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Non-Local News Releases
This category will feature news releases from out-of-area government agencies and representatives, as well as events that are not taking place in the four-county area of Grant, Catron, Hidalgo or Luna. For those events please visit Local News Releases.
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2021 — “I am grateful to President Biden for announcing his intent to nominate Robert Bonnie to serve as Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation with the Department of Agriculture. Robert currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor for Climate at USDA. He led the USDA Transition Team for the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect. And he served in the Obama-Biden Administration as Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment as well as my Senior Advisor for the Environment and Climate. He is one of the nation’s foremost authorities and leaders on working lands approaches to conservation and incentive-based climate and conservation practices for farmers, ranchers, foresters and landowners. Under Robert’s steady hand, America’s farmers, ranchers, producers and landowners will see renewed focus on building and maintaining markets at home and abroad and preparing our food and agricultural community to lead the world in climate-smart agricultural practices. Robert will be committed to working with U.S. farmers and landowners to help feed Americans and the world and make climate smart practices work for them in a market-oriented way—a way that creates new streams of income, a cleaner energy future and a biobased manufacturing revolution.”
LAS CRUCES - The New Mexico Department of Transportation District One office (NMDOT) along with White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) has posted an alert for Monday, April 19.
US 70 will be blocked one time at 1:20 a.m. for approximately one hour. This block will be located at 'BLUE BLOCK' (2 miles east of the Owen access road, Mile Marker 172) and 'YELLOW BLOCK' (near White Sands National Park, Mile Marker 200). Las Cruces Gate and Owen Road will remain open.
All roadblocks are subject to change without notice, please call WSMR at 575-678-2222 for updates or go to New Mexico Department of Transportation: www.nmroads.com or call 511.
SANTA FE – After more than a year of managing an unprecedented deluge of unemployment claims brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the disbursement of more than $3.5 billion in funds to displaced workers throughout the state, New Mexico Workforce Solutions Secretary Bill McCamley will step down from his position.
McCamley’s resignation is effective Friday, April 16. Ricky Serna, who had previously served as deputy secretary at the Department of Workforce Solutions, will serve as acting secretary until a full-time replacement is identified; the administration has begun searching for qualified candidates.
“I am grateful to Bill for his work over the last few years and in particular since the pandemic reached our state,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “COVID-19 affected everyone in New Mexico, and the Department of Workforce Solutions was asked to step up and meet the new and unexpected and ongoing needs of so many of our neighbors. I am certain the state employees there will continue to do all they can to help constituents around the clock as we begin to move toward the end of the pandemic.”
Project will streamline enrollment and help reduce childhood hunger
SANTA FE – New Mexico along with five other states was selected by No Kid Hungry and the American Public Human Services Association to receive an innovative technology project grant that will help reduce childhood hunger. The project leverages data and improves technology to enhance the interfaces and webservices for the New Mexico Humans Services Department’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps and the Department of Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Ultimately the project will make it possible to bidirectionally exchange participant data to help streamline and maximize program enrollment.
“No child in New Mexico should go hungry but, the pandemic has created hardships for many New Mexico families,” said Deputy Secretary Angela Medrano. “This grant will assist us by enabling two computer systems from separate departments to talk to each other and help us identify individuals in need.”
(ALBUQUERQUE, NM) – Sunday, April 18, 2021, is National Lineman Appreciation Day, and energy companies across the United States will celebrate. The electricity that powers our lives is an essential part of the world we live in, and so
are the employees who put their lives in potential danger every day to make sure we continue to have safe, reliable power in our homes and businesses.
This national holiday is a chance to recognize the diligence and specialized skills that it takes to be a lineman. PNM crews work 24/7/365, often in wind, rain, snow, and other inclement weather, which is part of what makes their job one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America. Linemen must work and train as an apprentice for around 8,000 hours before reaching journeyman lineman status. On average, they carry around 30-40 lbs. of equipment and tools on their body while working, and climb poles that average 40ft tall, but may work on structures 80-100ft tall. Every job they work is different, and their ability to analyze and troubleshoot on their feet is an extremely important part of their job.
Albuquerque Mayor Today Blames State Lawmakers for Failing to Address City's Rising Crime
Albuquerque, April 16—For years the Republican Party of New Mexico has called on the Democrat-led legislature to crack down on crime, pass laws to stop "catch and release" and pass sensible laws to better protect our citizens—now Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is finally seeing the light.
During a press conference today announcing a Violent Crime Initiative, Keller blamed the legislature, saying the City needed more progress from the Roundhouse in addressing crime-fighting laws.
RPNM has stressed this for many legislative sessions. We have pushed for stronger laws and ways to stop current "criminal friendly" laws that have led to dramatic increases in crime in Albuquerque. RPNM has also exhorted lawmakers to strengthen our weak judicial system and to stop the many loopholes leading to more repeat offenders.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM---Today, Attorney General Balderas announced that John Dickman was convicted of three counts of sexual exploitation of children through manufacture and two other related charges. Dickman and his wife Crystal Dickman, sexually abused two young girls in their care and made child sexual abuse materials involving the girls, who were both younger than six years old. Crystal Dickman previously pled guilty to similar crimes and was sentenced to 18 years for her role. Yesterday, in Bernalillo County District Court, John Dickman pleaded guilty to five charges and was sentenced to 38 years in prison.
“My office continues to seek justice for children who are abused,” said Attorney General Balderas. “I am grateful that our office was able to secure justice and hold these individuals accountable for the heinous crimes they committed.”
The case originated from a tip received at the Attorney General’s Office from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The case was investigated by Agent Anna Trujillo of the Office Attorney General and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Bryan McKay.
ALBUQUERQUE--The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) will begin a two-week daily curbside property tax certificate drive-up service in Albuquerque from April 19-23 from 1pm-4pm in the parking lot of its northeast heights office at 5201 Eagle Rock NE.
The service continues April 26-30 from 9am-noon.
DVS staff, wearing safety masks in adherence to ongoing state COVID-19 safety protocol, will provide curbside “car hop-style” service for the filing of the state veterans property tax exemption or property waiver for Bernalillo County veterans or unmarried surviving spouses of veterans. The veteran’s property tax exemption is a $4,000 reduction off the taxable value of the primary residence of a veteran or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran. Veterans rated by the VA with a 100% service-connected permanent-and-total disability can have their property tax liability waived.
