ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico's county sheriffs are trying to polish their image and be more professional. New Mexico Sheriff's Association executive director Jack LeVick says sheriffs want to professionalize their departments and counter growing Mexican drug cartel activity in isolated parts of the state. He says the group also wants to help sheriffs on budgeting and developing future law enforcement leaders.
PHOENIX (AP) - A Kaibeto (KY'-bih-toh), Ariz., man has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for killing a Navajo Nation police officer. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, 49-year-old Victor Bigman pleaded guilty in April to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. His change of plea came 19 days before the scheduled start of his trial in Phoenix.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Two lawyers are seeking appointment to the New Mexico Supreme Court. A judicial nominating commission announced that Santa Fe lawyer Paul Mannick and Steven Suttle of Albuquerque applied for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court caused by the retirement of Justice Patricio Serna. The commission meets August 7 to recommend candidates to Gov. Susana Martinez.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Susana Martinez's administration is setting up an online system to speed state approval of architectural and construction plans. The governor and Regulation and Licensing Department Superintendent J. Dee Dennis say architects, designers and contractors can now electronically submit their plans to the state.
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