On Jan. 28, 2023, a 53-year-old woman was staying at the Westside Emergency Housing Center with her husband when she died. According to an incident report, Gina Kirwin’s husband told staff that she was not breathing and when they went to check on her she was already cold to the touch. Kirwin’s husband told police […]
Housing & Homelessness
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
How many homeless die in Albuquerque each year? It’s complicated.
Although it’s hard to get an exact count, advocates say more people experiencing homelessness are dying each year. Neil Greene, a fellow at the University of New Mexico’s Center on Alcohol, Substance Use, and Addictions and a scholar of homelessness, researched the issue for City Desk ABQ — using Office of the Medical Investigator records […]
Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Nonprofit Plans Annual Woofstock Festival
Planning for the annual Woofstock pet expo and adoption event is already underway. The Friends of Estancia Valley Animals are working with the Town of Edgewood on the 13th Annual Woofstock Festival. Woofstock is a long-standing Edgewood tradition and one of the largest pet adoption events in the state. The event is scheduled to take […]
Posted inEdgewood, Housing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Fined and Stripped of His Marijuana License, Dineh Benally Keeps on Growing
Three months ago, New Mexico issued a $1 million fine to embattled Navajo marijuana grower Dineh Benally and — citing him for “egregious” violations — ordered him to shut down his Torrance County cannabis farm. Benally has done anything but. Instead of closing up shop, he has expanded his operation along a rural highway near […]
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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 inCongress & Federal Gov., 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 inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Danice May
Danice May, born in Athens, TX on August 12, 1936, peacefully passed away in Mesquite, TX on April 6, 2024. She was a former resident of McIntosh, and a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Estancia, New Mexico. Danice will be remembered for her commitment to friendships, caregiver role, […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Uncategorized, Westside Albuquerque
Danice May
Danice May, born in Athens, TX on August 12, 1936, peacefully passed away in Mesquite, TX on April 6, 2024. She was a former resident of McIntosh, and a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Estancia, New Mexico. Danice will be remembered for her commitment to friendships, caregiver role, […]
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Younger and stronger: Addicted teens as young as 11 are getting turned away but more help is coming
Youth experiencing addiction will soon have a safe place to detox in Albuquerque. The new detox center has space to house six clients, who can stay there for up to 14 days, or longer if medically necessary. In February, Serenity Mesa, a transitional living service for youth in Bernalillo County, received $3.5 million in funding […]
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Gateway sobering center gets $4.2M from feds
The Gateway Center is moving toward its goal of offering medical sobering services in Albuquerque. The site near the VA Medical Center hosted U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the $4.2 million in federal aid appropriated for the project. Luján, Becerra and Mayor Tim Keller toured […]