University of New Mexico students set up camp this week at the school’s Duck Pond to protest the Israel-Hamas war — calling for a ceasefire — and demanding that the university divest from Israel. Pro-Palestinian protests have been heating up on college campuses across the country over the past two weeks as students gather to […]
Category: Bernalillo County
Posted inLocal Gov.
State’s largest jail gets a new warden
After months with an interim warden overseeing the Metropolitan Detention Center, Bernalillo County has hired a new warden — from Florida — who will start his new position on June 17. Steven Kai Smith is currently a warden with the Volusia County Division of Corrections in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to a news release from […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Commentary
Clean, Green, and Gorgeous: Curbside Green Waste Collection Returns
By Albuquerque Solid Waste Management Department The City of Albuquerque’s Solid Waste Management Department will begin the Spring Green Waste Collection Event starting Monday, April 29. Residents will be able to dispose of their leaves, grass, brush, and trimmings at their curbside for no additional charge. Residents can have their green waste picked up at […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
NMDOJ investigates complaints about county commissioners
The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) is investigating claims that some members of the Bernalillo County Commission have violated meeting rules. In a letter dated April 24, and addressed to County Manager Julie Morgas Baca and Attorney Ken Martinez, the NMDOJ said, “Based on the materials reviewed, there are indications that deliberations on public […]
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Councilor eyes return of Berry-era homeless labor initiative
An idea born under former Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry that provides day labor jobs for those experiencing homelessness could be making a comeback. “There’s a Better Way” was launched in 2015 and the initiative quickly gained national attention. After a year in operation, the Washington Post called it “a simple idea that works.” The […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.
Tax and Revenue Dept. warns of fraudulent delinquent tax letters
The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department is warning taxpayers about fraudulent demand letters going out to property owners who are delinquent on their taxes. The letters tell the owners to call a 1-800 number by a certain date or the state will seize their property. The letters are not from the state Taxation and […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Commission publishes first-of-its-kind behavioral health ordinance
Bernalillo County residents may soon see a different, more efficient network aimed at helping them meet their behavioral health needs. The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the publication of an ordinance that would create a behavioral health authority that would unify county behavioral health efforts. Vice Chair Eric Olivas said before the meeting that […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
Law enforcement wants a crime-reporting app on student devices. They say they’ve gotten nowhere with APS.
Law enforcement officials want Albuquerque Public Schools to install a crime-reporting app on devices issued to students — but two agencies say the district has not been receptive to the idea. “This option would make it easier for students to report crimes or dangerous situations,” said Jeffery Barnard, interim commander of the investigative services division […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Commissioners send message against reusing fracking wastewater
Pleas to save the groundwater from oil and gas wastewater flooded Tuesday night’s Bernalillo County Commission meeting. Public Pleas More than a dozen public comments were in support of a resolution to oppose a proposed rule change that would change the parameter of how all fracked wastewater can be reused. The rule change proposed by […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
APD got a tip in 2022 that DWI officers were being paid to get cases dismissed. Its review did not find wrongdoing.
In December 2022, the acting sergeant of the Albuquerque Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Unit got a tip about officers in the DWI unit getting paid “to get a case dismissed.” The sergeant started gathering information but — after looking through officer activity — didn’t turn up any evidence, according to a five-page “intel file” that […]