Former Santa Fe Mayor George Gonzales has died. City of Santa Fe spokesman Matt Ross announcing in a news release that George Gonzales, the father of current Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, who served as mayor from 1968 to 1972 is dead and releasing a statement from Mayor Javier Gonzales which says, quote: "Tonight my father, Mayor George Gonzales, lifelong Santa Fean, family man, musician, businessman and inspiration, has passed away. I am grateful for your understanding and respect as our family takes time to mourn. We will be releasing further information on the services in the coming days."
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly has signed a compact with the state of New Mexico that allows the tribe to continue operating its casinos for another two decades. The gambling compact recently cleared the New Mexico Legislature. It needs final approval from the U.S. Interior Department. The compact was the result of three years of negotiations with Gov. Susana Martinez's administration. New Mexico lawmakers were under pressure to approve the compact since existing revenue-sharing agreements with the state are set to expire at the end of June. Without a new compact, the Navajos and some other tribes would not be able to legally operate their casinos. The Navajos say their three casinos generated nearly $80 million last year, and more than $6 million went to the state for revenue-sharing payments.
Lost in the partisan bickering of the New Mexico Legislature's final moments was a measure aimed at helping some residents with severe mental illness. Since lawmakers failed to pass the bill, New Mexico remains one of only a handful of states without a "Kendra's Law." It would have allowed judges in some counties to order patients to take medication and undergo treatment if they are deemed a danger to themselves and their community. The proposal came after calls in Albuquerque following more than 40 police shootings since 2010. Officials say 75 percent of the suspects shot suffered from some sort of mental illness. The House passed the measure with minutes to go in the session but not enough time for the Senate to vote on the revised version.
An Albuquerque man convicted of killing and sexually assaulting his 1-month-old daughter faces 63 years in prison. KRQE-TV (reports that Juan Galindo cried and apologized during his sentencing yesterday. Galindo had said the 28-day-old baby choked on a bottle and died, and his trial defense was that he was actually trying to save her.
KSFR is holding its Spring fund-raiser this week—and we’re asking you to help us end it as soon as possible by calling in your contribution to 505-428-13-93…. Or toll-free, 1-866-907-5737. You may also pledge online—at KSFR-dot-org. Thank you for your support.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow—the high today, 59, it’ll drop to 55 tomorrow. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with the overnight low 28 and a slight chance for rain and snow showers before midnight.