Accused ex-lawmaker to helm agency
Thomas Garcia, who was named by lobbyist Vanessa Alarid in the New York Times as a lawmaker who had offered to trade his vote on a bill for sex, will handle operations at the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District. Garcia has repeatedly denied the allegations. The group's contract with its current executive director expired. Santa Fe state Rep. Jiim Trujillo, who chairs the agency's board, says the allegations didn't come up ($) when it voted to place Garcia in charge.
Clovis shooter pleads guilty
Nathaniel Jouett, the teen who killed two people and shot four others in the Clovis library last year, has pleaded guilty to 30 felony charges. He was set to got to trial next year as an adult. While the plea deal has been finalized, punishment has not. Jouett could face anywhere from two life sentences plus 96 years to, at a minimum, probation.
Astronomical budget hike
Spaceport America CEO Dan Hicks says the state-owned facility needs $700,000 more for its next year of operations. That's a huge leap for a state agency that has a $1 million current budget. The state opened the $220 million facility in 2011 and lawmakers recently approved $10 million in improvements. Hicks is asking for $75 million in upgrades over five years.
Who runs the hospitals?
Santa Fe now has its long-coveted second option for a hospital. With the opening of the new Presbyterian hospital, SFR looked at the boards of directors for it and Christus St. Vincent to see how well they reflect the community they serve. It also talked to—or tried to talk to—higher-ups for both medical facilities.
Poster child
Santa Fe's troubles with affordable housing are well-documented. But its solutions might provide a framework, or at least inspiration, for other places trying to leverage a complex system of state tax incentives, donation rules and federal tax credits. SFR examined the depth of the problem and Santa Fe's unique solution to one case.
Sold
Canadian energy company Encana (GET IT? Clever Canadians) says it will sell its New Mexico holdings to a Colorado company for $480 million. Most of the company's land is in the San Juan Basin, which dovetails with the Colorado company's assets.
Get weird
If your evening forays seem a little boring, you might try tonight's offering from Zephyr Community Art Studio. It is not boring. Real Dom, Belly Eater and Mabob start playing at 8 pm. Cost is $5-$10.
Rain
Thank goodness. It probably didn't do the fall colors any favors, but it was getting pretty dry around here. Hurricane Rosa, which is of course no longer a hurricane but some obscurely-termed tropical something-or-other, dumped some decent precipitation on New Mexico. The clouds are expected to stick around for a good chunk of the day, clearing south to north toward the evening. We should be back to sunny skies tomorrow.
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