Trio of ordinances seeks to curb effects of encampments

Striking a balance between assisting those experiencing homelessness while also enforcing laws governing camping on public property has been a thorn in the side of city officials for years. Further complicating the issue: Public expectations rarely line up neatly. While there’s often friction between Mayor Tim Keller’s administration and the City Council on any number […]

Posted inEstancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized

Substitute Teacher at Estancia High School Accused of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a  Student

An Estancia woman is facing six felony charges including criminal sexual penetration of a minor and child solicitation by electronic communication device while she was working as a substitute teacher at Estancia High School. Estancia police say some of the alleged crimes happened on Estancia Municipal Schools property.  Police say Michaela Ford of Estancia, 30, […]

Posted inEstancia, Moriarty, Torrance County, Uncategorized

Missing ballots counted and added to Torrance County total count just in time for Election Day

Even though 140 absentee ballots were mailed in October without a return address, Torrance County Clerk Linda Jaramillo said the missing labels did not impact validity, and counting them was no issue. They were inspected with enough time to be returned before Nov. 5.  The voting centers in Torrance County closed at 7 p.m., and […]

City Council asks administration to stop sidestepping questions

An Albuquerque city councilor’s proposal to require more accountability from Mayor Tim Keller’s administration passed nearly unanimously, but with changes that significantly lessened its impact.  During Monday’s City Council meeting, councilors passed a proposal 7-2 requiring Keller’s administration to answer councilors’ questions in writing as part of the administration question-and-answer period at council meetings. Keller […]

City Council asks administration to stop sidestepping questions

An Albuquerque city councilor’s proposal to require more accountability from Mayor Tim Keller’s administration passed nearly unanimously, but with changes that significantly lessened its impact.  During Monday’s City Council meeting, councilors passed a proposal 7-2 requiring Keller’s administration to answer councilors’ questions in writing as part of the administration question-and-answer period at council meetings. Keller […]

City Council approves new social media policy in response to posts from APD spokesperson

Albuquerque city councilors approved a new social media policy for city employees Monday night after they called out the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) multiple times for controversial social media posts.  The proposal for the new policy, sponsored by Councilor Renée Grout, passed on an 8-1 vote.  YES: Joaquín Baca, Brook Bassan, Dan Champine, Renée Grout, […]

City Council approves new social media policy in response to posts from APD spokesperson

Albuquerque city councilors approved a new social media policy for city employees Monday night after they called out the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) multiple times for controversial social media posts.  The proposal for the new policy, sponsored by Councilor Renée Grout, passed on an 8-1 vote.  YES: Joaquín Baca, Brook Bassan, Dan Champine, Renée Grout, […]

ABQ City Council likely headed for a heated debate over proposed social media policy

Based on previous meetings on the subject, a contentious debate between the Albuquerque City Council and Mayor Tim Keller’s administration over social media use is likely to take center stage during Monday’s council meeting. At issue is councilors’ demand for more accountability from the administration, namely by proposing a new social media policy for city […]