Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
The Town of Hurley officially posted the names of candidates for the upcoming Hurley Municipal Election to be held March 1st. For the office of Councilor, four year term: Joseph E. Stevens, David N. Byington, Raul E. Salcido Jr., Richard R. Maynes, Rodolfo Montoya Pena, and Coy R. Lopez. For the office of Municipal Judge, four year term: David J. Ramos.
Glenwood Ranger District personnel plan to burn slash piles around the Forest Service administrative site beginning Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016 and continuing through mid-February. Smoke may linger at night and early morning in Glenwood and along portions of Hwy 180 during this time. Please drive with caution through this area.
More than 40 re-enactors from across the country will travel to Columbus for the Raid Day Centennial co-sponsored by the Village of Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Columbus Historical Society, Pancho Villa State Park, and the First Aero Squadron Foundation. This historic commemoration begins 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, with a parade on the last 3-mile trek for the Cabalgata of its 341-mile trip that starts Feb. 27 from the town of Guerrero, Chihuahua Mexico.
In legislative action: legislation that would give judges access to the full criminal histories of violent repeat offenders passed the House of Representatives. The bill, HB 72, is sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry and passed on a unanimous vote of 65-0. It is also referred to as Jaydon’s Law, named after an Albuquerque teen who was gunned down during a drive-by shooting while at a house party.
A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Nate Gentry and Democrat Rep. Carl Trujillo that would allow local governments to impose curfews on minors under the age of 16 from midnight to 5 a.m. passed the House Floor by a 44-21 vote. The bill, HB 29, is also supported by Albuquerque Westside City Councilor Ken Sanchez.
The future may be brighter for New Mexico students with the passage of Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 3 today by the Senate Judiciary Committee, quickly following the same positive action last Friday by the Senate Rules Committee.
Legislation to help address New Mexico’s DWI problem passed the House Judiciary Committee by a unanimous, 9-0 vote. House Bill 81, sponsored by Rep. Paul Pacheco, will toughen the punishment for DWI offenders who continue to get in the driver’s seat after their licenses have been suspended or revoked.
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Rep. Jim Dines that would allow judges to impose stricter penalties on DWI felons passed the House Judiciary Committee today by a vote of 9-1. The bill, HB 82, would expand New Mexico’s Habitual Offender law to include DWI felonies.
Legislation to crack down on repeat DWI offenders by increasing penalties for fourth and subsequent DWI offenses passed the House Judiciary Committee by a 7-4 vote. House Bill 83 is sponsored by Representatives Sarah Maestas Barnes and Rod Montoya.
