Senator Martin Heinrich today will present the Los Alamos business community with the 2014 Google “e-city” award. According to Heinrich’s office, Google and Ipsos, an independent research firm, analyzed a variety of factors to determine which cities would receive a Google eCity Award. Winning cities had businesses that exhibited a strong online presence in multiple areas including social media, website, blogs, and mobile accessibility. The award presentation takes place at 10am today at the Los Alamos Cooperative Market.
A scam alert this morning from the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office. Its spokeswoman says it has received calls from residents reporting that they have been contacted by a man identifying himself as Bob Allen, who has reportedly been telling them that they have warrants out for their arrest due to failure to appear for jury duty. The Sheriff’s Office warns that this activity is a scam and should not be taken seriously. Anyone who has been contacted and would like to file a report may call the Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch line at 505-428-3720.
An Espanola police officer has been put on administrative leave after an off-duty drunken driving arrest. Police Chief Richard Gallegos said Wednesday that 29-year-old Jose Martinez of Tierra Amarilla was driving his personal motorcycle when state police arrested him early Tuesday. Gallegos says he placed the officer on leave as an internal investigation is conducted and the officer's case makes its way through the court system. State police spokesman Lt. Emmanuel Gutierrez says Martinez was driving 62 mph in a 45 mph zone and refused to submit to a breath-alcohol test. He reportedly told an officer he had consumed three beers and a shot of liquor. The New Mexican reports Martinez was released on a five-thousand dollar bond after pleading not guilty to aggravated DWI and speeding.
A bag of more than M&Ms leaves two women allegedly caught red-handed. KSFR's Dave Marash explains.TEXT: 2 NM women, Brittany Espinosa and Krystal Johnson, face charges after authorities at Albuquerque’s Metropolitan Detention Center said they tried to smuggle drugs into the building. KOAT-TV reports the women were arrested after they were spotted slipping what looked like a bag oF M&Ms candy behind an ATM machine at the Center. In the bag, officials say, was not just candy but heroin, suboxone, marijuana and tobacco. For KSFR News, I’m Dave Marash.
A candidate for New Mexico state auditor is attacking his opponent's ad that uses "Breaking Bad" references. Republican lawyer Robert Aragon told The Associated Press that Democrat Timothy Keller's ad with the Albuquerque car wash from the hit AMC-TV series makes misleading statements about his record. Speaking in front of the car wash, the Harvard University-educated Keller promises to fight fraud and waste. An image of Aragon is then shown in front of the show's trademark yellow cloud of methamphetamine with allegations that Aragon failed to pay his taxes and four former clients sued him. Aragon said in an email that those lawsuits were dismissed. Aragon says he paid a federal tax lien against him in 2001 four days after it was filed. "Breaking Bad," the popular TV series that ended last year, was filmed in Albuquerque.
At a ceremony later today, Damon Martinez to set to be sworn-in as New Mexico's next U.S. Attorney. Martinez, who has served as acting U.S. Attorney, will take the oath of office in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. The University of New Mexico graduate has served as an assistant U.S. attorney since 2001 and supervised the organized crime and gang section in Albuquerque. He has also worked on national security, anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics cases. Before joining the U.S. attorney's office, Martinez was an assistant state attorney general. Martinez replaces Kenneth Gonzales, who left the position last year to assume a federal judgeship.
School districts in the heart of New Mexico's oil boom region are reporting record student enrollment. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Lovington’s Municipal School District said it had a student enrollment of nearly 3,800 students on its 40th day — the highest spike in enrollment in the district's history. And Hobbs Superintendent T.J. Parks says the total enrollment in his district was nearly 10-thousand. That's more than 500 students accounted for compared to last year. The jump comes as Lea County continues to see an economic boom for oil and gas. Lovington district officials say bond projects are currently underway to help accommodate the new students.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with a high of 71. Tonight: Partly cloudy with the overnight low, 45 with a 10-percent chance for showers. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny with the high 64 and a 20-percent chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms.