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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Around New Mexico
Journal Wire Reports
Ex-Racing Official on Fair Panel
Former New Mexico Racing Commissioner David "Hossie" Sanchez, a Belen contractor and horse breeder, has been named to the New Mexico State Fair Commission by Gov. Bill Richardson, replacing San Jon rancher Bob Frost.
Sanchez, owner of Albuquerque-based San Bar Construction Corp., had been on the racing commission since January 2003. Sanchez was replaced on the racing commission by Marty Cope of Hobbs, wife of State Transportation Commission Chairman Johnny Cope.
According to the Governor's Office Web site, Sanchez's term ends Dec. 31.
Plague Case in Sandoval County
An 83-year-old Sandoval County woman was confirmed Wednesday as the state's fourth human case of plague, the New Mexico Department of Health reported.
The woman was hospitalized but now is recovering at home, the agency said in a written statement.
Earlier this month, the department reported three cases from Santa Fe County, including an 8-year-old boy who died. The boy's 10-year-old sister has recovered and a 56-year-old man also has recovered.
Health officials are investigating the Sandoval County woman's residence to determine whether it poses a health risk. The agency also is educating her neighbors about plague.
Health officials also confirmed a plague case in a rock squirrel from the east side of Santa Fe and from a dog south of Santa Fe near state Highway 14.
Plague is a bacterial disease carried by rodents and spread to humans by fleas. Dead rodents should either be buried in the ground using a long shovel or double bagged and thrown away in the garbage to prevent exposure to pets and children, health officials said.
AG Going to Conference in Italy
SANTA FE — Attorney General Gary King will join his peers from Mexico and Italy next week at a conference in Rome to discuss how Italian authorities battle Mafia-related organized crime and other issues.
King said there are lessons related to New Mexico because of violence in Mexico linked to drug cartels. He said it's "clearly in New Mexico's best interests to study what Italy has done to address similar crimes."
Attorneys general from Idaho and North Dakota also will represent the United States at the conference.
Authorities will discuss government collaboration with the civilian sector and how those efforts can be applied at local levels.
Medicine Men Meet in Arizona
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — As many as 250 medicine men from North and South America will gather in Window Rock, Ariz., starting Thursday, for the 60th annual conference of the Native American Church of North America.
The Native American Church uses peyote to allow communion with God and to give healing.
But medicine men find the practice is becoming more complex as laws governing the use of feathers, herbs and plants become stricter.
The president of the Arizona chapter of the Native American Church, Emerson Jackson, said federal representatives will talk with attendees about the rules governing what medicine men use, including eagle feathers, plants and herbs.
The event, which runs through Sunday, also includes religious ceremonies and a sweat lodge.
Plea Deal Gives Killer 30 Years
SANTA FE — A 36-year-old man will spend 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to an execution-style killing last summer in the Santa Fe National Forest.
John La Bombard pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree murder for shooting 39-year-old Frank Segura. In a plea deal, charges of kidnapping, conspiracy and tampering with evidence were dropped.
The victim's mother, Lil Snee, says she was not satisfied with the outcome because she was never told by the District Attorney's Office that La Bombard would serve only 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors initially decided to seek the death penalty against La Bombard. But District Attorney Angela "Spence" Pacheco dropped the death penalty based on a request from the Segura family.
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