A former corrections officer in New Mexico has been sentenced to three years of probation in a drug trafficking case. Prosecutors say 21-year-old Edward Owens, of Santa Fe, was sentenced Wednesdayin federal court in Albuquerque. He was accused of participating in a conspiracy to distribute Buprenorphine, more commonly known as Suboxone. The incident occured in August 2014 while Owens was a corrections officer at the Santa Fe County Adult Correctional Facility on Highway 14. An inmate at the jail allegedly paid Owens to smuggle 47 sublingual Suboxone strips into the facfility. Owens was taken into custody in February 2015 after being indicted in the case. The inmate involved also was charged and was sentenced last October to 366 days in federal prison.
New Mexico is allowing 17-year-olds to vote in primary elections as long as they turn 18 by the date of general elections. Gov. Susana Martinez signed the measure into law on Wednesday. Proponents of the legislation from Las Cruces Democrat Jeff Steinborn say it will encourage civic engagement. The law also is designed to ensure that people who turn 18 just before the general election have time to get registered. State election officials say the change does not conflict with federal law because a primary vote is part of the nomination process. Primary elections in New Mexico take place June 7 this year and the general election is on Nov. 8. The law goes into effect immediately. People who want to vote must register in June must do so by May 10th. You can register to vote online, or in person at the county clerk’s office, and at other locations.
New Mexico is reducing workers compensation benefits for employees who injure themselves on the job while drunk or high. Gov. Susana Martinez signed the legislation Wednesday in Albuquerque. It reduces workers compensation benefits by between 10 percent and 90 percent based on the degree that a worker's intoxication contributes to an accident. Martinez called the legislation a matter of common sense and said employers will not be able file a compensation claim if they were aware of a worker's impairment and did not take action. The Republican governor also approved a workforce development fund designed to quickly train and certify employees in specialized fields to help companies that move into or expand operations in New Mexico. The state has set aside $1.25 million to fund the initiative starting in July.
A new law will allow New Mexico’s communities to use lodger's tax revenue as funding for passenger air routes. New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez signed legislation on Wednesday that allows the use of lodger's tax dollars to meet minimum guarantees for securing passenger air service. The taxes are applied to motel and hotel stays by cities and counties and are often used to promote tourism or pay for local services. The governor's office says the new law may help attract commercial flights to communities like Santa Fe, Hobbs, and Farmington.
Residents of New Mexico's Boot-heel and parts of southern Arizona say human smuggling and drug trafficking is taking its toll on the region. The Deming Headlight reports that residents are scheduled to express their concerns to federal officials during a meeting at the Community Center in Animas, New Mexico today. Judy Keeler, a longtime resident of the rural border region, says her home was recently burglarized and it's not an unusual episode for other residents. They’ve said state Highway 80 has become a favorite for Mexican cartel drug runners who manage to navigate out of the mountains along the Arizona-New Mexico border. Residents say they want an increased presence from U.S. Border Patrol agents.
A judge has ruled a teenager who pleaded guilty to killing his parents and three young siblings will remain in state custody until he is 21. The juvenile justice division of the Children, Youth and Families Department will determine where Griego will be treated or held for the remainder of his sentence. Authorities say that leaves open the possibility for an early supervised release. The district attorney says she plans to appeal that ruling.
Supreme Court Justices might not decide a major case about regulation of abortion clinics in Texas until late June. But to get an idea about how the Supreme Court may decide the case it heardWednesday, look to its impending decision in a fight over abortion clinics in Louisiana, where the issue is similar to that in Texas. An order could come any day in the Louisiana case. The clinics are asking the high court to block enforcement of a 2014 law that requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. The clinics say the law could leave the state with just one clinic in New Orleans, down from four. The cases are at different stages in the legal process, but they involve similar laws and actions by the same New Orleans-based federal appeals court.
And it’s world wildlife day. The declaration of March 3d as World Wildlife Day comes after a 2013 resolution that celebrates and raises awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. Today’s theme noted on the United Nations General Assembly website, is, “The future of wildlife is in our hands.”