- 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 last 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.
- VIRUS OUTBREAK-NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The largest municipal jail in New Mexico is releasing some inmates facing non-violent charges who are considered vulnerable to the new coronavirus. Officials at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque say no one at the facility has tested positive, but they have set up a quarantine area if needed. New Mexico reported its first death from the virus Wednesday, and cases climbed Thursday to at least 136. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday formally requested the federal government establish a 248-bed U.S. Army combat support hospital in Albuquerque to boost the state's treatment capacity. State education officials also say an announcement regarding an extension to the school closure period is expected Friday.
- CITY WORKER DEATH-SETTLEMENT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The city of Santa Fe and the New Mexico Environment Department have reached a settlement involving the death of a city employee who was electrocuted in April 2019. The Albuquerque Journal reported Wednesday that the agreement happened about a year after Tobin Williams was electrocuted while trying to replace a light fixture at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. He had no training as an electrician. No lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the family. The settlement says the city would pay $120,000, with more than half dedicated to training and safety improvements. City spokeswoman Lilia Chacon declined comment until the settlement is official.
- FOSTER CARE-SETTLEMENT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has reached a settlement with foster youth and their advocates that will allow for the creation of a trauma response system for all children in state custody. The Human Services Department and state child welfare officials announced the agreement in a statement on Thursday. It calls for building a statewide community-based behavioral health system that all children and families will have access to and implementing training for staff, foster parents and others who serve children affected by trauma. The settlement comes in a 2018 case that alleged youth in the New Mexico foster care system lacked safe, stable placements and behavioral health services.
- WILDFIRE THREAT-NEW MEXICO
SILVER CITY, N.M. (AP) — Forest Service officials say the threat of wildfires is rising in southwestern New Mexico. Gila National Forest officials on Thursday cited strong winds, low humidity and the recent discovery of an abandoned campfire for a decision by fire managers to raise the forest's fire danger level to moderate, up from low. Forest officials said campers and other visitors should practice fire safety. That includes taking steps such as never leaving a fire unattended, clearing flammable material from within at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) in all directions and making a fire only if a shovel and enough water to put out the fire are on hand.