A-10
LOCAL & REGION
THE NEW MEXICAN Monday, August 26, 2013
N.M. faces competition in modern race to space sound barrier. The company expects to conduct flight testing this year and send people into SAN FRANCISCO — As sevspace soon thereafter. eral new private ventures to take Other companies are also people on trips to space come working to launch people beyond closer to becoming reality, Calithe earth’s atmosphere. Billionfornia lawmakers are racing New aire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Mexico and other states to woo SpaceX is already ferrying cargo the new space companies with to the International Space Stacushy incentives. tion. Last year, SpaceX signed an They are debating a bill now in agreement with Nevada-based Sacramento that would insulate Bigelow Aerospace, which is manufacturers of spaceships designing inflatable space staand parts suppliers from liabiltions for research and maybe ity should travelers get injured even tourists. or killed on a voyage, except in Regulatory and economic cases such as gross negligence incentives play a big role in or intentional wrongdoing. Last where companies choose to do year, the state enacted a law that business, said Andrew Nelson, shields space tourism companies the chief operating officer of such as Sir Richard Branson’s XCOR, which is pursuing space Virgin Galactic from similar tourism and hoping to test its lawsuits. Lynx spaceship this year. “We’re still in the fledgling part Last year, the company — of space flight and space travel, which operates at Mojave Air and we need people to be able and Spaceport in Southern to take a risk,” said California California — announced it would Republican Sen. Steve Knight, place a research and developwho introduced both state bills. ment center and corporate Several other states — includ- headquarters in Midland, Texas, ing New Mexico, Texas, Florida which offered economic incenand Virginia — have passed simi- tives and an attractive regulatory lar laws, hoping to lure newcom- environment, including shielding ers to the more than $200 billion XCOR’s suppliers from lawsuits. commercial space flight industry. Nelson said the company California’s latest bill faces passed over California because opposition from several lawmak- it doesn’t shield the company’s ers who say the state should not supply chain and could not relax its standards since tourists offer economic incentives. The should expect the ships they use company will still have a smaller to ascend to the heavens are safe. operation at Mojave and would But space tourism companies say consider doing more in the state the protection is necessary if the if Knight’s bill is enacted. state wants to attract and retain In April, New Mexico enacted the industry’s business. a law shielding parts suppliers “Someday, something is and manufacturers of space going to crash and burn,” said transport companies from liabilKathleen Allen, a professor of ity as an incentive for Virgin entrepreneurship at the UniGalactic and others to launch versity of Southern California spaceships from Spaceport who researches and advises new America, which the state had space companies. “The question already spent more than is: Are we going to be able to say $200 million financing. that’s a price we pay to stretch At a California Senate comand explore and go beyond our mittee hearing in May, several current limits?” senators expressed concern over Edwin Sahakian dreamed of shielding manufacturers and supflying in space since he watched pliers from lawsuits, saying cusBuzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong tomers should assume the equipset foot on the moon almost ment functions correctly and 45 years ago. Sahakian, 50, a should have redress if it doesn’t. trucking company owner from The bill’s opponents say proGlendale, Calif., is one of more tection against liability is unnecthan 600 people who have colessary because it would be outlectively paid about $75 million weighed by California’s historical to embark on a trip in space with ties to the aerospace industry Virgin Galactic. and its well-educated workforce. Leaving the planet is worth Both supporters and oppothe risk, he said. Without incennents of Knight’s bill agreed tives like limiting the ability of developments in the space induscustomers and family members try present exciting, uncharted to sue, he said the opportunity possibilities. would never be open to him. “Everybody would like to see a In April, Virgin Galactic’s big goal that got the whole counspaceship completed its first try behind like we did when we powered flight, as its rocket went to the moon. That was an engine burned for 16 seconds, exciting time, those people who propelling the ship to an altitude remember it would like to see of 55,000 feet as it broke the that again,” Allen said. By Mihir Zaveri
The Associated Press
Inmate firefighters walk along a California highway Sunday as crews continue to battle the Rim Fire near Yosemite National Park. JAE C. HoNG/THE ASSoCIATED PRESS
Yosemite fire challenges crews Rim Fire 7 percent contained as firefighters try to protect communities, sequoias By Brian Skoloff and Tracie Cone The Associated Press
GROVELAND, Calif. — At Ike Bunney’s dude ranch near the Sierra community of Tuolumne City, all creatures have been evacuated as firefighters brace for an intense battle to keep a wildfire raging north of Yosemite National Park out of mountain communities. “We’ve already evacuated the horses,” said Bunney, who was keeping an eye on his Slide Mountain Guest Ranch on Sunday. “I think they’re worried about the fire sparking over these hills.” As fire leapfrogs across the vast, picturesque Sierra forests, moving from one treetop to the next, residents in the fire’s path are moving animals and children to safety. The fire has moved northeast away from Groveland, where smoke gave away to blue skies Sunday. But at Tuolumne City’s Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne City, the slot machines were quiet as emergency workers took over nearly all of the resort’s 148 hotel rooms. “The casino is empty,” said casino employee Jessie Dean, who left her four children at relatives’ homes in the Central Valley. “Technically, the casino is open, but there’s nobody there.” Hundreds of firefighters were deployed Sunday to protect Tuolumne City and other communities in the path of the Rim Fire. Eight fire trucks and four bulldozers were deployed near Bunney’s ranch on the west side of Mount Baldy, where two years of
drought have created tinder-dry conditions. “Winds are increasing, so it’s going to be very challenging,” said Bjorn Frederickson, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. The fire continues burning in the remote wilderness area of Yosemite, but park spokesman Tom Medena said it’s edging closer to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the source of San Francisco’s famously pure drinking water. Despite ash falling like snowflakes on the reservoir and a thick haze of smoke limiting visibility to 100 feet, the quality of the water piped to the city 150 miles away is still good, say officials with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The city’s hydroelectric power generated by the system has been interrupted by the fire, forcing the utility to spend $600,000 buying power on the open market. Park employees are continuing their efforts to protect two groves of giant sequoias that are unique the region by cutting brush and setting sprinklers, Medena said. The fire has consumed more than 209 square miles of picturesque forests. Officials estimate containment at just 7 percent. “It’s slowing down a bit, but it’s still growing,” Frederickson said. Fire lines near Ponderosa Hills and Twain Hart are being cut miles ahead of the blaze in locations where fire officials hope they will help protect the communities should the fire jump containment lines. “There is a huge focus in those areas in terms of air support and crews on the ground building fire lines to protect those communities. We’re facing difficult conditions and extremely challenging weather,” Frederickson said.
The high winds and movement of the fire from bone-dry brush on the ground to 100-foot oak and pine treetops have created dire conditions. “A crown fire is much more difficult to fight,” said Daniel Berlant of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “Our firefighters are on the ground having to spray up.” The blaze sweeping across steep, rugged river canyons quickly has become one of the biggest in California history, thanks in part to extremely dry conditions caused by a lack of snow and rainfall this year. Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started Aug. 17, days before lightning storms swept through the region and sparked other, smaller blazes. The fire is the most critical of a dozen burning across California, officials say. More than 12 helicopters and a half-dozen fixed wing tankers are dropping water and retardant from the air, and 2,800 firefighters are on the ground. “This fire has continued to pose every challenge that there can be on a fire: inaccessible terrain, strong winds, dry conditions. It’s a very difficult firefight,” Berlant said. Statewide, more than 8,300 firefighters are battling nearly 400 square miles of fires. Many air districts have issued health advisories as smoke settles over Northern California. While Yosemite Valley is clear, the Lake Tahoe basin is thick with smoke, and many outdoor activities have been canceled in Reno, Nev. The U.S. Forest Service says about 4,500 structures are threatened by the Rim Fire. Berlant said 23 structures were destroyed, though officials have not determined whether they were homes or rural outbuildings.
Funeral services and memorials
Police notes The Santa Fe Police Department is investigating the following reports: u Jason Ribas, 28, of Santa Fe was arrested on charges of falsely obtaining services after he allegedly refused to pay his check at The Palace Restaurant and Saloon and attempted to flee. u A female resident of Cerro Gordo Road was found dead in her home early Saturday morning, and paramedics could not revive her. No further information was available. The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the following reports: u A woman who lives on Calle Marie Luisa reported that, sometime between 7 and 11 p.m. Saturday, someone broke the driver’s side front window of her 2008 Chrysler Aspen and stole a brown handbag, a small purse, $45 in cash, a set of keys, a New Mexico driver’s license and a debit card. In total, the stolen items are valued at about $470. u Deputies responded Sunday to a report of two men in possession of a controlled substance at the Santa Fe County jail on Camino Justicia. Corrections officers strip searched Eugene Chacon, 29,
and Dennis Serrano, 23, both of Española, and found evidence of Suboxone on both men. They also found a black, tar-like substance suspected to be heroin on Serrano. u A 65-year-old male was found dead in his High Feather Ranch Road residence Saturday. He appeared to have died of natural causes. u Darrin Simpson, 46, of Santa Fe was arrested Saturday after deputies stopped him for not wearing a seat belt while driving on Camino Tierra Real and discovered he was a fugitive in Texas.
DWI arrests u Santa Fe police arrested Jesus Rodelas-Castillo of Santa Fe on charges of driving while intoxicated after he was observed driving the wrong way near the intersection of Cerrillos and Siler roads at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. His vehicle collided with another vehicle before Rodelas-Castillo left the scene of the accident on foot, the report stated. u Police arrested Loretta Goke, 51, of Santa Fe at about 5 a.m. Saturday on St. Michael’s Drive and charged her with DWI (a second offense, according
to the report) and driving carelessly after her vehicle struck a wall. u Deputies arrested Christine A. Byers, 44, of Albuquerque on DWI and careless driving charges after she drove her 1988 Mazda into some landscape timber in the parking lot of Roadrunner RV Park in Pojoaque at about 3:20 a.m. Sunday.
Speed SUVs The locations of the Santa Fe Police Department’s mobile speed-enforcement vehicles were not available on Sunday.
Help lines Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families hotline: 800-473-5220 St. Elizabeth Shelter for men, women and children: 982-6611 Interfaith Community Shelter: 795-7494 Youth Emergency Shelter/ Youth Shelters: 438-0502 New Mexico suicide prevention hotline: 866-435-7166 Solace Crisis Treatment Center: 986-9111, 800-7217273 or TTY 471-1624
ANTHONY M. RUSSO AUGUST 18, 1931 - AUGUST 22, 2013 Tony died on August 22nd at his home with his beloved wife Molly and cherished son Christopher at his side. He and his wife were married for 57 years. He died of untreatable cancer which was diagnosed two weeks ago. He was born in New York City but spent most of his life on Long island, N.Y. He graduated from The Darrow School in New Lebanon, New York and then attended Pace College (now University). He was a Manufacturer’s Representative for the HONORA JEWELRY CO. in New York City which involved a lot of travel in the U.S. and the Caribbean. He loved his work and with his wonderful personality he was a great success. He was a great fan of the Yankees seeing them win 20 championships, many of them in person. He leaves his wife Molly, son Christopher and daughter-in-law Jeanne and four precious grandchildren- Timothy, Kiera, Colin and Patrick, as well as four nieces and nephews. He was very proud of his son, a long time Sports Talk Show Host now heard on Sirius Radio. He particularly enjoyed his regular appearances on Sirius, and being true to his personality, he never took himself too seriously. He and his wife retired to Santa Fe in 1997 and he loved the beauty of the state and the kindness of the people. For all of that time he and his wife were parishioners at Holy Faith Episcopal Church and we wish to extend our special thanks to Father Ken Semon, the Rector, for his kindness, help and wisdom during these difficult days. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Ambercare Hospice and Comfort Keepers for all of their help. Cremation will take place, and a Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 27th at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Faith at 311 East Palace Avenue (opposite the Hotel La Posada). If desired, donations can be made to the Holy Faith Church Music Fund.
ROSALIE T. BACA 8-26-38 - 12-2-08 Happy Birthday Mom!
Death Leaves a heartache, no one can heal, but love leaves a memory no one can steal. We all love you and miss you so much! Your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and your sister.
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