Airmen rape charges dismissed

Rape charges against three Cannon Air Force Base airmen have been dismissed.

According to a news release from District Attorney Andrea Reeb: Her office has dismissed charges against Isaiah Edley, Thomas Newton, and Rahman Buchanan. The three airmen had been facing felony charges stemming from their involvement in a reported sexual assault against a fellow airman last year in Clovis.

In the news release, Reeb stated:

“After recently receiving the results of serology testing performed by the New Mexico State Crime Lab, reviewing this case in depth with our team of prosecutors and meeting with the investigators on the case, I have reached the conclusion that the State would be unable to prove this case to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. I want to make it clear, I am not saying that this sexual assault did not occur, but what happened and what can be proven to a jury are two different things. This District Attorney’s Office has always been a strong advocate for victims of sexual assault, and we will continue to fight for justice for all victims of sexual assault. However, this Office also has a duty to the community and individual defendants to only pursue a criminal case in front of a jury when we believe that it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The right thing to do in this matter is to dismiss all charges and that will be done immediately.”

Golf course under new management

Touchstone Golf has reached an agreement with the city of Clovis to manage Colonial Park Golf Course.

Touchstone will assume management on May 1, according to a news release from Touchstone.

“Colonial Park will become Touchstone’s 43rd property under management across the company’s 12 state platform,” the news release stated.

Colonial Park, which opened in 1964, is a par 72 facility that plays to a maximum length of 6,856 yards.

“Touchstone is honored to be taking on the Colonial Park management role,” said Steve Harker, CEO of Touchstone, in the news release. “We intend to work towards improved conditions, enhanced programming and events, and delivering the level of service that Touchstone has built its reputation on.”

The release said Touchstone representatives will be on site from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, hosting a “community presentation and meeting for interested golfers and non-golfers alike.”

Age to buy cigs could be going up

• State senators on Thursday approved a proposal that would raise the age for legally purchasing cigarettes. The Albuquerque Journal reports New Mexicans would have to be 21 or older to buy tobacco products if the legislation passes. It was approved 38-0 in the Senate and now goes to the House. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, said it has an exemption for active-duty military personnel and a grandfather clause to allow young adults who are already 18 now to keep buying .