State

Tourism Department Unveils Bounty Of Fall Festivals

September 15, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Scene from Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium Oct. 12-14 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Courtesy photo

Scene from Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium Oct. 12-14 at Ruidoso Downs Race Track. Courtesy photo

NMTD News:

SANTA FE — As the leaves change color and harvest season kicks up, rural New Mexico communities prepare for one of the busiest travel times of the year.

In honor of the upcoming fall season and all of the unique opportunities to celebrate around the state, the New Mexico Tourism Department is launching the “New Mexico True Fall Festivals and Events” page on NewMexico.org,

DOT Announces $1.49 Million For Advanced Bus Technology Project In New Mexico

September 15, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

DOT News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced Aug. 24 $84.45 million in grant selections through the Low- or No-Emission (Low-No) Grant program, which funds the deployment of transit buses and infrastructure that use advanced propulsion technologies.

Fifty-two projects in 41 states will receive a share of the funding.

“Communities across America will benefit from these investments in their transportation infrastructure,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said.

Eligible

Lujan Grisham And Morales Release Five-Step Plan To Strengthen NM Infrastructure; Create Jobs

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

CONGRESSIONAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― This morning, U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Howie Morales announced a plan to tackle New Mexico’s infrastructure needs, create jobs, make our roads safer, and build a strong economic backbone for the long term.

With clear strategies to leverage state revenues and private investment to deploy strategically to the most important projects, Michelle and Howie continue to demonstrate that they are prepared to tackle the biggest issues facing New Mexico’s communities and economy.

“To build

Fall Is Tarantula Time At Bandelier

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Female tarantula. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Around here, in Bandelier National Monument and many other parts of New Mexico, everyone starts noticing tarantulas about this time of year.

Autumn is the time when males mature and start out on their quest to find a mate. This exposes them to many dangers, from hawks and skunks, which want to eat them, to fast-moving cars, to people who just find them creepy and may think they should be squashed.

Tarantulas have been around for more than 16 million years, and comprise more than 900 species found across the world.

Luján Introduces Legislation Leveraging Telehealth To Combat Opioid Epidemic

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján

CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth Act, which would provide states with options to leverage telehealth to increase services and treatment for Medicaid patients.

Similar legislation authored by Senator Carper was included in the Senate opioid package, the Opioid Crisis Response Act, as section 2203. The House version introduced by Luján contains additional language that focuses on treatment for individuals with co-occurring serious

Fatal Crash On NM 529 In Lea County

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

NMSP News:

LEA COUNTY ― Around 5 p.m., Wednesday, the New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash on N.M. 529 west of Hobbs.

The initial investigation shows a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse was traveling east on N.M. 529 recklessly and at an excessive rate of speed. The eclipse left the roadway on a curve and began to roll. The driver, Christopher Michael Clayburn, 43, of Artesia was ejected from the vehicle. He sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash and Clayburn

New Orleans Jazz Party In Taos Sept. 22

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

MUSIC News:

TAOS ― Some of the biggest names in modern jazz, jam and funk will converge in Taos for one night only at Trombone Shorty’s Voodoo Threauxdown, a touring New Orleans-style music festival, Saturday, Sept. 22 at Kit Carson Park.

Doors for the festival open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 in advance and $66 the day of with kids 12 and under only $12.

Voodoo Threauxdown celebrates the Crescent City’s tri-centennial with eight performers on the line-up and a multitude of sound – from brass band blare and deep-groove funk, to blues and

Pearce Announces Plan To Improve Lives Of New Mexico’s Military Veterans

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Steve Pearce, candidate for Governor, announced Tuesday a plan to improve the lives of veterans throughout New Mexico.

“New Mexico has a large veteran population who answered the call to serve our nation. Each of them deserves our gratitude. As Governor, I will make New Mexico the most veteran friendly state in the nation. Today, I am announcing a comprehensive plan to improve the lives of our veterans and their families with a set of initiatives to empower vets, take advantage of their unique leadership skills,

Bandelier Welcomes September Artist In Residence

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Bandelier September Artist in Residence Thomas Perry. Courtesy/NPS photo

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier National Monument welcomes the first Artist in Residence of the 2018 season Thomas Perry.

Perry is from Houston, Texas, where he lives with his artist-author-poet wife, Carolyn Dahl. He is a ceramic artist who emphasizes the rich history of vessels that are used in a variety of cultures. Beginning with white clay, Perry often mixes colorants into the clay, then slices and carves to expose variegated patterns that resemble rock cores and earth layers.

Meet Perry Sundays Read More

AG Balderas Keeps Child Trafficker Behind Bars

September 14, 2018 by Submitted by Carol A. Clark

Sharoski Jackson

AG News:

ALBUQUERQUE ― Attorney General Hector Balderas has announced that Sharoski Jackson, the man convicted of trafficking a child in 2013, will remain behind bars.

A Court of Appeals judge today ruled that Jackson knowingly recruited, solicited, enticed, transported or obtained a person under the age of eighteen years with the intent or knowledge that the person would be caused to engage in commercial sexual activity.

“The individuals who prey on vulnerable children – exploiting, endangering and abusing them for their own personal