Here’s a look at some local headlines:

University of New Mexico President, Garnett Stokes, met with City of Deming officials with the goal of strengthening existing partnerships and continue discussions with UNM’s School of Architecture and Planning to plan a revitalization and business incubator project on the west side of Deming. Stokes was visiting Deming as a part of a state-wide tour.

Steven Maldonado, of Grant County was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Silver City District Court Judge, Jennifer DeLaney this week. Maldonado, 36 years of age was charged for abusing 3 young children in 2013. In addition, Judge DeLaney ordered Maldonado be assessed for sex offender and substance abuse treatment and upon release be registered as a sex offender for life.

Local attorney, William Perkins, was unanimously recommended by a Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy created by Sixth Judicial District Court Judge, Timothy Aldrich, who is leaving the bench to teach criminal justice at WNMU. Perkins, a partner at the law form Lopez, Dietzel, Perkins and Wallace will attend an interview with Governor Susana Martinez for final approval of the appointment.

The annual New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax Holiday, whereby the state suspends the collection of gross receipts tax on sales of qualifying items, will begin at 12:01 A.M. tomorrow and conclude on Sunday, August 5th at midnight. Just in time for the start of the new school year, the law provides a deduction from gross receipts tax for retail sales of qualifying tangible personal property allowing the retailer to sell the items “tax free”. The state has created a list of items that qualify for the deductions and has separated them into categories. Individuals may obtain the list of taxable and nontaxable items for New Mexico’s Gross Receipts Holiday by visiting tax.newmexico.gov, and selecting the “Forms and Publications” tab.