Regional

13 - 12:47am

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said Monday she was confident there’s no federal investigation of her administration’s handling of a lease for a horse-racing track and casino on state land in Albuquerque. Martinez made the comments when asked about the FBI recently questioning her former campaign finance director, Andrea Goff. Goff said in a statement over the weekend she had answered FBI questions related to the Downs at Albuquerque and other matters. She provided no details.

Hot, dry weather hampers firefighters 06/05/13 - 12:47am

PECOS, N.M. (AP) — Two massive columns of smoke hovered over northern New Mexico on Tuesday as more than 1,100 firefighters worked to build lines across rugged mountainsides and keep flames from pushing closer to summer homes and cabins. Haze from the fires drifted across New Mexico, leading residents to worry that the state might be in for a third consecutive record-breaking fire season. Fire managers and forecasters said conditions are worse than during previous years.

Frozen berry mix linked to hepatitis A outbreak recalled 06/05/13 - 12:46am

WASHINGTON — An Oregon company is recalling a frozen berry mix sold to Costco and Harris Teeter stores after the product has been linked to at least 49 hepatitis A illnesses in seven states. The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that Townsend Farms of Fairview, Ore., is recalling its frozen Organic Antioxidant Blend, packaged under the Townsend Farms label at Costco and under the Harris Teeter brand at those stores.

New Mexico Briefly 06/05/13 - 12:46am

New Mexico Briefly LAS CRUCES, N.M. New Mexico State University President Garrey Carruthers has named deputy provost Greg Fant as interim executive vice president and provost. The executive vice president and provost is the chief academic officer at NMSU and serves as the university’s chief executive in the president’s absence. Carruthers named Fant to fill the post while he searches for a permanent provost. Last week Carruthers indicated he might hire one of the candidates he recently beat out for the job as university president.

New Mexico grapples with tough choices as drought persists 04/28/13 - 12:25am

HATCH, N.M. — In southern New Mexico, the mighty Rio Grande has gone dry — reduced to a sandy wash winding from this chile farming community to the nation’s leading pecan-producing county. Only puddles remain, leaving gangs of carp to huddle together in a desperate effort to avoid the fate of thousands of freshwater clams, their shells empty and broken on the river bottom.

Regional Roundup for April 23 04/24/13 - 12:17am

News from the South Plains

DAWSON COUNTY Chicken Fried Steak fest to feature wine tasting During Saturday’s Chicken Fried Steak Festival in Lamesa’s Forrest Park, festivalgoers will be able to wash down their food with a wine tasting. An admission charge of $10 will cover the cost of one glass of wine at the event from noon to 4 p.m. in the Forrest Park Community Center. HALE COUNTY Football players to get new helmets

In May, alcohol laws could change for some communities on the South Plains 04/20/13 - 12:19am

Formerly "dry" communities report an increase in tax revenue from going "wet"

In May’s election two counties and one city are voting on if they want to sell alcohol. Where the sale of alcohol is permitted in the South Plains, it is regulated in various ways. The most basic distinction is whether sales are allowed on-site, off-site or both. On-site sales represent locations such as bars and restaurants and off-site locations represent places that sell beverages for consumption off their premises, such as convenience stores or supermarkets.

Freezing temperatures in April not welcome by gardeners 04/20/13 - 12:16am

Overnight low temperature was 25 degrees

Morning temperatures in Lubbock on Friday, April 19, bottomed out at 25 degrees, much to the dismay of gardeners and commuters. The last time Lubbock temperatures dropped below 25 degrees in April, Al Jolson was all the rage and Warren G. Harding was the president. On April 19, 1920, Lubbock recorded a temperature of 31 degrees. Friday’s low temperature was a 16-degree departure from the norm. Meteorologist Charles Aldrich, with the National Weather Service’s Lubbock office, said a strong cold front is to blame for the cool overnight temperatures.

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Lubbock aid agencies on standby to assist those affected by West plant explosion 04/19/13 - 12:50am

American Red Cross chapter says cash donations needed

Volunteers from local chapters of the Red Cross, United Blood Services and the Salvation Army haven’t sent resources to help in the aftermath of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, but they’re on standby. American Red Cross chapters from other parts of the state have responded by providing first responders with snacks, drinks and meals, said Shannon Smith, executive director of the Red Cross Lubbock chapter. “We’re just giving them the food and energy they need to keep their community safe,” Smith said.

Ransom Canyon couple travels to West to check on family members 04/19/13 - 12:50am

Pat Sykora grew up in West; family's dealership serving as shelter

When Ransom Canyon couple Pat and Annette Sykora heard of the fertilizer plant explosion in West on Wednesday night, April 17, they quickly started the five-hour drive to the town where many of their family members live. Nicole Campbell, Annette’s daughter and Pat’s stepdaughter, said Pat grew up in West. The owner of Smith South Plains car dealerships in Levelland and Slaton is from a family of 10 children. His parents and several brothers and sisters live in the small Central Texas town. Campbell, a Lubbock resident, also has siblings who live there.