Latest News from New Mexico Sun

Bernalillo County Treasurer Nancy Bearce is reminding property owners of the upcoming opportunities for the 2024 tax season. The Monthly Payment Program (MPP) sign-up for taxpayers will commence on March 1 and will run through August 31, 2024. Bearce emphasizes that automatic payments, also known as auto pay, are available for all property tax payments."With the Monthly Payment Program, taxpayers have the option to pay their property taxes in 10 monthly installments, starting June 1, 2024, to March 1, 2025," Bearce explained. She highlighted the convenience and...

Sobriety Checkpoints to Continue Through March in Doña Ana County

The Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, DASO, has announced that Sobriety Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols will continue throughout the month of March. The initiative aims to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths related to Driving While Intoxicated, DWI.According to the Sheriff's Office, the checkpoints will be set up in undisclosed locations and areas within Doña Ana County. Deputies will be conducting operations between the hours of 12 p.m. and 2 a.m., focusing on various violations with a particular emphasis on identifying intoxicated drivers.In a...

Gittings Endowed Chair awarded to NMSU College of Engineering’s Gabe Garcia

Assistant dean of student success and Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering department head at New Mexico State University Gabe Garcia has been honored with the Michael and June Gittings Endowed Chair. This honor recognizes Garcia’s history of leadership and his contributions to the college.In response to the recognition, Garcia expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is an honor to be the first recipient of the Michael and June Gittings Endowed Chair in the College of Engineering. This is not just a recognition of past achievements, but a call to action toward...

NMSU Extension to host AgriVenture Symposium April 10 in Taos

New Mexico State University's Mora County Cooperative Extension Service is gearing up to host the AgriVenture Symposium on April 10 in Taos. The event, which will run from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Taos County Agriculture Center, will delve into various crucial topics surrounding agriculture.The symposium will feature discussions on regenerative agriculture, soil health, wireless fencing, cattle outlook, climate trends, and living with fire-prone landscapes. According to Sunny Finley, Mora County Ag Extension agent, the event is designed to address contemporary...

APD Releases 2023 Crime Stats

The Albuquerque Police Department has recently unveiled the preliminary crime statistics for 2023. According to the data released by APD, crimes against property have shown a stable trend with an 18% decrease since 2018. In specific categories, burglary decreased by 16%, motor vehicle theft by 13%, robbery by 41%, and larceny increased slightly by 2%.Regarding crimes against persons, there was a 19% drop in homicides between 2022 and 2023. Chief Harold Medina of APD emphasized, "We saw a significant decrease in homicides at the same time we continue to solve these cases...

Albuquerque Police Make Arrests and Add New Offenders to Metro 15 List

Albuquerque Police Department recently made arrests related to the Metro 15 List, a targeted effort under Mayor Keller’s Violence Intervention Program. Charles Casias and Todd Haire, both Metro 15 offenders, were apprehended for their respective warrants. Casias was arrested for Probation Violation while Haire was booked for Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor.Moreover, two new individuals have been added to the Metro 15 List. Imani Malilo, aged 30, has warrants for Aggravated Battery, while Natasha Streeter, aged 36, has warrants for Non-Residential Burglary.The Metro...

APD Releases 2023 Crime Stats

The Albuquerque Police Department recently unveiled its preliminary crime statistics for the year 2023, indicating various shifts in criminal activities within the city. According to APD's presentation available on their website, crimes against property have showcased a stable trend, with an 18% decrease since 2018 when the department adopted the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System.In terms of Crimes Against Property, specific changes were noted:- Burglary decreased by 16%- Motor Vehicle Theft saw a 13% reduction- Robbery incidents dropped by 41%- Larceny...

Coming Soon! Los Altos Lofts Now Pre-Leasing

The City of Albuquerque, in collaboration with Monarch Properties Inc., has announced the commencement of pre-leasing applications for Los Altos Lofts, a former hotel acquired by the City in April of 2023 for transformation into housing. The first units, currently in the construction phase, are anticipated to be ready for occupancy this spring.Monarch Properties Vice President, Jack MacGillivray, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Monarch Properties is pleased to once again join with the City of Albuquerque to oversee this newest community. The opportunity to...

BernCo Fire and Rescue Achieves International Accredited Status

Bernalillo County – BernCo Fire and Rescue (BCFR) has received internationally Accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). It is one of more than 300 agencies to achieve this status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), Inc."The department’s approval yesterday by the CPSE accreditation commission at the 2024 CPSE Excellence Conference in Florida culminates four years of hard work to earn this standing."

APD arrests three men after dangerous pursuit

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....

Safety Tip: NMSU Smoking/Vaping Policies

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...

Planting Season Springs Up at Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde, New Mexico

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...

Five Sandia Labs Scientists Honored with 2024 Black Engineer of the Year Awards

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...

Treasurer’s Office Warns and Discourages Taxpayers from Using Third Party Online Bill Payments Like DOXO

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,...

City of Las Cruces Seeks High School Students for Developing Youth Leaders Academy Program

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...

NMSU Borderlands and Ethnic Studies Department to Unveil New Research Center

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...

NMSU Graduate School to Host Three Minute Thesis Competition Mar. 1

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...

Brian Levant, creator of UNM Sitcom Boot Camp, receives alumni Lobo Award

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...

Optical Science and Engineering Program at UNM to Celebrate 40th Anniversary with Special Speakers

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...

Faculty Spotlight: Huiping Cao, College of Arts and Sciences