The only announced candidate so far for the soon-to-be-open New Mexico Democratic Party Chair post says her immediate goals, if elected, would include winning back the State House of Representatives and maintaining the party’s majority in the State Senate. Deb Haaland of Laguna Pueblo, who was the Democrats’ candidate for Lieutenant Governor in November, spoke to the low participation by the party’s voters in the 2014 election. *****010815-Haaland-2 :28***** Haaland says there were a large number of people she encountered after November’s balloting who didn’t even know there was an election, noting that’s a clear indication the party’s message isn’t getting out. *****010815-Haaland-3:19***** The Democratic Party Chair election will take place in April. Haaland says she plans to work hard to win the votes of the Democratic Party’s 400-member Central Committee. Current Chair Sam Bregman isn’t seeking another term.
Governor Susana Martinez has ordered flags across the state to fly at half-staff today in honor of state Representative. Phillip Archuleta. The Las Cruces Democrat died last month from complications of pneumonia. He was 65. Archuleta was elected to the New Mexico House in 2012 after defeating Andy Nunez and Mike Tellez. His District 36 seat in southern New Mexico covered a large portion of Dona Ana County. He missed the 2014 New Mexico legislative session due to poor health and lost re-election to Nunez. Archuleta was known as a labor and civil rights advocate. A public memorial service is set for 11am today at the State Capitol.
An international team led by two veteran pilots is preparing to break a pair of major ballooning records when it launches its helium-filled balloon this week. Albuquerque pilot Troy Bradley and his Russian fellow pilot say they anticipate launching early tomorrow morning from Saga, Japan. The team's mission control will be located in Albuquerque at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. The two pilots are aiming for the shores of North America, an attempt that will put them on course to break a distance record of five-thousand, 208-miles. They're also looking to break the flight-duration record set in 1978 when Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman made the first trans-Atlantic balloon flight. That record of 137 hours in the air in a traditional gas balloon is considered the "holy grail" of ballooning achievements.
A historic day for Planet Earth and New Mexico Tuesday. For the first time ever that day, a spacecraft from Earth ventured into Pluto's atmosphere. And, the New Horizons space probe is carrying something very special to New Mexico: the ashes of Clyde Tombaugh, the astronomer who discovered Pluto in 1930 and who then later moved to New Mexico to work and teach. Albuquerque’s KOAT TV interviewed Tombaugh in 1994 when he showed viewers the telescope with which he first caught a glimpse of the planet. He died three years later, at age 90. New Horizons, launched in 2006 with a portion of Tombaugh's ashes aboard, will take the first close-up photos of the dwarf planet.
Santa Fe police say a pickup truck crashed into a restaurant Wednesday afternoon. Police say the truck caused extensive damage to RefresqueriaDelicias, located at 4350 Airport Road. There were customers inside the business at the time of the incident, but none were hurt. The driver was also not injured and is not being charged at this time.
The state has another municipality now that Kirtland voters have approved incorporation of the northwestern New Mexico town. The Daily Times reports that of the 121 people who cast ballots in Tuesday's election, 80 voted in favor of incorporating the 337-acre strip of land along U.S. Highway 64.The state Department of Finance and Administration approved a petition last month from residents wanting incorporation be put on the ballot.
Most all of the 50 states are now reporting widespread flu cases and New Mexico is one of them. State epidemiologists say they expect things to get worse in the coming weeks with the most outbreaks of the virus forecast for the southeastern part of the state. Also, New Mexico has a higher average of cases than the rest of the country. If you haven’t yet, medical experts suggest getting a flu shot.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with a high of 47. Tonight: Partly cloudy with the overnight low down to 24. Tomorrow: Expect partly sunny skies and cooler, with the high just 35.