Backhoe and grader still missing

The Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office issued an alert to other law agencies Friday to be on the lookout for two large pieces of construction equipment — a backhoe and a grader — that were stolen earlier this week and may be on their way to Mexico or elsewhere.

Lt. Ken Johnson said both were taken late Wednesday or early Thursday from a residential construction site at 50 Old Las Vegas Highway.

Johnson said the thieves broke through a fence and apparently loaded the equipment onto a flatbed trailer and took off.

The yellow John Deere grader is owned by Blueline Construction Co., and the yellow Caterpillar backhoe is owned by Lopez Landscape and Trees of Santa Fe.

Johnson said it's likely the equipment is bound for Mexico or other states because "it would be hard to hide them here."

Cathedral basilica hosting veterans

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is offering a supportive retreat on Veterans Day for veterans, active duty service members and their families.

Registration begins at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Francis Cathedral School building. The retreat will begin at 1:30 p.m. The event will include presentations by the Rev. Gerald Johnson and Brenda Mayne, as well as time for journaling and reflection. Archbishop Michael Sheehan and the Rev. Ricardo Russo will lead a healing Mass at 5:15 p.m. at the cathedral, followed by a reception at Crispin Hall at 6:15 p.m.

The cathedral's phone number is 982-5619.

Chavez Center offering discounts

The Genoveva Chavez Community Center is calling for more families to participate in after-school programs.

To encourage people to sign up and boost enrollment, the center is offering a 20 percent discount to new customers and a 10 percent "loyalty discount" for existing customers.

In order to receive the "loyalty discount," participants must register for a minimum of two sessions at a time and pay in full in advance.

For information, call youth programs coordinator Jonathan Salazar at 955-4014.

Bali Art Project seeks candidates

For nearly 10 years, high school juniors from Northern New Mexico have had the opportunity to learn about the bigger world during a six-week trip to Bali. They study dance, art and music and immerse themselves in a completely different culture.

On Nov. 15, Bali Art Project founders Zenia Victor and Gaylon Duke will be hosting an introductory meeting for interested students at 46 Old Agua Fría Road West. There are eight spots open. For directions, call 988-7209. Adults who wish to financially sponsor a child are also welcome to attend the meeting.

SFCC to raise tuition

Starting next semester, Santa Fe Community College will boost its tuition rates, from $32.30 to $34 per credit hour for students who live in the district, the college announced on Thursday.

New Mexico students who live outside the district will face tuition hikes of $2 per credit, from $43 to $45.

The new rate was approved by the college's governing board in September. It is the first rate increase since autumn 2006.

"Early Bird" rates of $30 for Santa Fe district students and $41 for out-of-district students are available for those who register and pay before Jan. 6, 2010. The school's financial aid programs will adjust upward to meet the new rate as well.

The college, which opened on Richards Avenue south of town in 1983, has about 9,000 students this semester, president Sheila Ortego said.

Park fees waived for veterans Nov. 11

Veterans and active-duty military personnel and their families can visit New Mexico's state parks for free on Wednesday.

All day-use and camping fees for military service members will be waived.

"This is one way we can say thanks to our veterans," said New Mexico State Parks Division director Dave Simon.

Magistrate Court offers program for scofflaws

A program by the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court to allow defendants with active arrest warrants related to traffic tickets to deal with their problem without going to jail will take place Nov. 21. A story in Friday's New Mexican gave the wrong date for the program.

Defendants must arrive at the court — 2056 Galisteo St. — before 10 a.m. to take advantage of the program, though the court will be open from 8 a.m. to noon that day, according to Magistrate David Segura.

Judges will work out payment plans or assign community service to those who cannot pay, he said. The program doesn't include defendants with active warrants based on domestic violence or drunken driving charges.

State police will conduct a roundup of those with traffic-related arrest warrants after Nov. 21.

For more information, call Cynthia Pacheco at 827-4721.

Man who shot father gets probation

A state district judge sentenced a 23-year-old La Cienega man who shot his father in the face to three years probation Friday.

Gabriel Montoya faced up to four years in prison for the incident, though a prosecutor said she wouldn't oppose probation for him at the time he accepted a plea deal in August. Montoya suffers from schizophrenia and is now taking medication to control it, he said at his sentencing. He will continue to receive mental-health treatment while on probation.

Montoya shot his father in September 2008 after the two fought over Montoya not having a job. The bullet hit the fleshy part of the elder Montoya's face, and he lived. He also approved the plea.