Wednesday’s Top Stories
- Repeat drunk driver saw jail as ‘free vacation;’ then an opportunity came in BernCo
- Albuquerque Animal Welfare says HEART ordinance updates will help enforce the law
- Four people dead in medical transport plane crash near New Mexico, Arizona border
- Brian Urlacher reconnects with UNM football program
- UNMH’s Critical Care Tower nearly ready to open
- APS leaders discuss gun safety going into new school year
- Family-friendly TSA lanes debut at several US airports: How do they work?
Wednesday’s Five Facts
[1] ‘You are very spiteful’: Community confronts McKinley County DA over funding issues – Even with no money left to run her office, the McKinley County District Attorney said she’s still not giving up control. Bernadine Martin held a news conference on Tuesday to plead her case. Reports of a hostile work environment is the reason why KRQE News 13 has been told Martin has zero assistant prosecutors. The state didn’t get rid of Martin’s funding, but the governor gave it to the San Juan County DA to dish out. Martin believes that’s unconstitutional and filed suit. The two district attorneys will meet with a mediator on Monday.
[2] Man accused of setting father’s house on fire, stealing emergency vehicle – On July 16, Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to help firefighters. As deputies pulled up, one was nearly hit with an emergency vehicle that was speeding away from the scene. Deputies say the homeowner’s son, Faustin Martinez Jr. had stolen the truck, leading to a chase and his eventual arrest. He is facing charges for assaulting a police officer, car theft and arson. As Martinez was taken to a hospital in Española, deputies said he bragged about burning his father’s house down.
[3] High temperatures climb even higher Wednesday afternoon – Wednesday will be hot with a few places nearly breaking record high temperatures. Wednesday will come with more showers and thunderstorms across the state, but most of the rain will evaporate before reaching the ground. That could cause some gusty winds with blowing dust. More record and near record high temperatures are likely Thursday afternoon.
[4] A dozen trees at Fort Marcy Park cut down ahead of 101st Zozobra burning – Residents near a park in Santa Fe are mourning the loss of a dozen trees that organizers said had to go before this year’s burning of Zozobra. Some neighbors said they’re outraged, while Zozobra organizers said it lays the groundwork for something better. Event organizer Raymond Sandoval said the state legislature granted the city of Santa Fe $200,000 for the project, which includes replanting the trees. Without the change, Sandoval said, Zozobra’s insurance was in jeopardy.
[5] Lifeguards honored for saving child’s life – The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners recognized a team of lifeguards who saved the life of a young swimmer. Lifeguards at the South Valley Aquatic Center found an unresponsive child in the water. Lifeguard Logan Sanchez quickly got the child from the water while pool manager Melanie Hernandez moved into action. Lifeguards Edgar Pavia Garcia, Anthony Montoya, Joshua Lovato, and Japhet Beltran Larios performed CPR and other life-saving measures until the child regained consciousness
