The Taos Town Council has rescinded its earlier decision to rename Kit Carson Memorial Park to Red Willow Park. The Journal North reports that the existing park instead will be split into two parts. The cemetery where Kit Carson is buried will continue to be named after him. Carson, who died in 1868, was known as a scout and explorer. Taos Pueblo Governor Clyde Romero Sr. told the council at a hearing Tuesday that the pueblo elders don't want the park named Red Willow because that name belongs to the pueblo. The Taos Pueblo people call themselves the Red Willow People. A committee consisting of representatives of the pueblo, town government and the public will be formed to come up with a new name for the recreational park area
The Martinez administration is expected to detail plans for helping the film industry thrive in New Mexico. Economic Development Secretary Jon Barela and New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis are scheduled to appear before the legislature's Economic and Rural Development Committee in Albuquerque this morning to present a five-year plan for the industry. The state's film industry slumped after Governor Susana Martinez took office in 2011 and tried to cut an incentive program that helped lure major productions here to film. Lawmakers reached a compromise that kept the program but capped the state's annual payouts, and the state has been seeing a steady uptick in projects over the past two years.
One-thousand dollars for each working New Mexico family. That’s how State Land Commissioner Ray Powell describes the tax savings created by the Land Office through its annual operations. Powell’s comments came after the Land Office announced a record fiscal year generating 817-million dollars. What accounts for the increase? *****070914-Powell-3 :29***** State Land Commissioner Ray Powell.
Abuse by solitary confinement? It’s happening in New Mexico. KSFR’s Dave Marash has the story. *****50 seconds.*****
The Gallup Housing Authority's former executive director and another man each face prison time after admitting they plotted to defraud the federal government. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 38-year-old Danny Garcia and 61-year-old Michael Virruso pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit false claims against the government and of false claims against the government. Garcia also pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds. A 2013 indictment accused them of engaging in a scheme to defraud the Department of Housing and Urban Development out of more than 100-thousand dollars between 2010 and 2012. Garcia was executive director of the Gallup Housing Authority at the time. Plea agreements call for prison sentences between 18 and 24 months and for payment of restitution. Their sentencings haven't been scheduled.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today and tomorrow with a 40-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms with highs both days in the low 80s. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms and the overnight low, 61.