Authorities say searchers have found the body of a former White House chef who had been missing for more than a week after going hiking in the New Mexico mountains. The New Mexico State Patrol says the body of 61-year-old Walter Scheib was found Sunday night near a hiking trail in mountains in the Taos area. The police statement did not provide a cause of death or any other details about the discovery of the body. Scheib recently moved to New Mexico. He served as White House chef for 11 years under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Police say he reportedly went for a hike June 13 in the mountains near the Taos Ski Valley. His girlfriend reported him missing the next day. Taos police found his vehicle Tuesday parked at a canyon trailhead.
Authorities say three Rio Rancho teenage boys orchestrated a cyberattack on the Enfamil baby formula website, attracting the attention of the FBI and Secret Service. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Rio Rancho police have charge the boys with felony computer abuse and conspiracy. Police say the boys, all juveniles, used a school computer at Cleveland High School shortly before the beginning of summer break.
Two New Mexico state lawmakers have been named to a national Republican group seeking to recruit and train GOP candidates from diverse communities and backgrounds. The New Mexico Republican Party says Los Lunas Representative Alonzo Baldonado and Kirtland Representative Sharon Clahchischilliage will join the Republican State Leadership Committee's "Future Majority Project." The Republican State Leadership Committee announced this month the relaunch of the project, which recruited hundreds of new candidates and elected 43 new leaders to office over the last two years. Governor Susana Martinez is one of the panel’s co-chairs.The group's goal is to recruit 250 new, diverse candidates and see at least 50 of those elected to office.
An Albuquerque police officer who was shot four times during a January traffic stop is back at work. The Albuquerque Journal reports that Lou Golson is dividing his time between checking on his cases at court and doing background checks on potential cadets. But the 31-year veteran officer said Friday that he wants to be back with the department's DWI unit. Golson says he is not yet physically capable but believes that will change. Police say Golson was conducting a suspected drunken driving traffic stop in January for 36-year-old Christopher Cook, a homeless man. They say Cook fired several shots at Golson. The officer was struck four times and suffered a broken femur. Cook has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
It's been a witness to New Mexico's political history for the last three decades, but the old light bulb board that records votes in the state House of Representatives soon could be going away. Like other statehouses around the nation, New Mexico is looking to go digital. The Legislative Council Service has issued a request for proposals to replace the voting system that the House has relied on since the 1980s. It not only records lawmakers' votes and helps maintain order during debates but is tied to software that keeps the chamber's calendar. House Majority Floor Leader Nate Gentry says lawmakers are growing frustrated with the current system. During the last session, some voting buttons weren't working and the board wasn't registering some votes. Lawmakers say modernizing the system will mark another step toward increasing transparency.
Espanola’s fiesta queen, who sparked a furor over disparaging comments made about her mother's crime-ridden town, has been ousted from her throne. The Albuquerque Journal reports that the executive council of the Fiesta Council stripped 24-year-old Angelina Vigil of her crown over the weekend. Officials said on the Espanola Valley Fiesta's Facebook page that there will be no "La Reina" at this year's festivities. Vigil created a backlash when she attacked Espanola on Facebook, saying she hated visiting the city after her mother's home was burglarized and the crown was stolen last week. She later apologized. Police recovered the crown and scepter last week and arrested two people in the theft. Vigil did not comment but thanked supporters on her Facebook page. The Espanola Valley's annual fiestas celebrate the region's Spanish roots.
Singing competition "American Idol" will hold one of its last auditions in Santa Fe. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Fox network reality show is having auditions Friday at the Santa Fe Railyard. City Parks and Recreation Department director Rob Carter says the Railyard is the best location. Carter says there's space to park the show's bus and the facility can accommodate if hundreds of people line up to try out. Railyard officials say they have been working with "Idol" crews for six weeks on security and parking logistics. Auditions will go from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. "Idol" is now heading into its 15th and final season. Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr., are set to return as judges.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny today, with the high reaching 91 with a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy tonight, with a continued slight chance for showers, the overnight low, 63. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny and not as warm with Tuesday’s high reaching 67 and a 20-percent chance for precipitation.