'Transparency' guv declines to release schedule
Jeri Clausing | The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE -- Gov. Susana Martinez bills herself as the transparency governor, promoting her mandate that all state employee salaries be posted publicly, touting her support for a bill that would require agencies and elected bodies to post notices o ...Story, »

Court rules in favor of governor in union dispute
| The Associated Press
ALBUQUERQUE -- Republican Gov. Susana Martinez won a court fight with labor unions Thursday over her appointee to a board that enforces New Mexico’s collective bargaining law for government employees.  State District Court Judge Nan Nash t ...Story, »

House OKs change in legislative pension plan
Barry Massey | The Associated Press
The House has approved a proposal to require legislators to contribute more into their pension plan, but the sponsor of the measure says the Legislature needs to scale back its retirement program. Legislators don't receive an annual salary, but the ...Story, »

Lt. Gov. Sanchez drops bid for U.S. Senate
Steve Terrell | The New Mexican
After eight months of campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Jeff Bingaman, Republican Lt. Gov, John Sanchez called it quits today. “I've been involved in tough primaries,” Sanchez told reporters. “The last thing we ...Story, »

City tightens law on booze in public
Tom Sharpe | The New Mexican
The Santa Fe City Council on Wednesday outlawed carrying an open container of alcohol in a public place not licensed to serve or sell alcohol, such as a park. City and state laws already banned the drinking of alcohol in unlicensed public places. B ...Story, »

Senate leader: No rush on PRC reforms
Trip Jennings | The New Mexican
Until this week, bills that would ask New Mexico voters this November to adopt reforms at the troubled Public Regulation Commission appeared to be that rarity of rarities around the state Capitol: roadblock-free legislation. Three reform measures s ...Story, »

Task force targets property crime: Joint effort aims to make headway in cutting burglaries
Nico Roesler | The New Mexican
Irene Pfeffer, 89, was asleep when someone smashed through her glass sliding door. The burglar was in her wallet and out the door before Pfeffer, who is hard of hearing, woke up to find glass speckled across the floor. It was around 3 p.m. Jan. 1 ...Story, »

Rio Arriba fugitive, cage fighter surrenders
Tom Sharpe | The New Mexican
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 Amarillo on Thursday, in lieu of a $10,000 c ...Story, »

Online ad led to arrest in child-sex sting
Nico Roesler | The New Mexican
Court documents say one of the four men arrested last week on charges of soliciting a minor had drawn the attention of Santa Fe police when he ran a personal ad on Craigslist looking for a "slut." A search warrant shows that after a four-week inves ...Story, »

House sends immigrant driver's license bill to Senate
Steve Terrell | The New Mexican
The state House of Representatives on Wednesday once again voted to pass a bill that would repeal the state law that allows undocumented immigrants to get New Mexico driver's licenses. The bill, strongly supported by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez ...Story, »

Eight hopefuls announce bids for Santa Fe County offices
Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican
The deadline to file as a candidate in Santa Fe County races is still more than a month away, but a handful of hopefuls have already announced their bids to seek elected positions. Incumbent County Commissioners Kathy Holian, who represents Distric ...Story, »

Paving firm probe heads to grand jury
Phaedra Haywood | The New Mexican
Nearly two years after an investigation was launched into allegations of theft and fraud against a paving contractor that did millions of dollars of work for Santa Fe city and county governments, the case appears to be moving toward resolution. San ...Story, »

Local news in brief, Feb. 9, 2012
| The New Mexican
City adjusts vehicle-forfeiture rules The Santa Fe City Council on Wednesday tweaked the city's vehicle-forfeiture ordinance. Among other changes, the amendment: • Allows forfeiture after the owner's second drunken-driving case, rather than ...Story, »

Legislative roundup, Feb. 9, 2012
| The New Mexican and wire services
Days remaining in session: 7 Social promotion: Two bills that would end "social promotion" of New Mexico elementary school children cleared the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday. Senate Bill 96, sponsored by Sen. John Arthur Smith, D-Deming ...Story, »

State District judge says he's resigning this month
| The Associated Press
LAS CRUCES -- A New Mexico district judge accused of bribery is resigning. Judge Michael Murphy of Las Cruces announced Wednesday that he will retire from the bench, effective Feb. 24. The resignation was approved by the state Supreme Court as part ...Story, »

Police notes, Feb. 9, 2012
| The New Mexican
The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: • Rosalinda Hurtado, 33, no address given, was arrested and charged with shoplifting after she allegedly was caught leaving Sears, 4250 Cerrillos Road, with more than $80 i ...Story, »

Dimas aware of public safety needs
Julie Ann Grimm | The New Mexican
Seated behind an electronic piano keyboard, the candidate looked at sheet music illuminated by two white light bulbs. The dance floor at the Fraternal Order of Police lodge darkened, and the band struck up a tune. Without a hint of irony, Bill Dima ...Story, »