AUSTIN—At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7 in order to maintain the safest environment for visitors, volunteers and staff. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will announce when a definite reopening date has been determined.

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WASHINGTON (April 6, 2020) – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) today announced the launch of the “Hometown Heroes” initiative to shine a spotlight on some of the local heroes who are stepping up to serve their fellow New Mexicans during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The coronavirus pandemic has brought upon some of the most challenging times many of us will ever face. But it has also shown us how dependent we are on one another for support. So many New Mexicans are showing up in moving ways to demonstrate our state’s trademark creative tenacity and incredible ingenuity in the service of others,” said Heinrich. “I’m asking for New Mexicans to nominate heroes in their communities so I can help uplift their stories. These New Mexicans are a real inspiration and give me hope that there is still real good happening in the midst of such a daunting time.”

Individuals can nominate a New Mexico Hometown Hero by clicking here. Senator Heinrich is also encouraging New Mexicans to post on social media about heroes in their communities using the hashtag #HometownHeroesNM. 

CARNUEL — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is reviewing a Stage 1 Abatement Plan to investigate and define the extent of groundwater contamination caused by a gasoline tanker accident in Carnuel. 

On July 26, 2019, a fuel tanker owned by Acoma Business Enterprises crashed on the shoulder of NM 333 where it passes under I-40 in Carnuel, located in Bernalillo County. The tanker released approximately 7,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel. Emergency spill clean-up operations included excavation of impacted soil. Impacted groundwater was encountered at a depth of approximately 6 feet below ground surface. 

NMED required the Responsible Party (Acoma Business Enterprises) to submit a Stage 1 Abatement Plan to ensure the extent of groundwater contamination is fully defined.  

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SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today upheld the convictions of an Alamogordo man for killing his ex-wife and her boyfriend at the home where the couple lived with her children.

The Court unanimously rejected arguments raised in the appeal by Terrick Thompkins, who contended that the trial court judge should have directed a verdict of not guilty on all counts by reason of insanity.

Thompkins was sentenced to two life sentences – each a mandatory 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole – plus 46 years. A jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder, child abuse resulting in great bodily harm, aggravated burglary, shooting at an occupied dwelling and three counts of child abuse. The Supreme Court affirmed Thompkins' convictions and sentence.

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SANTA FE – The state Supreme Court today ruled that an Albuquerque nursing home’s arbitration agreement was invalid and unenforceable in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by a former resident’s family.

The agreement required mediation initially and then arbitration of all claims except those involving disputes over collection of money or discharge of patients. The arbitration agreement was part of the admission contract for residents of The Rehabilitation Center of Albuquerque, LLC.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court concluded that the agreement was “substantively unconscionable” and that the nursing home “failed to present evidence justifying the one-sidedness of the Agreement as fair and reasonable.”

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To increase recreational use on public lands for all Americans, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to adopt regulations on the use of electric bicycles (otherwise known as “e-bikes”) in units of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

“The proposed e-bike rule will open new opportunities to the millions of Americans who visit national wildlife refuges each year,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “If approved, the rule will make it easier for visitors to explore these amazing places, with a bit of added assistance, if they need it.”

This proposed rule supports Secretary’s Order 3366 to increase recreational opportunities on public lands and Secretary’s Order 3376 directing Department of the Interior bureaus to obtain public input on e-bike use.

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In all construction zones, motorists are asked to reduce speed, obey posted signs, and use extreme caution, as well as continue to be cautious of heavy equipment and construction personnel in the area. 

White Sands Missile Range Notification

For information regarding closures you may call WSMR at 678-1178 or 678-2222 for updates.  

Traffic updates are posted on the NMDOT traffic advisory web-site at http://nmroads.com and can be retrieved through our automated system at 511 in New Mexico or 1-800-432-4269 from any line.

Interstates: 

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Scammers continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal money through a variety of means. The FBI is warning the health care industry in particular of an increased potential for fraudulent activity dealing with the purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment.

Based on the current stress on the supply chain, scammers may promise equipment they do not have access to in order to capitalize on the medical community’s urgent needs.

The FBI asks the medical community to exercise due diligence and appropriate caution when dealing with any vendors with whom they have never worked and/or of which they’ve never heard, and when relying on unidentified third-party brokers in the supply chain.

The FBI advises to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, to include:

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