Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is renewing more than $7 million in grant funding needed to keep 34 New Mexico homeless assistance programs operating.

The funding is part of nearly $1.4 billion that will help thousands of existing programs nationwide to continue offering housing and services to homeless people and families.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson will support a temporary tax increase to help balance next year's state budget, but he opposes raising personal income or capital gains taxes and rolling back business tax incentives.

Richardson made the comments in a statement released Saturday to The Associated Press in previewing budget proposals that his administration will release on Tuesday. Richardson said he'd only support a package that automatically expires after the economy recovers.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Pecan farmers in southern New Mexico are behind schedule when it comes to harvesting this year's crop, and Mother Nature is to blame.

Wet weather had muddied fields, keeping the heavy, nut harvesting machinery from moving through orchards.

Don Archer farms about 150 acres of pecans in the Hatch area. He has finished about half of his harvesting, but he acknowledges the weather has cost him about three weeks of work.

By KRWG News

Anthony, NM – Residents are ready to cast their votes on Tuesday to settle the question of whether Anthony will become an official city, complete with a governing council and a clerk.

Anthony is divided over the matter, but some residents believe the community's best hope at solving its problems lies in the outcome of the election.

Proponents contend the community has languished over the years under the jurisdiction of Dona Ana County government and that forming a city will give residents direct control over their fate.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – For the second time in three years, New Mexico's float entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade in California has won the coveted Grand Marshal's Trophy.

The trophy is given for excellence in creative concept and design and is one of the top three awards given each year.

New Mexico's "Enchantment is in the Air" float featured the state's picturesque landscapes depicted in animation art form in more than 50,000 roses.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state attorney general's office has questioned appraisals in land swaps proposed by Land Commissioner Patrick Lyons in the popular White Peak hunting area in northern New Mexico.

The state Land Office wants to exchange property with the Express UU Bar Ranch, Stanley Ranch, CS Ranch and William Galloway.

However, Chief Deputy Attorney General Albert Lama says an independent review found several significant defects in the Express UU Bar Ranch appraisal.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Gov. Bill Richardson's first official act of 2010 was for the dogs. He pardoned two state Department of Corrections K-9s, retiring the dogs that were used for drug interdiction and fugitive apprehension at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility.

Friday's decision comes after many people urged Richardson to retire the dogs following recent changes in their handling and care and the likelihood that the animals would be unable to fully adjust. The two German shepherds, ages 4 and 7, now can be adopted by their handlers.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – An equine disease that can result in acute illness and sometimes death is restricting the transport of some horses into New Mexico.

The New Mexico Livestock Board has barred the import of horses from Texas counties that have confirmed cases of equine piroplasmosis. Racehorses will not be allowed to enter a New Mexico racetrack until they have a negative equine pirophasmosis test within six months.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Friday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m. the owner of a residence located in the 5000 block of Ortega Road, Las Cruces, discovered what appeared to be a bullet hole in a window of a bedroom there at the residence.

Besides the shattered window, the owner soon discovered what appeared to be six bullet holes running the length of the residence.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The state Environment Department says a new rule on the sale of homemade foods will require those who make them to acquire permits.

The rule goes into effect Friday.

The $100 permit will allow the sale of certain homemade foods, including baked goods, tortillas, jams and jellies, dry mixes and candy.

Homemade processed foods can only be sold at farmers markets, roadside stands, fairs and fiestas.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is unveiling an online state database that will allow the public to view all large state contracts.

Denish says the site, which passed the Legislature in 2009 with bipartisan support, tracks state contracts of $20,000 or more.

The Web site can be found at http://contracts.gsd.state.nm.us starting Friday.

Users can send messages to the site if they need assistance viewing or searching for information.

By KRWG News

Alamogordo – The Otero Tea Party Patriots and two other groups are planning a rally in Alamogordo on Saturday for people who want to voice their dissatisfaction with health care reform legislation, big government and the Obama administration.

Aside from the usual poster board signs, participants are encouraged to bring their guns.

Police Lt. Hal Alton says a permit allowing the Otero Tea Party Patriots, the Alamogordo Second Amendment Task Force and the Sons of Liberty Riders to hold the weekend rally was approved Wednesday.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – About 50 New Mexicans and a few volunteers from other states are in California decorating New Mexico's float entry for this year's Tournament of Roses Parade.

The parade begins at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day.

This is the fourth time in the past five years that New Mexico will be represented by a float in the parade.

This year's float will feature Pepe Le Pew along with a series of colorful hot air balloons.

By KRWG News

Anthony, NM – Residents of Anthony, N.M., have through Saturday to vote early in an election called to decide whether the community should be incorporated.

Only registered voters who live within the area proposed for incorporation are allowed to cast ballots.

Election day on the question is Tuesday, and two voting areas will be open that day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Mesilla – Mesilla's Board of Trustees has voted to reduce the work week for 10 employees to save money.

By reducing the work week from 35 hours to 32 hours, the southern New Mexico town expects to save more than $11,000 in salaries and benefits that would have been owed to the employees.

The shorter work week will take effect Jan. 11 and will continue through June.

Mayor Michael Cadena says the reduction could be shortened if Mesilla merchants are able to bring in more gross receipts taxes in the coming months.