Potential Fierro jurors summoned

First Judicial District Court officials are expecting about 175 prospective jurors to show up Wednesday for two trials later this month, including Carlos Fierro's.

The court sent out approximately 700 jury summons — two panels worth — for Tuesday. State District Judge Michael Vigil said in court Friday that each juror will fill out a questionnaire that asks mainly about people's knowledge of the Fierro case and what kind of media exposure to the case they've had.

After the prospective jurors fill out the questionnaire, lawyers for another case will pick a jury. Meanwhile, Fierro's lawyers will sift through the questionnaires and pick a jury Wednesday, Vigil said.

Fierro, 36, is charged with vehicular homicide and causing a fatal accident. He allegedly struck and killed William Tenorio, 46, of San Felipe Pueblo as Tenorio crossed Guadalupe Street the day before Thanksgiving. Police also contend Fierro was driving drunk. His trial is scheduled to run from Sept. 21-Oct. 1.

Gov. names new higher-education secretary

Higher Education Secretary Peter White is leaving after four months in the job and Gov. Bill Richardson has named a University of New Mexico administrator to the Cabinet-level post.

Viola Florez, who starts the job next week, has been UNM's interim provost and executive vice president of academic affairs since 2007. She served as dean of UNM's College of Education for a decade.

White is returning to UNM, where he's a professor of English and American studies.

A spokesman for the governor said Friday that Florez's salary has not been determined. White earned $180,000 a year.

Man arrested on attempted murder charges

A 33-year-old Cerrillos man was arraigned Thursday in Magistrate Court on charges of attempted murder in connection with the stabbing of another Cerrillos man on Aug. 28.

Zachary G. Wolf was arrested on a warrant Wednesday. Bail was set at $150,000.

According to court documents, Wolf stabbed his friend, Charlie Manuel Sapien, three times at the Free-Box commodity exchange in Madrid. The documents did not indicate why the attack occurred.

Sapien fled into a nearby field, and was later taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center by Wolf's mother, Kathy Wolf.

City taps new land-use director

Matthew O'Reilly has been named the new director of Santa Fe's Land Use Department.

O'Reilly will step down as chairman of the Santa Fe Planning Commission to replace retiring Land Use Director Jack Hiatt, according to a city announcement Friday.

A licensed professional engineer, O'Reilly has a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation and a bachelor's degree in civil/structural engineering from the University of Connecticut.

Immigrant workers invited to community forum

Somos un Pueblo Unido will be hosting a community forum for immigrant workers from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at 1804 Espinacitas St. The forum will be held in Spanish and address issues such as new state protections against wage theft, worker's rights and how the intended health care reform affects immigrants.