The man who shot himself outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center on Tuesday was a former corrections officer, according to a county spokesperson. He was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he later died. Candace Hopkins, a spokesperson for the county jail, said the man worked for MDC “for several different stints […]
Communities
Posted inAlbuquerque, Education
New Superintendent achieves life goal and sets some for students
Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey has found what she intends to be her last job. “There’s a lot of work ahead, and there’s nothing I have as a goal other than the work that I am committed to doing here in Albuquerque,” Blakey said. “So it’s the last stop.” A product of Albuquerque Public Schools, she […]
Reader-supported
City hunts for Westside shelter operator
The city is searching for someone to take on a complex assignment: staff and operate the Westside Emergency Housing Center (WEHC) for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness. The facility is located about 20 miles west of Downtown near the Double Eagle II Airport. Its remote location is typically accessed through shuttle services departing from pickup […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Dust up at the Bernalillo County Commission meeting
This story has been updated to include a statement from Commissioner Walt Benson that was provided after deadline. Drama dominated the Bernalillo County Commission meeting Tuesday night after one commissioner — Steven Michael Quezada — left the governing table in a huff. In doing so, a couple of pieces of legislation he had introduced, including […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety, Housing & Homelessness
Suspect arrested in deadly fight outside homeless services provider
Albuquerque police have arrested a man suspected of severely beating another man during a fight in front of a homeless services provider Downtown in late February. The victim, Mark Lavine, died a couple weeks later. Jose Gracia, 54, was arrested Wednesday. He is charged with an open count of murder. Both he and Lavine were […]
Posted inAlbuquerque
Studies find Albuquerque largest contributor in NM to ‘forever’ chemicals in Rio Grande
Two statewide studies released findings that PFAS — which stands for poly-fluoroalkyl substances — chemicals have been detected in groundwater and surface water resources across New Mexico. The study, conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) found urban areas — like Albuquerque — are the most significant contributor. […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Gov.
Man shoots, injures himself outside county jail
A man shot and injured himself outside the Metropolitan Detention Center Tuesday afternoon, according to a county spokesperson. He has been taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital. “No one else was injured or involved in the incident,” spokesperson Candace Hopkins wrote in a news release. “The Sheriff’s Office has secured the grounds and […]
Reader-supported
Centenarians celebrate centennial with the city
Three centenarians were honored at the city’s Centennial Birthday Celebration Tuesday. The annual event, which is held on the 100th day of the year, took place at the North Valley Senior Center. More than 100 people showed up to celebrate the lives of the active senior citizens, according to Victoria Velarde, city communications coordinator. Entertainers, […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Education
Charter school roof collapses
A local charter school is working its way through an unexpected situation after the roof of its new gymnasium collapsed. A letter sent by head administrator Jake Kolander to Explore Academy parents stated he was informed of the damage to the roof at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. In the letter, Kolander wrote that other parts of […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Education
From cuffs to carburetors
Andrea Ortiz knew while in the police academy that she wanted to be a homicide investigator. She said her drive toward that goal began with “Quincy,” “CHiPs” and “Charlie’s Angels,” which she enjoyed watching on TV. But after 25 years in law enforcement, including APD’s homicide and crime scene units, Ortiz retired last fall and […]