Local news in brief, Feb. 10, 2012
By | The New MexicanPosted: 2/9/2012, 8:00 PM Mountain time
Woman struck by truck near Capitol
A female pedestrian was hit by a truck in front of the east side of the Capitol on Thursday evening.
Police say the woman, whom they have not identified, was wearing dark clothing when she was struck by a red Ford pickup, which had turned left off Paseo de Peralta onto Old Santa Fe Trail. The driver of the truck was not identified. Sgt. Mark Barnett said no alcohol was involved in the accident, which occurred about 6:30 p.m.
The woman was taken to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Varela plans run for county treasurer
Patrick Varela, a physical plant manager for the New Mexico Department of Transportation, said Thursday he plans to run for the Santa Fe County Treasurer seat being vacated by term-limited treasurer, Victor Montoya.
Varela --nephew of Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela -- said in a statement that he wants to make the atmosphere in the Treasurer's Office more comfortable for employees and keep investment revenue in local banks.
"Right now, not all of Santa Fe County's revenue is being handled by our local banking system, and that needs to happen," he wrote in a statement. "The money will better serve the citizens of Santa Fe County where we can stimulate our economy and provide a better oversight of our tax dollars."
The official filing date to register as a candidate for one of the five county positions that will be on the ballot this year is about six weeks off. But as of Thursday it appeared Varela's only challenger for the post will be current deputy treasurer, Oliver Garcia.
Rio Arriba fugitive surrenders
An Abiquiú cage fighter wanted on charges of beating his girlfriend voluntarily surrendered earlier this week.
Margarito Velasquez, 43, remained in the Rio Arriba County Detention Center in Tierra Amarilla on Thursday, in lieu of a $10,000 cash-only bond.
He is charged with aggravated battery on a household member on accusations of beating his girlfriend at a friend's residence in Hernández last week after she was unable to borrow money from her mother to buy cocaine, according to the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's Office.
Velasquez, an electrician who has trained for years as a cage fighter, turned himself in to the Rio Arriba County Magistrate Court late Tuesday while accompanied by his lawyer, Dan Marlowe.
Free school concert set Saturday
Santa Fe Public Schools joins with the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Santa Fe Concert Association, and the Santa Fe Youth Symphony to present a collaborative strings concert featuring more than 100 students, ages 8 to 18, from school string orchestra programs. The event takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Scottish Rite Temple, 463 Paseo de Peralta.
The repertoire will include an array of genres and styles from folk tunes to classical offerings. Admission is free, although donations, which will be used to benefit the school music program, are welcome.
SFCC day at the Roundhouse
The Santa Fe Community College will take over the Hall of History just off the Capitol Rotunda at the Roundhouse on Paseo de Peralta and Old Santa Fe Trail on Monday. Santa Fe Community College Day runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature information on the school's academic programs, degrees, and services. Visit www.sfcc.edu.
Senators score high conservation marks
Most members of New Mexico's Congressional delegation earned high marks for their votes last year on the 2011 scorecard issued Tuesday by the League of Conservation Voters.
Sens. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Tom Udall, D-N.M., each earned 100 percent scores. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., scored 97 percent and Rep. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., was rated at 91 percent. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., scored 6 percent.
The League of Conservation Voters has issued a scorecard annually since 1970, rating Congressional delegates on actions they took on key environmental, public health and conservation bills. The rating is made by 20 organizations. Conservation Voters New Mexico is among the groups participating.
The 2011 scorecard includes 11 Senate votes on proposed legislation and 35 House votes.
The national conservation scorecard can be viewed online at www.lcv.org/scorecard/.
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