Albuquerque Workers Paid Six Percent Less than National Average

(Albuquerque, N.M.) -- The average worker in Albuquerque gets paid less than the national average, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The data comes from a new study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and finds that the average hourly wage in the city was 6 percent less than the average hourly wage for the country, $20.69 compared to $22.01 an hour.

The study found that 15 out of the 22 major occupational groups in Albuquerque were paid less than the national average for those professions.

Still, there are exceptions. Health care support workers and those in the life, physical and social science occupations were paid considerably more than their national counterparts.

Lawyers, meanwhile, are paid 24 percent less than the national average.

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Man Allegedly Attacks Two, Throws Woman Off Bridge

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Police arrested a man Tuesday for allegedly beating a man and a woman and throwing the woman off of the Central Avenue Bridge into the Rio Grande, according to The Albuquerque Journal.

Martin Montaño, 26, allegedly beat his victims and shoved them into his trunk at 9:15 a.m. Eight minutes later, police say, he threw the woman into the river below, and left the man, who was also severely beaten, on the side of the road.

Witnesses called the police, who chased Montaño for more than five miles before catching him.

Both victims, whose names have not been released, were between the ages of 50 and 70. Both are in stable condition at the hospital, but police say they could have easily died during the attack. An APD spokeswoman said the fall alone could have been fatal.

Police have not released a motive yet, but say he knew the victims.

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FBI Seeks Help in Identifying Human Remains Found

Federal Bureau of Investigation(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The FBI is seeking the public's assistance in identifying skeletal human remains that were found on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County on May 26.

A human skull and other bone fragments were found in a field by law enforcement personnel, and then sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia. The lab then produced a forensic approximation of what the individual’s face may have looked like.

FBI officials say the remains may be that of a Hispanic or Native American male between 28 to 52 years old at the time of death.

Anyone with information on the identity of the remains is asked to contact the FBI in Albuquerque at (505) 889-1300.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

City Councilors Approve Fireworks Ban

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The Albuquerque City Council approved a ban on the sale and use of fireworks due to fears that they could start a fire given the severe drought conditions, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

The ban, which was approved unanimously, prohibits the use of aerial fireworks, and the use of any sort of fireworks in open space and wildland areas.

Small fireworks not covered by the ban are still allowable in neighborhoods, provided they are set off on pavement or barren areas. ALso, there must be a nearby water source.

Violation of the ban carries a possible 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Professional-grade fireworks for major public events are still allowable, provided the fire chief approves of their use.

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Body Found on Interstate-40 Off-Ramp

(ALBUQERUQUE, N.M) -- A dead body was found along the eastbound off-ramp of Interstate-40 Monday night, according to the Albuquerque Police Department.

The body was found at 6:13 p.m. after officers received a call saying someone had spotted a body.  The body, determined to be that of an adult male, was “along and off” the off-ramp at Juan Tabo Boulevard Northeast.

Due to what was observed at the scene, police determined that Homicide and Criminalistics would take over the investigation.

The identity of the body and cause of death could not be determined, and were still unknown on Tuesday morning, according to the department.

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Albuquerque Cops Name Suspect in Apartment Killing

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- A 36-year-old suspect is being sought in connection with a murder at an Albuquerque apartment complex on Monday afternoon.

Police responded to the Highland Apartments on the 4900 block of Roma NE just before 1 p.m. following reports of screams and multiple gunshots being heard coming from an apartment. Police say when they arrived on the scene, they found one person dead, and a suspect was seen fleeing.

Investigators have identified Modesto Idlefonso Ruiz as a suspect in the killing. He was reportedly last seen in an aqua marine-colored 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer.

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Fire Officials to Partially Close Bosque and Sandia Foothills

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Starting June 10, Albuquerque fire officials are going to institute a partial closing of the Rio Grande Bosque and Sandia foothills due to a high risk of fire, the Albuquerque Journal reports.

Limiting access to areas that are at risk for wildfires lowers the chance that a fire will start, according to Fire Chief James Breen. There will still be some people in the area though, and the hope is that they will be witnesses and be able to provide early notification should a fire start.

The river’s levee roads and established trails in the State Park and foothills will still be accessible under the partial closure, but those caught going beyond the allowed areas face 90 days in jail and a $500 fine.

There will likely be more law enforcement and volunteer patrols once the closure goes into effect at 8 a.m. on June 10.

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Fire Department Keeping Watch over Thompson Ridge Fire

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The Albuquerque Fire Department has announced that it will be keeping an eye on the Thompson Ridge fire in Jemez around the clock.

The department says on Sunday a truck wtih three firefighters was deployed to the scene as part of the New Mexico State Forestry Resource Mobilization Plan.

The unit will remain there for two weeks and will be staffed 24 hours per day.

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Police Arrest Two in Connection with Fatal Shooting of 8-Year-Old

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- Albuquerque police arrested two men, a father and son, in connection with the fatal shooting of an 8-year-old girl on Friday, The Albuquerque Journal reports.

Police arrested 23-year-old David Candelaria Jr. on Saturday, and his father, 45-year-old David Candelaria Sr., on Sunday afternoon.

They are accused of murdering Sunni Reza when she was riding in a car with her family in southwest Albuquerque and tampering with evidence afterwards. Reza was fatally shot in the head two days before her birthday near Coors Boulevard and Gonzales Road SW at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

The Candelaria’s were identified by surveillance cameras at a Subway restaurant after the shooting, and police were able to connect them to the murder. The two had no previous connection to Reza, police say.

Candelaria Jr. is a confirmed gang member, and his father has gang ties as well.

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Man Arrested for Practicing Unlicensed Dentistry

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- A man who practiced dentistry without a license was indicted on charges of illegal dentistry and possession of dangerous drugs on Friday.

Eliver Kestler, 36, was arrested and has been held in prison since he was arrested last month. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the arrest occurred after one of his patients called police.

Investigators found Kestler in possession of a portable drill and other dirty equipment in his red Chevrolet, says the Journal. He claimed that he was licensed to practice dentistry in Mexico, but not the United States.

According to the Journal, four other patients have filed reports, including a woman who alleges she suffered from an infection after Kestler removed four of her teeth without cause.

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