- POLLINATOR LICENSE PLATE
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — For the love of bees, New Mexico is now offering motorists a chance to help the pollinators through the purchase of a special license plate. The state Transportation Department says proceeds from the new plates will help fund planting projects along state roads. The pollinator project also will create educational gardens and reduce mowing and spraying of herbicides along roadways as a way to improve habitat for bees and other pollinators. The plate features the artwork of a student from the Albuquerque Sign Language Academy. It costs $25 for the initial purchase and $15 for yearly renewal.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Public school students in New Mexico will not return to classrooms or athletic fields during the current academic year because of the coronavirus. Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart made the announcement Friday as the state's number of cases rose to at least 191. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham addressed New Mexicans via social media Friday evening, saying the measures are necessary as the state looks to keep the virus from spreading. She said the increase in cases is not unexpected but it means there's more social distancing that must be done. A stay-at-home order is already in effect across New Mexico, and the governor has ordered all air travelers arriving in the state to self-isolate for 14 days.
- SHERIFF-DRUNK-OBSTRUCTION
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico sheriff is facing an obstruction charge after police say he showed up drunk to a SWAT standoff and tried to order officers away. A criminal complaint filed Thursday said Rio Arriba County Sheriff James Lujan, in plain clothes, attempted to take over the scene involving a barricaded subject in Española on Saturday. Española's police chief says officers reported Lujan smelled of alcohol and ignored commands to leave the "kill zone" in front of the house of the barricaded subject. Lujan told the Santa Fe New Mexican that the accusations in the criminal complaint are false.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO TOURISM
RIO RANCHO, N.M (AP) — New Mexico is canceling its national tourism campaign and is halting related events as coronavirus restrictions have brought 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 suffering until restrictions are lifted. She says hotels can only operate until to 50% capacity but can house more guests if they include health care workers.
- ROUTE 66 INVESTMENT
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's largest city will be investing a half-million dollars to promote local businesses that line its stretch of historic Route 66. The city of Albuquerque announced the effort Friday, saying it's looking for a marketing firm to develop a plan to promote the corridor as a destination. The plan will also highlight the city's rapid transit bus route as a way to access the area. City officials say the campaign would be aimed at bringing back locals to Central Avenue and attracting new visitors. Shop owners along the road had complained as years of construction related to Albuquerque Rapid Transit hampered business and forced some stores to close.
- WRESTLER STOPS KIDNAPPING
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say a 16-year-old wrestling champion helped stop a 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.
- 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.
- 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.