Local News

In Fond du Lac County, Wis., wind power developer Invenergy paid $500 per year to property owners within a third of a mile of any of its turbines. Property owners near more than one turbine were paid $750.

A similar deal is not out of the question for a project in San Miguel County, an Invenergy executive says.

Las Vegas Mayor Tony Marquez wants answers from state government about the intent for more than $1 million in funding.

But he says has hasn’t received any definitive information.

The state Water Trust Board has apparently approved a change in the purpose for the $1.2 million. The board operates through the New Mexico Finance Authority and works with the state Environment Department.

A Las Vegas woman is accused of illegally using people’s credit card numbers to take money from a cash register at her workplace.

Jessica Gamel, 21, 1620 1/2 Eighth St., faces 18 counts of fraud and six counts of forgery.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Magistrate Court, the owner of Pino’s Restaurant told officers last week that he believed Gamel, one of his waitresses, got several credit card numbers taking reservations in her job at Plaza Hotel and used them to her benefit at Pino’s.

The state hospital says it has created a new management position to make the facility more efficient.

Morris Madrid, the hospital’s finance director for the last couple of years, has been appointed to the newly created position of director of operational efficiencies.

“In light of the current budget and economic conditions, he has graciously agreed to accept this role without additional compensation,” hospital administrator Troy Jones said in a memo to employees last week.