Courthouse design on county agenda

The much-debated design of a proposed district courthouse will be considered by the Santa Fe County Commission at 4 p.m. today in the commission chambers at 102 Grant Ave.

The plans went through several changes after local architects said the building as planned was too massive and architecturally confused for downtown Santa Fe.

Most recent designs called for most of the building to be about 48 feet high, which goes against city design ordinances that dictate buildings in the Sandoval Street area should be no higher than 21 feet 6 inches. The county has maintained that the project isn't subject to city ordinances.

Man involved in slaying to be freed

A Honduran man convicted last summer of tampering with evidence in connection with the death of an unidentified man will be let out of jail Wednesday.

State District Judge Stephen Pfeffer on Monday sentenced Rigo Trejo Camacho, 32, to 18 months in jail. However, Camacho has been in jail since he was arrested in connection with the killing and Wednesday will mark 18 months behind bars, said prosecutor Barbara Romo. Camacho likely will be deported after he is released, she said.

A jury acquitted Camacho of murder in July but convicted Ruben Peralta of second-degree murder and other charges. Pfeffer sentenced Peralta to 19 1/2 years in prison in September.

The men were arrested in 2006 in the death of a man whose body was found in a ditch on property near Santa Cruz. Others living at the property testified the man was killed after drinking with Peralta and Camacho. The victim has never been identified

Deputies: Man had heroin at booking

Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies discovered small packages of heroin on a man being booked in to the county jail Saturday, according to a police report.

A deputy initially arrested Seth Valdez, 24, on a Municipal Court warrant charging failure to appear early Saturday morning, the report says. While changing into jail attire, Valdez reached into his sock and tried to flush 13 bindles of heroin down the toilet, then struggled with a correctional officer who tried to stop him, the report states.

After taking Valdez to the nurse's office in the booking area, officers returned to the booking area bathroom and found 17 "small round bindles of a brown in color tar like substance," the report says.

Valdez was charged with bringing contraband into the jail, battery on a police officer and tampering with evidence.

Neighborhood plan clears committee

City Councilor Miguel Chavez has picked up the torch of an ordinance intended to give neighborhoods more say in zoning and development rules by allowing them to restrict changes to buildings and landscaping.

The city Public Works Committee on Monday approved the ordinance, which was introduced last year by former Councilor Karen Heldmeyer. It still needs a full City Council vote to go into effect.

Land Use Department Director Jack Hiatt said the rule would add nine new steps to zoning changes and would require about two additional staff.

Chavez and Councilors Chris Calvert and Rosemary Romero voted for moving along the ordinance, and Councilor Ron Trujillo voted against.

Pecos school bond vote today

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for the Pecos School District bond election.

The school district is looking to the community to approve a $4.7 million bond, the maximum amount, in the election. The money would be used for maintenance, remodeling and technology and curriculum upgrades.

Votes can be cast at San Juan Community Center, Ilfeld Fire Station, Rowe Fire Station, Pecos High School and the Pecos Senior Citizens Center. For questions about where to vote, call 505-425-9331.

Water forum set for Las Vegas

Several agencies are sponsoring a forum on water management in the Rio Gallinas Basin from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Luna Community College in Las Vegas, N.M.

The forum is intended to provide an opportunity to learn about the water needs in the Rio Gallinas Basin, as well as the engineering and funding assistance available from federal and other governmental agencies.

The forum is scheduled for the college Learning Resource Center Lecture Hall, 366 Luna Drive.

Green activists plan workshop

Best-selling writer Bill McKibben and climate activist Mike Tidwell will teach effective strategies for fighting global warming at a free climate workshop training and lecture Wednesday at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

They will be at the Student Union Ballroom. The workshop is from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and McKibben's lecture at 7 p.m. Reserve space by contacting Deborah Stephens at deb@1skynewmexico.org.

McKibben's books include The End of Nature, an early alarm on global warming, and Fight Global Warming Now. Last year he launched a national effort to demand federal action on climate change.

Mike Tidwell has been a climate organizer since 2001 and is the author of books including The Ravaging Tide: Strange Weather, Future Katrinas and the Coming Death of America's Coastal Cities.

Second-graders to sing in cathedral

Dolores Pong's second-grade class at Carlos Gilbert Elementary School is giving a concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi at 1 p.m. today.

The performance includes original songs and stories about historical figures such as Archbishop Lamy and courtesan and gambler Doña Tules.

A children's playwright and teacher for more than 30 years, Pong has written numerous bilingual school productions and was Santa Fe Teacher of the Year in 2006.

Heron Lake closed to ice fishing

TIERRA AMARILLA — Warming spring temperatures and high winds have made the ice on the surface of Heron Lake unsafe, and the state has closed the lake to ice fishing.

Recent warm weather melted the ice to only 6 inches thick, and the ice has numerous holes, the state Parks Division said Monday.

State officials said, however, they expect a good summer fishing and sailing season at the lake 11 miles west of Tierra Amarilla.

Regulator uneasy about wind idea

PHOENIX — An Arizona regulator is casting a critical eye on Arizona's biggest electric utility's interest in New Mexico wind power.

State Corporation Commissioner Kris Mayes says Arizona Public Service has identified multiple potential wind energy sites in Arizona's Apache, Coconino, Gila, Mohave and Navajo counties. Yet, says Mayes, APS appears to be moving toward relying more on New Mexico projects.

Mayes is asking APS for an explanation of its decisions on renewable energy sources.

APS says it's still preparing its response.




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