By New Mexico Sun | Feb 28, 2024
Albuquerque Police Department (APD) detectives and SWAT officers successfully apprehended three men following a dangerous vehicle pursuit on February 28, 2024. The incident unfolded when a stolen truck rammed into a detective's vehicle and was later disabled by law enforcement officers near Broadway and Southern.The pursuit began when Auto Theft detectives spotted a stolen white Chrysler 300 in the vicinity of Gibson Blvd. and I-25. According to reports, the detectives, along with APD's Air Support, tracked the vehicle to Delemar Ave and 2nd St., N.W. in the North Valley....
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 28, 2024
The New Mexico State University Fire Department has issued a reminder to the university community regarding the smoking and vaping policies on campus. The department emphasized the importance of knowing and respecting the NMSU Smoking Policy, which can be accessed at https://arp.nmsu.edu/16-63/.According to the reminder, smoking and vaping are permitted on campus, but specific regulations must be followed to ensure the safety of individuals and campus facilities. Smoking or vaping must take place at least 25 feet away from any building entrances and exits, and at least 50...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 28, 2024
Planting Season is “Springing” up on us at Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde, New Mexico. Our team is already getting ready for Summer and the Fall Harvest Season with Farm and Ranch Ranger Ray Valdez plowing the fields to get them ready for alfalfa seeds and the baby chile sprouts that are still snuggling in their starter flats.The Los Luceros Historic Site is gearing up for the upcoming season, with preparations underway for a bountiful Summer and Fall harvest. Farm and Ranch Ranger Ray Valdez is diligently plowing the fields in anticipation of planting alfalfa seeds...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 28, 2024
Five Sandia National Laboratories engineers have been honored with the 2024 Black Engineer of the Year Awards for their outstanding achievements in engineering, science, and technology. The recipients were recognized for their significant contributions in creative, innovative, and science-based systems engineering solutions to address some of the nation's most challenging national security issues.Michelle Collins, awarded the Science Spectrum Trailblazer, shared that her journey to becoming an engineer began in seventh grade when she was constructing a doorbell. She...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The BernCo Treasurer’s Office has issued a warning to taxpayers, advising against the use of third-party online payment platforms such as DOXO for property tax payments. The office emphasizes that these digital wallets, including DOXO, are not affiliated with BernCo and have attempted to create an association by mimicking the county's website and logo.According to the Treasurer’s Office, using third-party digital wallets can lead to issues with the timely receipt of payments and the accurate transmission of necessary information such as addresses or parcel numbers. This,...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The City of Las Cruces is calling on high school students aged 14-18 to participate in the upcoming 2024 Developing Youth Leaders Academy Program. According to Catrina Godinez, the Community Engagement Manager, the program aims to provide a hands-on approach for students to learn about City government and its operations.Godinez stated, "Participants will take field trips to various City facilities while exploring career options within City government. They will also earn Certificates of completion for their commitment to the program."The Developing Youth Leaders Academy...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The Department of Borderlands and Ethnic Studies at New Mexico State University is set to unveil its new research center during Research and Creativity Week at NMSU. The event will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, at 10 a.m. in the BEST offices on the second floor of Garcia Center.Dulcinea Lara, head of the BEST department, highlighted the center's focus on empowering marginalized communities through decolonial frameworks. She stated, “The BEST Research Center uses decolonial frameworks as its foundation to prioritize and empower marginalized communities. It will...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The New Mexico State University’s Graduate School is gearing up to host the Three Minute Thesis competition on March 1, offering graduate students a platform to showcase their research in concise and understandable presentations. The event, set to take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Domenici Hall, room 109, challenges participants to articulate their research or creative scholarship work in three minutes or less for a general audience.According to Ranjit Koodali, the dean of Graduate School and provost of International Affairs at NMSU, the competition serves as a means to...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Director, writer, producer, and author Brian Levant, known for his successful career in the TV and film industry, has been selected to receive the UNM Alumni Association Lobo Award. Levant, a UNM alumnus, will be honored for his outstanding personal service to the University and his career achievements that reflect positively on UNM.Reflecting on his time at UNM, Levant humorously recalled his initial reasons for choosing the university, stating, “I came to UNM as a freshman in 1970, in part because Playboy magazine declared the school had ‘the best drugs and loosest...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) Program at The University of New Mexico is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a series of events on March 7 and 8. The program, which has graduated over 270 Ph.D.s since its inception in 1983, has become a prominent interdisciplinary program at the University with strong collaborative ties to institutions such as Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories, and the Air Force Research Lab.Among the distinguished speakers scheduled for the anniversary celebration are John Hall, Nobel Laureate of...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Huiping Cao, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at New Mexico State University, shared her journey and passion for academia. Cao, who joined NMSU in 2010, focuses her research on data mining, applied machine learning, and data engineering.Reflecting on her role, Cao expressed, "I take immense pride in the accomplishments of the students I have guided through their academic journeys." She highlighted her success in graduating four Ph.D. candidates and the close relationships she developed with each student, nurturing their growth and celebrating their...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Albuquerque Police Department detectives have made an arrest in connection with the shooting death of Travis Sheckler. Nathan Sheckler, the brother of the victim, has been taken into custody following a tragic incident that occurred at a Northeast Heights home.According to reports, the altercation between the two brothers escalated into a fight, resulting in the fatal shooting. The mother of the siblings provided details to the authorities, stating that she witnessed Nathan, 28, shooting Travis, 35, after a physical confrontation. She recounted the events leading up to...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE – Last Friday, February 23, Mayor Tim Keller and City leaders from various departments visited Northern New Mexico College to engage with students and share job opportunities with the City of Albuquerque at an on-campus job fair. ABQ RIDE also provided the college with a bus that will be used to start a brand new CDL training program at the school, helping to build a needed workforce of drivers and mechanics. This visit was part of the City’s statewide higher education roadshow, aimed at bolstering the local workforce and spreading the word about careers for...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
The University of New Mexico is set to host the annual meeting of the Western Positive Psychology Association (WPPA) on March 22-23, bringing together individuals interested in the science of happiness and positive psychology. According to Department of Psychology Associate Professor Bruce Smith, positive psychology focuses on fostering resilience, mindfulness, love, kindness, gratitude, hope, meaning, and purpose in people's lives. Smith, who has been teaching this subject for 19 years at UNM, highlighted the importance of the field in enabling individuals to live their...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Residents of Santa Fe County are being called upon to provide their input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update. Fire Chief Jacob Black emphasized the importance of public engagement in the planning process, stating, "Public engagement is critical to the success of hazard mitigation planning." He also highlighted that the upcoming public meetings present an opportunity for residents to learn about the County's emergency management, mitigation, and response efforts.The County has scheduled three public meetings in March to gather input from constituents. The meetings will...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Huiping Cao, a professor in the Department of Computer Science at New Mexico State University, has been making significant contributions to the academic community since joining in 2010. With a focus on data mining, applied machine learning, and data engineering, Cao's dedication to teaching, research, and student mentorship shines through."I take immense pride in the accomplishments of the students I have guided through their academic journeys," expressed Cao, reflecting on her role in nurturing the growth of four Ph.D. candidates she successfully graduated.Cao's...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 27, 2024
Nobel Laureate John Mather and Tony Hull recently delved into the world of astronomy and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science. Mather, the Webb telescope’s senior project scientist emeritus, and Hull, an adjunct professor in the UNM Department of Physics & Astronomy, discussed the groundbreaking images and early results from the telescope.Mather shed light on the significance of the images captured by the JWST, stating, "The James Webb Space Telescope allows us to see 13.5 billion years into the past and witness...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Systems engineer Robert Petterborg, from Sandia National Laboratories, took on the challenge of designing a new cable connector to improve testing of the W80-4 weapons system. Petterborg, who voluntarily undertook the project, emphasized the importance of innovation, stating, "If everyone did things the way we've always done them, we wouldn't have innovation."Utilizing 3D printing, Petterborg designed the connector, which he estimates would have taken a dedicated team three to five years to develop without this technology. The new connector aims to enhance reliability and...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Bernalillo County – In response to an incident on December 25, 2023, at the Youth Services Center (YSC), in coordination with the county manager and at the request of the commission, the Public Safety Division has developed an Improvement Plan to increase safety for residents and staff at YSC. The plan includes both immediate steps and upcoming measures to address safety concerns."In response to an incident on December 25, 2023, at the Youth Services Center (YSC), in coordination with the county manager and at the request of the commission, the Public Safety Division has...
By New Mexico Sun | Feb 26, 2024
Marilyn Baumgardner, a senior medical records clerk in the Health Information Management (HIM) Department at UNM Hospital, has reached a remarkable milestone by celebrating 55 years of service at the institution. Baumgardner was honored at the hospital's annual anniversary and retirement banquet, where she was recognized as the longest-serving employee in UNM Hospital's history.Expressing her love for her job, Baumgardner stated, "I love my job, and I am proud that I am still able to work and do the best that I can." She attributes her long tenure to the supportive work...
