State lawmakers will be considering a proposal next year to have New Mexico join other western states in legalizing marijuana. Representative Bill McCamley, a Democrat from Dona Ana County, taking his case for legalization to fellow lawmakers during a meeting at the Roundhouse on Tuesday. McCamley says he will introduce a legalization bill modeled after a similar law passed by voters in Oregon. Voters in that state along with Alaska and the District of Columbia approved ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana earlier this month. McCamley notes that New Mexico currently spends 33-million dollars a year enforcing laws against pot: *****!2614-McCamley-2 :17***** In New Mexico, the legalization push follows the success of ballot questions in two of the state's most populous counties—Santa Fe and Bernalillo—that gauged voter support for decriminalizing marijuana. The New Mexico Sheriffs' Association says it's researching the effects legalization has had in other states.
The suspect in the murder of two Santa Fe teenagers waived his extradition hearing in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, so the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department will now have to pick him up. Police in Colorado Springs arrested 20-year old Ricardo "Ricky" Martinez two weeks ago. Martinez is accused of shooting to death 18-year-old Venancio Cisneros and his 13-year-old girlfriend, AnamarieOjeda, in October. Authorities found their bodies in a vehicle near Ramada- Way off Villa Vista. It's not clear at this time when the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department will retrieve Martinez.
The certification of New Mexico's general election results is on hold pending a recount in the statewide race for land commissioner. The State Canvassing Board met Tuesday in Santa Fe and ordered a recount in the contest between incumbent Democrat Ray Powell and Republican challenger Aubrey Dunn. The latest totals provided by the secretary of state's office show Dunn with a 704-vote lead. This will be the first recount in a contest for a statewide office since New Mexico enacted a law in 2008 for automatic recounts when the margin between the top two candidates is less than one-half of 1 percent. State election officials also updated the board on voter turnout, saying final numbers showed just shy of 41 percent of the state's registered voters cast ballots in the final tally.
New Mexico is taking part in a multi-state campaign to make travel on Interstate 40 safer over the Thanksgiving holiday period. State Police and other New Mexico agencies will join law enforcement agencies in seven other states involved in the campaign called the "Interstate 40 Challenge: The Drive toward Zero Fatalities."
Speaking of safe holiday travels, Santa Fe County’s DWI program is offering five-dollar taxi-cab rides home from drinking establishments and parties the night before Thanksgiving. Peter Olson is the County’s DWI Prevention Specialist, he says tomorrow night is a known date for intoxicated driving: *****112514-Olson-1 :22***** Olson says you can catch the discounted cab ride by calling 438-0000 between 5:30pm and 2:30am.
Voters in the booming New Mexico oil city of Hobbs are considering an ordinance that would require a photo ID in local elections. Organizers behind the Hobbs push admit their efforts are part of a larger movement to enact voter ID legislation in other cities and states.
Santa Fe Weather: Sunny through tomorrow, today’s high 47, it’ll warm up to 54 Thanksgiving Day. Tonight: Mostly clear with the overnight low 29.