SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Federal oil and gas leases in New Mexico have sold for almost $32 million in the BLM's quarterly auction. The BLM says the highest per-parcel bid was $7.8 million for a 602-acre parcel in Lea County. Winning bidders are awarded leases that allow them to drill for oil and gas for 10 years and continue producing for as long as the wells are producing in paying quantities.
SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) - City councilors in Sunland Park have appointed a new mayor, 24-year-old Javier Perea. Former Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Salinas won the election in March but was barred from taking office under the terms of his release from jail. Salinas was charged with trying to force fellow candidate Gerardo Hernandez from the race with a secretly recorded video of him getting a lap dance from a topless woman.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The state Court of Appeals has ruled Barnes&noble.com must pay $534,000 in taxes on Internet sales of books, music and movies in New Mexico. The court's ruling yesterday involved a limited liability company that's a subsidiary of Barnes&noble.com, Inc.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - An Albuquerque man has claimed $1 million for matching five numbers in a Powerball drawing. The New Mexico Lottery says James Larson beat the 1 in 5.2 million odds in Saturday night's drawing. If had also matched the Powerball, he would have collected $111 million before taxes. Three $1 million winning tickets have been sold in New Mexico since the game re-launched early this year. Two of the prizes have now been claimed, while a third is unclaimed.
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