State must pay nonprofits' legal costs

A federal judge has ordered the state to pay $72,000 in legal fees and court costs to two nonprofits that sued the state over classifying them as political organizations.

Judge Judith Herrera made the ruling Wednesday, said a news release from the Albuquerque-based Center for Civic Policy. The Southwest Organizing Project is the other nonprofit to benefit from the ruling.

In August, Herrera ruled that the groups were not "political committees." Secretary of State Mary Herrera, no relation to the judge, had classified the organizations as such and said they had to register as such and disclose their financial contributors.

Attorney General Gary King is appealing the ruling to a U.S. Circuit Court. The case is pending.

Before the 2008 primary, the organizations sent mailers targeted at several legislators, attacking the lawmakers' records on ethics reform and pointing out large contributions from corporations and lobbyists. The groups denied the mailers were political, though three incumbent Democrats defeated in the primary blamed the mailers for their losses. The judge agreed with the groups, pointing out that none of the material even mentioned the election.

Coyote Café open for lunch day after small fire

Monday's fire at the Coyote Cafe was all but forgotten by Tuesday.

Diners were evacuated and the intersection of Water and Galisteo streets was shut down about 7:15 p.m. Monday after smoke was spotted billowing from the roof at 132 W. Water St.

But the restaurant opened for lunch Tuesday, no one has called for an investigation, and the official report doesn't list a cause or extent of damage.

"It started near or around the exhaust hood," city Fire Marshal Angelo Ortega said Thursday. "According to the report, it was a real small fire that was kept to around the hood system ... probably (due) to overheating of the hood-system exhaust."

Grill may run for County Commission

Linda Grill of La Cienega on Thursday picked up a candidate packet to run for the District 3 position on the Santa Fe County Commission.

Grill, using the name Linda C de Baca Grill, served in the position from 1990 to 1994. But she lost her bid for re-election to Javier Gonzales in the Democratic Party primary.

The District 3 seat is now held by Mike Anaya, who is not seeking re-election and plans to run for state Land Commissioner next year.

Grill, who was not available for comment Thursday, previously indicated she was considering running for the seat on the commission.

Reward offered in elk poaching

The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust are offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed a large bull elk in Bandelier National Monument on or before Oct. 27.

The Humane Society said the elk was shot from N.M. 4, and the head and legs of the animal were removed.

"The callous poaching of this elk is a serious crime and shows the disregard some individuals have for wildlife," said Kelly Peterson, western regional director for the Humane Society.

The poacher could face federal charges of illegally taking wildlife, spotlighting, possession of a firearm and entering an area closed after dark. The National Park Service and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are jointly investigating. Anyone with information should call 800-432-4263.