New Mexico Sun

APD detectives have made a significant breakthrough in a murder case that had remained unsolved for over three years. Carlos Morris, 48, was arrested today for the 2020 murder of Teryn Kurtz at a Southeast Heights apartment.The arrest took place after officers initially encountered Morris at the scene of the shooting on Ortiz Dr., S.E. Morris was found covered in blood as he attempted to move Kurtz's deceased body into a dark blue Honda sedan. In a disturbing discovery, officers also found a large bottle of Clorox bleach behind Morris, suggesting an attempt to tamper with...

Reliable Controls Corp. CEO to deliver Bromilow Lecture at NMSU

Ed Macha, the CEO of Reliable Controls Corporation, will be delivering this year's annual College of Engineering Bromilow Lecture at New Mexico State University (NMSU). The lecture will take place on Friday, February 23rd at 4 p.m. in Jett Hall, Room 259. The event is open to the public and free of charge.Macha, an engineering alum of NMSU, founded Reliable Controls in 1999. The company specializes in industrial plant automation and commissioning, and is renowned for its exceptional services in the mining and heavy industry sectors. Having started in Salt Lake City,...

APD ID’s 26 murder suspects in first six weeks of the year

The Albuquerque Police Department's Homicide Unit has identified 26 murder suspects in the first six weeks of this year. Out of these suspects, 24 have already been arrested, one is deceased, and one is currently wanted. This significant progress in solving murder cases can be attributed to the department's investment in detective academies and the overhaul of investigative units.APD Chief Harold Medina expressed his satisfaction with the department's achievements, stating, "Our investment in detective academies and the overhaul of our investigative units continues to pay...

Santa Fe County Seeks Public Input for Hazard Mitigation Plan

Santa Fe County is seeking public input for its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMAP), a comprehensive effort to identify and develop strategies to minimize the impact of various hazards on the unincorporated area of the County. In order to ensure the success of the plan, the county is actively engaging with diverse stakeholders and inviting them to participate in public meetings and surveys.Fire Chief Jacob Black emphasizes the importance of public engagement in hazard mitigation planning, stating, "Public engagement is critical to the success of hazard mitigation planning....

Bernalillo County Commissioner Walt Benson Strongly Supports Return To Work Legislation

Bernalillo County Commissioner Walt Benson has expressed his strong support for the recently passed Return to Work bill, HB236, by the New Mexico House of Representatives. The bill is currently awaiting final passage on the Senate Floor. Commissioner Benson also highlighted the Senate version of the bill, SB 87, which is awaiting a final hearing.The Return to Work legislation was developed through a bipartisan effort with input from the New Mexico Association of Counties and the American Federation of State and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). It aims to provide an...

APD Arrests Man in Connection with 2020 Shooting Death in SE Albuquerque

APD detectives have made a breakthrough in a murder case from 2020, charging Nathan Henson for the shooting death of Nehemiah Lovato at the Valencia Court Apartments. Henson, currently incarcerated in Oklahoma, is accused of fatally shooting Lovato on October 25, 2020, at the apartment complex located at 200 Valencia Dr., S.E.According to surveillance video, Henson was seen pulling out a firearm and pointing it at Lovato, while another individual grabbed Lovato's backpack. A struggle ensued, and during the scuffle, a single shot was fired, striking Lovato and causing him...

UNM Hospital Implements New Centralized Check-in System

UNM Hospital has recently introduced a new centralized check-in system for outpatient care, aiming to provide a more streamlined and convenient experience for patients. Instead of checking in at their respective clinics, patients will now use the centralized check-in (CCI) process."This is a big and exciting change for our campus," said Aaron Williams, Senior Executive Director of Ambulatory Operations at UNM Hospital. "The centralized check-in will further our mission of providing accessible, high-quality, safety-focused, and comprehensive care for the people of New...

Woman Gives the Gift of Life to Husband Through Kidney Donation at UNM Hospital

Lisa and Jeffrey Schnapp, a couple who met through Jeffrey's chiropractic practice, recently underwent a life-changing experience at The University of New Mexico (UNM) Hospital. After Jeffrey was diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease, Lisa made the selfless decision to donate her kidney to her husband. The couple's inspiring story highlights the importance of living organ donation and the impact it can have on the lives of those in need.The Schnapps learned about Jeffrey's condition shortly after celebrating their first wedding anniversary in August 2022. Lisa recalls,...

The Drug Enforcement Administration Helps Kickstart the Second At-Risk Teenager Lowrider Bike Club in New Mexico

On February 16, the Española Lowrider Bike Club will be showcasing a dozen teenagers' customized bikes at their exhibition opening reception at the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art in Santa Fe. The club, which operates out of the Española YMCA Teen Center, provides at-risk teenagers with the opportunity to build and customize their bikes under the guidance of skilled teachers and mentors from the Española lowrider community.The Española Lowrider Bike Club is the second of its kind in New Mexico, thanks to funding from the Drug Enforcement El Paso Division through their...

Get Ready for the Return of Food Truck Fridays!

ALBUQUERQUE - The City of Albuquerque is excited to announce the return of Food Truck Fridays, a beloved community event that brings together food enthusiasts from all over the city. Starting on March 8, residents and visitors alike can look forward to a culinary journey that celebrates the diverse and vibrant food scene in Albuquerque.According to City officials, the event aims to invigorate downtown and create a space where people can come together and enjoy delicious food. "Food Truck Fridays has become a cherished tradition in our city," says Mayor John Smith. "It not...

Assessor Shows Love to ‘Entire’ Staff

County Assessor Damian Lara has implemented a new policy that brings fair and equitable accounting to his staff. Both union and non-union employees are now entitled to the same assessor certification and corresponding pay benefit. This move comes after Bernalillo County entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 18, Local 2260 AFL-CIO, which represents white-collar employees.Assessor Lara encouraged all his staff to participate in an extensive training program, which, when...

30 Day Comment Period Underway for the 2024 Draft Action Plan

The City of Albuquerque is currently seeking public input on its 2024 Draft Action Plan, which outlines the proposed projects and funding allocations for the upcoming year. The plan serves as the city's grant application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and includes activities to be undertaken with various funding sources, such as Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME Investment Partnerships funds, and Emergency Solutions Grant funds.According to the draft plan, the city is expecting to receive a total of $4,278,318.00 in CDBG...

NMSU to host 20th annual Employment Extravaganza

New Mexico State University's Office of Experiential Learning is excited to announce that they will be hosting the 20th annual Employment Extravaganza Career Fair on March 19. The event, which will be held at the Corbett Center Student Union on NMSU's Las Cruces campus, will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m."We are thrilled to be organizing the 20th annual Employment Extravaganza Career Fair," said the spokesperson from the Office of Experiential Learning. "This event provides an excellent opportunity for NMSU students to connect with potential employers and explore available...

Students Invited to NMSU for Engineering Day

New Mexico State University's (NMSU) Student Engineers' Council is inviting high school students to visit the campus and explore the world of engineering. This event is being organized as part of the National Engineering Week, and it aims to provide students with insights into different engineering majors and career pathways.Taking place on Monday, February 19, the Engineering Day at NMSU will offer high school students the opportunity to meet with current engineering students, staff, and faculty. They will also have the chance to learn about the various engineering...

APD unveils boost in retention and recruitment

The city of Albuquerque has reported an increase in retention and recruitment rates for the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). In a bid to enhance their recruitment efforts, the APD has been encouraging young adults aged 18 and above to consider applying for positions such as police service aide and transit safety officer. These roles serve as potential stepping stones towards a career as a police officer.

Job Opportunity at the ABQ BioPark: Assistant Gardener/Miniature Railroad Exhibit Operator

The ABQ BioPark is currently seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Assistant Gardener/Miniature Railroad Exhibit Operator. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with the care and maintenance of plants and grounds, as well as operating and maintaining the miniature railroad exhibit. This position is part of the Horticulture department and reports to the Curator of Plants.According to the job description, the Assistant Gardener/Miniature Railroad Exhibit Operator will be involved in various tasks related to the operation and maintenance...

IPNRS podcast explores groundbreaking vaccine to lower cholesterol

High cholesterol, a leading cause of heart disease and stroke, could be treatable in coming decades with a new vaccine developed by University of New Mexico Health scientists. The vaccine lowers bad cholesterol in mice and non-human primates, potentially offering a cheaper treatment for high cholesterol.In a recent episode of It's Probably Not Rocket Science (IPNRS), the creators of this groundbreaking vaccine were interviewed, shedding light on its development, purpose, and the role of graduate students in the research process. Bryce Chackerian, endowed professor of...

UNM School of Public Administration professor awarded prestigious fellowship

Assistant Professor Michelle Allgood from the University of New Mexico's School of Public Administration has been named an American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) Founders' Fellow. This prestigious fellowship program supports the next generation of public service leaders through professional development opportunities. Allgood expressed her excitement about the fellowship, stating, "I'm excited for the opportunity to learn more and to represent UNM's commitment to public service."Allgood's interest in public service began during her time as a missionary in...

NMSU Hosts Open Casting Call for Upcoming Films

The Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University (NMSU) is set to host an open casting call on Saturday, Feb. 17 in Milton Hall on campus. This casting call is aimed at expanding the actor database available for student-led films and providing opportunities for individuals interested in acting to showcase their talents.NMSU has been working towards establishing southern New Mexico as a hub for filmmaking, and this casting call is an important step in that direction. The auditions will play a pivotal role in supporting student-led film projects scheduled to...

NMSU Receives $1.2 Million Award for Climate Change Research Collaboration