- ALBUQUERQUE-MAYOR
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is proposing a package of six infrastructure projects that he says will help grow the city's tourism and convention industries.Keller's announcement of the $28 million package submitted Friday to the City Council says it'd be funded by proceeds from refinancing existing bonds and not increase taxes.
The package includes facilities for softball, soccer, track, baseball tournaments and the convention center.
The projects including replacing the city's 16-year-old indoor track, constructing a multi-use soccer facility and rebuilding, upgrading and expanding other sports facilities.
Other projects include upgrading the convention center, connecting downtown and the convention center with a new multi-use trail and preserving open space for Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta landings.
- RACING CHAPLAIN
RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — A southern New Mexico chaplain has been working for years to calm the nerves of competitive jockeys and often asks prayers for racing horses.The Carlsbad Current Argus reports Chaplain Darrell Winter has offered his services at the Ruidoso Down Racetrack in Ruidoso for nearly 20 years and believes his role gives needed spiritual relief amid pressures of big purses.
The 66-year-old Winter offers prayers to jockeys in the sauna and barns before races. He assists anyone visiting his racetrack chapel.
A Southern Baptist preacher, Winter is ordained by both the North American Mission Board and Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.
Winter says he knows the importance of being in the right state of mind before racing a half-ton or heavier animal.
- COUNTRY SINGER-DEADLY CRASH
TAOS, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say country singer Kylie Rae Harris caused a three-vehicle crash in northern New Mexico that left her and a 16-year-old girl dead.Taos County Sheriff Jerry Hogrefe told the Taos News that investigators believe Harris caused Wednesday's crash and that speed appeared to be a contributing factor when she clipped the back of another vehicle, sending her into oncoming traffic. She then crashed head-on into an SUV driven by Maria Elena Cruz.
The Taos High School student died at the scene. The responding emergency crew included her father, Pedro Cruz, the deputy chief of the San Cristobal Volunteer Fire Department.
The community is holding a fundraising dinner to help the Cruz family.
Harris , a 30-year-old single mom, was in Taos to perform at an annual music festival.
- TRINITY SITE-OPEN HOUSE
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (AP) — White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico has scheduled an Oct. 5 open house at Trinity Site, the second of two such events planned this year.Trinity Site is where the world's first atomic bomb was detonated July 16, 1945.
Range officials said the open house is free and that no reservations are required. Entry will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visitors can walk to ground zero where a small obelisk marks the spot where the bomb was detonated. Historical photos are mounted on the fence surrounding the area.
Visitors can also ride a shuttle bus to travel the 2 miles (3 kilometers) from ground zero to ranch houses where scientists assembled the bomb's plutonium core.
- AX KILLING-SENTENCING
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) — A man who killed a Ruidoso-area ranch worker with an ax two years ago will spend the next 45 years in prison.Prosecutors in Otero County said Friday that 28-year-old Andrew Poteet Magill has been sentenced for the slaying and the shooting of a former Lincoln County sheriff's deputy.
The judge initially issued a 51-year sentence but suspended six years, citing Magill's mental health.
Magill pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of MaryAnn Moorhouse.
Authorities say Magill struck Moorhouse at least four times and then nearly decapitated her.
When officers later tried to arrest him, he grabbed a deputy's gun and fired. The deputy was not critically wounded.
Magill originally pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
A psychiatrist for the prosecution testified he was sane.
- TRUMP-NEW MEXICO
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — President Donald Trump will be holding a rally in New Mexico as his re-election campaign hopes to flip the traditionally Democratic state.The campaign announced Friday that the rally will take place Sept. 16 in Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque.
Trump's visits to Albuquerque during his first campaign drew large crowds and protests that devolved into violence, prompting police to turn out in riot gear.
While campaign officials say New Mexico could be in play in 2020, Democrats have long outnumbered Republicans when it comes to voter registration. Democrats also enjoyed a sweep during the last election cycle, solidifying their hold over the Legislature and other top offices.
Trump is likely to tout economic gains in the state, namely record revenues that have resulted from an oil and gas boom.
- OFFICER SHOOTING-LAS CRUCES
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Law enforcement officers involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect outside a Las Cruces Home Depot will not be charged.The Third Judicial District Attorney's Office said in a statement Friday that the June shooting of Francisco Tarin was justified.
Prosecutors say Tarin shot at a Las Cruces patrol officer and a round went through the officer's windshield and hit him in the neck.
Las Cruces police and officers from other agencies responded and found Tarin near a Home Depot store.
Authorities say they used less lethal devices to try and subdue Tarin and demanded he put down his firearm.
They ended up exchanging gun fire with Tarin.
A review done by police and a multi-agency task force says officers faced reasonable fear for their lives.
- MEDICAL MARIJUANA-NEW MEXICO-THE LATEST
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has begun issuing medical marijuana registry cards to people who live outside the state.Two people in Texas and an Arizona resident have received cards to purchase medical marijuana in New Mexico after successfully suing to enroll.
Marissa Novel of medical cannabis producer and dispenser Ultra Health said that a card was delivered Friday to her company's Arizona-based CEO.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez served as co-plaintiff in the legal challenge of residency requirements and qualified for enrollment based on his post-traumatic stress disorder.
Reforms to New Mexico marijuana laws this year dropped the in-state residency requirement. The administration of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says that change was inadvertent and it intends to appeal.
Novel says it will be difficult to appeal the court order.
New Mexico prohibits recreational marijuana sales and use.