DA: Albuquerque Police Sitting On Shooting Investigations – Associated Press
Albuquerque’s district attorney, who recently sought murder charges against two police officers, says police aren't sending her information on other shootings to review.
Kari Brandenburg sent Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden a letter this week asking about 13 investigations into police shootings her office is waiting to review. She says some of the investigations are 17 months old.
Albuquerque police later posted Brandenburg's letter on social media and said it investigates all cases thoroughly. The department also said that "detailed accuracy and transparency" are priorities.
Brandenburg and Albuquerque police are locked in a public battle over her decision to charge two officers in the March 2014 shooting of James Boyd. Police also forwarded a bribery investigation into Brandenburg to the New Mexico Attorney General's office.
Santa Fe Police Ignoring City's Pot Ordinance – The Associated Press
Police in the New Mexico's state capital appear to be largely ignoring a new city ordinance that decriminalizes possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Record show that Santa Fe police since November have been filing cases only under state statute in Magistrate Court.
After the Santa Fe council voted last summer to adopt the new ordinance, officers were given discretion to issue citations under either municipal or state law.
Those charged under state law face a criminal petty misdemeanor — punishable by up to 15 days in jail and fines up to $100 — that remains on a person's record.
Under the city's ordinance, offenders are charged with a civil violation subject to a maximum $25 fine.
'El Dentista' Facing Drug Charges In Santa Fe Jail – The Associated Press
A man known as "El Dentista," who recently was sentenced for operated an unsanctioned mobile dentistry service in Santa Fe, has been charged with drug possession in jail.
Authorities recently caught Eliver Kestler with 20 strips of the narcotic Suboxone hidden inside his shoes at the Santa Fe County Jail.
Authorities say Kestler claims he was holding it for another inmate but refused give the inmate's name.
Suboxone is a narcotic used to treat heroin addicts by suppressing withdrawal symptoms.
It was not known if Kestler had an attorney.
Kestler was sentenced to six years in prison last month.
Prosecutors say Kestler didn't use gloves or anesthesia while working on patients and carried his tools in a dirty toolbox. Authorities say he preyed on immigrants.
Semi-Finalists For Albuquerque Superintendent Job Announced – The Associated Press
Texas and California school administrators are among the semi-finalists for Albuquerque superintendent job.
The Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education announced Thursday it has chosen six applicants out of dozens who have applied for the district's top spot.
Luis Valentino, an associate superintendent for San Francisco United School District, and Michael Cardona, chief school officer for Houston Independent School District, are among those competing for the position.
Veronica Garcia, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children and former New Mexico Public Education Department secretary, also is among the six.
The board plans to interview the semi-finalists next Thursday to further narrow the field. The finalists will participate in public forums on Thursday night and Friday. The board then plans to meet April 11 to select the new superintendent.
Documentary Explores Atari Dig In New Mexico Desert – The Associated Press
A documentary explores Atari's decline and the secret dumping of a flopped "E.T." game in the New Mexico desert.
"Atari: Game Over" details the downfall of video-game giant Atari. The documentary began airing on Xbox last year and was released on Netflix on Wednesday.
The documentary investigates claims that Atari hid its biggest flop, 1982's "E.T.," by burying the cartridges in an Alamogordo, New Mexico, dump.
The "E.T." game had the reputation of being the worst game ever made and contributed to the company's demise.
Around 300 and 400 games uncovered in the New Mexico landfill last year were later sold on eBay. One of the "E.T." Atari game cartridges unearthed from a heap of garbage was added to the Smithsonian's video game history collection.
New Mexico Tourism Ad Contract Goes To Santa Fe Firm - The Associated Press
The New Mexico Tourism Department has awarded a four-year, $7 million advertising contract to Santa Fe-based Talweg Creative.
The department made the announcement Thursday.
Talweg will be tasked with managing the department's New Mexico True marketing campaign in national and regional markets and within the state.
Talweg has been working with the department over the past year on the New Mexico True video series and will continue to focus on digital media markets.
Gov. Susana Martinez says tourism is an important economic driver for the state and she's looking forward to seeing the evolution of the New Mexico True campaign.
Tourism Secretary Rebecca Latham says the department currently uses four ad agencies to oversee the campaign. She says assigning responsibilities to one agency will streamline the creative process.
Albuquerque Officer To Face Charges For Kneeing Student – Associated Press
An Albuquerque police officer accused of kneeing a University of New Mexico law school student in the groin and deleting a cell phone video of the attack is facing charges.
Court documents filed Tuesday show that Pablo Padilla will face aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and tampering with evidence charges in connection to the April 2014 traffic stop.
An attorney for the student, Jeremy Martin, said his client was forced to under emergency surgery to remove a testicle after Padilla kneed him.
Martin later filed a lawsuit. Drunken driving charges against Martin were dismissed.
Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden later gave Padilla a 240-hour suspension.
In December, the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy Board started to revoke Padilla's law enforcement certification.
It was not known if the 39-year-old Padilla had an attorney.
New Mexico AG Pursues Case Against Major Nursing Home Chain - Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
New Mexico's top prosecutor is following through with a lawsuit against one of the nation's largest nursing home chains over inadequate care.
The state initially sued in December, targeting several nursing homes run by Preferred Care Partners Management Group. The company operates in at least 10 states.
The suit claimed thin staffing made it impossible to address residents' needs. As a result, the state and federal government were improperly billed.
The case was highlighted in a New York Times story that revealed a private law firm urged the previous attorney general to sue.
Current Attorney General Hector Balderas says it was important to review the merits of the case to ensure it was in the best interest of New Mexicans.
An amended complaint includes accounts of neglect and poor care from dozens of former employees and residents' families.
New Mexico Governor Signs Legislation To Attract Caseworkers – Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation aimed at helping New Mexico recruit and retain child abuse caseworkers.
The measure establishes a student loan repayment program for eligible social workers at the state Children, Youth and Families Department.
It targets those who incurred debt while pursuing degrees in social work or other fields critical to protective services and juvenile justice. They must have worked for the agency for at least a year and served in positions or areas where recruitment is a challenge.
Martinez acknowledged that caseworkers have difficult jobs and that the agency has been hampered by staffing shortages and an overwhelming caseload.
Another recruiting tool has been stipends for college student who commit to work for the child welfare agency. Nearly $850,000 has been budgeted for this fiscal year.
Suspect In Custody Following 3 Albuquerque Bosque Fires – Associated Press
Albuquerque police say they have a person in custody in connection with at least one of several fires sparked along the Rio Grande.
Crews contained the flames Wednesday afternoon.
The blazes brought to seven the number of fires in the same area in two days. They were all believed to be human-caused.
No injuries were reported. All of the fires were in the wooded area along the Rio Grande near the Hispanic Cultural Center.
Police say an officer saw a man run from a fire and then saw him start another.
The man was identified as 37-year-old Audie Helms. He was booked on suspicion of one count of starting a fire on state land.
Police say an investigation continues to determine if Helms is responsible for the other fires.
Gov. Martinez Weighs In On Possibility Of Special Session – Associated Press
Gov. Susana Martinez says there's no reason to call a special session to address millions of dollars in public works projects unless Senate Democrats are willing to compromise.
Her comments came Wednesday after Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez said he and other Democrats may be willing to support a special session.
Albuquerque business leaders asked Martinez this week to call a special session so lawmakers could pass a more than $260 million capital outlay bill. They say thousands of jobs are at stake.
Sanchez said the Senate bill would have serve as the starting point for negotiations.
Martinez says the Senate proposal failed to include any projects from the House or the executive branch.
The governor also acknowledged that New Mexicans are tired of the partisan fighting.
Santa Fe Steps Up Preparations For Chimayo Pilgrimage – Associated Press
Santa Fe County authorities will step up efforts for the annual Good Friday pilgrimage to El Santuario de Chimayo.
Tens of thousands of devotees are expected Thursday evening through Good Friday.
Some will be making the 90-mile, three-day walk from Albuquerque to the shrine that houses "el pocito," a small pit of dirt that some believe possesses curing powers.
First aid stations will be set up along State Highway 503, County Road 76 and at the Chimayo fire station.
The sheriff's office also will be conducting a DWI checkpoint and will be distributing hundreds of glow sticks to pilgrims to help with visibility.
Chimayo is a National Historic Landmark, and some 200,000 people are estimated to visit each year, with the bulk occurring during Holy Week.