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March 4 First News: Truck Driver In Custody After Arizona Crash Claims Life Of Santa Fe Woman

 

Authorities say two bicyclists are dead and a pickup driver arrested after a semi-truck slammed into a group of riders waiting for a red light in the northern Tucson area.  One of the victims was from Santa Fe. The Sheriff's office in Pima County, Arizona says three of 10 cyclists were also injured in the crashThursday afternoon. Most of the bicyclists are members of Santa Fe Seniors on Bikes from New Mexico, according to a report in Tucson's Arizona Daily Star. The sheriff's office says the 28-year-old driver, Brian Lynch, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and faces various manslaughter and aggravated assault charges. Officials say 72-year old Clare Rhodes of Santa Fe died at the scene, while 68-year-old Kenneth Vieira died at the hospital. One cyclist is in critical condition; two others suffered minor injuries.        

Managers at the nation's only underground nuclear waste repository say they're making progress on the facility's new interim ventilation system. They say subcontractors completed work this week on ductwork. The new system is expected to increase airflow in the underground facility. Adequate ventilation has been a concern as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant prepares to resume some operations at the end of this year. The plant has been shuttered since February 2014, when an improperly packed drum of waste from Los Alamos National Laboratory burst open and released radiation.             

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that allows the courts to grant permanent restraining orders against convicted sexual predators to keep them from contacting their victims. Courts also will be able to grant those orders without requiring the victim to be present in the courtroom. The governor also penned a new law aimed at protecting farmers and ranchers from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors amid encroachment of urban sprawl. The legislation was sponsored by Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle. It ensures new neighbors cannot sue agricultural producers for being too noisy.    

New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas and Dona Ana County District Attorney Mark D'Antonio say they're going to work together to target money laundering along the border. The two prosecutors held a briefing Thursday in Las Cruces to discuss their participation in a recent conference that brought together attorneys general from other western states, federal partners and Mexican prosecutors. By focusing on money laundering, Balderas says law enforcement can curb other types of criminal activity. He pointed to federal data that shows $300 billion a year in illicit money from human and drug trafficking and other fraud is flowing through the U.S.

New Mexico Health Department Secretary Retta Ward died yesterday after her car went off the road. Authorities say the accident was not the cause of her death. Ward had begun to implement changes at the state’s largest government agency, where she had worked for three years.  Health spokesman Kenny Vigil recalled her as an exceptional leader who was passionate about improving the health of all New Mexicans. He said department employees were heartbroken about the news. Ward was tapped to lead the department by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2013. She had previously served as secretary of the state's Aging and Long-term Services Department.

A ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court has revived a lawsuit by residents of a southeastern New Mexico neighborhood.  The group claimed operations by an oil company resulted in contamination that caused health problems. The justices say a lower court erred by preventing the residents from introducing scientific evidence and expert testimony in support of their case. The case was ordered back to district court for further proceedings. Residents had alleged there was environmental contamination in an area that became a housing subdivision in Hobbs. A jury in 2007 ruled in favor of Shell Oil Co., which had storage tanks in the area from 1946 until 1993. There also was an unlined storage pit for oilfield wastes that was buried in the 1960s. Housing development in the area started in the 1970s.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez is endorsing Marco Rubio's presidential bid — support from a rising Republican star that will undoubtedly boost the Florida senator's sway among Latino voters. Rubio mentioned Martinez's name back in November when discussing potential running mates, but Martinez has largely shrugged off questions about higher political aspirations. The backing from the nation's only Latina governor comes days after Martinez refused to say whether she would support Donald Trump if he became the Republican nominee. Rubio's campaign made the announcementThursday in a statement in which Martinez calls Rubio a compelling leader who can unite the country.

Officials at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas say there's been an increase of flu cases among inmates the last several days. Prison officials say 31 patients have flu symptoms so far. Those diagnosed, or presenting symptoms consistent with the influenza virus, are receiving medical treatment. Officials say the prison is taking precautions to isolate the affected inmates to reduce the probability of additional people being affected and to allow recovery of those already diagnosed with the flu.

In global news:

China says it will boost military spending by about 7 to 8 percent this year, the smallest increase in about five years, reflecting slowing economic growth and a drawdown of 300,000 troops as Beijing seeks to build a more streamlined, modern military. Fu Ying, spokeswoman for the National People's Congress, China's ceremonial legislature, told reporters Friday that China needs to consider its defense needs, economic development and the country's fiscal position in drafting the defense budget. The People's Liberation Army, being trimmed to 2 million troops from 2.3 million, will still be the world's largest standing military.

Economists say that today's jobless figures will likely show that U.S. workers continue to be largely insulated from a global slowdown. Economists surveyed by the firm FactSet believe employers created 195,000 jobs last month, which would keep the unemployment rate at a low 4.9 percent. Bickering among the candidates was evident again at last night's Republican presidential debate, but in the end they all said they'd support Donald Trump if he were to win the GOP nomination.