- CHILE SEASON
Chile harvest starts early for some New Mexico farmersHATCH, N.M. (AP) — The aroma of fresh roasted green chiles is already wafting through southern New Mexico as some farmers are getting a jumpstart on the harvest. They say the season is shaping up to be a good one, with transplanted fields in Hatch among those where workers are busy picking peppers. Farmers say the plants seem to be happy and the fruit is growing fast due to perfectly timed rains and cooler temperatures. Instead of starting from seed, more farmers are planting seedlings that have sprouted in a greenhouse to get their fields going faster. They say it's another tool as water supplies shrink.
- HOSPITAL-FRAUDULENT BILLING
Santa Fe hospital reaches settlement over fraudulent billingSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Federal prosecutors have reached a settlement with a Santa Fe hospital over claims of fraudulent billing. The U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico announced Wednesday that Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center will pay nearly $564,000 as part of the agreement. Prosecutors say a doctor at the hospital caused fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs over a period of seven years. The hospital did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Authorities say the hospital came forward about the billing concerns in early 2020.
- ALBUQUERQUE STORM
1 body recovered, 2 people missing after Albuquerque stormALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say one body has been recovered and the search continues for two other people swept into an arroyo after storms hit Albuquerque. Firefighters pulled a man's body from the end of a diversion channel Wednesday morning. Authorities say crews initially responded Tuesday afternoon when three people were seen floating down the diversion channel in northeast Albuquerque after the area was hit with heavy rains. Swift water rescue units scrambled to the sides of the channel to attempt a rescue but didn't spot the three people over a two-hour period. Authorities say it can take days for bodies to surface and crews will continue searching for the other two missing people until they have exhausted all efforts.
- DELIVERED GROCERIES-TAX DEDUCTION
Walmart to remove sales tax assessment on deliver groceriesLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Walmart taxed the delivered groceries of at least two people in New Mexico even though a tax deduction governing such home deliveries took effect July 1. Walmart told the Las Cruces Sun-News that it was working to remove the tax assessment on delivered groceries after receiving clarification from the state. The company apologized. As delivered groceries became popular during the pandemic, New Mexicans noticed gross receipts tax charges on delivered groceries, which would normally be tax-free at stores. Previously, only food sold at stores could be deducted from gross tax receipts. New Mexico lawmakers amended the policy so that the deduction would apply to food sold by stores.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NAVAJO NATION
Navajo Nation: 17 new COVID cases, no deaths 3rd day in rowWINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation on Tuesday reported 17 new COVID-19 cases, but no additional deaths for the third consecutive day. The latest numbers brought the total number of coronavirus-related cases on the vast reservation to 31,218 since the pandemic began more than a year ago. The number of known deaths remained at 1,366. The Navajo Nation recently relaxed restrictions to allow visitors to travel on the reservation and visit popular attractions like Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley. The reservation is the country's largest at 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) and it covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. While cases are down, Navajo leaders are urging residents to continue wearing masks and get vaccinated.
- BODY RECOVERED-TEMPE TOWN LAKE
Police ID man whose body was recovered from Tempe Town LakeTEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Police have identified a man whose body was recovered from Tempe Town Lake last weekend. Tempe police said Tuesday that the circumstances surrounding 35-year-old Aaron Lee Yazzi running into the lake still are not known. Police had responded to the man-made lake after receiving a call about a man seen running into the water around 4 p.m. Friday and not resurfacing. The search was called off hours later due to a lack of visibility and incoming storms. A Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Dive team recovered the body Saturday morning. Police didn't have a hometown for Yazzi, but said he was believed to have lived on the Navajo Nation.
- TODDLER DEATH-TRIAL
Trial in Las Cruces girl's death put on hold by state courtLAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico Supreme Court order has brought a trial in the death of a 2-year-old Las Cruces girl to an abrupt halt. The Las Cruces Sun-News reports opening statements were given Monday before the trial of 26-year-old Lalo Anthony Castrillo had to stop. The issue stems from prosecutors' appeal of the judge's decision to exclude exhibits involving Faviola Rodriguez's 2018 death. According to the judge, prosecutors had missed too many deadlines to turn over exhibits to the court and defense attorneys. Castrillo, who was dating Faviola's mother, is accused of abusing the girl to the point of death. The judge has until July 26 to respond to the order.
- CATHOLIC LAWMAKER-NO COMMUNION
Las Cruces lawmaker says politics led to denial of CommunionSANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A New Mexico lawmaker says he was denied Communion by his local Catholic priest because of his politics. Democratic state Sen. Joseph Cervantes said Monday that he has been treated differently by the church since voting to repeal a state law banning abortion under most circumstances. Cervantes' statement came after he tweeted over the weekend about not getting Communion from the bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces. Cervantes, of Las Cruces, says the outdated law, which would have jailed women for getting an abortion, was unconstitutional. The diocese said in a statement that it regrets Cervantes chose to go on Twitter rather than engage in a dialogue.