The leader of a drug trafficking organization that moved tens of thousands of fentanyl pills from Mexico into Albuquerque was sentenced Tuesday to 17 years in federal prison. David Mendoza-Enriquez, 42, a Mexican national illegally present in the United States, pleaded guilty to eight federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, alien smuggling and illegal […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Sandia Peak Ski Area pushes back opening day
Sandia Peak Ski Area has rescheduled its opening day to Dec. 19 as crews work to complete final preparations for the winter season, the ski area announced this week. The delay will allow staff additional time to ensure all equipment and facilities are ready for skiers and snowboarders, according to updates posted on the ski […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
New Mexico invites residents to name snowplows for third consecutive year
New Mexico residents have until Dec. 26 to submit creative names for state snowplows as part of the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s third annual naming contest. The department will select 12 winning names to be displayed on plows operating across the state’s six highway districts this winter. “Our snowplow operators play an important role […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
A state on the brink
I spent some time this week with one of my favorite physicians. She’s a favorite, mostly because every treatment I have with her is completely elective. (It takes a lot of work to look this middle-aged.) We talked a lot about the state of healthcare in New Mexico. She’s preparing to take another round of […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Sweet treats for senior pets: East Mountain sanctuary benefits from ABQ councilor’s cookie fundraiser
By Jesse Jones Burqueños looking for meaningful holiday gifts can turn to an unlikely source: City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn. When she’s not working on housing policy or climate legislation, she and her partner, Paul Roybal, spend the season in their kitchen baking thousands of vegan cookies for people and dogs. The homemade treats support Kindred […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
Vasquez warns funding crisis endangers Bosque del Apache’s vital role in local economy
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., visited the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 6 to assess the impact of federal budget cuts and staffing shortages on the site. Vasquez met with Deputy Refuge Manager Bernard Lujan, refuge staff and leadership from the Friends of the Bosque to discuss operational challenges facing the 57,000-acre […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
East Mountain Toy Exchange opens Friday for holiday season
The East Mountain Toy Exchange will open its doors Friday for a three-day event offering free toys to families in need. The pop-up shop, located at 65 Rainbow Road, will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. All items are free, and organizers encourage visitors to give what they can and […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Cedar Crest food drive collects more than 700 pounds for East Mountain Food Pantry
A community food drive Monday collected more than 700 pounds of food for the East Mountain Food Pantry, organizers said. The drive-through event at Flamez Fusion, 12118 N. Highway 14, ran from noon to 4 p.m. and drew donations from residents throughout the East Mountains region. 15 volunteers helped run the event. Flamez Fusion partnered […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., NM.news, Pueblos
Where are all the government employees?
Triple Spaced Again Merilee Dannemann is a longtime New Mexico journalist. She has written freelance for many local newsrooms and served as the Taos correspondent for the Albuquerque Journal. Find her online at triplespacedagain.com DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has been disbanded as of late November. What a relief. DOGE was supposed to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Sen. Heinrich continues to call for updates on expired ICE detention facility contract
By Lauren Lifke A detention facility in Estancia for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still operating without a contract after its contract expired in October. Torrance County Manager Jordan Barela told The Independent that the county had an intergovernmental agreement with ICE that expired Oct. 31. The facility has since been operating without a new […]