Regional

By KRWG News

El Paso – A short-lived snowfall Monday covered parts of El Paso, stalling traffic and forcing officials to close a heavily traveled mountain pass.

The early part of the storm that hit around midday today prompted highway officials to close parts of Trans-Mountain Highway, a state road also known as Loop 375 that connects El Paso's far west side to the northeast and parts of Fort Bliss.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Jay B. Jordan, associate vice president for Research, Graduate Studies and International Programs at New Mexico State University, has accepted an appointment as interim provost and executive vice president.

In making the announcement of his selection of Jordan for this new role, NMSU Interim President Manuel T. Pacheco said there were strong and highly qualified individuals considered for this important university position, and he appreciated their willingness to serve. Jordan's appointment will take effect on Jan. 1.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police have arrested the suspect in Sunday evening's incident involving a hit-and-run accident and an officer-involved shooting.

Rudolfo C. Orrantia, 49, of the 1400 block of Burke Road just outside of Las Cruces, is charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, a vehicle, and one count of aggravated driving while intoxicated. Orrantia is being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $11,000.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Exactly how many green jobs are in New Mexico? That's what New Mexico State University's Arrowhead Center is going to figure out.

The effort is part of an 18-month project for the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions and funded by $1.25 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A team of scientists says warming weather has played a role in forest dieback in New Mexico, and new evidence suggests the same thing may be happening around the world.

Droughts come and go, but an international team led by U.S. Geological Survey ecologist Craig Allen has collected evidence suggesting that the added stress of higher temperatures may be taking its toll on forests.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces Police are continuing to investigate the death of 18-year-old Jessie Angel Torres who was taken to a local hospital Monday morning with a gunshot wound to his back.

At around 10:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 30, police were called to Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces where Torres had been taken by private vehicle. Officers arrived to find Torres suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower back.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – Las Cruces police say an officer fired at least one shot at a pickup truck that struck a patrol car and an officer who was on foot.

Police spokesman Dan Trujillo says the officer on foot was injured, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

No other injuries were reported.

No names have been released.

Authorities say the incident occurred about 9 p.m. Sunday, and that the driver of the pickup truck then fled the scene.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A Dona Ana County mother is facing felony child abuse charges after her infant daughter tested positive for cocaine.

Yvonne Sanchez was indicted on two charges earlier this week. She remained in custody Friday.

Court documents say the 26-year-old Sanchez was originally arrested in October after police responded to a parking lot fight and recognized her vehicle as being involved in an earlier crime.

By KRWG News

Dexter – A national fish hatchery in southeastern New Mexico will be making some much needed repairs and improvements thanks to $320,000 in federal stimulus funds.

The Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center will use some of the money to replace leaking valves in 25 ponds. The rest will be used to replace deteriorating pond liners to prevent water loss, improve a well and pumping station and install insulation, programmable thermostats and more efficient light bulbs.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Biofuels research in southeastern New Mexico will benefit from a settlement reached by the New Mexico Environment Department and Western Refining Co. over air quality violations at two of the company's refineries.

The settlement calls for Western Refining to pay $1.95 million to the Center for Excellence in Hazardous Material Management in Carlsbad for work that aims to turn algae into biodiesel.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A $32.5 million contract to build Spaceport America's terminal and hangar facility has been awarded to an Albuquerque firm.

Summit West was the lowest of four bidders on the project.

New Mexico Spaceport Authority executive director Steve Landeene says the bid award is a significant step in the overall construction of the $200 million state-owned spaceport located southeast of Truth or Consequences.

By KRWG News

Texas – State Farm Lloyds has filed an appeal to an order to pay home insurance policyholders $310 million in refunds and interest for alleged overcharges going back as far as 2003.

Spokesman Kevin Davis says Texas' largest home insurer filed a motion Wednesday for a rehearing with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Davis says the company also plans to file an appeal in Travis County district court Monday.

By KRWG News

El Paso – Thirteen members of the Bloods street gang have been arrested on federal drug charges.

Some of the alleged gang members were already in custody on other charges; the others were arrested in El Paso this week. All have been indicted on charges that they conspired to sell more than 500 grams of cocaine. Two people were also indicted on a charge of possession with intent to distribute the drug ecstasy.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – New Mexico Health Department officials say four more people have died from swine flu, bringing the statewide total this year to 40 deaths.

The latest deaths include a baby boy from Quay County and a 49-year-old man from Bernalillo County, both without chronic medical conditions.

A 54-year-old woman from Curry County and a 74-year-old woman from Valencia County who had chronic medical conditions also died this past week.

By KRWG News

Socorro – A volunteer group has donated 140 acres, including a 6,272-foot peak, to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge near Socorro.

The Friends of the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge bought the land from the Highland Springs Ranch development in 2007. The group raised more than $72,000 for the purchase.

Congress incorporated the land into the adjacent Chupadera Wilderness in September.