The investigation into an alleged relationship between a Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) corrections officer and an inmate started after the inmate tested positive for a sexually transmitted infection, according to a criminal complaint. The officer, Chevonne Culbreath, was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of having a relationship with an inmate and attempting to bring […]
Bernalillo County
Advocates denounce ‘criminalization’ of city’s unhoused population
Two consistent issues of concern among city officials, residents and business owners in Albuquerque are crime and homelessness. But conflating the two is a mistake and leads to the baseless stigmatization and criminalization of the unhoused, say advocates for those living on the streets and in shelters. Dozens of advocates and activists gathered at Robinson […]
BernCo commissioner seeks pot parity
A Bernalillo County commissioner is looking to make things more fair for county employees who use cannabis outside work hours. Commissioner Eric Olivas told City Desk ABQ he plans to introduce legislation that would treat off-duty use of recreational cannabis in the same way as off-duty alcohol use. He called it a basic rights issue. […]
MDC officer arrested after alleged relationship with inmate
A Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) corrections officer found herself behind bars after she was accused of having a relationship with an inmate. According to a Bernalillo County news release, MDC officials found out about the allegations Tuesday and reported them to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). The officer, Chevonne Culbreath — a probationary employee […]
APS: Information sharing led to campus gun seizure
School officials say efforts to get students to report suspicious activity were instrumental in recovering two firearms at Volcano Vista High School this week. A junior at the school faces felony charges after the weapons were reportedly found in his backpack and vehicle Tuesday. Another person on campus reported behavior that led school staff to […]
City, Human Rights Board clash on homelessness
A rift formed this summer between the city and its Human Rights Board over an analysis of the state of those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque.The result is that a final report to be issued to the city won’t be submitted. Even though the all-volunteer board has no legal jurisdiction, it is empowered by city ordinance […]
Are fluoride levels in ABQ’s water safe?
According to new research, extreme levels of fluoride in drinking water could be associated with lower IQ in children, but according to local water officials, Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s fluoride levels are still safe for residents. In its “Monograph on the State of Science Concerning Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopment and Cognition,” the National Toxicology Program, […]
Alleyway renaissance emerges in International District
There’s an urban revitalization effort underway in the International District in an unlikely location — residential alleys. Those involved in the undertaking do so with little to no budget and say it’s an effective way to make the area safer, spark community engagement and assist those experiencing homelessness. After months of preparation, the South San […]
Appeal of new University area coffee spot grinds to a halt
A new café may be on the way to the University area. The Albuquerque City Council on Monday denied the University Heights Neighborhood Association’s appeal of Albuquerque property owner Augustine Grace’s plan to convert two adjacent residential properties into a café and community gathering space. With plans to turn the two houses — 201 and […]
City Council paves the way for new film studio
Albuquerque is one step closer to being the home to a new film studio after city councilors approved millions for the project during their meeting Monday. Councilors unanimously passed an ordinance that would issue $7 million in city and state funds for a new film and television production campus for Mesa Film Studios LLC on […]