FBI investigates bank robbery

The FBI is investigating a Saturday robbery of a Santa Fe bank.

A man entered New Mexico Bank and Trust, 1549 Paseo de Peralta, around 11:35 a.m., implied he had a gun and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to a city police report.

The report described the man as 6-feet tall, 180 pounds and wearing a tan or khaki sweater, blue jeans and a black baseball cap.

Police Chief Eric Johnson said he had no further details and that the FBI was in charge of the investigation. An effort to reach an FBI spokesman Sunday was unsuccessful.

Spaceport readies for bid process

LAS CRUCES — A project director for Spaceport America says the first of 13 bid packages for construction of the nation's first inland commercial facility for orbital flights will be released in about two weeks.

John Roberts said all 13 bid packages will be released by June.

Roberts said the construction of the facility is going to be very fast-paced. He says the major tenant, Virgin Galactic, wants to be ready to launch by December 2010.

Roberts spoke at a public meeting in Doña Ana County attended by about 260 people, who are interested in construction work and other jobs.

Dave Wilson, a spokesman for Spaceport America, said two other public meetings, in Hatch and Anthony, had about 110 attendees total.

Energy-efficient bonds offered

BOULDER, Colo.— Boulder County is expected to issue millions in bonds to residents who want to make energy-efficient upgrades to their home.

The county says more than 500 people have applied for the ClimateSmart program, which allows Boulder to issue bonds to finance loans to homeowners who want to install solar panels or put up storm windows and swamp coolers in their houses.

Boulder voters approved the program in November. The loans are paid through property taxes so the debt stays with whoever owns the house. County sustainability coordinator Ann Livingston says most of the loan applications should be approved.

The Boulder Daily Camera reported this week that more $9.4 million in loans should be distributed by the end of the year.