The North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari has announced a new 12-week program for an Occupational Certificate in Basic Wind Energy Technology.

This program is grant-funded and free for U.S. citizens that meet specific qualifications including displaced workers, veterans and qualified spouses of veterans, or individuals who qualify as low income.

“This program is designed to educate students on the basics of the industry, as they gain real-world training experience climbing our wind turbine,” said Dr. Mildred Lovato, President of Mesalands Community College.  “We also want to stimulate our local, regional, statewide, and national economy by preparing individuals for a rewarding career in a growing field.”

Students in this program will learn wind turbine technology, turbine maintenance, tower safety, and wind economics.

Course topics for the classes that begin Feb. 13 include studies in electricity, hydraulics, and mechanics, along with hands-on training on Mesalands 1.5 megawatt wind turbine located adjacent to the new Wind Center.

More information, including admission details and program qualifications, can be found on the Mesalands Community College website or by calling (575) 461-4413, ext. 156, or toll-free at (800) 261-4877.

—–

When you see it happening, send us an e-mail, photo or video: ReportIt@krqe.com or E-mail

Gov. Susana Martinez is holding a news conference with the family of Carlos Perez, a 10-year-old boy killed as he slept in 2005 during a drive-by shooting aimed at his brother.

Martinez worked with the governor of Chihuahua to have suspect Noe Torres arrested in Mexico last week.

Torres had been on the run since the shooting.

A second suspect, Edward Salas, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison but has been on the lam since escaping from the Curry County jail a few months after his trial.

KRQE News 13 reporter Alex Tomlin is at the governor’s news conference and will have reports on the case on newscasts this afternoon and evening.

—–

When you see it happening, send us an e-mail, photo or video: ReportIt@krqe.com or E-mail

Goveror's news conference. KRQE News 13 photo by Alex Tomlin.

Officials responded to the KUNM building at 2500 Campus Road Tuesday afternoon, where they say a suspicious box was sent to last week.

The box sat on a desk until Tuesday when someone in the building found the package to be suspicious and called the correct authorities.

Officials have are taking the package to the state crime lab for further analysis.

UNM police, the Albuquerque Fire Department, the U.S. Parcel Service and hazmat teams assisted on the scene.

No injuries reported.

Photo from photojournalist Derek Seashore:

—–

When you see it happening, send us an e-mail, photo or video: ReportIt@krqe.com or E-mail

The Los Alamos council and board of education will meet Wednesday to decide on a new developer for a commercial project that would provide income for the schools.

The Trinity Site Revitalization Project stalled in 2009 as the economy tanked and the Los Alamos County Council ended negotiations with the previously selected developer.

Now the council has picked North American Development Group to lease and develop vacant land on Trinity Drive owned by the county and the Los Alamos Public Schools.

Proposed for the site are an anchor tenant–Smith’s Marketplace–and a mixture of retail and commercial operations.

The county’s goal is economic development and resulting jobs, while the school district will derive income from the land lease, according to the county’s website.

The lease is the only item on the agenda for the 6:30 p.m. meeting in the County Council Chambers.

—–

Coverage of the 2012 New Mexico Legislature and political news from around the country in KRQE.com OnPolitix.

The state Senate today confirmed Gov. Susana Martinez’s nominee to head the Aging and Long-term Services Department.

Retta Ward will join the governor’s cabinet  overseeing the department that “promotes the independence and dignity” of seniors and other adults with disabilities, according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Ward, a native of Hagerman,  has a background in health education and as a health advocated.

—–

Coverage of the 2012 New Mexico Legislature and political news from around the country in KRQE.com OnPolitix.

The Corrections Department will be opening the infamous “Old Main” prison , where the 1980 prison riot happened for public tours starting Thursday.

When the riot was over 33 inmates had been murdered by others, some mutilated, tortured and set on fire. To this day there are marks on the prison floors and walls that show the brutality of those two days.

The hour and a half guided tours  will include historical information about New Mexico prisons as well as post riot reforms.

Please share your thoughts about the state’s decision to do this.

The American Red Cross in New Mexico is accepting nominations for its fourth annual Red Cross Real Heroes Awards.

Nominations are due by the end of February and can be for an individual or group whose heroic or generous actions during 2011 reflect the Red Cross’ ideals and humanitarian mission.

Nomination information can be found on the Red Cross in New Mexico website or by calling (505) 256-8792.

—–

When you see it happening, send us an e-mail, photo or video: ReportIt@krqe.com or E-mail

The Rio Rancho Police Department is planning two months of extra traffic enforcement on State Road 528 through the city.

During February and March extra patrolling by the RRPD Traffic Unit will go after the usual violation including speeding, following too closely and cheating on red lights, according to a statement released today by the department.

A traffic stop could yield additional citations for things like not having current registration documents or proof of insurance.

NM 528, also called Rio Rancho Boulevard, runs north and south through the eastern edge of Rio Rancho starting as four lanes on the north and widening to eight lanes on the south as it passes the Intel plant and enters Albuquerque.

—–

When you see it happening, send us an e-mail, photo or video: ReportIt@krqe.com or E-mail

Families seeking to have their Albuquerque Public Schools students attend a school outside of their home attendance area for the 2012-13 school year may begin submitting requests for a transfer beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1. Parents and guardians can apply for a transfer online at www.aps.edu, the district’s website, under the Parents section.

Transfer requests may still be submitted in-person at the APS Student Service Center, 6400 Uptown Blvd. NE, Suite 100 West. For information, call the Service Center at 855-9050 or 855-9040.

Students who currently have an approved transfer do not need to re-apply unless they are changing schools. Students changing levels from elementary to middle school, or middle to high school are required to complete a new transfer request.

The Service Center first processes transfer applications received between Feb. 1 and March 15. Requests received after March 15 will be processed at a later time. They are accepted under the provisions of the APS Procedural Directive regarding transfers, the New Mexico Open Enrollment Act and the No Child Left Behind federal regulations. Transfers are granted on a space-available basis and in compliance with district, state and federal requirements. APS uses a random lottery system in granting transfer approvals, following prescribed priorities:

1. Students living within the established attendance boundaries for a school;
2.  Students who are enrolled at a School In Need Of Improvement (SINOI) school and are applying to attend a non-SINOI school;
3. Students who have previously attended the school; and
4. Other enrollment preferences, including:

• ·Students with siblings already attending the school requested and who will be attending simultaneously for the upcoming school year. Those students will be placed into the requested school when possible.
• If space is still available placement will be granted to students who are in one of the following categories: 1) students who have other siblings requesting the same school but none are currently attending the requested school; 2) students who are children of an employee of the school being requested; or 3) students who have at least one parent on active military duty stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base.
• Those placements are followed by students who have a specific reason such as child care needs, and other reasons.

All other requests with no reason specified are considered as the fifth priority.

Bernalillo County Commissioner Michael C. Wiener and Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver will host a My Vote Center presentation on Tuesday Jan. 31 at 6:30 p.m.at the Lt. William Sibrava Substation.

My Vote Center is the new name for the voting centers that will be used during the primary and general elections in 2012. My Vote Center locations will be stregically located thoughout the city and county and will be easily accesible. The 69 locations will take the place of the traditional 172 precinct locations no election day.

For more information on My Vote Center go to www.bernco.gov/clerk.

—–

Coverage of the 2012 New Mexico Legislature and political news from around the country in KRQE.com OnPolitix.