Gun threat a false alarm

The Judge Steve Herrera Judicial Complex and several downtown city offices were put on alert for a short time Thursday afternoon when a city bus driver called police to alert them of a man he saw walking toward the courthouse with a gun.

It turned out to be a false alarm, according to Santa Fe Police Capt. Gerald Rivera.

"Our officers located the man and he did not have a gun," Rivera said. "It turned out to be nothing."

The call to emergency dispatchers came around 2 p.m. and indicated the man was walking on Marcy Street around the Santa Fe Community Convention Center near City Hall.

Magistrate's son arrested at SFHS

Matthew D. Anaya, the 18-year-old son of Santa Fe County Magistrate Judge George Anaya Jr., was arrested Wednesday and charged with carrying a deadly weapon on school grounds and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a statement of probable cause filed for his arrest, a Santa Fe High School security guard says he observed Matthew Anaya "standing near the bus drop off zone smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette."

The court document states the teenager was later "searched by Santa Fe High School Principal Robert Stevens (who) located a folding knife and a glass pipe ... in the pocket of a pair of pajama bottoms underneath defendant's pants."

Matthew Anaya spent the night in the Santa Fe County jail and was released on his own recognizance after being arraigned Thursday.

AT&T: Move case to federal court

AT&T wants wireless-communications foe Arthur Firstenberg's challenge to the upgrade of its Santa Fe system moved to federal court.

Neither AT&T nor city attorneys showed up Monday for the first hearing to consider Firstenberg's petition for writ of mandamus before state District Judge Sarah Singleton.

After talking on the phone with City Attorney Geno Zamora as Firstenberg and seven supporters waited, Singleton reset the hearing for Wednesday. The judge told Firstenberg and seven supporters in the courtroom Monday that she would not allow testimony on whether electromagnetic radiation from wireless signals affect health.

Singleton canceled Wednesday's hearing after AT&T filed its motion earlier that day. A petition by lawyer Mark Basham, a former city attorney who currently is the county probate judge, says Firstenberg's petition raises federal questions.

Firstenberg, who says he is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices, made headlines a year ago when he sued his neighbor over her use of an iPhone and a wireless device. A trial in that case is set for Singleton's court on March 21.

Court date set for Advantage Asphalt

A bench trial is set for Jan. 27 at which Anthony Montoya will have to address allegations that he violated Santa Fe County law by storing construction equipment and materials on his property in a residential area of La Cienega.

Santa Fe County filed a complaint last summer alleging the code violation after the Advantage Asphalt owner failed to respond to two separate notices, one in October 2009 the other in April 2010.

Montoya's attorney, City Councilor Matthew Ortiz, has entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client. Ortiz complained during a pre-trial conference Thursday that Santa Fe County has not responded to his requests for discovery in the case. Assistant County Attorney Rachel Brown argued that under Magistrate Court rules, discovery is not due until 10 days before trial.

Magistrate George Anaya Jr. directed Brown to produce the information in time for a Jan. 14 hearing.

The paving firm has been at the center of a Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office investigation into allegations of fraud and theft in the county Public Works Department.

Centennial plans under way

Gov. Susana Martinez announced plans for a 16-month commemoration of the 100th anniversary of New Mexico's admission to the union in 1912.

According to a news release, the commemoration will begin in Las Cruces in August.

The observance will involve exhibits, lectures and community projects statewide, as well as educational efforts to engage young people in learning state history.

In November, the Union Pacific Railroad will sponsor a series of special events in Southern New Mexico with its historic vintage steam locomotive.

Rainbow Ryders of Albuquerque has donated an official centennial hot air balloon, the news release says.

Party sets school board forums

The Democratic Party of Santa Fe County will host a series of school board candidate forums starting Monday.

All but one of the forums will be held at the party's headquarters, 1420 Cerrillos Road.

At 6 p.m. Monday, District 1 candidates Mary Ellen Gonzales, Steven Carrillo, Alexis Lotero and Carl Luff will debate. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, District 2 candidates Donado "Cove" Coviello, Glenn Wikle and Melissa Coleman will debate.

For a full list of forums, visit www.santafedemocrats.org.

Meeting set on Santa Fe River

The city River Commission is inviting community members who want to comment on plans to release flows into the Santa Fe River to attend a Jan. 13 public meeting.

The 5:30 p.m. event at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center will be led by a team of professional facilitators who want to gather community input about a city ordinance that would permanently allocate 1,000 acre feet of water each year for the river flows.

The city hopes to establish a core working group comprised of 13 representatives who will review recommendations based on community input and technical, legal, ecological and cultural considerations of the proposed rule.

For several years, the City Council has passed resolutions that direct water managers to release supplies from Santa Fe Canyon reservoirs to maintain river flows, but the proposed ordinance would memorialize that practice into law.

Details about a second meeting planned for February are not final.

For more information, contact Brian Drypolcher, the city's river and watershed coordinator, at 955-6840.

Joint election polling changes

The Santa Fe County Clerk's Office announced last month it is holding a joint election for board positions for both Santa Fe Public Schools and the Santa Fe Community College on Feb. 1. But since there is only one candidate running for the SFCC board — incumbent Andrea B. Bermudez — state law requires that the County Clerk's Office be the sole polling place for the SFCC election.

Voters who wish to vote in both elections and want to avoid going to two polling places can either vote early at the County Clerk's Office or request an absentee ballot.

Early voting begins Monday, Jan. 7 and ends on Jan. 28. Absentee ballots must by turned in by Feb. 1.

According to the college and the County Clerk's Office, the cost of separate board elections usually totals about $85,000. This move will cut that cost in half. Visit www.santafecounty.org/clerk for a list of polling locales.

Community grants available

Community projects that would assist low- and moderate-income residents, prevent blight or correct situations in the community that pose a serious and immediate threat are eligible for funding through the cities Community Development Block Grant process.

The city said it has begun accepting applications for grants up to $600,000.

Community organizations interested in applying may review an application on the city's website or make an appointment with the city's senior housing plan or to discuss a submittal. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1.

For more information visit www.santafenm.gov or call 955-6574.