Police in Espanola say children on a walk found a dead man lying face down in an arroyo. KOAT –TV reports the kids came across the body Wednesday, and police launched a suspicious death investigation. They don't yet know how the man died, but believe he'd been deceased for quite some time before being found. Police say the man was in his mid-40s and had bruises on his body. Investigators say they're waiting for the medical examiner's office to determine how the man died. Police say they will release the victim's name after notifying his family.
When someone is booked into the Santa Fe County jail, their health insurance arrangements disappear along with their freedom, pending legal proceedings. That transfer of health care responsibility ends up costing Santa Fe County taxpayers--350-thousand dollars last year for inmate health costs; it budget 460-thousand this year. County Commissioner, Liz Stefanics: *****070914-Stefanics-3 :16***** Stefanics sponsored the resolution approved by the County Commission Tuesday directing the federal government to authorize continuation of existing care for those behind bars.
Santa Fe's famed summer market season opens Friday with the International Folk Market, the world's largest folk art market and one dedicated to helping artisans from impoverished nations start their own businesses. International Folk Art Executive Director Shawn McQueen-Ruggerio: *****070914-Ruggiero-1 :17***** Organizers say designers from some of the most prestigious fashion brands are headed west to find inspiration for ethnographic prints and one-of-a-kind handmade pieces that are increasingly popular in the fashion world. The International Folk Art Market is expected to draw some 25-thousand visitors in its Friday-through-Sunday run.
A Rio Rancho man is in custody in connection with two bank robberies in the Albuquerque area since last month. The FBI says 21-year-old Joshua Abeyta was arrested in Rio Rancho. Abeyta is accused in the June 30th robbery at a Bank of Albuquerque in Rio Rancho and the July eighth robbery of another Bank of Albuquerque branch in Albuquerque.
New Mexico still has a fighting chance to land the much coveted Tesla Motor's Battery Plant. Shannon Latham has more.
***** Latham RUNS: .30***** TEXT: Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela says New Mexico is still in the running for a Tesla Motors battery plant. Barela assured the legislature’s Economic and Rural Development Committee that “we are still very much in the game,” telling lawmakers that Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration is working aggressively to lure the California-based car company to New Mexico. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada and California are competing for Tesla Motors’ battery plant, a $5 billion investment for the company, an estimated 6000 news jobs for the winning state. For KSFR News, I’m Shannon Latham.
Santa Fe's partial closure of its downtown plaza to traffic is taking longer to implement than planned. The New Mexican reports that purchases of flowers and planters to be used to block traffic on streets on two sides of the historic square were snagged by the city's transition to a new fiscal year. The street closures were supposed to have taken effect within a week of the council's June 25th approval but now won't happen until next week. Pino says expenditures were put on hold while the city ended one fiscal year and began another. Pino says the city plans to use existing planters as barriers beginning Monday. Mayor Javier Gonzales proposed the closure, saying it'd help make the plaza more family-friendly.
A dog, some droppings, and a rifle all added up to confusion in Santa Fe. Dave Marash reports. RUNS: 00:47 Q: STD
TEXT: You've probably heard -- mighty oaks from little acorns grow...well, in Santa Fe a mighty misunderstanding grew from a little dog's little accident. The Pueblo painter Mateo Romero was in his SUV when his pet Shih Tzu dropped a few deposits. He pulled off the road into Maria Markus' driveway and started to clean up. Markus thought he was a burglar and called police, and according to Romero, the responding officer pointed a rifle at the artist. Romero says the whole incident might never have happened if Markus had talked to him before calling the police, but he says, she refused to do so. No harm, no foul perhaps...but a big avoidable scare for all concerned. For KSFR News, I'm Dave Marash.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today and tomorrow with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms and the high both days in the low 80s. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms.