Local news in brief Dec. 2
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12/1/2008 - 12/2/08
Natural gas price down this monthPublic Service Company of New Mexico customers can expect lower natural gas prices on their December bills. The utility announced Monday that a therm will cost 59 cents, 23 percent less than than the rate charged at same time last year.
The estimated average use is 96 therms, based on a 10-year average. Including other charges, PNM says the estimated average gas bill comes to about $95.
December's price represents an 11 percent increase over the November per-therm price of 54 cents.
Assistance is available for gas bills through the government-administered Low Income Home Energy Program, or LIHEAP.
Call 800-283-4465.
Man run over by own truck arraigned
A 21-year-old allegedly drunken driver who was run over by his own truck was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment Monday in Sandoval County Magistrate Court.
Roy Aguilar didn't have to post bond under the court-ordered release, a correctional officer at the Sandoval County jail said.
On Nov. 23, according to state police, Aguilar led an officer on a chase and then neglected to put his pickup's transmission in park after he came to a stop off N.M. 16 between Interstate 25 and Cochiti Lake. Aguilar instead put the gear shift in reverse, opened his door, put one foot down and crumpled to the ground, police said, and as he lay on the dirt, the truck rolled over his left leg and both ankles.
Aguilar first came to the attention of police when he was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run accident in the parking lot of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe, police said.
Taos councilors pick new mayor
TAOS — The Town of Taos Council on Monday selected Councilor Darren Cordova as the town's new mayor.
Cordova will take over as mayor next month. He will replace Bobby F. Duran, who had already submitted his resignation effective Dec. 31.
Councilors thanked Duran for his 29 years of public service to Taos and then unanimously selected Cordova.
After Jan. 1, Cordova will appoint someone to complete his council term. Nine letters-of-intent seeking this appointment have already been submitted.
Both the mayoral position and Cordova's council seat will be up for election in 2010.
Water Division announces street closures
Closson Street will be closed Wednesday between Don Felix and Alto Street, the Santa Fe Water Division announced Monday. The closure will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. while workers install a new water service in the area.
The city will also close East De Vargas Street on Thursday between Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for other work.
Otero County woman dies of hantavirus
A 22-year-old woman from Otero County has died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
It is the second case of hantavirus in New Mexico this year. The first was a fatal case in March in a Taos County man.
Hantavirus is transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings and saliva. Humans generally contract it when they breathe in fumes from a contaminated area.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, chills, headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough. Symptoms usually develop within one to six weeks after exposure.
In 2007, there were three cases of hantavirus in New Mexico, with one fatality. In 2006, there were eight cases and three fatalities.
Santa coming to Eldorado, Pecos
Santa Claus is coming. The jolly man in red is scheduled to make pre-Christmas appearances in Eldorado and Pecos on Saturday.
St. Nick is expected to arrive around 2:30 p.m. Saturday at a holiday party at the Eldorado Community Center, One Hacienda Loop. The celebration will include caroling, treats and a special display of model trains and dolls.
Later that day, around 6 p.m., Santa will attend a tree-lighting ceremony in the parking lot of the Bank of Pecos.
Ceremony to honor military service
A public ceremony and wreath presentation to honor those who have served in the U.S. military is scheduled for Dec. 8 in the state Capitol Rotunda. A story this weekend gave the wrong date.
The 10 a.m. event will happen simultaneously at other state capitols across the nation, marking the hour that Wreaths Across America begins its annual December holiday transport of wreaths for delivery to the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The ceremony of the laying of the wreaths at Arlington and other national cemeteries — including the Santa Fe National Cemetery — will occur Dec. 13.
The ceremonial wreath to be presented at the Rotunda has been donated to New Mexico by the Worcester Wreath Co. Members of the military will be recognized during the ceremony, hosted by the Stephen Watts Kearny Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Teen summit on suicide prevention
Students in the Natural Helpers group at Pojoaque Valley High School will give their teen suicide-prevention presentation to the New Mexico Youth Practitioner Summit in Albuquerque this week.
The Natural Helpers are teenagers who advise peers, adult educators, health workers and parents on ways to identify critically depressed teenagers to prevent suicides.
The nationally recognized and state-honored students are often called upon to speak to youth-assistance and education groups across New Mexico and in other states.
The presentations will be given Thursday by 13 students to the New Mexico Youth Alliance on Wednesday and the Practitioner Summit on Thursday. Both presentations will be at the Hotel Albuquerque, said Shirley Villegas, the group's adult coordinator at the school.
Water Division announces street closures
Closson Street will be closed Wednesday between Don Felix and Alto Street, the Santa Fe Water Division announced Monday. The closure will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. while workers install a new water service in the area.
The city will also close East De Vargas Street on Thursday between Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. for other work.
Otero County woman dies of hantavirus
A 22-year-old woman from Otero County has died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to the New Mexico Department of Health.
It is the second case of hantavirus in New Mexico this year. The first was a fatal case in March in a Taos County man.
Hantavirus is transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings and saliva. Humans generally contract it when they breathe in fumes from a contaminated area.
Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, chills, headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough. Symptoms usually develop within one to six weeks after exposure.
In 2007, there were three cases of hantavirus in New Mexico, with one fatality. In 2006, there were eight cases and three fatalities.
Santa coming to Eldorado, Pecos
Santa Claus is coming. The jolly man in red is scheduled to make pre-Christmas appearances in Eldorado and Pecos on Saturday.
St. Nick is expected to arrive around 2:30 p.m. Saturday at a holiday party at the Eldorado Community Center, One Hacienda Loop. The celebration will include caroling, treats and a special display of model trains and dolls.
Later that day, around 6 p.m., Santa will attend a tree-lighting ceremony in the parking lot of the Bank of Pecos.
Ceremony to honor military service
A public ceremony and wreath presentation to honor those who have served in the U.S. military is scheduled for Dec. 8 in the state Capitol Rotunda. A story this weekend gave the wrong date.
The 10 a.m. event will happen simultaneously at other state capitols across the nation, marking the hour that Wreaths Across America begins its annual December holiday transport of wreaths for delivery to the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The ceremony of the laying of the wreaths at Arlington and other national cemeteries — including the Santa Fe National Cemetery — will occur Dec. 13.
The ceremonial wreath to be presented at the Rotunda has been donated to New Mexico by the Worcester Wreath Co. Members of the military will be recognized during the ceremony, hosted by the Stephen Watts Kearny Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Teen summit on suicide prevention
Students in the Natural Helpers group at Pojoaque Valley High School will give their teen suicide-prevention presentation to the New Mexico Youth Practitioner Summit in Albuquerque this week.
The Natural Helpers are teenagers who advise peers, adult educators, health workers and parents on ways to identify critically depressed teenagers to prevent suicides.
The nationally recognized and state-honored students are often called upon to speak to youth-assistance and education groups across New Mexico and in other states.
The presentations will be given Thursday by 13 students to the New Mexico Youth Alliance on Wednesday and the Practitioner Summit on Thursday. Both presentations will be at the Hotel Albuquerque, said Shirley Villegas, the group's adult coordinator at the school.