Avalanche kills one at Taos

Buried

An in-bounds avalanche at Taos Ski Valley has killed one man, while crews believe they reached another buried skier in time to save his life. That first link is Outside magazine, which explains this kind of story as well as anyone. The Taos News had a photographer up at the mountain ($) when the slide happened just before noon yesterday. The avalanche was in a chute off the fabled Kachina Peak, which is "steep and deep" territory that used to be accessible only to those willing to hike to it along a ridgeline. There's a chair lift now, though it's not clear the skiers' skill level had anything to do with the snow slide. Rescuers performed CPR on both men. The survivor was in critical condition last night.

Cannabis coming

SFR has learned that a recreational cannabis bill willl be introduced in the coming days. A number of other marijuana-related bills have already been offered by lawmakers, and state Rep. Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, says once the calendar crunch eases a bit with the initial push of new legislation in the 60-day session, he'll introduce a bill to legalize recreational marijuana use in the state.

Not-so-open

Republican state Sen. Pat Woods has introduced a measure that would let government agencies ratchet up the price they charge to respond to public records requests. Woods says his bill targets companies that request large amounts of data which they then sell to other users. Critics say that despite language that attempts to create narrow conditions for charging more money, the bill unfairly limits access to public records.

Surviving Russian roulette

A Navajo natural resources ranger is alive with unknown injuries following a game of Russian roulette that stemmed from a night of drinking with another ranger. That ranger, a man, apparently held a service weapon to Dorsita Begay's head and fired. Several SWAT teams were called because it appeared the man had barricaded himself inside the home, though he later passed out. Begay survived the shooting, and actually escaped police custody later Saturday night.

Detained in dust

A dozen inmates who were at the Santa Fe County jail during a 2014 shower renovation have sued the county over what they say were critically dangerous conditions. SFR's cover story this week explores why the county allowed a contractor to stray from job requirements that would have limited the amount of dust in the air—and ventilation system—during the renovation.

Hung jury

Twelve men and women couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on Gary Gregor's guilt or innocence in a case in which the ex-teacher was accused of forcing a second-grader at an Española elementary school to touch his genitals.The jury split 8-4 in favor of guilt ($). The Attorney General's Office says it will retry the case. Gregor has already been convicted in another trial and faces a third set of charges in another similar case.

State of play

ViVO Contemporary art gallery on Santa Fe's Canyon Road opens a show tonight from master artists who have become so skilled that the gallery says they've stopped worrying about form and content, instead just working for the fun of it. The show opens with a reception at 5 pm and runs through March 11.

Storm

Snow will become widespread across central and Western New Mexico as a weather system moves in from the Pacific. Places like Santa Fe and Taos are likely to get flakes later this morning, and temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s throughout much of the state.

Thanks for reading! The Word hopes you stay safe this weekend.

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