When a governing body permanently tables an item, it means the issue won’t be taken up again. That’s what the Public Regulation Commission did this week to the nonprofit New Energy Economy’s request for a probe into the purchase of a coal mine with a loan from a subsidiary of PNM. The Santa Fe New Mexican says the motion had sought review of the implication of the buy for ratepayers, as well as the $125 million purchase of the San Juan Coal Mine. Because the buy was made by a company borrowing money from a subsidiary of PNM and not the utility itself, the PRC agreed with its general counsel that it didn’t have the authority to undertake an investigation. The New Mexican says PNM had initially proposed buying the coal mine itself, but faced objections from the community. In December PNM notified the PRC that it had formed a subsidiary company, and that firm made a loan to Westmoreland Coal Company for purchase of the mine.
A veterinarian helped save the life of an ailing New Mexico dog after discovering the source of the pup's pain — a 6-inch long, 2-inch wide stuffed polar bear. Santa Fe Animal Humane officials told KRQE-TV that the bear was discovered in the dog's stomach during surgery. A veterinarian said the dog named "Honey" had been sick for about a week and would have likely died within two days. The dog is now expected to survive.
Presbyterian Healthcare Services is pursuing plans to construct a hospital in Santa Fe County. Presbyterian is submitting project plans to the city next month for a 277,000-square-foot hospital and outpatient complex. The $135 million project would be built on 40 acres owned by the health care system. Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center has been the only general hospital in the city for decades. The center notified Presbyterian Healthcare Services affiliate Presbyterian Health Plan last year that it would no longer serve 1,000 Medicare Advantage patients. Presbyterian officials on Tuesday say they've also started to expand a 32,000-square foot clinic near Christus. The company also operates the Presbyterian Espanola Hospital some 40 miles north of Santa Fe.
Two women have been arrested by New Mexico State Police for allegedly aiding and harboring two escaped convicts last week. Police have announced the arrests of 40-year-old Michelle Abeyta of Albuquerque and 51-year-old Patricia Petrushkin of Humble, Texas. They say Petrushkin allegedly harbored Clah and Cruz in her Albuquerque hotel room and also gave them money and clothing. Abeyta was the woman who turned in one of the fugitives last Saturday. The three-day manhunt was launched after Joseph Cruz and Lionel Clah escaped from a prisoner transport van in southeastern New Mexico. State Police say Abeyta allegedly allowed Clah to stay at her apartment for several days. Because she is charged with harboring Clah, police say Abeyta is not eligible for a reward for turning him in. Authorities say Cruz was convicted of first-degree murder and Clah was serving time for armed robbery and other crimes.
An Arizona man was sentenced Wednesday to nearly six years in federal prison for a methamphetamine conviction in New Mexico. Records show 29-year-old Ricardo Salcido of Avondale had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He has acknowledged that he had transported nearly three pounds of the drug. Authorities said they found three bags of methamphetamine under the spare tire of a vehicle driven by Salcido back in October of 2014.
The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission is asking the Legislative Council Service to weigh in on how recusals should be handled by the agency. The request comes in the wake of a power plant case last year in which four of the commission's five members faced recusal challenges. The New Mexico Supreme Court eventually ruled the recusals weren't warranted. Because the issue could arise again, the commission says a determination should be made regarding what circumstances would warrant recusal of a commissioner and how that member would be replaced in order for a case to continue. In a resolution adopted this month, the commission acknowledges that legislation is needed for clarification. The Legislative Council Service is the legal research arm of the Legislature and helps to draft bills.
Authorities say a man being transported to a Bernalillo County detention facility briefly escaped police custody before being caught. Albuquerque police say 22-year-old Joseph Maestas was arrested by U.S. Marshals task force officers Wednesday morning on four felony and two misdemeanor warrants. Police say Maestas also had heroin on him when he was arrested. While being taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, authorities say Maestas slipped his handcuffs to the front of his body while still in a transport van. Once the van arrived to the secure parking lot outside the jail, he fled past transport officers as they unloaded the inmates. Authorities say Maestas was able to climb over a 25-foot fence surrounding the parking lot and run into the mesa south of the jail before being captured.
The U.S. Army will be stationing an air defense testing unit at White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich confirmed the announcement Wednesday. The New Mexico Democrat say the range is a national treasure for the U.S. military due to its terrain, airspace and expertise. The Air Defense Artillery Test Detachment will be made up of 143 soldiers. They'll be supporting Army missile defense programs that work to put the best equipment in the hands of soldiers deployed around the world. Heinrich said in a statement that adding a new active duty mission at White Sands is a "big deal" and that he will continue to advocate for a larger active duty presence at the missile range.
The New Mexico Film Office says production of the television pilot "Midnight Texas" is beginning this month in Albuquerque and Las Vegas. The Film Office says production will run through early April and employ approximately 150 New Mexico crew members and approximately 90 New Mexico background talent. The pilot is set in Midnight, Texas, which the Film Office described as a small town where the real world and the supernatural collide. Principal actors in the production for NBC by Universal Television and David Janollari Entertainment include Dylan Bruce, Sarah Ramos and Arielle Kebbel.
In National News: SeaWorld says it's ending its practice of killer whale breeding. The decision, which SeaWorld says will take effect immediately, follows years of controversy over keeping orcas in captivity. The company also says it will partner with the Humane Society and introduce "new, inspiring natural orca encounters."
U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Merrick Garland plans today to meet with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy. Democrats hope to put unbearable election-year pressure on Republicans who are refusing to consider any Supreme Court Justice candidate nominated by President Barack Obama. Following a two-week Senate recess, Garland will meet with the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chuck Grassley.
Michigan's governor is on Capitol Hill today, testifying at a Congressional hearing about the Flint water crisis. In prepared testimony, Gov. Rick Snyder says he didn't learn that Flint's water was contaminated with lead until nearly 18 months after the city began drawing its water from the Flint River in April 2014. Today's hearing is the second session the oversight panel is conducting this week on the Flint water crisis.