News

About 1,000 abandoned oil and gas wells were plugged at the expense of New Mexico taxpayers in the last 20 years.

In one of two rule changes announced Monday, June 22, the Interior Department reduced from $500,000 to $25,000 per well the minimum bond oil companies must post to pay for cleaning up abandoned wells.

Those arrested are innocent until proven guilty.

Artesia citizens turned out for Independence Day fun on Saturday.

Leanne Gandy, a Republican from Tatum, came out on top over Republican Dan Lewis of Artesia by a 8-vote margin. Gandy received 999 votes to Lewis’ 991 votes.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright earlier this year called for removal of the so-called ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle that guides how the agency limits worker exposure to radiation at nuclear facilities.

Commander Pete Quinones will serve as acting chief until the Artesia City Council appoints a permanent chief.

The Environmental Protection Agency was the latest government entity, and by the far the largest, to resist the amendment offered by the state in April that would require more nuclear waste from within New Mexico sent to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant for disposal.

The shooting was reported at about 11 p.m. in the 1000 block of South 2nd Street.

Police did not identify the woman the men were accused of kidnapping and killing.

Through a plea agreement with the Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Mendibles pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

According to court records, at 2:46 p.m. on Monday June 22, deputies police responded to calls of a bicyclist who had been struck by a black Cadillac Escalade on Fairacres Road west of Las Cruces.