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 […]
Albuquerque
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. […]
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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 […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, National News
Democratic presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson coming to Albuquerque
A Democratic presidential candidate is coming to Albuquerque this week, but it’s not the one you might think. Marianne Williamson will speak at the Unity Spiritual Center Albuquerque on Candelaria Road near Eubank Boulevard NE on Saturday. On Friday, she will speak at Unity Santa Fe. Williamson, who is frequently described as a “self-help author” […]
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A push for more duplexes in ABQ
Albuquerque residents would have more opportunities to live in duplex housing under a proposed zoning amendment before the city’s land use, planning and zoning (LUPZ) committee this week. The change would allow duplexes, which were once allowed under city zoning, to be constructed from existing single-family homes located in certain areas of the metro. Supporters […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Education
A partial eclipse of the heart
Students from St. Mary’s Catholic School gathered at the Main Library Downtown for an eclipse viewing party on Monday. Public libraries around the city passed out solar glasses and offered trivia and snacks for the event. Albuquerque is not in the path of the total eclipse, but the sun was approximately 70% obscured. The eclipse […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
A law to stem organized shoplifting has been in place 10 months. Is it working?
In early January, a security guard working at Marshalls in Northeast Albuquerque called an Albuquerque Police Department detective to report she had been working on a case against a “prolific shoplifter” for more than two months and there was a chance to arrest him.