By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
Brenda Murray, the director of environmental services at The University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center (SRMC), recently organized a blood drive with a heartfelt purpose. The initiative stemmed from a personal experience that left her deeply grateful for the generosity of blood donors. Murray's son, Joey Vigil, was involved in a severe accident that led to life-threatening injuries, ultimately requiring 74 blood product transfusions to save his life.Describing the harrowing incident, Murray recounted, "He went off a cliff and nose-dived into a cement...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
Terese Flores, a New Mexico State University alumna, has realized her dream of managing parks in New York City after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in geography. Flores, now serving as the Regional Park Manager for Manhattan in the New York City Parks Department, has made significant contributions to the city since taking on her role.One of Flores’ notable achievements has been the creation of the Park Management Internship, where she mentors young individuals passionate about the environment and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Reflecting on this...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
The City of Albuquerque has unveiled the initial deliverable for the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant’s Planning Program, following the receipt of a substantial $1 million in funding earlier this year. Referred to as the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), this document serves as the first step towards mitigating climate pollution and advancing the interests of frontline communities within the Albuquerque Metro Statistical Area.In a statement, Mayor Tim Keller emphasized the importance of addressing climate injustices, stating, "Climate change impacts us all, but we...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
The Public Library of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, in collaboration with the Friends of the Public Library, is gearing up to celebrate El Día de los Niños, a week-long multicultural celebration of children and literacy starting from April 24 to April 30. A total of eighteen library branches will be hosting special events dedicated to children and families, featuring a variety of activities such as storytellers, crafts, music, and more. One of the highlights of the event is that children attending will have the opportunity to take home a book of their own, while...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
Erinna “Erin” Atkins, a 2009 graduate of The University of New Mexico School of Law, has assumed the role of President of the State Bar of New Mexico, making her the first woman from Southern New Mexico to hold this position. Atkins, who practices law with her father at the Law Office of S. Bert Atkins, specializes in representing children in abuse and neglect cases, as well as handling custody, divorce, and criminal defense cases. She also serves as a special prosecutor for the City of Alamogordo.Atkins expressed her pride in representing rural areas and emphasized the...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Yesterday, City Council passed R-24-22, which establishes a two-year policy for prioritizing site plan approvals and construction permitting of development projects that will result in permanent housing within the Downtown Center.The current procedure for site plan approvals and construction permitting is “first come, first served”, which means wait times can vary depending on workload and staff capacity. The Planning Department does have an optional fee-based construction permitting program called “FasTrax” to expedite plan review with guaranteed plan...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
El Palacio magazine is set to host a reading panel and Q&A event featuring three contributors to the spring 2024 issue. The event will be moderated by the editor of El Palacio, Emily Withnall.The announcement invites the public to "Please join us for a reading panel and Q&A with three contributors to the spring 2024 issue of El Palacio magazine." The event will provide attendees with the opportunity to engage with the writers and gain insight into their work.Following the readings, Emily Withnall will facilitate a Q&A session, allowing audience members to ask questions...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 16, 2024
National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week is currently underway in Albuquerque, shining a light on the vital work carried out by the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department Animal Protection Services Division. The week serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the services provided to the community.The role of an Animal Protection Services Officer (APSO) is often misunderstood, with some mistakenly labeling it as simply being a "dog catcher." However, APSOs play a crucial role in ensuring public and animal safety by enforcing the City's Humane and...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
Students with New Mexico State University’s Aggie Fashion Club are ready to showcase their creativity at the upcoming Sustainable Fashion Show. The event, taking place on April 18 at the Aggie Lounge in Corbett Center Student Union, aims to promote sustainability through upcycled and recycled designs inspired by literature. Maxine Lucero, fashion merchandising and design program assistant in Family & Consumer Sciences, highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “The fashion industry has a history of neglecting the environment with the increase of fast fashion, which...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
The University of New Mexico School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) and the Thornburg Foundation recently revealed the winners of the 2024 Jeff Harnar Awards. The awards, established by Garrett Thornburg in 2007, commemorate the legacy of the late local architect Jeff Harnar and his pioneering work in contemporary design.During the awards ceremony held at the School of Architecture + Planning's George Pearl Hall, renowned architect Benjamin Gilmartin of Diller Scofidio + Renfro delivered a lecture.SA+P Dean Robert Alexander González expressed his admiration for this...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
During the month of March, the Albuquerque Police Department took action against 70 individuals for firearm related offenses and successfully recovered 86 firearms. Chief Harold Medina expressed concern over the situation, stating, "These statistics are a clear indicator that criminals in our community continue to get their hands on firearms, and are continuing to re-offend."Among those charged last month, 24 individuals were identified as felons, with nine of them being out on pretrial release. Chief Medina emphasized the importance of accountability for such...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
Albuquerque, Apr 15 2024 - Get ready for an evening filled with curiosity and creativity as the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum gears up to host a captivating STEAM Night on Saturday, April 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.The event promises an engaging exploration into the realms of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, all through the lens of animation and cartooning. The Balloon Museum will present an immersive experience that celebrates the iconic characters of Looney Toons®, particularly the beloved Roadrunner and Coyote, who have...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture (DAC) has announced the hiring of Brandon Gibson as the new director of the ABQ BioPark. Gibson, with over 25 years of experience in programming, youth education, conservation, and project management, will oversee the BioPark's diverse attractions to enhance guest experience, facilities, and conservation efforts.DAC Director Shelle Sanchez commended Gibson's dedication to conservation, stating, "Brandon has demonstrated his commitment to conservation throughout his career with the City of Albuquerque." Sanchez...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has announced their potential presence at the upcoming Citizen Police Academy training session. According to the board, "A quorum of the Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board may be in attendance at the Albuquerque Police Academy, 5412 2nd Street NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87107, regarding the Citizen Police Academy." The training is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m.The board clarified that despite their attendance, "No board business will be discussed at the Citizen Police Academy training...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
New Mexico State University has been awarded a $1.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support the training of undergraduate researchers over the next five years. The grant, provided by the NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences, will specifically fund NMSU’s Undergraduate Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (U-RISE) Program.Graciela Unguez, NMSU Regents professor in biology and principal investigator for the project, explained the program's mission, stating, “The mission is to recruit students from underrepresented communities,...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
A New Mexico State University researcher, Jennifer K. Frey, has teamed up with Jean-Luc E. Cartron to co-author a comprehensive book titled “Wild Carnivores of New Mexico,” which was published earlier this year by the University of New Mexico Press. Frey, a professor of mammalian ecology at NMSU, has more than 30 years of experience conducting research on the ecology and conservation of mammals in New Mexico. She has published over 100 scientific articles and focuses on rare and poorly studied species to inform conservation and management efforts.The book, a 1,148-page...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 15, 2024
New Mexico State University has partnered with TimelyCare to enhance healthcare resources available to students, with a particular focus on mental health support. Ann Goodman, dean of students at NMSU, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are extremely excited to embark on a journey where student health care meets convenience and innovation."Through TimelyCare, NMSU students can access a variety of virtual care options at no cost, including medical care and mental health support. Amanda Blair, assistant director of the Aggie Health and Wellness Center,...
By New Mexico Sun | Apr 14, 2024
On April 14, 2024, a recent study by The University of New Mexico alumna, Melanie Kazenel, and her colleagues delves into the potential effects of climate change on bee populations in the Southwest United States. The research, titled "Heat and desiccation tolerances predict bee abundance under climate change," was published in the prestigious journal, Nature.Kazenel, who completed her Ph.D. in Biology at UNM and is currently a visiting assistant professor of Biology at Earlham College in Indiana, expressed, "I study how native bees are responding to climate change." She...
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 13, 2024
North Central Regional Transit District Board met Friday, April 5
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Apr 13, 2024
City of Santa Fe Airport Advisory Board met Thursday, April 11
