- New Mexico reports 66 more virus cases, 3 additional deaths
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico reported 66 more cases of coronaviurus on Sunday and three more deaths. The latest numbers from the state Department of Health bring the total reported number of cases statewide to 26,107, with 803 deaths from COVID-19. The three deaths reported Sunday were a man in his 90s in Doña Ana County, a man in his 80s with an underlying health condition in San Juan County and a man in his 30s with an underlying health condition in McKinley County. New cases include 16 in Chaves County, 10 in Bernalillo and 9 in Doña Ana . The rest were in 10 other counties.
- Virus relief helps bring electricity to Navajo Nation homes
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — Federal coronavirus relief funding has helped more than 100 homes on the Navajo Nation get connected to the electric grid. The Navajo Nation said Sunday that electric line crews are working to connect more homes to the grid ahead of a December 2020 deadline to use the funds. The Navajo Tribal Utility Authority plans to extend electricity to 510 families. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a statement that access to the electric grid can help minimize the impacts of COVID-19 for families. The utility was awarded $13.8 million in coronavirus relief funds for power projects and $24.7 million to increase the electrical grid capacity.
- Hearse believed to have carried Old West lawman at new home
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A historic hearse that is believed to have carried the Old West lawman known for killing Billy the Kid to his grave is now part of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. The hearse was the only one available in Las Cruces when Pat Garrett was fatally shot in a dispute over a southern New Mexico ranch. That has created the widespread belief that it delivered Garrett to his final resting place. The museum's curator of history says the odds are just as good that his family put him in the back of a farm wagon and drove Garrett to the cemetery. Still, the hearse likely will spark interest in Garrett. Garrett died in 1908.
- Man arrested, accused of running over, killing woman with RV
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Police have arrested a 24-year-old man they say ran over and killed a woman in a stolen RV in the Albuquerque area. The Albuquerque Journal reported that the Bernalillo County Sheriff's office arrested Santos Garcia on suspicion of murder, aggravated battery and other crimes related to the May death of 48-year-old Zinnia Sillivent. Sillivent's body was found in the street in the North Valley area. Garcia was arrested after authorities found surveillance video in June showing the pair in the RV before a crash can be heard. It is unclear if Garcia has an attorney to comment on his behalf.
- Navajo Nation calls for investigation into Fort Hood deaths
DALLAS (AP) — The Navajo Nation has joined calls for an accounting of the deaths at Fort Hood after one of its members became the latest soldier from the U.S. Army post in Texas to die. Officials say 25-year-old Corlton L. Chee, of Pinehill, New Mexico, died Wednesday after he collapsed following a physical fitness training exercise five days earlier. Data obtained by the Associated Press shows he was the 28th soldier from the central Texas post to die this year. The Navajo Nation Council praised Chee in a statement and urged the Army to investigate his and the other soldiers' deaths. The Army says Chee's death is being investigated.
- Navajo woman who survived COVID-19 finds joy in simple steps
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Carol Todecheene has survived COVID-19 but she has lasting effects after becoming severely ill and spending nearly three weeks on a ventilator. She had to learn to walk and talk again. Months after getting the coronavirus, she still is weak, dizzy and has trouble remembering things. Doctors say the medical field isn't quite ready to focus only on long-term effects of COVID-19 while vaccines are in the works and communities are still working on reopening. The vast Navajo Nation where Todecheene lives still has daily curfews and partial weekend lockdowns. Despite her limitations, Todecheene recently went back to work.
- New Mexico governor: Don't let your guard down on holiday
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico officials are urging residents to take precautions while celebrating Labor Day to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the state "has made great progress in the fight against COVID-19." But she says the holiday weekend will be a key to keeping spread of the virus low and to ensuring that students can return safely to school this year. She asks New Mexicans to "not let their guard down" and to continue wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings. Specific practices recommended by state officials including celebrating outside and keeping celebrations within households. Also, wearing a mask, washing hands and staying six feet apart.
- US regulators take public comments on nuclear fuel plan
CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — U.S. nuclear regulators have hosted their final public hearing on a proposal to build a multibillion-dollar complex in southern New Mexico to store spent nuclear fuel from commercial power plants around the country. And there's still disagreement about whether granting a license to Holtec International would be a good thing. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission heard from supporters and critics during Wednesday's meeting. The commission's draft environmental review says the project would have minimal environmental effects. A study on the project's impact on human safety is pending. That will require another round of public comment.