Latest news with #HermitsPeakCalfCanyonFire
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State auditor and Attorney General investigate missing money in Mora County
MORA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Nearly three million dollars in public funds have gone missing, and now two of the state's top investigators are bearing down on Mora County, which was charged with overseeing that cash. 'We've been receiving complaints from a county official about potential financial malfeasance, conflicts of interest, potential procurement violations,' said Joseph Maestas, New Mexico State Auditor. Story continues below Trending: Remains found in Santa Fe National Forest identified as 1950s wrestler, actor Don't Miss: Santa Fe teacher, principal, and school counselor put on administrative leave Entertainment: Which Santa Fe spots did Guy Fieri visit on 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives'? Those whistleblower complaints led the auditor to declare a 'special audit' against Mora County. An accounting firm looking into that county's finances found the red flag.'This forensic accountant disclosed the fact that there was 2.7 million dollars in unaccounted for funds,' said Maestas. It comes as Mora County is simultaneously managing $40 million in state wildfire relief funding after the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire. Countywide, dozens of roads and culverts need repair following flooding on burn scars. 'Regarding the 40 million dollars in disaster relief funds for infrastructure repair and replacement, we're concerned in terms of whether or not the county can adequately manage that amount of funds,' said Maestas. While investigators still need to get to the bottom of exactly where the county's missing $2.7 million and what those dollars are supposed to be for, the auditor said the financial mess signals major concerns for Mora County. 'I have an obligation to the Mora county residents to ensure them that we're going to get to the bottom of any financial mismanagement and ensure that the 40 million dollars that's been set aside for disaster relief and mitigation is spent appropriately,' said Maestas. The New Mexico Department of Justice also confirmed with KRQE News 13 on Wednesday that they're opening a review into financial concerns surrounding Mora County's finances. The county manager's office did not return KRQE News 13's call on Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
New Mexico Highlands University sues FEMA over HPCC Fire compensation
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) – It's been just over three years since the most destructive wildfire in New Mexico's history. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, promised to compensate those impacted by the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire. But some say they're taking too long. 'One hundred percent. This is about accountability,' said Brian Colón, Former New Mexico State Auditor and Managing Partner at Singleton Schreiber. Story continues below Trending: ABQ family defies all odds after their fetus received a rare diagnosis Breaking: Pope Francis dies at 88 Crime: Repeat International District murder suspect facing new charges In April 2022, the U.S Forestry Division conducted a prescribed burn outside of Las Vegas. But a combination of windy weather and a spark from a sleeper fire quickly became what is now known as the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire. 'Three years and two weeks ago, the federal government committed acts of negligence in the way that it executed on a controlled burn in northern New Mexico. As a result, hundreds of thousands of acres were lost in northern New Mexico. People lost their homes,' said Colón. The federal government took responsibility for the destruction, and New Mexico's Congressional delegation led the charge in creating the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire Act, which appropriated over $5 billion to compensate victims. 'And they did so with an intent that the victims of the Herman's Peak Calf Canyon Fire Act would quickly be compensated for what they'd been through. Unfortunately, this process, because of FEMA, has been anything but quick,' said Colón. In the most recent lawsuit against FEMA, New Mexico Highlands University, located in Las Vegas, claims the agency is making them jump through unnecessary hoops. 'FEMA, their agency, is actually saying, no, no, you have to use this different process first,' said Colón. FEMA is asking the university to submit its claims through the Stafford Act, which pre-dates the fires and works as a public assistance program. 'That act actually requires entities to actually advance funds and then be reimbursed. That was never contemplated under the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire Act,' said Colón. 'FEMA has set forth some arbitrary rules about what has to happen before New Mexico Highlands can be compensated. And we're done,' said Colón. They're choosing to let a judge make the decision, 'No one is going to be personally enriched by this claim. It's straightforward. It ought to be processed by FEMA, and it should be paid.' Under the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Act, FEMA is required to pay out victims within 180 days, but attorney Brian Colón said he has other clients who are still waiting to see any of that money. 'Three years is too long. People who've been waiting on determinations for more than 360 days, it's embarrassing,' said Colón. While FEMA does not comment on pending litigation, it did report that it paid out roughly $2.25 billion for over 16,000 claims. As of the March 14 deadline, FEMA has received roughly 20,000 claims. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Capital outlay funding will help with projects like acequias and school safety in New Mexico
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed off on $1.2 billion dollars in capital outlay funding. It will be spread across the state, funding hundreds of projects. That includes 33 acequia improvement projects in northern New Mexico, especially after the years of fires and flooding in the area. Story continues below Business: Two big New Mexico brands up for sale as owner looks toward retirement Education: Albuquerque high school students get up-close look at big-time film production News: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham authorizes National Guard deployment to ABQ 'The Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire devastated acequias in San Miguel, Mora county. Truly, you know, when those floodwaters started to come down those mountains, it really blew out headgates. It just destroyed acequias that had been there for hundreds of years,' said Rep. Kristina Ortez (D-Taos). A huge chunk of money will pour into 49 Albuquerque public schools to make their campuses safer. They include fences cameras, and other technology to keep students and staff safe. The school district sent out this statement Friday: Taxpayers' investments in security for schools is critical in the overall educational picture, and we're gratified by the support of lawmakers. In this era, vigilance is of utmost importance and these tools give us more flexibility as we work to keep children and staff members safe on our campuses. On top of all that, $822,000 will be spent to get a sports museum off the ground. Also with the location of the New Mexico State Fair still up in the air, $14 Million has been approved for the State Fair Commission to move forward with projects they need to improve the fairgrounds while also setting aside funding for finding a new spot for the fair. $11 million dollars has been approved for improvements at the University of New Mexico's University Stadium. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
KRQE Newsfeed: Very strong winds, Citizen complaints, Stream access case, Lobos win, Claim deadline
More speed cameras to be installed in Bernalillo County What's happening around New Mexico March 14-20 Former Golden Pride employee pleads no contest to killing coworker Protestors demonstrate outside Tesla dealership in Bernalillo NM lawmakers look to strengthen regulations on hemp products NMDOT conducting inspections on Big I bridges American Airlines Boeing 737 catches fire at Denver airport [1] Storm system with strong winds, dust and cold air moves into New Mexico – A powerful storm brings high winds through Friday evening with possible wind damage, blowing dust, and high fire danger. A line heavy snow is also possible in western New Mexico. This line of rain and snow will move east across the western half of the state and eventually into the Rio Grande Valley. Westerly winds could gust as high as 80 mph early Friday afternoon across eastern New Mexico. Up to 55 mph gusts are likely elsewhere across the state. [2] Law Enforcement Certification Board considers proposal to suspend citizen complaints – The state board that licenses police officers is weighing whether or not it will continue to accept citizen complaints. Currently, citizens can file complaints against officers to the state's Law Enforcement Certification Board. One board member spoke in favor of the change, saying the policy opens the door for anyone to file a complaint for any small gripe. Former officer and now attorney Thomas Grover says that hasn't happened while the policy has been in place. [3] NM district court rules in favor of state in stream access lawsuit – New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is declaring victory in a case over public access to New Mexico's streams and waterways. In August of last year, the state filed a lawsuit against two San Miguel County landowners, accusing them of obstructing streams and having signs falsely claiming access was restricted. New Mexico's Fourth Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the state in that case. The permanent injunction from the district court prevents the landowners from building fences, putting up signs or interfering with public access to waterways in any way. [4] Lobos defeat San Jose State in MW tournament – New Mexico won its opening game of the Mountain West conference tournament against San Jose State 63-52 on Thursday afternoon. UNM got a game-high 25 points from Donovan Dent and a double-double from Nelly Junior Joseph. The Lobos move on to play Boise State with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday. [5] Less than 24 hours remain for Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims to file claims – Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon Fire victims have less than 24 hours to submit their compensation claims to FEMA. Those impacted by the 2022 fire and flooding that have not yet filed a claim must submit a notice of loss by 6 p.m. Friday night. After the deadline passes, it will no longer be possible to request compensation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wildfire prevention bills make their way through the Roundhouse
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – After the most destructive wildfire in state history devastated the Ruidoso area this past summer, lawmakers are pushing legislation to protect New Mexico communities from future fires. A bipartisan bill, SB 33, is making its way through the legislative session, which would create a program for wildfire prevention. Story continues below DWI Scandal: Another BCSO deputy placed on leave in connection to DWI dismissals National: Federal judge rules Trump must reinstate many fired federal employees Politics: Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announces intention to run for reelection Lawmakers sponsoring the bill say the next big fire is coming and we need to be ready. 'Wildfires are a part of New Mexico history, they are here to stay. It's not a matter of if but when the next wildfire will occur,' said Representative Anita Gonzales (D-Las Vegas). In the last three years, New Mexico has had two of its largest wildfires ever, the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon Fire near Las Vegas in 2022, and the South Fork Fire in Ruidoso in 2024. Now, lawmakers are proposing legislation to help prevent the same scale of destruction in at-risk areas. The Wildfire Prepared Act is a bipartisan Senate bill, that aims to create a task force made up of experts who will identify high-risk areas, plan out tree thinning, and create buffer zones to protect homes. 'They make this to where our local firefighters can get in there and do good work and pull some of the fuels out to where they're not burning as intense as they normally do,' said Representative Harlan Vincent, (R-Ruidoso Downs). The bill also creates a program offering grants to property owners for structural changes to make their homes and businesses more fire-resistant. 'A big concern right now for my area as well as others that have been impacted is insurance, home insurance, business insurance, and just the availability of it. and the best way to do that is to reduce risk so that insurance will come back to the table,' said Rep. Gonzales. On Thursday, two other bills were debated in committee dealing with buffer zones to curb wildfire spread (HB 175) and funding for fire suppression & preparedness (HB 191), both advancing unanimously. Representative Anita Gonzales says this shows lawmakers are putting this issue at the forefront. 'Just making our state wildfire ready, building preparedness and just making sure that we're on the right path so that what happened to my community can be mitigated for any other community in the future,' said Rep. Gonzales. 'We all learned from our lessons, and this is a lesson learned and what we're trying to do is just get better,' said Rep. Vincent. The Wildfire Prepared Act needs to clear one more committee and the House floor before heading to the governor's desk. The bill would take effect immediately to help the state prepare for the upcoming fire season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
