Roswell Daily Record THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
Vol. 121, No. 310 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
INSIDE NEWS
Roundhouse to see lots of fresh faces
The Albuquerque Journal reports that 35 of the Legislature’s 112 lawmakers are new to the Legislature, have changed chambers or retur ned after having served in the past.
Local community organization City of Angels recently held its annual Toy Run and Giveaway, which benefited hundreds of families in the Roswell area. For two days, the organization and volunteers gathered in front of Kmart to provide toys and clothing items for children, and turkeys and ham dinners for families. - PAGE A2
That’s
THURSDAY
www.rdrnews.com
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A lot of fresh faces will appear at the New Mexico Legislature next year as nearly a third of the state’s legislative seats will be tur ned over to someone new.
CITY OF ANGELS TOY RUN
December 27, 2012
the
biggest
Democrats will still control both chambers, outnumbering Republicans 38-32 in the House and 25-17 in the Senate.
turnover since 1985, when there were also 35 fresh faces, according to the Legislative Council Service. Both 2012 and 1984 were election years for the House and Senate after redistricting. That can be a
time for high tur nover, because the once-a-decade redrawing of legislative district lines to even out the population can prompt lawmakers to retire, or jeopardize their re-elections if their districts are signifi-
Waterfall
cantly changed. Combined, the 35 lawmakers spent more than $2 million this year to become members of the Legislature. A few barely eked out their wins, with margins only in the double digits. Sen.-elect Cliff Pirtle, a Republican far mer from Roswell, edged out his primary competitor by just 10 votes. He had a more comfortable cushion in the general election, unseating President Pro Tem T im
TOP 5 WEB
For The Past 24 Hours
• Mountain snow • Warm glow on a cold night • Mario Montoya pleads in Jericole Coleman ... • 7 Key Clubbers play Santa • Gridiron King
INSIDE SPORTS
Mark Wilson Photo
Water cascades and freezes on the rock surface of a water fountain at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Wednesday morning.
Economy could handle short fall over ‘cliff’
COWBOYS EXPECT MUCH FROM RG3
IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys get another shot at Robert Griffin III after he put them through their worst quarter of the season in a loss on Thanksgiving. They aren’t talking all tough about how it will be different this time around for Washington’s dynamic rookie quarterback in a Sunday night game that will decide the NFC East champion. - PAGE B1
TODAY’S • • • • • • •
OBITUARIES
Frank H.H. King Maxine Frankforther Mary Eleanor Young Barbara McCarty Glendel Thurman Jean S. Kowalski Mari Lyn Holderman - PAGE A6
HIGH ...60˚ LOW ....28˚
TODAY’S FORECAST
CLASSIFIEDS..........B6 COMICS.................B4 FINANCIAL .............B5 GENERAL ..............A2 HOROSCOPES ........A8 LOTTERIES ............A2 OPINION ................A4 SPORTS ................B1 WEATHER ..............A8
INDEX
WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic threat that’s kept many Americans on edge for months is nearing reality — unless the White House and Republicans cut a budget deal by New Year’s Day. Huge tax increases. Deep cuts in domestic and defense programs. The likelihood of sinking stock prices, reduced consumer spending and corporate layoffs. The risk of a recession within months. Still, the start of 2013 may turn out to be far less bleak than feared. For one thing, the two sides may strike a short-term agreement before New Year’s that postpones spending cuts until spring. President Barack Obama and members of Congress return to Washington today. Even if New Year’s passed with no deal, businesses and consumers would not likely panic as long as some agreement seemed imminent. The $671 billion in tax increases and spending cuts could
be retroactively repealed. And the impact of the tax increases would be felt only gradually. Most people would receive slightly less money in each paycheck. It’s always possible that negotiations between President Obama and Republican congressional leaders will collapse in acrimony. The prospect of permanent tax increases and spending cuts could cause many consumers and businesses to delay spending, hiring or expanding. Without any agreement at all for months, the fiscal cliff would cause the U.S. economy to shrink 0.5 percent in the first half of 2013 and fall into recession, the Congressional Budget Office estimates. But most economists expect a deal, if not by New Year’s then soon after. Businesses and consumers will likely remain calm as long as negotiators seem to be moving toward an agree-
ILISSA GILMORE RECORD STAFF WRITER
than 4,000 are hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning annually. The most common symptoms of poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. High levels can cause loss of consciousness and death. The biggest problem the department sees involving carbon monoxide, or CO, comes from older furnaces that have not been cleaned or checked for cracks recently, he said. Clogs in the system’s filter can inhibit clean burning, causing CO, and cracks can lead to gas leak-
See CLIFF, Page A3
Bush 41 in ICU
See FACES, Page A3
HOUSTON (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush has been admitted to the intensive care unit at a Houston hospital “following a series of setbacks including a persistent fever,” but he is alert and talking to medical staff, his spokesman said Wednesday. Jim McGrath, Bush’s spokesman in Houston, said in a brief email that Bush was admitted to the ICU at Methodist Hospital on Sunday. He said doctors are cautiously optimistic about his treatment and that the former president “remains in guarded condition.” No other details were released about his medical condition, but McGrath said Bush is surrounded by family. The 88-year-old has been hospitalized since Nov. 23, See BUSH, Page A3
Mandela released from the hospital
Houghton until he fully recovers, said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj. “We thank the public and the media for the good wishes and for according Madiba and the family the necessary privacy,” said Maharaj in a statement, using Mandela’s clan name, a term of affection. The statement requested that Mandela’s privacy continue to be respected “in order to allow for the best possible conditions for full recovery.” AP Photo Mandela is revered around the world as a Former South African President Nelson Mandela, Aug. 6. symbol of sacrifice and JOHANNESBURG (AP) the hospital since Dec. 8. reconciliation, his legacy — Former South African In recent days, officials forged in the fight against President Nelson Mandela have said he was improv- apartheid, the system of was released Wednesday ing and in good spirits, white minority rule that from the hospital after but doctors have taken imprisoned him for 27 being treated for a lung extraordinary care with years. infection and having gall- his health because of his The Nobel laureate stones removed, a govern- age. served one five-year term ment spokesman said. Mandela was released as president after South The 94-year -old anti- Wednesday evening and Africa’s first democratic apartheid icon will con- will receive “home-based elections in 1994. tinue to receive medical high care” at his resi- Although the country care at home. dence in the Johannes- today struggles with Mandela had been in burg neighborhood of
Check your home for CO; get a detector, too
Be careful warming your home this winter, as blocked fireplaces and faulty fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stove ranges, water heaters and room heaters can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. “The big thing about carbon monoxide is you can’t see, taste or smell it,” said Bill Wells, Roswell Fire Department fire marshal. “It’s a silent killer.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 Americans die and more
Jennings, a Democrat from Roswell and a 34-year Senate veteran, by 512 votes in the highest-profile upset of the season. Not all of the class of 35 could be considered freshmen in the strictest sense. Democratic State Reps. Bill O’Neill of Albuquerque and Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces are moving from the House to the Senate. Two Las Cruces
age. Wells recommends getting fur naces inspected regularly and having the filters changed as needed. Wells also warns not to try heating a home using stove burners and to make sure stove gaskets are working correctly. He also suggests cleaning a chimney flue before using a fireplace. If someone experiences the symptoms of CO poisoning or suspects they may have a buildup of CO in their home, Wells suggests they get out of the house immediately and contact the fire departSee CO, Page A3
See MANDELA, Page A3
Who’s exercising who?
Mark Wilson Photo
Shirley Tutor runs with her huskies, Jazz and Leiah, through Cielo Grande, Wednesday morning.