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Man settles solitary confinement lawsuit

By Russell Contreras
The Associated Press

A New Mexico man allegedly kept in filthy solitary confinement conditions and reportedly denied proper health care while in jail has settled his federal lawsuit for $2.9 million, according to court documents.

The agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque said Otero County and Jerome Gonzales, 51, would settle the case and the southern New Mexico county would admit no wrongdoing.

Senior profile - George and Joanne Sprenger

By Lupita P. Gonzales
For the Optic

Like the Energizer Bunny of commercial fame, George and Joanne Sprenger keep going and going. This local couple is involved in many activities.

Born in 1939, George was raised on a small dairy farm in Plainview, Minn., where his father taught him carpentry, electricity, and other key skills that he continues to practice and share. He graduated from high school in 1957, enrolled at Winona State and proceeded to the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where he earned his master of science degree in 1968.

Acequias ask city to negotiate

Acequia users appeared before the City Council last week to ask that the city come to the table to negotiate an agreement that would end the decades-long litigation over the Gallinas River.

“We have been in litigation for many, many years. I’ve been involved for 57 years...,” said Gabe Estrada, one of the acequia users. “What have we accomplished? Zero. Enough is enough. Ya basta. People, we need to stop that litigation immediately and start negotiating.”

Wage hike, right-to-work bill clears House

By Vik Jolly
The Associated Press

SANTA FE — Following a debate that took combative turns, the Republican-controlled New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a right-to-work bill which also includes a 50-cent-per-hour minimum wage hike.

The legislation, which passed 37-30 Wednesday, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or to pay dues as a condition of employment. It would apply to both public and private sectors.

NMBHI receives accreditation

Submitted to the Optic

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute has gone through its triennial voluntary accreditation and certification survey and received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Hospital, Nursing Care, Behavioral Health and Laboratory Accreditation.

The New Mexico Department of Health runs the Behavioral Health Institute, often referred to as the state hospital. It is the only state psychiatric hospital in New Mexico.

In Brief - News - Feb. 27 , 2015

The Associated Press

House approves $6.2 billion budget bill

By Vik Jolly
The Associated Press

SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a $6.2 billion spending proposal for the next fiscal year that includes pay raises for new teachers and state police officers.

The House voted 42-25 Tuesday after three hours of debate. Five Democrats sided with 37 Republicans in the majority. The bill now moves to the Senate.

While most department budgets remain largely flat, the bill boosts spending for education, the state’s child welfare agency and tourism.

Icy Interstate led to fatal crash

A 72-year-old Rio Ranch man died Tuesday after crashing into a tree near Watrous.
State police said Robert Padilla, who apparently wasn’t wearing his seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The single-vehicle crash occurred on Interstate 25 at milepost 366, near Watrous. State police responded at about 9 a.m.
According to a state police news release, Padilla was traveling northbound on I-25 in his 1993 Toyota pickup. The truck went off the road and stuck a tree.

District basketball tourneys nearing conclusion

West Las Vegas will host Taos in the District 2-4A boys’ basketball championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Gillie Lopez Gym.

The Dons are regular-season champs in the district for the second consecutive season and hope to avoid a misstep like 2014’s loss to runner-up Taos in the title tilt.