ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.. — The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission gave New Mexico Gas Company the green light to raise their rates this fall.

Commissioners unanimously approved the increased rates come October 1. This will mean the average monthly residential bill — your monthly bill for the gas you use at home — will go up 7.1%

The residential customer fixed monthly access fee will remain at $12.40. Residents in the budget billing program and using an average of 53 therms of gas per month will see an increase of about $4.20 per month.

You can check your usage and estimate bill impacts here.

According to NMGC, an “uncontested settlement agreement” in March 2024 provided a revenue increase of $30 million, instead of their request for about $49 million. They added the authorized return on equity and capital structure used to help set rates were unchanged from their previous rate increase.

“We appreciate the work by all parties to engage in positive discussions and reach a resolution that ensures the Company can continue to safely provide reliable natural gas service to our customers,” NMGC President Ryan Shell said.

A representative for the company says the new rates will help pay for increasing costs they’re experiencing from expanding regulatory requirements in the industry. They also say it supports improvements to gas delivery infrastructure and the replacement of their customer billing and information system.

The company offers payment assistance programs for customers, a budget billing program and energy efficiency programs. Learn more about that here.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso Locomotive FC fell 2-1 at Southwest University Park to rivals New Mexico United on Saturday night.

Locomotive goalkeeper Jahmali Waite would concede a penalty to give the visitors a penalty kick, slotted in by Greg Hurst to give New Mexico the early lead.

Minutes later, El Paso’s Javier Nevarez would play the hero, first intercepting the ball atop the New Mexico box then striking the back-heel pass from Eric Calvillo with precision into the bottom right corner of the net to level the score.

In the 63′, the Locos thought they had made a comeback following Joaquin Rivas’ tap-in finish off a Nick Hinds cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Not too long after, New Mexico veteran Daniel Bruce would slot the eventual game-winner to secure three points for the visitors. 

NOTES

• Javier Nevarez scored his second goal of the season with his first-half equalizer.
• Eric Calvillo registered his first assist of the season with his setup for the Nevarez goal.
• New signings Robert Coronado and Ricky Ruiz played their first home match since joining the Locos.

FORECAST: 94ºF, cloudy
ATTENDANCE: 5,577

SCORING SUMMARY

• ELP – Javier Nevarez (Eric Calvillo) 21′
• NM – Greg Hurst (Penalty) 14′, Daniel Bruce (Abdi Mohamed) 68′

LINEUPS 

ELP – (4-1-4-1) Jahmali Waite, Ricky Ruiz, Noah Dollenmayer, Yuma-C, Lucas Stauffer, Francisco Nevarez, Amando Moreno (Ricardo Zacarias 83′), Tumi Moshobane (Nick Hinds 58′), Robert Coronado (Emiliano Rodriguez 84′), Eric Calvillo, Joaquin Rivas (Bolu Akinyode 78′)

Subs Not Used: Ramon Pasquel, Brandan Craig, Miles Lyons

NM – (4-2-3-1) Alex Tambakis, Abdi Mohamed, Talen Maples, Kalen Ryden-C, Arturo Astorga, Sergio Rivas, Nanan Houssou, Marco Micaletto (Nicky Hernandez 78′), Mukwelle Akale (Avionne Flanagan 60′), Greg Hurst, Daniel Bruce (Jacobo Reyes 78′)

Subs Not Used: Khristopher Shakes, Dayonn Harris, Will Seymore, Jackson Dubois

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

• ELP – Lucas Stauffer (Yellow) 31′, Ricky Ruiz (Yellow) 60′, Javier Nevarez (Yellow) 66′, Javier Nevarez (Red) 78′
• NM – Marco Micaletto (Yellow) 23′, Sergio Rivas (Yellow) 7′

MATCH STATS: ELP | NM

GOALS: 1|1
ASSISTS: 1|1
POSSESSION: 44|56
SHOTS: 7|16
SHOTS ON GOAL: 1|6
SAVES: 4|0
FOULS: 11|14
OFFSIDES: 4|2
CORNERS: 4|5

UP NEXT: El Paso are on the road to Tennessee, facing off against Memphis 901 FC next Saturday, August 3! Kickoff on ESPN+ is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT.

TAOS, N.M. — New Mexico State Police arrested a 76-year-old man for allegedly shooting and killing two people Thursday in Taos County.

NMSP officers responded Thursday around 8 p.m. to a reported shooting incident at the Smoke Shop, located at 1375 State Road 75. At the same time, they say another call reported a man not breathing at 96 Puertocito in Chamisal.

Officers found a woman in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. The women, a juvenile police identified as Faith Flores, later died from her wounds.

Meanwhile, at the other location, officers say they found Ruben Martinez dead in the driveway from at least gunshot wound. 76-year-old Manuel Martinez allegedly approached an officer there and admitted he was involved in the shooting.

A search of Martinez’s truck allegedly led to the discovery of a revolver on the seat. Officers investigated further and charged Martinez with two counts of murder. He is now in the Taos County Adult Detention Center.

“This tragic incident remains under active investigation. The NMSP extends its condolences to the families of the victims and urges anyone with additional information to contact the New Mexico State Police,” an NMSP news release stated.