Roswell Daily Record
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MATTHEW ARCO RECORD STAFF WRITER
ABORTION CLINIC INVESTIGATION PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A lack of follow-up on reports of venereal disease, political sensitivities and unfulfilled promises made to health inspectors all added up to missed chances to stop a doctor from ... - PAGE A3
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• Gardner excited to work with Martinez • Sen. Udall visits with local aviation leaders • Rate of pecan theft increases • Controlled burn • Burglary, battery reported
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Committee assignments evening out
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With Republicans making big gains in the number of GOP state House members, committee assignments are beginning to even out. Tentative committee assignments doled out Thursday by Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, make apparent Republicans’ gaining voice in the lower house, after picking up eight seats in the general election. In five out of the
January 21, 2011
FRIDAY
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12 substantive committees, there are an equal number of Democratic and Republican members. Committees, where bills navigate before, usually, ending up on the House floor for a vote, were until just recently, dominated by members of the majority party. “We’ve got more people on committees and some committees are 50-50 now, which they weren’t before,” said Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell. “The Republicans are in
a much stronger position now to do some things,” he said. “I’m happy for my party and I’m happy for my state.” However, all committees will retain Democrat chair and vice chair positions, including the House Appropriations and Finance, Taxation and Revenue, and Judiciary committees — which cause some local Republicans to remain skeptical of advancing GOP agenda items.
ring already fastened to its orange leg. This drake didn’t need any more jewelry. “Oh, he’s banded,” Sanchez told members of the Garden Club who were helping release the birds, Thursday morning. “And he’s one of ours.” The refuge began “banding” ducks, or identifying with a tag, in late December, to begin tracking the migratory patter ns and
survivorship of the Northern Pintail. The data collected by the refuge will be forwarded to an area wildlife biologist working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service out of Lubbock, Texas. The refuge has banded small birds, like sparrows and warblers, for the past
Committee leaders reshuffled
SANTA FE (AP) — Legislative committee leaders were reshuffled on Thursday, including in the Senate, where liberal Democrat Cisco McSorley was ousted as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In the House, fallout appeared from a Democratic power struggle as Speaker Ben Lujan replaced a committee chairman who refused to support him in a leadership election earlier this week. Other new chairmen also were announced by Lujan. The shake-up in committee leaders could reverberate throughout the legislative session, particularly in the handling of proposals by Republican Gov.
Wildlife refuge begins banding ducks EMILY RUSSO MILLER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge biologist Jeff Sanchez inspected a mallard with a dark green feathered head before releasing it back into the wild. Though the duck fluttered its wings and squirmed against his chest, Sanchez could see a silver band as wide as a wedding
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INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
A recently banded duck waits to be re-released back into the wild as members of the Home Garden Club, reflected in a window, take photos, Thursday at Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge.
WOZNIACKI ADVANCES TO 4TH ROUND MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Caroline Wozniacki beat Dominika Cibulkova 64, 6-3 on Friday to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open and avenge last week’s ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Juan C. Ortega • Dorothy E. Felio • William “Bill” McMullen • William Armstrong McCubbing • Rose Vocarro Dipaolo • Jean Hale • Wanda Jo Curry • Billy Ray Walker - PAGE B3
Jeff Sanchez, biologist at Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge, releases a mallard back into the wild after banding the waterfowl, Thursday morning. The Home Garden Club attended the banding session and each member was allowed to release a duck.
Chinese Pres. Hu urges closer Accused murderer US-China ties as world powers denied bond reduction WASHINGTON (AP) — Chinese President Hu Jintao denied his country is a military threat despite its arms buildup and pressed the U.S. on Thursday for closer cooperation between the global powers. He urged the United States to treat China “with respect and as equals” after encountering a fresh barrage of criticism from lawmakers over human rights. In a luncheon speech to American business executives, Hu also urged the U.S. to continue to recognize China’s sovereignty
over Taiwan and Tibet. “China-U.S. relations will enjoy smooth and steady growth when the two countries handle well issues involving each other’s major interests. Otherwise, our relations will suf fer constant trouble or even tension,” Hu said as he wrapped up his state visit to Washington. The Chinese leader headed next to Chicago where he was dining Thursday evening with retiring Mayor Richard Daley, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and business leaders. On Friday, he vis-
its a Chinese center at a high school and a Chinese auto parts producer. Earlier Thursday, Hu went to Capitol Hill for closed-door meetings with members of the House and the Senate. Participants said he got an ear ful of complaints from some of his strongest congressional critics, especially over China’s business and trade practices and human rights conduct. President Barack Obama had expressed similar See CHINA, Page A3
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Mark Wilson Photo
AP Photo
Former Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger, right, introduces China's President Hu Jintao to leaders from the private and public sectors, Thursday, in Washington, at a luncheon co-hosted by the US-China Business Council.
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Accused murderer Ramon Bravo appeared in District Court on Thursday, for a reduction of bond hearing. Defense attor ney Jones Witt asked that the court reduce the bond from $500,000 cash-only to $500,000 surety. Currently, Bravo, 37, is being held at the Chaves County Detention Center, on a $500,000 cash-only bond. He is awaiting trial on the charges of firstdegree murder and aggravated burglary for the 2003 slaying of his estranged wife, Susan Amos-Bravo. Prior to the hearing, about 10 members of Amos-Bravo’s family and close friends staked out the courthouse’s foyer. “We’re here to let (the judge) know that there are a lot of people in this community who don’t want (Ramon Bravo) out of jail,” T im Amos, Susan’s brother, said. “We’re shocked that we’re here for a bail hearing,” Sonjia Clark, Susan’s sister, said. “I am hoping he stays exactly where he needs to stay. It’s not fair for him to get out while my sister is in South Park Cemetery.” During the hearing, Witt pointed out that the
original case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. He stated that the only additional information resulted from a civil case which was brought against Bravo in April, 2006, for wrongful death, where Donald C. Price, who was in a cell adjacent to Bravo, testified to an alleged jailhouse confession Bravo made. Price said during examination, “She (Susan) had made him (Ramon) so mad for making him kill her .... She was dead before he stabbed her. He just went of f and he must have stabbed her 150 times.” In Magistrate Court during the hearing for probable cause in July, 2010, Witt argued that this information should not be admitted as evidence since the witness, now deceased, was not available for cross-examination. Special Prosecutor Kirk C. Chavez, from the the 9th Judicial District, countered Witt’s proposal for reduction, saying that the murder was a heinous and cold-blooded crime. He quoted state law for bond in case of capital crimes. He pointed to Bravo’s previous convictions in 1997, when Bravo was arrested for See DENIED, Page A3