Regional

By KRWG News

New Mexico – A judge says medical staff at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility can decide whether it's necessary to force feed an imprisoned sect leader who has refused for weeks to eat.

Wayne Bent is the leader of The Lord Our Righteousness Church. He was sentenced in December for criminal sexual contact of a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He's serving a 10-year prison term.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – Gov. Bill Richardson says $685,000 will be used to supplement programs for older unemployed workers in New Mexico.

Richardson says the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds will provide on-the-job training for low-income New Mexicans who are at least 55 years old.

A news release from the governor's office says the stimulus money will supplement the Senior Community Service Employment Program. It has been helping older workers since 1965.

By KRWG News

Texas – Some legislators are urging Texas Comptroller Susan Combs to abandon a plan to cut refunds to those who invested in a state prepaid college tuition program.

But comptroller spokesman R.J. DeSilva said the board has no plans to change its May decision. With the rise in college tuition and other factors, the panel took the step to keep the fund solvent.

DeSilva tells the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "The reason behind the rule change has not changed."

By KRWG News

Texas – Uniformed law officers were outside a Tyler school as students arrived for classes a day after a teacher was fatally stabbed.

Classes resumed Thursday at John Tyler High School, where 50-year-old special education teacher Todd Henry had been attacked in a classroom and later died.

A 16-year-old male student remained in custody.

The school district, on its Web site, described Wednesday's "unforeseen isolated occurrence" as a "random act by an individual student." The school had counselors on hand Thursday.

By KRWG News

El Paso – An El Paso television station reports that three New Mexico residents were shot and killed Monday at a motel in Juarez, Mexico.

A fourth man was also killed. Mexican police believe he was the intended target.

Mexican authorities in Chihuahua say the two women were sisters.

Authorities were unable to say where the victims lived in New Mexico.

There's no word on what the motive was for the killings.

___

Information from: KTSM-TV, http://www.ktsm.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

By KRWG News

Vado – Dona Ana County Sheriff's Investigators presented their findings to the District Attorney concerning the drowning of 5 year old Michelle Marmolejo and 3 year old Brandon Marmolejo. The children were found in collected flood waters behind their Vado home.

The District Attorney, based on the information presented by Sheriff's Investigators, will not be pursuing criminal charges against the parents, stating that this was a tragic accident and could not find criminal intent.

By KRWG News

Silver City – From WNMU: Students and faculty members at Western New Mexico University have initiated a yearlong effort to address hunger issues in southwest New Mexico with the Food Security Initiative established this summer.

Literary Gardens, a new book club, will host its first discussion this Friday, September 25, 2009 with Sharman Apt Russell's Hunger: An Unnatural History.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – A total of eight candidates have filed petitions to have their names placed on the ballot for the four municipal offices up for election on November 3rd. Today was the only day to file.

The four municipal offices to be decided on the November ballot are council districts 3, 5 and 6 and municipal judge.

Filing for district 3 is Incumbent City Councillor and current Mayor Pro-Tem Dolores C. Archuleta who is seeking re-election. She will face off against Olga Pedroza.

By KRWG News

Deming – A judge has extended a restraining order against two men who allegedly harassed the mayor and police chief of Deming.

The extension is good for 10 working days and orders Jerry Turner and Duane Lyon to maintain at least 50 yards distance from Mayor Andres Silva and Deming Police Chief Michael Carillo.

The city's petition followed "weeks of escalating conduct, which includes shouts, threats and harassment" in which Turner and Lyon continued "to act in an aggressive and threatening manner."

By KRWG News

Texas – The Texas Department of State Health Services says a preliminary report shows flu is "widespread" across the state.

Department spokesman Doug McBride said Tuesday that it's assumed that most of that flu is the H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu.

Widespread the highest classification means there have been reports of an increase in flulike illnesses and lab-confirmed flu cases in at least half of the state's regions.

By KRWG News

New Mexico – The State Investment Council is making a $15 million loan for "The Resident," a film starring Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank.

Swank plays a doctor who moves into an apartment only to discover the landlord is obsessed with her.

The film is expected to be released next year. Nearly 200 New Mexicans worked as crew members during 30 days of photography in the state, which finished in July.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The shooter involved in the drive-by incident at Dona Ana Community College on Monday has been charged with four (4) felonies, and may face additional charges. No one was injured in the shooting.

Omi Gutierrez, 22, of Las Cruces, has been charged with three (3) counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one (1) count of shooting from a moving vehicle. He is currently being held in the Dona Ana County Detention Center under a $20,000 bond.

By Melissa Aguilera

Las Cruces, NM – New Mexico State University police had to deal with a bomb threat Tuesday, when a device was found on campus. KRWG's Melissa Aguilera reports.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – The City of Las Cruces notifies the public of several road closures due to the Whole Enchilada Fiesta this weekend.

By KRWG News

Las Cruces – NMSU Police have issued an "all clear" for the bomb threat at the College of Health and Social Services. A device has been rendered safe. All normal activity in the area may resume.