Economy forces job cuts at 'The New Mexican'

The New Mexican eliminated the equivalent of 12 jobs Friday in a cost-cutting move.

Robin Martin, owner and publisher, said the move was a response to the ongoing decline in advertising revenue associated with the weak local and national economy. Corresponding to national economic conditions, real estate, employment and automobile advertising have been hardest hit in the last year.

Some jobs were lost through layoff, some through a decision not to fill vacant positions and others through the conversion of some full-time jobs to part time. The company eliminated the equivalent of six positions on the news staff and six more in the advertising and production departments. Every department continues to cut overall operating expenses, Martin said.

Martin expressed confidence in the long-term health of The New Mexican based on strong readership and local retail advertising. The online and print news reports are read by 90,000 people daily.

"The changes we make today will position us for the future," Ginny Sohn, associate publisher, told the staff in a memo. "The New Mexican is strong and stable and will be for a long time."

Fierro lawyers look to suppress nurse testimony

An emergency room nurse who interacted with Carlos Fierro the night he struck and killed a pedestrian while allegedly driving drunk in November didn't follow proper procedures and shouldn't be allowed to testify about his demeanor.

That's according to two motions filed Thursday by Fierro's defense lawyers asking to the judge in the case to suppress the blood test that showed Fierro's blood alcohol level to be .21, more than twice the legal driving limit. Nurse Heidi Schwalbe allegedly didn't follow procedures outlined by the state Scientific Laboratory Division and may not have used an SLD-approved blood collection kit when she took Fierro's blood that night, the first motion states.

The lawyers also allege Schwalbe's characterizations at a preliminary hearing of Fierro as "pompous" and "not engaging" were "based on her belief that Mr. Fierro should have been but was not talking to her or engaging her in conversation," according to the second motion. Her comments violate Fierro's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and to remain silent while in police custody, the motion states.

Fierro struck William Tenorio, 46, of San Felipe Pueblo, just before 2 a.m. on Nov. 26 as he crossed Guadalupe Street downtown. Fierro fled the scene and was pulled over minutes later. Tenorio later died of his injuries.

Fierro's lawyers have filed eight motions asking for evidence and statements in the case to be suppressed.

Jury indicts men in alleged gang killing

A Santa Fe grand jury indicted two men Thursday on charges relating to the alleged gang-killing of an 18-year-old man last month, according to court records.

John Villesange — also known as "Jonathan" — was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and tampering with evidence. Police have said Villesange, 16, shot Pedro Maldonado during an alleged gang fight in the 1800 block of Espinacitas Street on June 28.

Francisco Montoya, 24, was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Montoya allegedly pulled a knife on Maldonado, 18, prior to the shooting, but Maldonado refused to back down, according to court documents.

Later, Montoya reportedly confronted Maldonado, pulled a large revolver on him and hit him in the back of the head with it, causing the gun to go off. At that point, Villesange allegedly opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun and shot Maldonado, according to the documents. Only bullets from Villesange's gun hit Maldonado, police have said.

Prosecutors have said they plan to seek adult sanctions against Villesange.

Interim director named for O'Keeffe Museum

Carl Brown has been named interim director of the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the board announced Friday. He assumes the position on Aug. 1.

In addition to overseeing the finance and human resources departments, Brown will also manage the day-to-day operations of the museum while the search for a new museum director proceeds, said Anne Marion, board chair.

Brown joined the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in 2005 as Director of Finance and Human Resources.