Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Office of the Medical Examiner recently rule the March 24th death of 23 year-old Cassy Farrington as a homicide. According to the OMIs report, the only substance in Farrington’s body when she was found facedown in her overflowing bathtub was caffeine. The report also states that her face and body had been bruised and scraped. Though the cause of death was unspecified, the OMI determined she likely died due to asphyxiation.
It’s nearly time for school to start up again and WNMU is preparing with a day full of events to welcome the students back. August 16th will be new student orientation to help new students transition into college life. Orientation also serves as an introduction to the resources available on campus. Operation Move-In will also be held where students can check into their residence halls. WNMU staff will be on hand to help students move in. In the evening, students are invited out to attend the Bash on Broadway in Historic Downtown Silver City for music, dancing, games and more to help them socialize with other students before the semester begins. This will be the 4th year for WNMU’s Bash on Broadway. The Fall semester begins Monday, August 18th.
The Interior Secretary Sally Jewel will be visiting New Mexico and Arizona this week to celebrate a federal program that helped establish urban parks and other outdoor recreation opportunities around the Country. Jewel will visit the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge in Albuquerque, which is the first urban national wildlife refuge in the Southwest.
According to a recent report, consumer spending in New Mexico increased 11 percent after the Great Recession from 2009 to 2012. Spending matched the national increase of 11 percent, but growth increased faster in New Mexico than most other western states, including Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and California. However, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, and Alaska experienced a greater increase in spending. New Mexico is currently the bottom in the nation in job growth since 2009.
The US Drought Monitor that was released yesterday said that between 2 and 6 inches of rain fell during last weeks’ storms in the Southwest. Rangeland and pasture in New Mexico and Arizona are still fairly dry, but conditions have improved thanks to a “generous monsoon”. Currently, less than 10% of New Mexico remains in Extreme Drought Conditions, but over half the state is still in Moderate to Severe Drought. The entire state of New Mexico is still considered abnormally dry.
Governor Susana Martinez’ administration is offering temporary amnesty for parents facing possible arrest for unpaid child support. Individuals can visit a State Child Support Enforcement office without fear of arrest and pay a bond to cancel outstanding bench warrants for not paying child support. Payment plans may be available for those who can’t afford the full amount. There will be an enforcement crackdown at the end of this month for those who don’t take advantage of the program.
