SANTA FE – A new court-based program will assist New Mexicans facing the possible loss of housing during the pandemic and provide landlords with an alternative to evicting tenants unable to pay their rent.

The Eviction Prevention and Diversion Program will be piloted in the Ninth Judicial District of Curry and Roosevelt counties starting Feb. 1, and will be expanded statewide in March.

“Courts will provide trained facilitators in eviction cases to help landlords and tenants resolve disputes over rental payments,” Chief Justice Michael Vigil said Jan. 4 when he announced the program. “The goal is to negotiate a settlement acceptable to property owners and renters, allowing...

Twenty-four lawmakers signed on as supporters of the first-ever Electrification Caucus just before the end of 2021. The Caucus is only a little over a month old and was created to advance policies to accelerate widespread electrification, which includes lowering energy bills, improving air quality and public health, addressing the climate crisis, and creating jobs.

“We are building a strong coalition of leaders who are dedicated to lowering costs for American families and taking action to combat the climate crisis,” Sen. Martin Heinrich,D-N.M. stated. “Electrifying our homes, commercial buildings, and vehicles is one of the most practical actions we can take to insulate American...

The New Mexico Minimum Wage increased with the New Year

Most New Mexico businesses will be required to pay a minimum wage of $11.50 per hour in the new year and $2.80 per hour for tipped employees with the start of 2022.

The minimum wage is the lowest daily or monthly wage an employer is legally required to pay workers. It is enforced by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions in cities and counties that do not enforce it themselves, such as Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe, and Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties.

The federal minimum wage has reached $7.25 per hour as of July 24, 2009 and $2.13 per hour for tipped employees also as of July 24, 2009.

Effective Jan. 1 2023 the...

A family living near Yatahey is hoping for any help from a watchful public after making it through the holiday season without one of their own.

Jimmy “Shawn” Peterson, 57, of Yatahey, has not been seen since Nov. 19. His family, including sons, Lamar, Kendall, Steven, and Jeremy have repeatedly shared flyers across Gallup and with local law enforcement to help find Jimmy Peterson and bring him home.

However, despite the ongoing efforts, Lamar Peterson said there have been no updates from anyone as of Jan. 5.

 



THE DISAPPEARANCE

Jimmy Peterson was last seen walking from Yatahey toward Gallup on Nov. 19. The last person to see him was Lamar Peterson’s nali, as he told the...