Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Lightning has sparked at least ten fires on the Gila National Forest after thunderstorms passed over the region recently. The fires are being monitored by lookouts, aircraft and personnel on the ground. Two of the have the potential to be used to achieve resource objectives. These objectives include improving wildlife habitat, protecting cultural resources, reducing hazardous fuels and returning fire to the ecosystem. The Fires include the Pinon Fire 15 miles east of Reserve, the Moore Fire 7 miles east of Gila Hot Springs, the Pine Fire near Pine Canyon, the Keko Fire 8 miles east of Reserve, the Bell Fire 5 miles west of Beaverhead Work Center, the Allie Fire near Allie Canyon in the Mimbres Valley, the Horse Fire 7 miles south of Luna, the Rock Fire near Rocky Canyon, the Slash Fire east of Bear Wallow Mountain, and the Eckleberger Fire southeast of Eagle Peak.
The New Mexico Department of Health and the Children’s Youth and Families Department urge New Mexico parents and caregivers to never leave a child alone in a car. According to Safe Kids New Mexico, even when it is cool, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death, but it is children who are left unattended in parked cars who are at greatest risk.
Dorothy Spangler, 85, of Pinos Altos, charged with one count of reckless driving and two counts of leaving the scene of an accident/causing great bodily harm in reference to a May 9 bicycle-car collision involving Dr. Brian Robinson of Silver City has been scheduled to appear in Magistrate Court on July 9, for a preliminary exam. Magistrate Court Judge Maurine Laney has recused herself from the case, and on May 12, Judge Hector Grijalva was assigned. Grijalva also recused himself and Judge Mark Thomas from Lordsburg was assigned to the case. It is before Thomas that Spangler will appear, according to court documents.
Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to pass an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, reaffirming the United States’ ban on the use of torture on detainees. Senator Heinrich is a cosponsor of the amendment, which passed by a vote of 78 to 21. The amendment will now be included in the NDAA which continues to be debated in the Senate. “Today’s vote to finally ban the torture of detainees in our custody restores America’s moral compass and will move us past this dark chapter in our nation’s history,” Heinrich said. “It’s past time that we regain our global credibility on the issue of human rights. I am pleased the amendment cleared this hurdle and will continue to work to end the use of torture once and for all.”
