Santa Fe County Commissioners have delayed until November reconsideration of a proposed ordinance on trash and recycling services. The Commission on Tuesday held a public hearing on the proposal that would establish collection districts for private contractors chosen by Santa Fe County to handle picking up trash and recyclables. The New Mexican reports that most members of the public who spoke during the hearing were opposed to the proposal, which seeks to boost recycling rates. Under the current system, county residents either select contractors or drop-off their trash and recyclables at county convenience centers. However, those who favor the idea say it will increase Santa Fe County’s recycling rate. The county says the ordinance would allow it to better regulate the trash collection system in more the populated areas to increase recycling rates, as well as reduce customers’ costs.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will take no enforcement action against Pojoaque Pueblo as a result of the pueblo’s gaming compact with New Mexico state government that expired at midnight. But a news release from U.S Attorney Damon P. Martinez says the pueblo has agreed to comply with the expiring compact “to the extent feasible” while litigation over terms of a new compact plays out in court. The case is now before a federal appeals court. The pueblo also will hold payments to the state required under the old compact – equivalent to 8 percent of “net win” from slot machines – in an account “overseen by an independent trustee” until a new compact is negotiated or the litigation is resolved.
An audit of the Navajo Nation revealed that the tribal government's 110 chapters had a large amount of money—more than 77 million dollars—in unspent funds. According to the Gallup Independent, Tribal Auditor General Elizabeth Begay last week reported that the chapters hadn't spent the 77-plus-million dollars as of December 2014. Since the report's release, the Navajo Nation council has been looking into the impact of allowing the chapters to carry over their unspent annual budget into the next year. Begay says an average of 650-thousand dollars annually had been appropriated to the 110 chapters from 2006 to 2013. Council delegate Leonard Tsosie says the unspent funds show that chapters don't need funding. The Resources and Development Committee accepted the audit report and have announced they will hold a work session with certified chapters next week.
Two brothers who own Chinese restaurants in New Mexico—including one in Santa Fe—have been sentenced to two years' probation for violating the federal minimum and overtime wage laws. Prosecutors say 31-year-old Wen Qiu Chen of Santa Fe and 30-year-old Wen Ping Chen of Rio Rancho and also were sentenced Tuesday for harboring immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally. The amount of restitution to be paid by the brothers will be determined at a later date, but the court noted that it'll be at least $120,000. Ping Chen and Qiu Chen were arrested in August 2013 following an investigation. Last December, prosecutors say the brothers each pleaded guilty to two counts of a superseding indictment. Prosecutors say the Chens also have been ordered to forfeit a Rio Rancho home where the illegal immigrants lived.
Federal water managers plan to use a drone to inspect Elephant Butte Dam. The Bureau of Reclamation has selected New Mexico State University to lead a research project on the feasibility of using unmanned aircraft systems to inspect dams. The project marks a first for the agency and researchers will be looking at whether light detection, infrared and high-definition video can be used as tools for infrastructure inspection. New Mexico State has been awarded 35-thousand dollars to help with the project. Researchers will be looking for cracks in the concrete, spalls and other subsurface defects on the dam. They'll also be looking for any erosion or other changes to the dam and spillway. The flight will take place in the next couple of months.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, primarily after noon. The high today, 88. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 50-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms, the overnight low, 63. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with the high reaching 86 and the chance for precipitation up to 60-percent.