The Santa Fe County Commission has voted unanimously to place a ballot question to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana before City of Santa Fe voters in November. However, there’s the matter of whether there’s enough space on the County’s ballot for the proposal. The Secretary of State seems to think there’s not, but reports indicate that County Clerk Geraldine Salazar is confident the ballot space issues can be overcome.
A man considered by federal authorities as one of New Mexico's most wanted violent fugitive offenders now is in custody. Albuquerque police say Daniel Romero was arrested Monday after leading officers on a high-speed chase. He allegedly abducted a woman in southeast Albuquerque and she told police that Romero was armed and in possession of narcotics. Authorities say Romero now is facing kidnapping charges. A warrant was issued for his arrest in May after authorities say he was wanted on charges of robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and trafficking a controlled substance.
The public is invited to hearings on proposed plans for a power plant near Farmington. KSFR's Dave Marash has more. *****:38*****
TEXT: Power plant upgrades giveth even as they taketh away. The operator of the Four Corners Power Plant near Farmington plans to upgrade two units at the coal-fired plant to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. But the EPA says that same process will increase sulfuric acid emissions, and that means a new permit will be necessary. Public hearings on the new permit will be held today in Nenahnezad on the Navajo Nation, and tomorrow in Shiprock and Farmington. The deadline for public comment is Sept. 24. For KSFR News, I'm Dave Marash.
The Española Valley Humane Society and the northern New Mexico food bank are teaming up to make sure low income New Mexicans also have food for their pets. The humane society and The Food Depot said Tuesday they will launch an 18-month pilot partnership to provide donated pet food through The Food Depot's Mobile Food Pantry Program, which delivers food to multiple locations across Espanola, Chimayo, Dixon, El Rito, OjoCaliente, Truchas and Vallecitos. Officials say local businesswoman Evelyn Ward brought the nonprofits together to launch the program. The Española Valley Humane Society says it will also use the program to expand the reach of its free spay and neutering program.
New Mexico State Police say they are investigating two Rio Arriba County employees, who both worked in Sheriff Tommy Rodella's office, on allegations of fraud and embezzlement. KOB-TV reports it is unclear who the two employees are, and whether they are still currently working at the office during the investigation.
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is getting a $1.3 million grant to study the rise of Hepatitis C infections in rural New Mexico. New Mexico Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham Tuesday announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Lujan Grisham says New Mexico is experiencing a disproportionate rise in infections, largely among young adults in rural areas. She says the research is crucial to developing long-term solutions for prevention, early detection and treatment. With the money, UNM researchers will be working with the New Mexico Department of Health to study Hepatitis C infection and treatment services for New Mexico populations at the greatest risk of infection.
Santa Fe Weather: Cloudy through mid-morning, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 70-percent. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54 and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Tomorrow: Partly sunny, with a high near 77, with a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms.