Roswell Daily Record
Rice withdraws; Kerry likely
Vol. 121, No. 299 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google Maps has found its way back to the iPhone. The world’s most popular online mapping system returned late Wednesday with the release of the Google Maps iPhone app. The release comes nearly three months after Apple Inc. replaced Google Maps as the device’s built-in navigation system and ... - PAGE B4
MAP IS APP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Susan Rice, the embattled U.N. ambassador, abruptly withdrew from consideration to be the next secretary of state on Thursday after a bitter, weekslong standoff with Republican senators who declared they would fight to defeat her nomination. The reluctant announcement makes Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry the likely choice to be the nation’s next top diplomat when Hillary Rodham Clinton departs soon. Rice withdrew when it became clear her political troubles were not going away, and support inside the White
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
December 14, 2012
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House for her potential nomination had been waning in recent days, administration officials said. In another major part of the upcoming Cabinet shake-up for President Barack Obama’s second term, former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska now is seen as the front-runner to be defense secretary, with official word expected as soon as next week. For the newly re-elected president, Rice’s withdrawal was a sharp political setback and a sign of the difficulties Obama faces in a time of divided and divisive government. Already, he
had been privately weighing whether picking Rice would cost him political capital he would need on later votes.
When Rice ended the embarrassment by stepping aside, Obama used the occasion to criticize Republicans who were adamantly opposed to her possible nomination. Obama made clear she would remain in his inner circle, saying he was grateful she would stay as “our ambassador at the United Nations and a key member of my Cabinet and national security team.” Rice, too, See RICE, Page A3
AP Photo
Council tackles trails
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice during a press conference at the U.N., June 7.
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ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
• Police name shooting victim • Senior Circle celebrates holidays • Gateway students spread holiday ... • Aguirre gets 97 months • Prep football: A GR-eat season
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
Job Corps honors Johnny Gonzales Johnny Gonzales chats with Roswell Job Corps students during an awards assembly in which he received a surprise by being presented with an award of appreciation for his work with the school and community, Thursday morning.
CHAUNTE’L POWELL RECORD STAFF WRITER
RHS POUNDS JEFFERSON
ARTESIA — Britt Coopercoached teams always seem to have the ability to create comfortable leads in short amounts of time. That ability was on display on Thursday in the opening round of the City of Champions Classic at the Bulldog Pit in Artesia. Sitting on a three-point lead less than two minutes into the third quarter, the Coyotes blew things open with a 14-2 run en route to an 84-62 win over Jefferson (El Paso). - PAGE B1
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INDEX
Job Corps students gathered Thursday to show Johnny Gonzales, director of the Community
Volunteer Program, appreciation for his tireless ef forts in bettering the community. Gonzales met with the students during an assembly on the campus
by the award, said he was “honored to be in front of men and women in search of a career and trying to achieve something in their
and of fered words of encouragement before being presented with a certificate of appreciation from the representatives of the student body. Gonzales, who was surprised
See JOHNNY, Page A3
City Council voted unanimously during its monthly meeting Thursday in favor of two resolutions that will improve the city’s roads and trails in the interest of public safety. Council approved a resolution to notify the New Mexico Department of Transportation that the city will budget the necessary funding for a proposed roadway project application. The project, which involves new pavement and sidewalk repairs, would eventually af fect North Main Street to Husky Road. The project would put sidewalks along the street as a safety precaution for pedestrians. The other approved resolution will also notify the NMDOT of the city’s willingness to budget for another proposed project, which would place solar power lighting along Spring River Recreation Trail from
3rd murder in 2 weeks Russia readies for Assad’s fall
Roswell has recorded its seventh homicide in 2012 and the third since Nov. 28, after the Roswell Police responded a call to the intersection of North Orchard Avenue and East Cherry Street, Wednesday. Dispatch received the call of shots fired, around 1 a.m. Officers arrived at the scene to find Xavier Herrera, 19, lying dead in the street. Detectives spent most of their day interviewing people and RPD spokeswoman Sabrina Morales said, “They are actively pursuing their investigation.” Police are unwilling to release any further information at this time.
However, they issued a second war ning about social media, saying the information available on Facebook is uncorroborated and the circulation of such information could be detrimental to the case. In addition, many postings on Facebook have called upon citizens to arm themselves. Officials are asking people who believe they have information to contact the police, rather than post it in the social media. Alternatively, people can call Crime Stoppers 888-594TIPS (8477) where they can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s most powerful ally and protector, Russia, began positioning itself Thursday for the fall of President Bashar Assad, saying for the first time that rebels might overthrow him and preparing to evacuate thousands of Russian citizens from the country. The head of NATO echoed the Russian assessment, saying the Syrian gover nment is near collapse following a nearly two-year conflict See SYRIA, Page A3
See COUNCIL, Page A2
AP Photo
Syrian citizens gather in front of a damaged building destroyed by a car bomb in Qatana, 15 miles southwest of Damascus, Thursday.
Winter storm Krumland Auto Group opens Nissan dealership heads for NM ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
Krumland Auto Group celebrated the grand opening of its Nissan dealership Thursday with music, food and fireworks. This is the first Nissan dealership in Roswell in at least a decade. The project was built from the ground up, took seven months to construct and Mark Wilson Photo cost more than $5 million Fireworks light up the evening skies during the Roswell Nis- to complete, said Toby san Grand Opening Party, Thursday evening.
Gross, managing partner of TNT Construction.
The company designed and built the state-of-theart facility, which features a lounge for customers, free wi-fi, a putting green and a charging station for electric cars.
Tommy Krumland, general manager of Roswell Nissan, said the facility has the largest Nissan inventory in the southern part of the state.
See NISSAN, Page A3
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — New Mexico is about to get hit by another winter storm. The National Weather Service says a winter storm system is approaching the state from the west and is expected to dump snow on parts of New Mexico overnight. Widespread rain and snow showers will develop around the southwest mountains before midnight with significant snow accumulation in the higher terrain expected See STORM, Page A3