Local News

A group of local Democrats believe Hillary Clinton is the key to convincing residents to vote for Barack Obama for president.

As such, they have formed Hillary Supporters for Obama, with the aim of getting the New York senator to speak locally to rally support for Obama.

Clinton edged out Obama in the statewide caucus in February, but she won with more than 60 percent of the vote in San Miguel and Mora counties. She performed well among Hispanics.

Enrollment numbers at Highlands University continue to grow, officials say.

Overall, the school has 3.9 percent more students on campus than last semester.

“Our first-time freshmen count is remarkable when you look back at the last eight years,” Recruiting Director Gil Gonzales said. “Today we are at 457 new freshmen — up from 366 in the fall of 2007, which is 29 percent higher than last year. The university is really excited about that.”

Three of the six Robertson High School students suspected of hazing others at a football camp last month have appealed their suspensions to the school board.

The board has 15 days to hear the appeals, Superintendent Rick Romero said Tuesday.

“I’ll be meeting with the school district’s attorney over the next several days about the process,” Romero said.

He said he fully expects a fourth student to file an appeal soon.

The city is looking to spend $300,000 in emergency repairs to its natural gas line to meet the requirements of federal pipeline safety laws.

The City Council will consider the project at its meeting today. Officials said the work can be accomplished by professionals with equipment and tools that aren’t available to the city.

Councilman Morris Madrid said it’s imperative that work be done to the nearly 40-year-old line. The city owns the portion of the line from Las Vegas to Colmar, which is in Colfax County, north of town.