Around New Mexico

SANTA FE – A New Mexico legislative leadership group has ordered a review of travel payments to lawmakers to determine whether there are double-dipping problems.

The issue arose Tuesday in response to news reports the Attorney General’s Office is investigating whether Rep. Ray Begaye, D-Shiprock, filed false reimbursement vouchers for a National Conference of State Legislatures meeting in Arizona last year.

KOB-TV has reported that NCSL reimbursed Begaye for driving a rental car to the seminar, but he also was paid mileage by the Legislature.

Begaye has returned some expense money to NCSL.

Legislative Council members directed staff to find out from groups like NCSL how many lawmakers were reimbursed for attending conferences and to check that against state vouchers to determine whether legislators have been paid twice for the same expenses.

Las Cruces Man Admits to Murder

LAS CRUCES – A Las Cruces man admitted this week to killing a real estate agent during a botched burglary a year ago, and then trying to burn the crime scene and his victim before fleeing the house.

Third Judicial District Court Judge Jacinto Palomino asked Mario A. Mendez, 26, if the allegations were true that prosecutors recounted during Monday’s plea change hearing in the courtroom.

“Yes, they are,” Mendez said.

Mendez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, arson over $500, tampering with evidence, larceny over $500 and receiving stolen property. He will be sentenced in two to three weeks.

Mendez said he killed Jack Hadley, 62, during a burglary gone wrong at Hadley’s home on Sept. 23, 2011.

Hadley was in the shower when Mendez broke in, and when Hadley tried to stop him, Mendez shot him at least nine times with a 9 mm pistol, and also struck him four times in the chest, prosecutors said.

Guard Colonel Now a General

Col. Andrew E. Salas, adjutant general of the New Mexico National Guard, has been promoted to the rank of brigadier general by Gov. Susana Martinez.

Salas became a one-star general Tuesday in ceremonies at the state Guard’s headquarters in Santa Fe.

As adjutant general, Salas commands nearly 4,000 troops statewide – about 3,000 Army National Guardsmen and 1,000 Air National Guardsmen. Martinez appointed Salas as adjutant general on July 24.

The National Guard is unique among U.S. armed forces.

As a reserve military force, its members can be federally mobilized for active duty to supplement regular armed forces during times of war or national emergency.

They can also be activated for service in their home state upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor.

Police Say Boy Burned Dog’s Ears

ROSWELL – Authorities say a 12-year-old Roswell boy used cologne and a lighter to ignite a 1-year-old Chihuahua’s ears on fire.

Police said the Chihuahua, named Paws, suffered from third- and fourth-degree burns, according to the Roswell Daily Record.

Roswell Police Sgt. Jim Preston said the 12-year-old boy was arrested and charged with both extreme animal cruelty and animal cruelty.

He was being held at the Chaves County Juvenile Detention Center until his hearing in 5th District Court.

Leandro Gutierrez, of Casa Querencia, said veterinarians may have to amputate one of the dog’s ears since the tip was burned.

Oil Boom Cited In Teacher Shortage

HOBBS – A housing crisis and a booming oil industry in Hobbs are being blamed for a teacher shortage at the city’s schools.

District officials say Hobbs Municipal Schools needs to fill 18 positions immediately.

The shortage is the result of some teachers quitting to work for the oil industry, which pays more, the superintendent says.

The school chief says some teachers also have not been able to find affordable housing in the area.

Officials say with the oil industry booming, there are not enough homes, apartments or even hotel rooms to go around.
— This article appeared on page C2 of the Albuquerque Journal