DURANGO, Colo. (AP) - A third person has been arrested in the slaying of a man in southwestern Colorado. La Plata County deputies say 19-year-old Shanice Smith of Farmington is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder. Bond was set at $500,000. She's accused in the shooting death of Joey Benavidez of Ignacio, Colo., on April 3. Two others have been arrested in the case.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Racing Commission plans to begin consideration of stricter standards for horse racing and betting to help ensure the integrity of the sport. A May 2 hearing will be held on whether to adopt model regulations developed by the Association of Racing Commissioner's International. The move comes on the heels of a recent New York Times story describing New Mexico as having the worst horse safety record in the nation.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Albuquerque has named its first poet laureate. Hakim Bellamy, a national and regional poetry slam champion, was given the honor this week by Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry. His poetry has been published in Albuquerque inner-city buses and various anthologies. He also is the co-creator of the multimedia Hip Hop theater production Urban Verbs: Hip-Hop Conservatory & Theater that has been staged throughout the country.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A former Las Vegas, N.M., city councilor and his business partner face securities fraud charges for bilking an investor out of $50,000 over a closed oxygen bar and spa in Albuquerque. State officials say Frank Berged IV of Albuquerque and Brenda Duggan of Corrales approached the potential investor, now serving as a Christian missionary in Zimbabwe, in 2007 and promised a 10 percent interest in a spa company. Officials say both knew that the spa was in serious financial trouble and had closed its doors.
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