Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 217 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
$250M GIFT WITHDRAWN A small Kentucky liberal arts college lost out on one of the largest gifts in U.S. higher education history when the $250 million donation was withdrawn, school officials said Monday. Centre College in Danville, Ky. — known for hosting ... - PAGE B3
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
September 10, 2013
Obama says he might lose vote on Syria
WASHINGTON (AP) — Battling stiff resistance in Congress, President Barack Obama conceded Monday night he might lose his fight for congressional support of a military strike against Syria, and declined to say what he would do if lawmakers reject his call to back retaliation for a chemical weapons attack last month. The president made his comments as a glimmer of a possible diplomatic solution appeared after months of defiance from the Russianbacked government of President Bashar Assad in Syria. In a rapid response, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cited “international discussions” in unexpectedly postponing a test vote originally set for Wednesday on Obama’s call for legislation backing a military strike. In a series of six network interviews planned as part of a furious lobbying cam-
TUESDAY
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paign in Congress, Obama said statements suggesting that Syria might agree to surrender control of its chemical weapons stockpile were a potentially positive development. At the same time, he said they were yet another reason for lawmakers to give him the backing he is seeking. “If we don’t maintain and move forward with a credible threat of military pressure, I do not think we will actually get the kind of agreement I would like to see,” he said on CNN. In a separate interview with NBC, the president took the step — unusual for any politician — of conceding he may lose his campaign in Congress for legislation authorizing a military strike. “I wouldn’t say I’m confident” of the outcome, he said. “I think it’s fair to say that
How much for Bessie?
I haven’t decided” on a next step if Congress turns its back, the president told NBC, part of a furious lobbying campaign aimed at winning support from dubious lawmakers as well as a warweary public. The president picked up a smattering of support but also suffered a reversal when Sen. Johnny Isakson, a Georgia Republican, announced he had switched from a backer of military action to an opponent. “They’re in tough shape. It is getting late,” said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., after he and other lawmakers emerged from a closed-door meeting with administration officials. The New York Republican favors the legislation that Obama wants, but he said the president didn’t need to seek it and now must show that a strike “is in America’s national security interest.”
AP Photo
President Barack Obama speaks to members of the media during his meeting with Baltic leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 30.
Pit bull kills dog; attacks woman
• Festival offers much more than dragonflies • Walkers raise $20K toward treating, curing ... • Husky takes top honor at dog show • Why is everyone talking about Molly? • Gov. celebrates expanded Roswell Spur
JESSICA PALMER
RECORD STAFF WRITER
INSIDE SPORTS
An 80-year -old woman was attacked by a pit bull, Friday evening, as she was walking her two Pomeranians in the 1300 block of East McGaffey Street.
Jill McLaughlin Photo
The Roswell Livestock sold an estimated 900 livestock Monday. As one of the larger auction houses in the New MexicoWest Texas region, the auction opens every Monday at 9 a.m.
WEEK 2: QUINTET OF FAVORITES? We are two weeks into the prep football season and, boy, we appear ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Raymond Hardin • Lillie Jacob • Michael Stalker McKerral • Kangja Morgan • Leopoldo Arturo Pacheco • Christopher “Squirrel” Francisco Padilla • Doris A. Phillips • Joy Rankin • Carlota Gomez Tarin • Nayeli Brielle Tavarez • Nikki Carol Musgrove Wright - PAGES A2, B3
HIGH ...83˚ LOW ....66˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 ENTERTAINMENT.....A8 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 NATION .................B3 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
Duncan kicks off tour in NM
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan kicked off a four-state, back-to-school bus tour in New Mexico on Monday with discussions about early childhood education and efforts to turn around schools where students have been languishing. Duncan told a crowd of school officials, teachers, parents and union leaders that the country is at a fork in the road. “We have a set of folks, myself and the president included, who think education is an investment. It’s the best investment we can make. ... But every time I go testify over at Congress, there is a set of folks who are telling me education is an expense and we should be cutting back.” Less access to early-childhood education programs such as Head Start, fewer afterschool and summer programs, bigger class sizes and fewer affordable options for college are hurting the country, Duncan said. “Are we going to educate our way to a better economy or are we going to cut back?” he asked. “We need pressure See TOUR, Page A3
Rabies fear prompts NM to ban animal relocations
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A fear that a strain of rabies might spread from Arizona deeper into New Mexico has prompted New Mexico officials to prohibit releases of captured foxes and some other species back into the wild, resulting in those animals being killed instead. The ban on relocating nuisance animals also applies to raccoons, skunks, coyotes, bats and some bobcats, the Albuquerque Journal reported. Wildlife health specialist Kerry Mower of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department said the ban imposed in June resulted from fears that Arizona fox rabies could spread from the southwest quadrant of New Mexico. Health officials don’t want it to reach the Rio
See RABIES, Page A3
Britt Snyder announces his candidacy for Chaves Co. Sheriff JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Chaves County Sheriff’s Of fice Lt. Britt Snyder announced his candidacy for sheriff at a reception held at Comfort Inn on Saturday. He said he felt it was an obligation and moral responsibility to work for the betterment of the community. “You have to step up, be responsible and accountable. We work for the voters.” He offers his experience to the citizens of Chaves County. Snyder has been with the CCSO for 24 years. Snyder has worked under three sheriffs: Rob Coon, Pat Jennings and Terrell Tucker. He said he
learned much from each of them. “The County has been good to me. I know a lot about the history of the Sheriff’s Office, the good and the bad, and we’ve come a long way.” Snyder also worked with law enforcement in Catron County, where he grew up, for three years. Snyder is a graduate of the FBI’s National Academy Executive Training, a 10-week-long course. “It’s quite an honor; only eight law enforcement officers get selected from New Mexico each year.” In his current position as the number three man See SNYDER, Page A3
According to her niece, Anna Renfro, the woman was knocked down and her 12-year -old Pomeranian, Duke, died trying to protect her from the pit bull’s attack. The second Pomeranian escaped, and when a neighbor saw the little dog running up the street, the person went to the woman’s aid. The vet says that the second dog may have well saved the woman’s life.
Renfro admitted that the pit bull was normally kept chained and her aunt paid no attention to the dog, but the pit bill got loose.
She said that the 80year-old victim was taken to a local hospital and released some five hours later, after she had gone through X-rays to make sure she had no broken bones following her fall. The niece said her aunt suffered puncture wounds to her head and arms, possibly from the fall, and had bites on her legs. The victim received tetanus shots and will have to wait another 10 days before she learns if rabies shots are also required.
“She is very fragile. ... I don’t know what this is going to do to her,” said Renfro.
The Animal Control officer caught the animal and asked Renfro’s aunt to identify the pit bull. The 80-year -old victim confirmed the identity of the dog. The officer said the pit bull will be quarantined and the owner cited or the dog will be put down.
“If cited, the owner could appear in court where the judge could return it to the owner,” Renfro explained Jessica Palmer Photo
Lt. Britt Snyder threw his hat into the ring Saturday. He announced his candidacy for the position of Chaves County Sheriff, at a reception held at Comfort Inn. Here, Snyder discusses his plans for the future at CCSO with one of the constituents.
However, Animal Control records confirmed that the owner chose to release the pit bull to Animal Services; the dog will not be returned to its owner. Renfro noted that without a citation: “If we want damages, we will have to go civil court.”