Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Police investigating another homicide Vol. 123, No. 107 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
May 3, 2014
SATURDAY
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Third murder in city since April 24 RANDAL SEYLER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell detectives are investigating another homicide, this one reported early Friday morning. Kris Shuman, 32, of Roswell, was found dead by police officers on the 700 block of East Third Street at 2:25 a.m., according to a news release from the Roswell Police Department. Shuman’s death is being investigated as a homicide. This is the third homicide in
Roswell since April 24. Detectives are continuing their investigation into Shuman’s death and are not yet ready to release any further details, according to the release. Meanwhile, police identified the victim of Thursday’s homicide as Jessica Torrez, 31, of Roswell. Police have now officially ruled the death on North Montana Avenue a homicide, according to the release. Officers responded to the 1500 block of North Montana around 8:30 a.m. on
Thursday in reference to a dead woman’s body being discovered. A family member found Torrez and contacted law enforcement, according to the police. Detectives are also continuing the investigation into Torrez’s death. “Right now, it doesn’t look as if the two homicides are related,” said Sabrina Morales, public information liaison for the Roswell Police Department. Detectives have limited information regarding the homicides, according to the release.
State takes aim at use of drones in big game hunting
Jake, Jack and Julie
Mark Wilson Photo
Fourth-graders from El Capitan Elementary visit with Jake, the horse, and his surrey wagon and Jake's handlers, Jack and Julie Ferguson, at the Historical Center for Southeast New Mexico Museum, Friday afternoon.
Advocates see last chance for immigration bill to be passed WASHINGTON (AP) — Advocates for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally are mounting a final push to persuade the House to pass immigration legislation this summer, seeing one last window to act that will soon slam shut for good.
If they don’t succeed by August, most say any chance of legislation will be over for the year, and all eyes will be on President Barack Obama to see if he acts on his own to curb deportations and accommodate some of the 11.5
million people here illegally. The renewed focus on the GOP-led House comes amid chatter that immigration legislation — all but left for dead at the beginning of this year — is showing faint glimmers of life. Advocates point to recent comments by a handful of House Republicans, among them Speaker John Boehner, indicating an interest in getting it done. Meanwhile Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., the leading proponent on the Republican side, has been trying to sell fellow Repub-
Police of f icials urge anyone who has informat ion about either of these deaths to contact the Roswell Police Depar tment at 624-6770 or Cr ime Stoppers, 1-888-5948477.
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — New Mexico is in line to become the next state to take aim at the use of drones for hunting big game animals. Alaska, Colorado and Montana already have outlawed the use of drones in hunting, but some sportsmen groups and animal advocates are pushing to see that regulations are passed in every state to protect the concept of fair chase. They argue the art of hunting should be based on skills and traditions that have been honed and passed down over generations, not technological advancements such as drones. “Hunting an animal with your physical senses, with your eyes and your ears and even to a lesser extent your sense of smell, that
Up, up and away
puts you on fairly even ground with these animals that can see far better, hear far better and smell far better than we can,” said Joel Gay, a spokesman for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation. Drones would simply take the challenge out of hunting and could lead to the sport becoming more exclusive, Gay and others said. There’s only anecdotal evidence of drones being used for hunting, but the national group Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Humane Society of the United States both say they want to get ahead of the issue before it becomes a problem. In New Mexico, the state Game Commission is set to See DRONES, Page A3
licans on legislation he’s drafted that deals with enforcement of the laws and a legal status for those without one. He contends that after years of trying he’s struck a balance that can bring both sides on board. “I think we finally have it right which is why I feel more optimistic than ever,” Diaz-Balart said. Advocates note that midterm election primaries will largely be over by the end of June, freeing some
Officials at odds over free school meals program in New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — Democratic members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation say there’s uncertainty about schools’ continued ability to provide federally funded free meals for low-income students. State of ficials in Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration say they don’t believe eligible children will go without the free breakfasts and lunches next school year. The Democratic delegation members contend in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture that the uncertainty is a result of flaws in state-generated data on eligibility documentation, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Saying schools “have been hampered by the lack of necessary guidance, training or data,” the Democrats’ letter asks Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to intercede. A USDA management evaluation for the
See BILL, Page A3
2012 fiscal year concluded that the Public Education Department’s student nutrition program failed to require proper documentation of how some schools have determined eligibility for the USDA program. In its review, the USDA found the state approved extensions beyond the allowable time and the federal agency concluded that socio-economic data used to determine continued eligibility was “insufficient or missing.” Deputy Secretary Paul Aguilar of the state Department of Public Education said the state has improved its paperwork process. He also said he doesn’t believe his agency has disseminated any flawed data or misinfor mation, and he said there shouldn’t be any major problem. The USDA free meal program serves more than 77,000 children at approximately 350 schools.
HIGH 92 LOW 56
TODAY’S FORECAST
THERE
Timothy P. Howsare Photo
The 27th annual Old Timers Balloon Rally begins at 6:45 a.m. today with a lift-off at Cielo Grande Recreation Area, 1612 West College Blvd. Balloons will lift off again on Sunday at the same time. The weather for both launches is expected to be good. More than 70 balloons, pilots and crewmembers have traveled to Roswell from throughout the Southwest to participate. Proceeds from the rally are donated to local and regional charities. Thousands of dollars from prior rallies have been donated to the Roswell Assurance Home, the Albuquerque Balloon Explorium, Roswell and Goddard high school bands, DARE/GREAT, Shriners Hospital Fund, Carrie Tingley Hospital, Roswell Youth Soccer Association, Kiwanis Club of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute Balloon Scholarship Fund and the Roswell Cerebral Palsy Fund.
ARE NO OBITUARIES FOR TODAY. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING FUNERAL SERVICES, SEE PAGE A6.
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B8 COMICS .................B7 ENTERTAINMENT ...A10 FINANCIAL ..............B6
INDEX GENERAL ...............A2 HOROSCOPES .......A10 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4
SPORTS .................B1
WEATHER ............A10
WORLD ..................A7