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LAS VEGAS KILLING-ARRESTS
2 arrested in Las Vegas killing, related fire
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP) - Two Las Vegas men sought in a homicide and related fire in the northern New Mexico city have been arrested in Albuquerque.
According to the Las Vegas Optic, Jose E. Montoya and Gary Esquibel were taken into custody Sunday in connection with Las Vegas police's investigation of the killing Saturday.
Las Vegas police say Angel Arroyo was fatally shot during an argument in an apartment rented by Esquibel. Firefighters discovered Arroyo's body.
According to police, the apartment was set afire in an attempt to cover up the killing.
Montoya was charged with murder, aggravated arson and other crimes, while Esquibel was charged with arson, tampering with evidence and other crimes.
It wasn't immediately known whether Montoya and Esquibel have attorneys.
ENGLISH ONLY-SPORTS
'No Spanish' NM high school games called 'pattern'
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The League of United Latin American Citizens says two recent cases of Spanish being banned at New Mexico high school games are examples of a "disturbing" pattern.
Ralph Arellanes, New Mexico LULAC state director, said Monday that the group has heard of a least five cases of high school players being ordered this school year not to speaking Spanish. Arellanes says LULAC will begin an aggressive effort to monitor future cases, and if necessary, will file lawsuits.
A New Mexico high school tennis player was penalized earlier this month for speaking Spanish during a state championship singles match. Last month, an umpire accused of trying to ban New Mexico high school baseball players from speaking Spanish during a game resigned.
A spokesman for the New Mexico Activities Association did not immediately return an email and phone call.
ARRESTED AGAIN
NM woman convicted in fatal accident arrested
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - An Albuquerque woman convicted last October of careless driving in the 2010 death of a bicyclist now faces new charges of driving while intoxicated and other crimes.
Police say 28-year-old Miranda Pacheco ran three red lights, swerved between lanes, drove into oncoming traffic and almost hit a curb early Sunday morning.
A criminal complaint says police arrested Pacheco on charges of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless driving and no proof of insurance.
She served 90 days in jail, the maximum sentence, in the 2010 case stemming from the death of 56-year-old David Anderson.
Anderson and his wife were riding on a bike path when Pacheco swerved and struck him.
It wasn't immediately clear whether Pacheco has a lawyer in the new case.
CHURCH-NO POWER
Copper wire stolen, NM church left without power
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) - Congregants at a Rio Rancho church had to make do with natural light after thieves stole copper wire that provided power to the building.
KRQE reports that the Rev. Ken DeSoto discovered the theft at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church when he arrived about an hour before Sunday service.
DeSoto says someone ripped 2 of 3 lengths of copper wire out from the power supply box to the church.
DeSoto say he's left wondering what kind of a person would steal from a church.
UNEMPLOYMENT-JOBS
Thousands seek work even as NM jobless rate drops
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Thousands of people in New Mexico are still looking for work or at least better jobs even as the state's unemployment rate is down.
The Department of Workforce Solutions reports that New Mexico's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.7% in April, down from 6.9% in March and 7% in April 2012.
The department says New Mexico gained about 7,900 jobs during the past 12 months, for a 1% growth rate.
However, approximately 6,400 people showed up at a jobs fair at Marriott Pyramid North last week in Albuquerque.
Job-seeker Chris Moses told the Albuquerque Journal that it's a tough job market. The 22-year-old quit his courier job about a year ago and says finding a new job has been much harder than he anticipated.
DONA ANA-TAX PROPOSALS
Dona Ana County officials to vote on tax proposals
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The Dona Ana County Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on whether voters will ultimately decide a sales tax proposal and bond renewal on July 30.
The Las Cruces Sun-News reports that the sales tax would generate $7.6 million annually and be used to expand staffing at the county's 911 center and pay for county ambulance service.
It also would go toward operating a center that temporarily houses mentally ill people who are in custody yet haven't been accused of a serious crime.
Commissioners are set to vote on whether to put $7.8 million in property tax bond renewal before voters.
It would pay for construction of a new 911 center, improvements to the fairgrounds and outfitting a facility used to hold animals that are part of court cases.
GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS
Governor's arts awards recipients to be honored
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Arts Commission says seven artists and supporters of the arts are recipients of this year's Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
An awards ceremony is scheduled Sept. 27 in Santa Fe at the New Mexico Museum of Arts and there will be a reception in the state Capitol.
The recipients are Rio Rancho painter and printmaker Edward Gonzales, Santa Fe painter Darren Vigil Gray, Taos musician Jenny Vincent, Taos painter and furniture maker Jim Wagner and Santa Fe potter Frank Willett.
Aria Finch of Roswell and the Mimbres Region Arts Council of Silver City will receive awards as major contributors to the arts.
The awards are given annually and were established in 1974 by former Gov. Bruce King and his wife, Alice.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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