N.M. notary indicted in license fraud scheme

An Albuquerque notary has been indicted on more than 300 felony charges for allegedly falsifying documents for dozens of immigrants to get driver's licenses in New Mexico.

Gov. Susana Martinez announced Thursday that a Bernalillo County grand jury had indicted Ana Hernandez of Albuquerque on charges including forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, perjury for making a false affidavit and making a fictitious driver's license. The state canceled 39 licenses obtained with Hernandez's help and applications of three others weren't processed.

Hernandez was arrested in May as part of an alleged heroin trafficking ring. She was a notary public, a state-commissioned official who certifies the validity of documents.

The governor plans to ask the Legislature in a special session this fall to scrap New Mexico's policy of granting licenses to illegal immigrants.

Rio Rancho fire chief resigns over hazing incident

The fire chief in Rio Rancho has resigned, saying that stress over a recent hazing incident in the department damaged his health.

James Tobin, who became Rio Rancho's fire chief in 2006, began medical leave on June 20 and officially resigned on Wednesday.

Tobin told the Albuquerque Journal that his blood pressure spiked after the hazing incident, in which the city concluded that five male employees continuously harassed a new male employee. The five employees got various punishments, from written reprimands to unpaid 30-day suspensions.

Tobin handed down the punishments and says he since has received threatening phone calls and anonymous letters saying: "Watch out, it will be the end of your career."

Tobin says all the stress took a toll on him and that he had to leave.

A national search for a new chief will begin immediately.

N.M. Lottery raised $41.3 million for scholarships

The New Mexico Lottery raised $41.3 million for college scholarships in the just-ended fiscal year. Officials say that's the second-highest profit for the lottery after last year's record $43.6 million.

Since launching in 1996, the New Mexico Lottery says it has raised $487.4 million for education and more than 68,000 students have attended college on Legislative Lottery Scholarships.

The year's net revenues equal 30.5 percent of gross operating revenues. By law, the lottery is required to return at least 30 percent of monthly gross revenues to the state's tuition fund.

Despite reaching near-record revenues, net ticket sales of $135.5 million were down $8 million from $143.6 million last year.

Carson National Forest reopens

The Carson National Forest has reopened all forest service lands and lifted all fire restrictions due to rain.

Forest officials advise wood cutters and recreators to be cautious on muddy Forest Roads.

Portions of the Santa Fe National Forest also have reopened, though the areas burned in Las Conchas and Pacheco fires remain closed.

For information on fires and restrictions, visit www.nmfireinfo.com

State health department confirms fifth case of hantavirus

A fifth case of hantavirus has been confirmed in New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Health says a 59-year-old woman from McKinley County is hospitalized at University Hospital in critical condition with the infection.

Three people have died from hantavirus in the state this year, while a 39-year-old man from McKinley County has recovered from the infection, which is transmitted through rodents feces, urine and saliva. People usually catch the infection by breathing in dust from areas of rodent infestations.

Early symptoms of hantavirus infection include fever and muscle aches, possibly with chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough, which progresses to respiratory distress. Symptoms develop within one to six weeks after rodent exposure. Chances for recovery are better if medical attention is sought early.