released and cause of the fire wasn't immediately determined.
- WRESTLER STOPS KIDNAPPING
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old wrestling champion helped stop an kidnapping and assault near Las Cruces, New Mexico, by pinning a man to the ground until deputies arrived. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Thursday that Mayfield High School student Canaan Bower is being lauded as a hero after body-slamming and putting 22-year-old suspect Daniel Arroyo Beltran of Phoenix in a chokehold. Deputies arrested Beltran Wednesday on suspicion of battery, assault and kidnapping. Witnesses say he tried to take three children from their mother. Online court records did not list an attorney for Beltran who could comment on his behalf.
- CRIME STOPPERS-EMBEZZLEMENT
FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A Crime Stoppers official in New Mexico is facing charges after investigators say he used a donated SUV for personal use. A criminal complaint filed Wednesday says Johnny Adams drove the gifted Ford Expedition SUV meant for the San Juan County Crime Stoppers during off hours and also let his wife drive it. Adams is the executive director of the group. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office donated a vehicle to Crime Stoppers last year, but investigators say Adams drove it hundreds of miles for his personal use. The 49-year-old Adams was charged with embezzlement. It was not known if he had an attorney.
- PRISON RIOT-SUICIDE
GRANTS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say they have put down a prison riot in western New Mexico after a reported suicide of an inmate. The Gallup Independent reports inmates at Northwestern New Mexico Correctional Center in Grants rioted March 20 after they were placed on lockdown following the early morning death of an unidentified inmate. Investigators say around 300 inmates became unruly and damaged the facility. Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace says the inmates didn't want to be all cooped up together because of the new coronavirus scare. The Department of Corrections used less-than-lethal bean bag rounds and paintball guns containing irritants to regain control. No injuries were reported.
- DISTRICT ATTORNEY-CONTEMPT
TUCUMCARI, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico district attorney says he was held in contempt of court after he skipped a hearing to follow COVID-19 travel restrictions. The Albuquerque Journal reports state District Judge Lisa Riley in Carlsbad held Quay County District Attorney Timothy Rose in contempt when he failed to show up to a case 250 miles away. Rose had agreed to take on a case in the 5th Judicial District, which prosecutors there were unable to accept because of a conflict of interest. But Riley denied two requests by Rose to attend the hearing by phone. She eventually held him in contempt and fined him $250.
- BC-NM-VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — More than 17,000 New Mexico residents applied for unemployment benefits amid the widespread economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus. The numbers released Thursday show the jump in New Mexico is more than 19 times the number of claims the previous week. The U.S. Department of Labor says New Mexico saw 17,187 people apply for unemployment benefits last week compared to 869 the week before. State Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley says the state has never seen a spike like this before. The latest numbers come as oil and gas prices continue to fall — hurting one of New Mexico's most robust industries.