Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Gila National Forest has rescheduled the Southwest Forest Fire Fighter training and Work Capacity Test. The Work Capacity Test will be given at Fox Field on February 18th at 10 am. A second Work Capacity Test will be given on the 25th. Individuals must have previously attended the annual recruitment meeting to participate. Recruits should dress in appropriate exercise clothing and footwear.
NM 152 from San Lorenzo to Kingston is now open, after having been closed on Sunday due to snowfall. Crews were out plowing the road this morning, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation has posted that the road has been reopened as of about 11 this morning.
In sports action, the Western New Mexico University women’s golf team opened the spring season at the Lady Rattler Invitational on Monday. The Lady Mustangs were in 16th place at the par 72 Dominion Country Club at the end of Monday. The Lady Rattler Invitational wrapped up today, but no report is yet available.
The men’s golf team tied for 13th after the first round of the Visit Stockton Cactus Thaw, which took place Monday at the par 72 Brookside Country Club. Seniors Harry Wetton and Jaime Waltmire each carded 72’s and are tied for 23rd individually. The Visit Stockton Cactus Thaw also wraps up today.
In legislative action: the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved House Bill 45 to apply Baby Brianna’s Law to all perpetrators of intentional child abuse resulting in death, regardless of the age of their child victims. Currently, Baby Brianna’s Law allows individuals convicted of intentional child abuse resulting in death to receive a life sentence, but only if the child victim were under the age of twelve. House Bill 45 would remove the arbitrary age distinction in the current statute.
New Mexico lawmakers have trimmed down a slate of bills designed to open up elections to greater participation by independent voters and candidates. The Associated Press is reporting a proposal was withdrawn Thursday for a constitutional amendment to create a top-two primary system where all candidates compete on one ballot with a two-person general election runoff, regardless of party affiliations. The same committee put on hold a bill allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections for one major party of their choice.
Last night, the House Judiciary Committee approved House Bill 73, a bill to enhance “cooling off” standards for New Mexico public officials. The bill would restrict certain former state officials from becoming compensated lobbysists for at least two years after leaving their public positions. The bill will be heard by the full House of Representatives next.
On Saturday, the House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved House Joint Memorial 6. The memorial requests that the CYFD and Department of Public Safety consider training their providers on the connection between animal abuse and interpersonal violence. Recent studies have shown that 76% of animal abusers also abuse other household members, and people who have a history of animal abuse are three times more likely to commit a violent crime than non-animal abusers.
The reports from the legislature included in today’s headlines are highlights of news releases received by Silver City Radio, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the station.
