Governor Susana Martinez has issued an executive order that provides up to 750-thousand dollars in emergency aid to help deal with recent flooding. The emergency declaration on Wednesday also authorizes the use of National Guard troops if needed to provide assistance. Martinez spokesman Enrique Knell said no troops have been dispatched. County commissions in Guadalupe, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Taos counties have issued emergency declarations because of flooding from recent heavy rains. The state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will coordinate requests for assistance. The state aid can help with a wide range of efforts to protect the public, including temporary lodging and shelters, health care, food and transportation.
The ‘bait’ is that Governor Susana Martinez's administration is offering temporary amnesty for parents facing possible arrest for unpaid child support. The ‘hook’ is that an enforcement crackdown will start at the end of the month targeting those who don't take advantage of the program. Individuals can visit a state Child Support Enforcement Division office without fear of arrest and pay a bond to cancel outstanding bench warrants for not paying child support. The amnesty runs through August 29th.
A Santa Fe Police investigation into an aggressive dog in the 800 block of CalleAnaya Wednesday night became a SWAT situation after the dog’s owner allegedly pulled a knife on an animal control officer and threatened him. The two-hour standoff ended with the peaceful surrender of the 36-year old suspect, Stephen Cummings, who faces charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer. Police also confiscated two Rottweilers.
Expect slow-going on Cerrillos Road tonight—A City of Santa Fe contractor will be capping a water main that will require one northbound lane on Cerrillos to be closed from 6:30 pm through 6-a.m. tomorrow. Additionally, one northbound lane on Cerrillos Road will be closed intermittently tomorrow starting at 9:00 a.m. for paving work to be completed. The City suggests you seek alternate routes to avoid delays on Cerrillos Road.
A meeting coming up next week is scheduled to help address the problems of the mentally ill in New Mexico. KSFR’S Shannon Latham has more.
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Text: Mental health advocates are pushing for new state laws aimed at helping New Mexico residents struggling with mental illness. Two New Mexico legislative committees are scheduled to meet to discuss mental health issues around prison inmates at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Next Week, The Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee and Legislative Health and Human Services Committee are slated to meet and discuss outpatient treatment issues for inmates and substance abuse treatment programs. New Mexico is one of only five states without a “Kendra’s Law,” which grants judges the authority to issue orders that require people with severe mental illness to regularly undergo psychiatric treatment, take medication, or face involuntary hospitalization. Recent encounters between police and mentally ill people show the importance specifically of law enforcement in learning how to deal with the prevalence of mental health issues in New Mexico. For KSFR News, I’m Shannon Latham.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow with highs near 83 and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms both days. Tonight: expect partly cloudy skies with an overnight low of 56 and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms.