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 […]
Local Government
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Government
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 […]
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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, […]
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WHAT TO EXPECT: Competing county manager selection processes dominate commission agenda
In other county business, commissioners are set to: HOW TO PARTICIPATE Bernalillo County meetings are conducted at 5 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month. The next meeting is at 5 p.m. on April 9 at the Ken Sanchez Commission Chambers at 415 Silver Ave SW VIRTUAL: GOV-TV or online at the county’s […]
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Propane truck continues to burn after crash in East Mountains
Michael Hodock/The Independent Multiple law enforcement agencies and emergency personnel are still working to clear the road after a truck carrying propane rolled over on N.M. 217 at milepost 3. On Friday morning, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies and New Mexico State Police officers arrived at the scene to find an overturned propane truck actively leaking […]
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Commissioners duel over how to pick the next county leader
On the table at Tuesday’s Bernalillo County Commission meeting are two choices for how to go about picking the next county manager, as Julie Morgas-Baca will retire at the end of June. Last time At the March 19 meeting, Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada proposed a selection process that would include securing a professional recruitment firm […]
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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 inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
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 […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness, Local Government
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 […]
Posted inLocal Government
Volunteers needed to safely pick up syringes and needles
Bernalillo County is seeking volunteers to assist in safely picking up and disposing of syringes and needles at community events around the Albuquerque metro area. The Bernalillo County Health Equity Council and the Department of Behavioral Health Services joined forces to collect and properly dispose of used syringes and needles. Syringes and needles, known as […]