Fires strike two post offices in Northern N.M.

Fires at two Northern New Mexico post offices were reported early Tuesday, including one that has interrupted service in Santa Cruz.

Inspector Amanda McMurrey said the other fire, in Alcalde, didn't affect operations there.

The Postal Inspection Service is working with the state fire marshal on an investigation of the fires, McMurrey said.

The Santa Cruz Post Office is temporarily closed. Customers can pick up their mail at the Fairview Post Office, 2104 Riverside Drive in Espanola. The Fairview office open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but closes for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.

Contract awarded

for Rail Runner Wi-Fi

Rail Runner Express passengers can expect free wireless Internet access on trains in about four months.

The state Department of Transportation awarded a $2.7 million contract to INX Inc. to make Wi-Fi available on all trains and stations.

Some train seats already have tables that can accommodate laptop computers, and the trains have electrical outlets to help keep computers charged.

According to a news release, the system will be able to accommodate 1,000 users at the same time.

Public invited to city talks on north-side trails

The city is inviting residents who use trails in Santa Fe's Northwest Quadrant, or who might use them in the future, to a meeting that will help set priorities for trail development.

A design consultant will make a presentation at the meeting, planned for 5:30 Thursday in the Nambe room of the new Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St.

An existing 18-mile network of trails in the area is used mostly by bicyclists on the city's west side.

Public works engineer Leroy Pacheco said one city goal is to create a network that connects to other trails and could be similar to the popular Dale Ball Trails on the city's eastern edge.

Money for trail projects was allocated from a city parks bond approved by voters.

Valve repairs to impact water service

The city Water Division will shut off service on Agua Fra Street between Palomino Street and Camino Solano from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. The shutoff will also affect Acequia de las Joyas and Arroyo de las Cruces Road.

Workers plan to replace a broken water main isolation valve near the intersection of Agua Fra Street and Arroyo de las Cruces Road and to install additional valves.

Agua Fra Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic at the intersection of La Joya Road for the duration of the project.

Richardson: State now

a model for slashing DWI

New Mexico's DWI fatalities continued to drop last year, according to numbers released Tuesday by Gov. Bill Richardson. In 2008, there were 143 alcohol-involved fatalities in New Mexico, down 34 from 2007. In 2002, there were 221 DWI-related fatalities.

"New Mexico has gone from being the problem, from being the worst state -- to now our state is seen as a model," Richardson said in a statement. "We have changed the culture in New Mexico. No one thought it was possible, but it has happened."

Mandatory ignition interlocks, public-awareness campaigns, a Drunk Buster Hotline and increased penalties for bars and restaurants caught serving alcohol to minors or intoxicated customers are all measures that Richardson said helped reduce alcohol-related fatalities. The Drunk Buster Hotline received more than 20,000 calls last year.

"We have built the most aggressive approach to fighting drunk driving in state history and our efforts are paying off -- fewer people are losing their lives at the hands of drunk drivers," said state DWI Czar Rachel O'Connor.

The New Mexican

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