More than half of marriage licenses issued from Santa Fe County in the last year have gone to same-sex couples. The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that data from the Santa Fe County Clerk's Office shows that the number of licenses given out doubled and 55 percent went to same-sex couples. According to the county, more than 25-hundred licenses were obtained since they became available to same-sex couples a year ago August. Of those, nearly 14-hundred were requested by gay couples. Officials say at least 600 of those couples came from Texas and Oklahoma. New Mexico became the 17th state to legalize same-sex marriage last December through a unanimous ruling by the state Supreme Court. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in 19 states and the District of Columbia.
The New Mexico Sheriff's Association is seeking to tightening eligibility rules for who can run for sheriff in the state. Association Executive Director Jack Levick tells KOAT-TV that the organization wants legislation requiring a candidate for sheriff have no felony convictions and at least five years of law enforcement experience. Levick says the group will urge lawmakers during next year's legislative session. State law currently only requires a sheriff candidate be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen. Levick's announcement comes on the heels of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella getting indicted on civil rights charges. Rodella is accused of roughing up a motorist during an off-duty traffic stop in March. Scott Baird, a Republican running for Bernalillo County sheriff, has three DWI convictions.
State health officials say New Mexico is one of only 14 states to report a decrease in self-reported obesity rates last year. Patty Morris is the Director of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Obesity, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program. *****090814-Morris-2***** In another positive for the state, Morris says childhood obesity also declined measurably.
Chevron Mining Incorporated has reached a four-million dollar settlement to restore natural resources damaged as a result of hazardous substances being released at its mine in northern New Mexico. The settlement was announced Friday by the state, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agreement must still be approved by a federal judge and public comment will be accepted over the next month. The money will be used for restoration projects at the site near Questa, which is home to Chevron Mining’s soon-to-be closed molybdenum mine. Also, 225 acres will be transferred to the federal government for conservation and natural resource protection. Studies have shown ground water in the area has been contaminated with hazardous substances and heavy metals have been found in surface water at levels that exceed water quality standards.
Personnel from Bandelier National Monument and the Los Alamos Fire Department help six hikers forced to make an unplanned overnight stay in a remote area of the northern New Mexico park. Monument officials say the three adults and three children ages 4-7 decided late Monday they were lost after hiking up a canyon to a spot later determined to be six miles from the visitor center. The hikers used a cellphone to call 911, but the connection was bad and it took hours for rangers to locate the group at approximately 3 a.m. Fire Department personnel joined up and helped walk the hikers out of the area and to their vehicles at a trailhead. Chie Ranger Tom Betts says it helped that the group stayed together in one place.
Santa Fe Weather: Partly sunny today with a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms and a high of 78. Tonight and tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with a 50-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. The overnight low, 58, tomorrow’s high, 75.