(AP) - Latest New Mexico news, sports, business and entertainment from the Associated Press.
WILDFIRE ARRESTS
Arrests in NM wildfire caused by burning tent
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State officials say two Albuquerque men have been arrested for starting a wildfire by dumping a burning tent and other camping gear along a highway in eastern New Mexico.
State Forester Tony Delfin announced Friday that 19-year-old Eloy Arteaga Jr. and 18-year-old Javier Delgado face charges including leaving a fire burning on state land.
Officials say the men were at Sumner Lake State Park in June, and Arteaga started a charcoal fire in a portable grill despite fire restrictions.
After park rangers ordered the fire extinguished, the men packed the burning grill into Delgado's truck and left. Camping gear caught fire in the back of the truck and Delgado dumped the burning items along a highway north of Fort Sumner.
Nearly 11,000 acres of grasslands and brush were burned.
DRUNK MAYOR
Admittedly drunk mayor accused of seeking donation
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The border town mayor and congressional candidate who admitted he was drunk when he signed contracts committing the city to $1 million in work has also been accused of requesting donations from the company when it came calling for payment.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reported Friday (http://bit.ly/p6Evoq ) that Sunland Park Mayor Martin Resendiz and City Councilor Daniel Salinas are both accused of soliciting the donations from California-based architectural firm Synthesis+.
In a lawsuit seeking payment, Synthesis+ claims that when an executive went to meet with Salinas for payment, the councilor asked for a $6,000 donation. In a later meeting with the mayor, court records allege, Resendiz told the executive he "rewards constituents who look out for his political growth, interest and career."
A city spokesman said the company has made "a lot of false accusations" but declined comment on specifics.
BLOCK-GASOLINE
Demo Party chair calls for PRC member to resign
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — State Democratic Party chairman Javier Gonzales is calling for the resignation of Public Regulation Commissioner Jerome Block Jr.
Gonzales released a letter on Friday that he sent to Block saying his conduct is a "black eye to all Democratic officeholders and a disservice to your constituents."
The party leader's comments came after a court this week reinstated charges against Block for alleged misuse of campaign money from his 2008 race and the state auditor said he is looking into potential abuse of a state-issued gasoline card by Block.
Block did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
A records review found more than 50 questionable charges on Block's gas card, including several purchases on the same day at stations in the Santa Fe and Espanola areas.
ALBUQUERQUE POLICE SHOOTINGS
Albuquerque says it will cooperate with DOJ
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The city of Albuquerque says it will cooperate with any U.S. Justice Department investigation into a recent escalation in police shootings.
The mayor's office Friday released a letter that Rob Berry, the city's chief administrative officer, wrote to the department saying the city "will collaborate and cooperate fully with any review that may be ongoing."
Since January 2010, 19 people have been shot by police, 13 fatally.
The DOJ told the Associated Press on Tuesday it is reviewing allegations against the department to determine if it should launch a full investigation.
The letter, which was written on behalf of Mayor Richard Berry, points to a recent study commissioned by the department and the changes it prompted.
The City Council Monday night voted to ask the DOJ to conduct an independent review. Berry's office has declined to say if he will sign that measure.
SAN JUAN EMISSION
EPA rejects scaleback of San Juan Emissions plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — In a move hailed by environmentalists, the federal government Friday rejected an attempt by the state and Public Service Company of New Mexico to scale back plans for reducing pollution from the San Juan Generating Station near Farmington.
The Environmental Protection Agency ruled that PNM should proceed with its order to retrofit the coal-fired plant with the best-available technology for cutting haze-causing emissions. It did give the utility five years instead of three to get the improvements in place.
The EPA proposed the emissions-cutting plan in December. After Gov. Susana Martinez took office, the state environment department proposed an alternative plan to reduce the burden on ratepayers.
PNM, which estimates the improvements could cost up to $1 billion, says it has not seen the final rule but expects to appeal.
AVIATION SHUTDOWN-NEW MEXICO
FAA deal could put NM airport subsidies at risk
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Congressional leaders have agreed to a temporary deal to put 4,000 Federal Aviation Administration employees back to work and allow the government to resume airline tax
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