- STATE SENATOR-CAR CRASH-DWI
New Mexico state senator arrested on suspicion of DWI(Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.santafenewmexican.com)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Police say New Mexico state Sen. Richard Martinez has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and is facing charges following a car crash.
Espanola police say the 66-year-old was arrested Friday night after a collision at an intersection on the city's north side.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports Martinez was alone in his SUV at the time of the crash.
He was taken to a hospital for an evaluation before officers booked him into jail.
It was unclear Sunday if Martinez has a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
Martinez is a former Rio Arriba County magistrate who has held the Democratic Senate District 5 seat for nearly two decades representing parts of Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties.
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- NEW MEXICO ATHLETICS
University of New Mexico saying goodbye to 4 sports programsALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — An era is ending at the University of New Mexico as it officially stops four sports programs, including men's soccer.
Head soccer coach Jeremy Fishbein says unsuccessful efforts over the past year to save the program have left those associated with it physically and mentally exhausted.
Men's soccer has been one of UNM's most successful teams, winning its share of conference titles and making regular appearances in the national collegiate tournament.
All four programs are set to end Monday after the UNM Board of Regents voted last year to cut soccer along with beach volleyball and the men's and women's ski teams to shore up a budget deficit within the athletic department.
Officials also said they needed to address compliance issues with federal mandates regarding equal opportunity for female athletes.
- TAXATION SECRETARY-EMBEZZLEMENT
Prosecutor's appeal delays trial against ex-tax secretarySANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico's attorney general is appealing the dismissal of several criminal charges against ex-taxation secretary Demesia Padilla.
The Albuquerque Journal reported Saturday that Attorney General Hector Balderas has asked a district court to reinstate five criminal charges that were dismissed.
The maneuver pushes back the start of a trail that had been scheduled for jury selection in July, on accusations that Padilla engaged in an official act for personal financial gain.
Padilla maintains her innocence on all charges. The case stems from accusations by the attorney general that Padilla embezzled money from a former private client of her accounting business and also used her position for favorable tax treatment.
She oversaw the state's Taxation and Revenue Department starting in 2011 for nearly six years under former Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
- PROGRESSIVE SHIFT-NEW MEXICO
New laws taking effect July 1 reflect progressive shiftSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The effects of a progressive shift in New Mexico politics are being felt as new laws take effect that restrict gun access, raise taxes, decriminalize low-level drug possession and provide a major boost in spending on everything from teacher salaries to road construction.
Starting Monday, taxes on vehicle sales rise by 33%. Background checks will be required for nearly all firearms purchases, and smaller public bathrooms will become gender-neutral.
The state also is raising its salaries and channeling more money toward public education initiatives to help at-risk students in response to a court order mandating greater school resources.
A windfall from the oil sector will help with increased government spending as the industry is expected to provide the state with a $1 billion surplus for a second consecutive year.
- MISSING NAVAJO WOMAN
Search for missing Navajo woman nears one-month markFARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — A missing Navajo woman's relatives are nearing the one-month mark in their search for the grandmother and military veteran who police say was last seen at her home in New Mexico.
Police say 59-year-old Cecelia Finona disappeared from her home in Farmington after the evening of May 30. Her daughter said Friday the family has logged searches in Farmington and the nearby Navajo Nation.
Finona's boyfriend, Jerry Jay, has been accused of using her ATM card in New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada after her disappearance. He is being held in Nevada on a count of unlawful withdrawal from a financial institution.
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe says he believes Jay could provide crucial information for officers.
A defense attorney did not respond to a request for comment.