News from June 2024


Dennis-Ray Armijo named new director of UNM Student Union Building

Dennis-Ray Armijo named new director of UNM Student Union Building

Dennis-Ray Armijo has been appointed as the new director of the Student Union Building (SUB) at The University of New Mexico, following a competitive nationwide search. He will assume his new role on July 1, succeeding Cheryl Wallace, who is retiring.


Behavioral Health Institute assures safety amid Las Vegas flash floods

Behavioral Health Institute assures safety amid Las Vegas flash floods

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute (BHI) in Las Vegas, NM, remains unaffected by the ongoing flash flooding in San Miguel County. Reports of evacuations due to flooding in the community prompted concerns from families and loved ones of BHI residents.


Albuquerque celebrates World Refugee Day with naturalization ceremony

Albuquerque celebrates World Refugee Day with naturalization ceremony

Today, the community gathered at Civic Plaza to honor the refugee community. The 2024 World Refugee Day event commenced with a naturalization ceremony that welcomed 79 new citizens. Following the ceremony, guest speakers, including Deputy CAO Matthew Whelan, expressed their commitment to supporting refugees.


UNM student's design featured at centennial Burning of Zozobra

UNM student's design featured at centennial Burning of Zozobra

A University of New Mexico student’s artwork will be featured this summer at a historic centennial celebration. Jessica Knox, a senior at UNM pursuing a bachelor’s in history and political science, will have her work showcased before and during the 100th Burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe this August.


City parking garage revitalized with plant wall

City parking garage revitalized with plant wall

Albuquerque – The Very Special Arts Garage (VSA) is receiving a new addition this week with the installation of a plant wall, or vertical garden. Plant walls are increasingly popular for their ability to beautify spaces, protect buildings, reduce urban heat effects, and diminish urban noise. This particular wall will cover the interior of an underused courtyard on the southeast side of the VSA Garage Downtown.


Albuquerque City Council passes amendment to Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance

Albuquerque City Council passes amendment to Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance

The Albuquerque City Council has passed Council Bill No. O-24-22, now Enactment No. O-2024-016, which amends the ROA 1994, Chapter 14, Article 8, Part 4, known as the “Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Ordinance.” The bill was sponsored by Joaquín Baca and Renée Grout upon request.


UNM Hospital participates in region-wide emergency preparedness drill

UNM Hospital participates in region-wide emergency preparedness drill

Imagine a 5.6 magnitude earthquake occurs without warning in the Rio Grande Rift on the Sandia-Rincon fault. Violent shaking and heavy damage are recorded along the 30-mile stretch from Algodones to Kirtland Air Force Base. As a result, 60 percent of Albuquerque is without power, several major roads have collapsed, and hundreds, if not thousands, of people are injured.


Robert Nott appointed communications director for NMHealth

Robert Nott appointed communications director for NMHealth

SANTA FE—Patrick Allen, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth), announced today that Robert Nott has been named Communications Director for the department. For the past 25 years, Nott has been a reporter for the Santa Fe New Mexican.


Council updates energy codes for commercial and residential buildings

Council updates energy codes for commercial and residential buildings

On June 21, 2024, the council enacted Bill No. O-24-19 as Ordinance No. O-2024-015. Sponsored by Tammy Fiebelkorn, the ordinance amends the 2023 Uniform Administrative Code and Technical Codes to regulate energy conservation.


City council's resolution leads to groundbreaking fertility study

City council's resolution leads to groundbreaking fertility study

In November 2022, District 7 City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn sponsored Council resolution R-22-73 to prevent live animals from being used in scientific research. A year and a half later, the University of New Mexico (UNM) has released a study utilizing animal tissues provided by the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department.


Audio disruption impacts T-Mobile customers' calls to Santa Fe emergency center

Audio disruption impacts T-Mobile customers' calls to Santa Fe emergency center

The Santa Fe Regional Emergency Communications Center (SFRECC) is currently addressing an issue with incoming call audio on its non-emergency phone lines that appears to be affecting T-Mobile customers. The phone service provider, Lumen, has been investigating this issue since May 21, 2024.


Q&A with Josh Rogers, co-founder of Polly's Run: 'when we lost our mother, this was a way to never give up, to keep her memory alive, and give back to the community'

Q&A with Josh Rogers, co-founder of Polly's Run: 'when we lost our mother, this was a way to never give up, to keep her memory alive, and give back to the community'

Josh Rogers is the co-founder of Polly’s Run, an annual run/walk that raises money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research in New Mexico. Rogers spoke to the New Mexico Sun about Polly’s Run and how it came to be.


UNM assistant professor awarded prestigious neuroscience honor

UNM assistant professor awarded prestigious neuroscience honor

Mubarak Hussain Syed, an assistant professor of Biology at The University of New Mexico, is one of 10 neuroscientists selected by The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience board of directors to receive the 2024 McKnight Scholar Award.


Southwest Block Party offers community resources at Tower Pond Park

Southwest Block Party offers community resources at Tower Pond Park

Families in Albuquerque are invited to a Summer of Nonviolence block party at Tower Pond Park on Saturday, June 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Organized by the City of Albuquerque’s and Albuquerque Community Safety’s School-Based Violence Intervention Program in collaboration with Bernalillo County, the event aims to provide a blend of support services and entertainment, ensuring a day filled with valuable resources and enjoyable activities for all attendees.


Emergency rental assistance payments delayed due to financial system transition

Emergency rental assistance payments delayed due to financial system transition

Doña Ana County is currently finalizing its fiscal year-end closing on June 30 and transitioning to a new financial management system. Consequently, payments for participants in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), including both applicants and landlords, will be delayed until July 12.


Professor Emerita Jane Slaughter remembered by friends and colleagues

Professor Emerita Jane Slaughter remembered by friends and colleagues

Margaret Jane Slaughter, Professor Emerita at The University of New Mexico (UNM), passed away on June 4 at the age of 82. A prominent figure in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies, Slaughter was recognized for her scholarship on women in the Italian Resistance and her contributions to the Department of History at UNM.


Commissioner Greene moderates community meeting on Bishop’s Lodge Resort discharge permit

Commissioner Greene moderates community meeting on Bishop’s Lodge Resort discharge permit

Santa Fe, NM - Justin Greene, Santa Fe County Commissioner for District 1, will moderate a community meeting on Monday, June 24, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Tesuque Volunteer Fire Station, located at 4 Senda de Fuego, Santa Fe, NM 87506. The meeting is organized in collaboration with Bishop's Lodge Resort to inform residents about the resort’s discharge permit for their package wastewater treatment plant.


City of Santa Fe Veterans Advisory Board met June 18

City of Santa Fe Veterans Advisory Board met June 18

City of Santa Fe Veterans Advisory Board met Tuesday, June 18


City of Santa Fe Public Library Board met June 18

City of Santa Fe Public Library Board met June 18

City of Santa Fe Public Library Board met Tuesday, June 18


City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met June 18

City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met June 18

City of Santa Fe Quality of Life Committee met Tuesday, June 18