Governor seeks input on budget cuts

Gov. Bill Richardson will hold office hours today in hopes of hearing from New Mexico residents about the budget bills that were passed last week by the Legislature.

Richardson will grant five-minute meetings to New Mexicans who would like to discuss budget cuts. Meetings will be held on a first-come, first-served basis from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Governor's Office on the fourth floor of the Capitol.

Those seeking time with the governor must present a valid New Mexico driver's license. If an organization wants time, Richardson will meet with a representative or a group of representatives at one time.

Those who can't make the scheduled office hours today may contact the governor with their thoughts about the budget bills by e-mail at special.session@state.nm.us or by phone at 505-476-2210.

Police officer robbed at S.F. motel

A 21-year-old Las Vegas, N.M., police officer was beaten and robbed at a Cerrillos Road motel parking lot last weekend, police said Monday.

The officer stopped at the Comfort Inn, 4312 Cerrillos Road, about 1 p.m. Saturday to check something in his trunk, said Santa Fe police Sgt. Jason Wagner. As he was looking in his trunk, a man came up behind him and blindsided him, then took his police baton from the trunk and hit the officer with it, he said.

The man stole the baton and a container of pepper spray, Wagner said. A witness saw other people in a car the man fled in, though Wagner refused to release any information as to their roles in the robbery.

The man who hit the officer was described as about 23 years old, he said. The officers suffered a laceration above his eye that required stitches, Wagner said.

Man arrested after slashing woman's throat

Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies arrested a 33-year-old Santa Fe man Sunday after he allegedly cut his girlfriend's throat with a pocketknife, Undersheriff Robert Garcia said.

A witness told deputies that Frank Salas held the victim against the wall of a home in the 100 block of Vereda Valencia, took out the knife and cut the front of her throat, he said. The woman, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for treatment, Garcia said.

However, the woman, who was not cooperative, fled the hospital before she could be treated and was found by deputies walking on St. Michael's Drive, Garcia said. She was taken back to the hospital, where she initially gave deputies a fake name, he said.

Once deputies determined her real name, they discovered she had an outstanding warrant and took her to jail, he said.

Salas was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment, and also taken to jail.

Decision on funding for 400th on pause

City officials are not expected to make decisions about additional funding for Santa Fe's 400th anniversary this month.

Two councilors and the mayor have sponsored a request to funnel $750,000 in reserve cash to the nonprofit charged with organizing events and programs to commemorate the anniversary. Last week, the Finance Committee moved the matter forward, however, Monday it was postponed from the agenda for the Public Works Committee.

Mayor David Coss said late Monday that the resolution won't be heard as planned at this week's Wednesday City Council meeting after a request from the nonprofit president.

Coss said board president Maurice Bonal told him he wanted to provide a greater level of specificity about how the requested funds would be used. Bonal announced last week that the nonprofit has laid off its executive director and canceled some contracts.

The city and the state have contributed about $1.4 million to the 400th anniversary programs to date. About $108,000 in private funds were also raised. Organizers say fundraising efforts failed because of a poor economy and that if the city is to have any events for the anniversary next year, an infusion of cash is needed.

Skate park closed for renovation

The skate park adjacent to Franklin Miles Park will be closed for two weeks beginning today.

The city announced that the park, formally called Martha Ramirez Skateboard Park, will get new concrete and a renovation to "expand the grinding areas." The work is part of the $30 million parks renovation bond approved by city voters in 2008.

New monument to be blessed at cathedral

Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan will be blessing a 4-foot cross Sunday honoring the original settlers of Santa Fe, the first parishioners of Our Lady of Assumption Church.

The stone marker, which is just over 4 feet tall and nearly 3 feet wide, weighs 1,382 pounds.

The cross has a bronze figure of Jesus and is mounted on a stone base that rests on a two-level, steel-reinforced concrete pedestal that measures 8 by 8 feet. A 4-foot wrought iron fence will be built around the 9-foot monument. The monument site is adjacent to the north tower of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

The cathedral grounds served as el campo santo from 1610 to 1860 when Rosario cemetery was built, according to a news release.

The blessing follows Sunday's noon Pontifical Mass.

MOMS planning Halloween party

The MOMS Club of Santa Fe-Southeast is holding a Halloween party and open house at the Eldorado Community Center.

All parents are encouraged to come with their kids for an afternoon of face painting, treats, games, temporary tattoos and what is being described as a "ghostly craft."

The event is at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

School hosts carnival

Carlos Gilbert Elementary School hosts its annual Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the school's temporary home at 450 La Madera. The event includes a haunted house, a hay ride, a pie throw, a cake walk, a restaurant walk, games, entertainment and a magic show. Food is available, and Dracula's Sweet Tooth Shop will be open. A costume contest, with creative celebrity judges, is slated for 2 p.m. in the school gym. Prizes will be awarded. Plus, there's raffles of all kinds. The event is free, with tickets for games.

The carnival raises money for the school's arts and sports programs.