Recently retired Bernalillo County Manager Julie Morgas Baca has a new job. She will start Tuesday as executive director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta — about a month before the annual event kicks off. “Leading the Fiesta is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Morgas Baca said. “I am honored and delighted to begin this […]
Congress & Federal Gov.
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., New Mexico Statewide News
Ramp to I-25 at Montgomery to close
Drivers looking to get onto Interstate 25 from westbound Montgomery Boulevard will have to change their plans. The loop ramp at that interchange will be permanently closed Tuesday night as part of an ongoing project on I-25. Moving forward, westbound drivers will need to turn left onto the frontage road to enter the freeway. Crews […]
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City brings back routine food inspections
Inspectors with the Albuquerque Environmental Health Department are back at ensuring the city’s diners aren’t getting dangerous vittles. The department had scaled back its efforts and conducted only pre-opening and complaint-based inspections while a new food safety and retail ordinance was put into place and inspectors were trained on the new rules. Routine inspections were […]
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How one ABQ student got the city’s attention over pedestrian safety
Sometimes it may seem that public concerns brought to city officials go willfully unheard. But one University of New Mexico student’s persistence and determination on pedestrian safety got her a scheduled meeting with city development heads. Like most students with busy schedules, Jackie Davis risks jaywalking across Central Avenue near UNM. After noticing hundreds of […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County manager contract approved
Bernalillo County officially has its next manager. Cindy Chavez will start in the job Nov. 13 after county commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve her employment contract. Chavez will make $230,000 a year to start, with possible annual merit-based pay increases. She replaces Julie Morgas Baca, who retired at the end of June. Chavez will […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Opinion: Competency vs. Incompetency
Barbara Romo is district attorney for the 13th Judicial District, which includes Valencia, Sandoval and Cibola counties. The recent special legislative session was of particular interest to me and my office for its purported emphasis on public safety issues. Since the session only lasted five hours, however, in the end there was not much to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
New Vasquez, Heinrich ads take aim at Republican opponents
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez — both running in closely watched races — are taking different approaches as they launch new TV ads to support their reelection bids. Vasquez on Monday released an ad titled “Hard Work.” In it, he touts his record of getting Republicans and his fellow Democrats in Congress […]
Posted inLocal Gov.
Bernalillo County is ‘Breaking Butts’ into compost and plastic
Bernalillo County officials are launching a new program to turn discarded cigarette butts into compost and plastic products such as hand tools and picnic benches. On Tuesday, the Keep BernCo Beautiful Advisory Board, county staff, and Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada unveiled new receptacles — branded with Keep BernCo Beautiful and a play on the “Breaking […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Housing & Homelessness
Do you need a place to sleep? Here’s a map of shelters in Albuquerque
The question of how many beds are available for people experiencing homelessness has emerged as a sticking point as cities across the country grapple with how to tackle the issue. With this in mind, City Desk ABQ called around to 14 shelters identified by the City of Albuquerque and the New Mexico Coalition to End […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Wage negotiations remain at a standstill between union and UNM Hospital
Last week, the University of New Mexico Health and a union representing almost 400 employees reached an impasse regarding their raises.