Local news in brief Aug. 31

| The New Mexican and wire services

8/30/2008 - 8/31/08

Washouts close Tent Rocks monument

COCHITI PUEBLO — Officials closed Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument on Saturday after heavy overnight rains caused flooding that washed out parts of a trail and an access road.

The area in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains, popular with hikers for its slot canyons and dramatic scenery, wasn't expected to reopen before Thursday.

Visitors were advised not to travel into the area.

"Crews will be making repairs, but it's going to be more than a couple of days' worth," U.S. Bureau of Land Management spokesman Hans Stuart said Saturday.

Man sues dentist over inhaled tooth cap

A Santa Fe man says in a lawsuit that a local dentist committed malpractice by allowing him to inhale a tooth cap that became lodged in his lung, requiring surgery to extract.

Louis Dellemonache seeks unspecified damages from dentist Robert E. Darmitzel in a complaint filed in state District Court by lawyer Randall Bell. Darmitzel declined comment.

According to the complaint, Dellemonache visited Darmitzel on Aug. 25, 2005, to have a tooth cap installed. Because Darmitzel's assistant was absent, it says, Dellemonache and a family member suggested returning another day, but Darmitzel "insisted on going forward with the procedure."

Darmitzel, "by failing to keep a secure hold on the tooth cap which he dropped and which (Dellemonache) aspirated, by failing to utilize an assistant as was customary and by failing to utilize a dental dam or other means to prevent such aspiration, created an unreasonable risk which resulted in the injuries," the complaint says.

S.F. Community College says enrollment up

Santa Fe Community College says fall enrollment surged 8 percent over last year's first-week enrollment.

The school said enrollment reached 5,452 students as of Wednesday, and numbers are expected to climb as students enroll in late-starting classes throughout the semester.

Some of the most popular course areas, an announcement said, are health care, emergency medical technician work, exercise science, criminal justice, culinary arts, art and media arts, and core studies.

The average age of students at the college, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, is 40.

Of all students enrolled in credit classes, 46 percent identified themselves as white non-Hispanic, 33 percent Hispanic, 2.5 percent American Indian, 1.3 percent Asian/Pacific islander and 1 percent black. Increasingly, the college said, Hispanics are enrolling with intentions of earning degrees or certificates. Among students specifically aiming for a degree or certificate, 48 percent are Hispanic.

State says convenience store crime down

A recent study of convenience store crime rates by the New Mexico Environment Department shows those rates dropped substantially after new regulations went into effect in 2004, providing greater protections for convenience store workers.

The study compared crime reports in Albuquerque, Farmington, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Taos before and after the regulations went into effect, the department said.

Murders dropped by an annual average of more than 44 percent while assaults and robberies both decreased by an annual average of about 92 percent, the agency said.

The regulations required convenience store owners to have at least two employees working between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or provide bullet-proof enclosures, install video surveillance systems, improve lighting and provide safety training to employees.

DWI saturation patrol set for Labor Day

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department says it plans to conduct a DWI saturation patrol Monday.

No geographic area was given for the Labor Day patrol, during which deputies will look for impaired drivers and step up enforcement of non-DWI related traffic violations.

Sheriff Greg Solano said the goal is to remind people to be safe while traveling the roadways and to warn them not to drink and drive.

Display of suspected stolen property set

Local law enforcement officers will hold a viewing Wednesday of suspected stolen items in an attempt to identify the owners.

In the last four months, more than $70,000 worth of items were recovered as part of a special operation by the Investigation Division of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department. Items include construction tools, computers and electronics.

The Sheriff's Office estimates some of the items might have been stolen up to a year ago.

Those wishing to attend the viewing, which is being conducted in conjunction with the Santa Fe Police Department, must provide a serial number and proof of ownership or a copy of a police report including a list of stolen items. No one will be allowed to browse the items.

Call 986-2455 for information.