Our network

Belen 4th-grader brings fake gun to class

A Belen fourth-grader has been suspended from school for being caught with a gun on campus.

Belen School ofificials say the Dennis Chavez Elementary student brought a BB gun that looks like a real gun to the school and showed it to his classmates.

That’s when another student told a teacher about it.

Since school ends Monday for the district, the boy's punishment could carry over into the next school year.

No one was hurt in the incident.

Community Sponsors

Fresh, hand-prepared, New Mexican cuisine
Real Texas Bar-B-Q
When you've got an itch for made from scratch

NM drought will not hinder summer activities

NM drought will not hinder summer activities

Despite the dry conditions, New Mexico residents are encouraged to participate in outdoor activities. Last week a joint press conference was held to remind New Mexicans state parks and recreation facilities are opened throughout the state.

New Mexico is experiencing a drought with precipitation lower than normal. State Engineer Scott Verhines said La Niña is to blame for the dry winter months, but weather patterns should change during the summer.

Man reacts to friend burned by energized copper line

Los Lunas Resident Dennis Vega continues to recover from burns after police said he tried to steal some copper wire Friday night. Police said the incident happened inside a shed at the closed Merillat Cabinet Factory in Los Lunas.

Vega was severely burned from his head to his waist.

A friend who lived with Vega tells KOB Eyewitness News 4 that he was down on his luck recently.

Michael Mendoza said Vega was just laid off from his job, had his car towed and has been trying to financially help his mother.

"His mom, she was sick. He's been worried about her for quite a while," Mendoza explained.

Mendoza said he cried when he heard about what happened to Vega.

Suspected copper thief suffers severe burns

(Warning: The video contains a graphic image)

The picture of suspected copper thief Dennis Vega isn't pretty.

Los Lunas police provided a photo and in it, you can see burns on his face and chest.

Vega is now recovering in the hospital. Authorities says Vega was shocked when he tried to steal copper Friday night from a shed at the Merillat Cabinet Factory. The facility has been closed for about a year now.

The shed was burned inside and out from the incident.

"Mr. Vega is extremely lucky to be alive right now," said Los Lunas Police Lieutenant Vince Torres.

Police say they hope copper thieves will think twice about committing the crime after seeing the photo of what happened to Vega.

Police: NM woman tried drug smuggle on broom straw

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A New Mexico woman is facing contraband charges after authorities said she tried to smuggle drugs to her inmate husband by sticking a broom straw through a prison visitor's speaker hole.

Mariana Montoya, who was with her young daughter, was arrested Thursday at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility in Los Lunas, and charged with introduction of contraband into a prison and child endangerment.

Authorities believe that an orange-colored string connected to the piece of straw was laced with Suboxone, a narcotic used to treat heroin addicts.

Prison officials say her husband, 39-year-old Mario Montoya, swallowed the item and refused to take a urine test. He faces contraband and drug charges.

It was unclear if Mariana Montoya had an attorney.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Man fatally shot by Valencia County sheriff's deputy

New Mexico State Police said a Los Lunas man was fatally shot by a Valencia County sheriff's deputy after the man fled and swung a metal pipe at deputies on Thursday.

State Police Lt. Robert McDonald said Gabriel Martinez, 24, died after he was airlifted to UNM Hospital.

McDonald said the incident started as a neighbor dispute in the county just outside Los Lunas.

When Valencia County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived on the scene Martinez ran, picked up a metal pipe and started to swing it at deputies.

That's when a deputy shot the Los Lunas man, McDonald said.

The shooting occurred on Lakeview Street behind the Smith's grocery store off N.M. 6 in Valencia County near Los Lunas.

Albert Montoya, a childhood friend of Martinez, said he wished deputies would have tried another way to get Martinez to back down.

Rail Runner ticket prices going up

Riding the Rail Runner will cost more, but passengers are getting some more services for their money.

Daily passes and one way trips are going up $1 to $2. Monthly passes are going up $4 to $11.

A daily pass from Belen or Los Lunas to Santa Fe will cost $2 more. A daily pass from Albuquerque to Santa will cost an extra dollar.

Rail Runner officials said this is the first price hike since the train started running six years ago. They said the increases will help offset a couple of lost train grants. The Rail Runner recently negotiated a contract for train operations that will save more than a $1 million, but that is not enough to offset the lost grants.

Passengers can soon expect improved services. Starting May 21, there will be an express train route from Albuquerque to Santa Fe and back.

The train will leave the downtown Albuquerque stop at 6:25 a.m. The train will skip three stops and get riders to Santa Fe 20 minute quicker.