Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 121, No. 298 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
COLO. RIVER DEPLETION RAISES CONCERNS
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The federal government isn’t going to tap the Missouri River to slake the thirst of a droughtparched Southwest, the government’s top water official said Wednesday. But rising demand and falling supply have water managers in the arid West considering a host of other ... - PAGE A2
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
December 13, 2012
UN condemns NKorea rocket launch
THURSDAY
www.rdrnews.com
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council condemned North Korea’s successful rocket launch on Wednesday and said it will urgently consider “an appropriate response.” Whether that response includes new sanctions against the North, which the United States and its European allies are seeking, depends first and foremost on China, the North’s closest ally which has not made its position clear. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei cautioned Wednesday in Beijing that the council’s response should be “prudent and moderate and conducive to maintaining stability and avoiding escalation of the situation.” The Security Council said in a
brief statement after closed consultations that the launch violated council resolutions adopted after North Korea’s nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 and a ban on “any launch using ballistic missile technology.” The U.N.’s most powerful body recalled that after the North’s failed launch in April it demanded that Pyongyang halt any further launches using ballistic missile technology and expressed its determination to take action in the event of another launch. “Members of the Security Council will continue consultation on an appropriate response ... given the urgency of the matter,” the council statement said. The successful rocket launch is widely seen as a test that takes
North Korea one step closer to being capable of sending a nuclear-tipped warhead as far as California. North Korea officials say the rocket is meant to send a satellite into orbit to study crops and weather patterns, and Pyongyang maintains its right to develop a civilian space program. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said that no matter how the North Koreans choose to describe the launch it violates two council resolutions and shows that the country “is determined to pursue its ballistic missile program without regard for its international obligations.” “The initial statement out of the council is one of the swiftest and See LAUNCH, Page A3
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• KO highlights pro fights • Ding-a-ling! Salvation Army tries for ... • Pet owners can now go high-tech for ... • Twelve’s the magic number for triplets • Aguirre gets 97 ...
SPORTS Mark Wilson Photo
Senior Circle celebrates holidays
Longtime friends Amy Eakens, left, and Rudell Quinn share a hug during Senior Circle’s Christmas and birthday party, Wednesday.
CHAUNTE’L POWELL RECORD STAFF WRITER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A midweek trip to Philadelphia should keep the Cincinnati Bengals from focusing on another Pennsylvania team for a few more days. The Bengals (7-6) find themselves in a unique position where they’re tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last playoff spot in the AFC, but a loss to the ... - PAGE B1
TODAY’S OBITUARIES
• Alejandro Munoz - PAGE A7
HIGH ...62˚ LOW ....37˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
Senior Circle members attended their annual Christmas party/December birthday celebration Wednesday.
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
During the annual end of year shindig, members enjoyed caroling, delicious treats and even had the chance to win door prizes. More than 20 December birthdays were celebrated on the day and all who did have a birthday had their pictures taken.
Director Marifrank DeHarb said it’s a function everyone usually enjoys. For Amy Eakens and Rudell Quinn, the party served as a reunion. The two Roswell natives See HOLIDAYS, Page A3
The Roswell Police Department released the name of the man who was killed, Tuesday, during a burglary as Saul Sanchez of Denver City, Texas. Sanchez was a native of Roswell, but not a current resident of the city. The RPD confirmed that Sanchez was dead by the time officers arrived on the scene in the 1500 block of West Third Street, at 2:04 p.m. after receiving a shots-fired call. One witness interviewed said that he became aware of what was going on when he heard the wife’s screams. “It was like a wailing ... It went on and on … It’s so sad.” Sanchez was staying at a friend’s house. In a prepared release, officials said: “Mr. Sanchez walked into See VICTIM, Page A3
Fiscal cliff talks appear stalled Virgin Galactic future WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans aren’t budging on tax rates, and Democrats are resisting steps like raising the eligibility age for Medicare. Negotiations on averting a year-end fiscal train wreck combining big automatic tax hikes and sweeping spending cuts again appear stalled. There are less than three weeks before the government could careen off this “fiscal cliff,” but the chief GOP negotiator, House Speaker John Boehner, ROhio, said Wednesday that “serious dif ferences”
remain between him and President Barack Obama after an exchange of offers and a pair of conversations this week. Boehner spoke after a closed-door meeting with fellow GOP lawmakers in which he advised them not to make plans for the week after Christmas. Neither side has given much ground, and his exchange of proposals with Obama seemed to generate hard feelings more than progress. The White House has slightly reduced its demands on taxes — from
$1.6 trillion over a decade to $1.4 trillion — but isn’t yielding on demands that rates rise for wealthier earners.
Boehner responded with an offer very much like one he gave the White House more than a week ago that offered $800 billion in new revenue, half of Obama’s demand. Boehner is also pressing for an increase in the Medicare eligibility age and a stingier cost-of-living adjustment for Social Secu-
at Spaceport uncertain
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — The deal was sold to New Mexicans in classic Richard Branson fashion. If taxpayers would build the colorful British businessman a $209 million futuristic spaceport, he would make New Mexico the launching point for a space tourism business catering to the rich and famous. Now, with Spaceport America nearly complete but still mostly empty, a Virgin Galactic official says the company will reassess its agreement if lawmakers don’t pass liability exemption laws for its suppliers, raising the possibility it could take its spacecraft elsewhere. And state officials acknowledge the company — See SPACEPORT, Page A3
Gateway students spread holiday cheer around town CHAUNTE’L POWELL RECORD STAFF WRITER
INDEX
Police name shooting victim JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
INSIDE
NICK-FOLEAN DYNAMITE?
AP Photo
Scientists and technicians control the launch of North Korea's Unha-3 rocket at the General Satellite Control and Command Center, Wednesday.
Students of Gateway Christian School spread holiday cheer throughout the city Wednesday. Middle and high school students visited six different nursing homes and delivered stockings filled with treats for the residents, before singing Christmas favorites such as “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.” In the stockings are socks, stuffed animals, lotions, and hot chocolate. Gateway teacher Debbie Tavarez accompanied 12thgraders to Sunset Villa
Care Center and said the sole purpose was to be a blessing to others this holiday season, especially those who may not normally receive visitors. “It’s important for these young kids to understand the loneliness that the older people sometimes feel,” she said. “[It’s important for them] just to come in and say ‘hi,’ just come in and say ‘Merry Christmas,’ just to come in and pray with them and let them know that somebody loves them. And that’s what it teaches them.” Nancy Perez, community life director of Sunset Villa, is in charge of planning daily activities for the resi-
See FISCAL, Page A3
dents. She said she always enjoys seeing the smiles on all the residents’ faces as dif ferent groups deliver gifts and interact with them. “It’s heartwar ming, because it brings a smile to their faces and it makes their day special,” she said. “There’s always the emotion of joy to be able to have the community come in and interact with the elderly and make their holiday just as special, as if they were at home.” She added that, thankfully, traffic through the center is high this time of See GATEWAY, Page A2
Mark Wilson Photo
Gateway Christian 10th-graders Anila Velasquez and Cayleb Pack, along with fellow students, bring holiday cheer to the residents of Beehive Homes, Wednesday.