News from April 2024


Fire Rescue Academy 4 Graduates 17 Firefighters

Doña Ana County Fire Rescue is set to honor the graduation of 17 firefighters who have successfully completed the rigorous requirements to become certified firefighters. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at the Doña Ana Community College, East Mesa Campus Auditorium in Las Cruces, welcoming members of the public to join in the celebration.According to the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, each graduate has satisfactorily finished a 16-week-long Fire Academy course, earning them certification from the prestigious organization. These...


New Mexico Department of Health Celebrates National Public Health Week

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) is currently observing National Public Health Week from April 1 to 7, acknowledging the vital contributions of its staff statewide. The theme for this year's Public Health Week is Protecting, Connecting, and Thriving.Public Health Division Director, Dr. José Acosta, expressed the department's commitment to making New Mexico the healthiest state in the nation by 2040, stating, "The department is determined to reach our ‘North Star’ goal of making New Mexico the healthiest state in the nation by 2040." He emphasized...


CASAA Professor's Research Reveals Link Between Sports Betting and Binge Drinking

UNM Professor Joshua Grubbs' research on the connection between sports betting and binge drinking has been published in the prestigious journal JAMA Network Open. Grubbs' study, funded by the International Center for Responsible Gaming, analyzed data from over 4,000 adults across the U.S. to investigate the relationship between sports wagering and alcohol misuse.Grubbs emphasized the significance of his findings, stating, "The sports gamblers, just by the fact that they are sports gamblers, are substantially more likely to be reporting high levels of binge drinking." He...


Possible Quorum of Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board at Citizen Police Academy Training

The Civilian Police Oversight Advisory Board has issued a notice regarding a potential quorum at the upcoming Citizen Police Academy training session. According to the notice, "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 4, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. However, the Board has clarified that "no Board business will be discussed at the Citizen Police Academy training on...


Global Education Office to celebrate 60 years

The Global Education Office (GEO) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) is gearing up to celebrate a significant milestone in its history. GEO is marking its 60th anniversary this year, an occasion that will be commemorated with a special event on Thursday, April 25 at the University Club from 4 to 6 p.m.Originally known as the Office of the Foreign Student Advisor when it opened its doors in August 1964, GEO has played a vital role in supporting international students at UNM for six decades. From its humble beginnings of assisting 205 students from 65 countries in its...


County Assessor’s Office Sends Valuation Notices and Sets Up Outreach Locations

The County Assessor’s Office has taken steps to inform property owners of their property values and tax obligations. According to the office, property owners have until May 1 to protest the values listed in the Notice of Value that was sent out on April 1. County Assessor Eugenia “Gina” Montoya Ortega provided details on the protest process, stating that protests must be submitted in writing to the office's address in Las Cruces, NM.In addition to protesting property values, taxpayers have the opportunity to apply for various exemptions. These exemptions include cases...


Second Suspect in Weekend Shooting Taken into Custody

APD officers in Albuquerque have apprehended a second suspect in connection with a shooting incident that took place over the weekend. The suspect, identified as Zane Katzenberger, 18, was taken into custody following his involvement in the shooting in Downtown Albuquerque. According to reports, officers responded to the shooting after hearing gunshots and receiving a shot spotter activation.Katzenberger was detained by officers after they observed a handgun in his possession. He reportedly admitted to being highly intoxicated at the time of the incident. Video footage of...


Nusenda Credit Union Receives Platinum Level Family Friendly Business Award

Nusenda Credit Union has once again been recognized for its outstanding workplace policies, earning the prestigious "platinum level" distinction in the New Mexico Family Friendly Business Award. The credit union has received this accolade for the seventh consecutive year, showcasing its commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees.Michelle Dearholt, Nusenda's Executive Vice President of Operations, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of their team, stating, "At Nusenda Credit Union we believe that taking care...


Keller Administration Outlines Vision for Upcoming Fiscal Year Budget

Mayor Tim Keller has unveiled the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, emphasizing the administration's dedication to public safety and tackling housing and homelessness challenges. The $1.4 billion budget reflects a strategic approach to address these issues while navigating economic uncertainties."We are focused on continuing to invest in public safety, and fully supporting our frontline workers and the programs and services they provide to help address our city’s challenges," Mayor Tim Keller stated.The budget, with a modest increase of 2.3% compared to the previous...


Bank On Burque Connects Thousands of Families to Financial Empowerment Tools

Today, the Bank On Burque initiative gathered local leaders, partner institutions, and members of the community to kick off Financial Empowerment Month and share more about the resources available to help people obtain financial independence. Bank On Burque’s mission is to connect people to safe and affordable bank accounts, helping them take control and better understand their finances without being victimized by predatory practices or unnecessary fees.In 2019, Mayor Tim Keller announced the Bank On Burque Blueprint for Financial Empowerment, and since then, the...


NMSU’s Pitch Deck Sprint accepting applications from NM tech startups

New Mexico State University’s Arrowhead Center is set to provide its Pitch Deck Sprint online accelerator for tech startups located in New Mexico. The program, part of the Scale Up New Mexico initiative, aims to enhance the pitch deck presentations of entrepreneurs and startups in the state.“The Pitch Deck Sprint program stands as a pivotal resource for New Mexico's entrepreneurs, offering vital support that is instrumental in refining their pitch presentations,” said Dana Catron, deputy director of Arrowhead Center. “This initiative not only equips them with the tools to...