LEAD 1:

Early morning house fire leaves one dead By: Danielle Gallegos

(Albuquerque, N.M.) – Firefighters responded to an early house fire on Thursday, Jan. 26, that lead to one person dead, according to Albuquerque fire spokesperson Malissa Romero.

The fire department crowded 1250 Laguna SW at 4:52 a.m. due to a cigarette igniting a bedsheet of a two-story home. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to extinguish the flames and pulled the two children out of their upstairs bedroom. The two adults were in a rear bedroom and took much longer to find. Johnson says all four family members were rushed to Presbyterian Hospital.

“Two children, ages 6 and 8, are being treated for smoke inhalation but are expected to survive,” said Kerry Dufault from Presbyterian. One female adult, age 36, is in critical condition with first- degree burns over 70 percent of her body. One male adult, who also suffered severe burns, was pronounced DOA. No names are known until next of kin is notified.

LEAD 2:

Steamy Board Meeting: $70,000 in school repairs to Evolution theories

By: Danielle Gallegos

(Santa Fe, N.M.) – Pojoaque Valley School Board held a meeting Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Pojoaque Valley High School auditorium to discuss water damage in schools and if creation stories should be included in the Evolution curriculum.

Pablo Roybal Elementary School and Pojoaque Valley High School had experienced water damage during heavy rains and flooding five weeks ago. Elementary School Principal, Lillian Griego, said, “repairs are proceeding on schedule, but it will be several more weeks before they’re finished.” Much of the furniture, books and supplies in the rooms was ruined by the water and will need replacing. Estimated cost: $20,000. Griego says classes in those rooms have been temporarily moved to the cafeteria.

Principal of Pojoaque Valley High School, Jenifer Baca said, “the new computer lab addition is on schedule and due to be completed in two months. Estimated cost: $50,000.

A proposal from local resident, Sandra Williams, member of a group called Creation Science Ministry of New Mexico includes a petition demanding that creation stories be taught in schools. Williams presents the board with a petition bearing 221 signatures from local residents. William said, “We’re keeping religion out of our schools. Evolution is a theory, not a fact. All we’re asking is that students get both sides of the story. Let them hear the debate.”

There is a mixture of boos and applause from the group of about 50 local residents attending the meeting. Baca stands up and asks to be recognized. She is red in the face and appears agitated. “This group is doing nothing but peddling pseudo-science. They’re trying to inject religion into science classes. This is the 21st century; our students have to be able to compete in the sciences

with students from all over the world. How are they going to do that if we teach religious concepts in our science classes?” said Baca. She also got a mixture of boos and applauses.

When Baca is finished, school board member Sharon Dogruel says, “I disagree with the idea of teaching religion in our science classes, but in any case, such a change in the district’s curriculum would require approval by the state legislature, wouldn’t it?” Toby Velasquez responds, “I don’t think we need the state to dictate what we can and cannot teach in our own school district.” The board votes to table the matter for further discussion.

LEAD #3:

Employees laid off due to Weedham Drilling facing third quarter loss of nine-million dollars

By: Danielle Gallegos

(Albuquerque, N.M.) - The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce held its monthly luncheon at the Hyatt Regency to discuss Weedham Drilling loss of profit, which will lead to about 120 New Mexican employees losing their jobs.

An audience of about 200, gazed at guest speaker, Lex Weedham, CEO of Weedham Drilling, in disbelief as he said, “with a weakening economy abroad, demand for increased oil production has dropped substantially in the last year.” Weedham announced that they will be relocating most of their operations to Texas, but will maintain their management and administrative operations in New Mexico.

Weedham Drilling is a local, family-owned oil and gas drilling firm and one of the state’s largest private employers. With the problems on Wall Street, and the declines in price of crude, independent drillers are facing a cash crunch. It’s becoming very difficult to even imagine more drilling in our state.

With that Weedham leaves the stage. The audience is silent. As he quickly grabs his things and exits the luncheon without stopping to answer questions or even acknowledge any of the other guests.