An official with the U.S. Department of Energy says workers at the federal government's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant will undergo practice placement of non-radioactive drums before limited operations resume next year. Monica Regalbuto with DOE's Office of Environmental Management testified Tuesday during a Senate hearing in Washington, D.C. *****061715-Regalbuto-3 :30***** Pressed by New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich about how soon full operations can resume at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, which has been closed for more than a year because of a radiation release. Regalbuto told the New Mexico Democrat that will depend on the installation of a new permanent ventilation system.
The New Mexico Court of Appeals has overturned the convictions of a man in a 2011 fatal DWI case. The panel ruled that a Santa Fe trial judge erred by not suppressing evidence from the warrantless search of defendant Juan Cordova's home that resulted in his arrest. The ruling also calls into question the circumstances of how Cordova was arrested and tested for being drunk. It's unclear if the ruling by the appeals court will result in a new trial for Cordova. The state Attorney General's Office was reviewing the opinion Tuesday before deciding whether to appeal to the New Mexico Supreme Court. Cordova was convicted in December 2012 of vehicular homicide and other charges in the death of a motorcyclist near Chimayo and sentenced to 29 years in prison.
Proposed changes to the New Mexico Game and Fish Commission’s management plans for hunting, fishing and trapping of animals—including cougars and bears on public and private lands—brought a convergence of environmentalists to Taos recently. Saturday’s public hearing on the proposed changes saw many questioning the science behind the draft State Wildlife Action Plan -- also known as the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. Former Santa Fe mayor David Coss, now chairman of the Sierra Club’s Rio Grande Chapter, told Commissioners to revisit the numbers. *****061715-Coss :22***** Hunters and trappers also testified, saying cougars and bears pose a threat and their numbers ought to be reduced. The commission will finalize the details of these rule changes before they meet to vote at their August 27th meeting in Santa Fe.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation today begins bridge rehabilitation work on the U.S. 84/285 Bridge at Guadalupe Street on the north side of Santa Fe. The NMDOT says between nine-am to seven-pm, the highway’s southbound off –ramp to Guadalupe Street will be closed. Motorists traveling south into Santa Fe are advised to use Paseo de Peralta. The NMDOT says the work is expected to be finished tomorrow, weather-permitting.
A planned community west of Albuquerque that developers say could someday be home to as many as 90-thousand people has cleared a major hurdle. The Bernalillo County Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a master plan for a nearly 22-square-mile development known as Santolina. The development would rival some of New Mexico's largest cities once completed. Bernalillo County commissioners narrowly approved the plan despite opposition from Albuquerque's historic South Valley area over fears that Santolina would draw from much needed water sources. Opponents have promised legal action over the commissioners' vote.
A Carlsbad man has been ordered to pay more than $13,000 in restitution for submitting fraudulent travel claims to the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque. Prosecutors say 57-year-old William Arviso also was sentenced yesterday to two years of probation.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today with the high 88 and a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, the overnight low 57 and a 20-percent chance for precipitation. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, the high 89 with a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms.