Around New Mexico

SANTA CLARA PUEBLO – A New Mexico pueblo hit by flooding after a wildfire scorched the area is receiving $11 million in federal assistance.

The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency goes to Santa Clara Pueblo for mitigation and restoration efforts.

Pueblo Gov. Walter Dasheno had been pressing federal officials to release funding that will help the tribe repair roads, remove debris and build infrastructure to control runoff from the burn scar of last year’s Las Conchas Fire.

Amendments Explained Online

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Legislature’s research arm is helping voters get an early start on learning about proposed constitutional amendments to be decided in the November general election.

The Legislative Counsel Service has published an analysis with pros and cons of the five amendments, and it’s available on the Legislature’s website, www.nmlegis.gov/lcs.

Three of the measures will revamp the Public Regulation Commission, including allowing the Legislature to establish minimum qualifications for elected commissioners and creating an independent insurance regulatory office. The five-member commission regulates utilities, telecommunications and motor carriers such as ambulances.

Another proposal, if adopted by voters, will establish the Public Defender Department as an independent state agency.

Voters also will decide whether to increase the membership of the Judicial Standards Commission, which investigates alleged misconduct by judges.

Animal Cruelty Case Indictment

LAS CRUCES – A man who lives west of Las Cruces has been indicted on animal cruelty and other charges arising out of an investigation in which more than two dozen dogs and fowl were seized from his property.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported that 60-year-old Jack Catlan was indicted on 53 counts.

Complaints from neighbors about excessive noise and a foul odor prompted an investigation in April that found 25 dogs and as many as 100 chickens and ducks at Catlan’s home.

In 2007, Catlan faced charges after authorities seized dozens of animals from his house. But a judge dismissed that case.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal