PREWITT – At about 1 pm Friday, New Mexico State Police investigated a fatal crash on n I-40 at mile marker 62, near Prewitt.

The initial investigation indicated that a semi-tractor trailer was merging onto the eastbound roadway from the shoulder when a passenger car traveling eastbound struck the rear of the semi.

Front seat passenger, identified as Helen Larry, 52, of Pillow Crest, N.M., sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and remaining two passengers were transported by EMS for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was uninjured.

Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in this crash. The crash remains...

NMSP, GPD not releasing much detail in shooting death

When officers are involved in a shooting, they are typically placed on administrative leave – whether the reported suspect survived his wounds or died.

Officials at the Gallup Police Department confirmed through a press release that the unnamed officers who were involved with the shooting death of Gallup resident Alvin Sylversmythe, on July 24,  were placed on leave with pay.

But the release did not confirm how many officers were placed on leave or their names.

The release states that officers were dispatched to 304 Arnold Street at 12:45 am.

“… Officers took steps to disarm the male to include the deployment of less...

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Tom Udall’s measure to solidify Southern New Mexico’s position as a leading testing center for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, commonly referred to as “drones”) was signed into law July 15 as part of the bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration.

New Mexico State University’s UAS Flight Test Center was the FAA’s original UAS test center; it served as a model for six sites across the country that were authorized by Congress in 2012. Udall’s language adds NMSU, creating a group of test ranges that can equally compete for federal projects — a move that will give NMSU parity with the sites authorized in 2012 and help attract business...

Aug. 2 closed session could yield selection

Six people have applied for the vacant McKinley County Manager job, officials confirmed this week. The job, which in the past has paid upwards of $90,000, was last held by Bill Lee. Lee vacated the job in May to return to the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce as chief executive officer. Lee also won the McKinley County Board of Commissioners District 3 seat, vacated by Tony Tanner.

McKinley County Attorney Doug Decker said a closed session meeting that the McKinley County Board of Commissioners could move the matter further along.

“If there is a closed session at the next meeting, then the job of county manager will probably be...