PNM To Close 8 Remaining Payment Centers by Year's End

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Power New Mexico will be closing its eight remaining payment centers by the end of 2011, according to KOAT-TV.

The closures will leave about 15 people unemployed. The company has systematically shut down its payment centers since 2008.

Only 10 percent of PNM customers have used the payment centers, and now residents will have the choice between paying in cash, paying at any Western Union or Wells Fargo, or paying via mail or the Internet.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Two Die, Several Injured in I-40 Accidents

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- New Mexico State Police are investigating a fatal crash along Interstate 40 on Sunday.

Officials say a semi-truck was involved in an accident with a vehicle in the westbound lane of the highway. Two people in the vehicle died and two others including the truck driver were injured and transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment. I-40 was closed near Route 66 for a few hours after the accident.

Another accident involving two semi trucks occurred a few minutes after and within a mile of the first accident. One driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Ready Pac Recalls Salads for Possible E. coli Contamination

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) -- Ready Pac Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling their bagged salad because of a possible E. coli contamination.

The recall was initiated by the testing of a random sample which tested positive for E. coli. On Thursday, the California Department of Health issued a warning about the products advising people to not consume the bagged salads which contained Romaine lettuce and a use-by date of November 18, 2011. It was also carried under the labels of Ready Pac, Trader Joe's, Safeway and Dining In Classic.

No infections have reported. The California health department said symptoms include abdominal cramps and diarrhea. The elderly and young children are more vulnerable to infection complications.

The salads were sold in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Arrest Made in Good Samaritan Stabbing

(RIO RANCHO, N.M.) -- Rio Rancho police arrested a 16-year-old boy accused of stabbing a "good Samaritan" who had given him a ride home, according to ABC affiliate KOAT-TV.

Paul Mueller decided to give two hitchhikers a lift from a gas station on Monday. The 40-year-old was instructed to drive to a cul-de-sac, where the suspect, Rick Muestas, stabbed him 24 times and then stole his car.

Police tracked down Muestas by calling Mueller's cell phone. Muestas reportedly gave the phone to his mother, who answered Mueller's call and inadvertently revealed her son's name.

Mueller has recovered from his injuries.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Roswell Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Carjacking, Drive-By Shooting

(LAS CRUCES, N.M.) -- A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in an April 2010 carjacking and drive-by shooting incident in Roswell.

Tommy Peña was convicted on eight federal offenses stemming from the incident. The offenses include conspiracy, carjacking, and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

During the trial, prosecutors said that on April 6, 2010, Peña and co-defendant Jeremy Ray Conde forced their way into a home, pointed firearms at a family of three in the home, and then stole the victims' vehicle. Evidence was also presented to indicate that Peña fired several shots from a 9mm handgun in a drive-by shooting four days later.

Conde has pleaded guilty to the charges against him and is awaiting sentencing.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Convicted Killer in Coma After Prison Attack

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- A convicted rapist and murderer is on life support after being attacked by fellow inmates, officials say.

Officials say Michael Guzman, who raped and killed a University of New Mexico student and raped another in 1981, was moved to a prison in Clayton because of safety concerns for him at a prison in Santa Rosa.

The Department of Corrections confirmed that Guzman was attacked by more than a dozen inmates two days after he arrived at the prison in Clayton earlier in the month. Guzman is in a coma at the University of New Mexico Hospital and visitors are not allowed to see him, as he is under security.

Guzman was sentenced to death for kidnapping two UNM students, raping them and stabbing them, killing one. His sentence was commuted to life.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Two Albuquerque Cops Fired After Kicking Suspect

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Two Albuquerque police officers were fired Wednesday after video evidence revealed they celebrated after kicking a suspect multiple times, ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

Officers John Doyle and Robert Woolever were let go after four years of service in the department when an Albuquerque Journal reporter obtained surveillance footage of the two officers kicking a car thief in the head and then engaging in a celebratory belly bump.

Mayor Richard Berry acknowledged he had not seen the whole video, but said it should not go unnoticed, according to the report.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

APS Officer Suspended After Handcuffing Austistic Kid

(ALBUQUERQUE) -- Officials say An Albuquerque Public Schools officer has been placed on suspension after handcuffing a 7-year-old autistic student.

The alleged incident reportedly happened on Monday at the Mary Ann Bidford Elementary school. Officials say the child was throwing a temper tantrum and seemed to be out of control, when the officer handcuffed the student to a chair, according to published reports.

APS officials tell ABC's Albuquerque KOAT-TV the officer acted inappropriately, and that elementary age students shouldn't be handcuffed.

The APS officer will reportedly remain on administrative leave while the matter is investigated.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

ADP: 90 Percent of All 2011 Murder Cases Solved

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The Albuquerque Police Department says it has solved close to 90 percent of its murder investigations in 2011, according to ABC News affiliate KOAT-TV.

"I contribute it to very dedicated detectives," Lt. Gary Reed told KOAT-TV.

The ADP says its officers are currently working on three unsolved cases from July, August, and September of this year.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Albuquerque Mayor to Deliver 2011 State of the City Address

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Albuquerque’s Mayor Richard Berry will deliver his State of the City of address Wednesday, ABC News Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV reports.

The mayor will tackle topics ranging from Albuquerque’s safety, to how it’s becoming more efficient, as well as tout the community's accomplishments during the past year and the plans for the future.

The speech will likely discuss the unemployment rate in the metro area that is currently below the national average.

The 2011 State of the City address will take place at Albuquerque’s Don Newton-Taylor Ranch Community Center at 4900 Kachina NW from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio