Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales’ U-turn on his initial approval of a proposed assisted living center is drawing criticism from residents and some supporters. The supporters include former CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson, who says she doesn't understand why Gonzalez is disregarding what his constituents want. The New Mexican reported the Mayor now says he will make a motion at this week’s City Council meeting to have the city's planning commission reconsider plans for the 84-unit assisted living facility. Gonzales says he is concerned about the project's design and the divisiveness it's caused. Gonzalez cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of its construction last month. Opponents say the MorningStar development is out of character with the surrounding neighborhood and doesn't meet zoning requirements.
More New Mexicans died last year of drug overdoses than in any other year on record. That from the New Mexico Department of Health. The Albuquerque Journal reports state numbers show 2014’s total of 536 deaths mark a 19 percent increase over the previous year, following a two-year decline. And New Mexico's overdose deaths per capita were more than 26 per 100-thousand. Until recently, the state led the nation in per capita overdose deaths, but West Virginia has replaced our state with the nation’s highest rate in recent years. State Epidemiologist Michael Landen says the high number of deaths means New Mexico needs to step up efforts to curb addiction, including better monitoring of prescription painkillers.
State health officials are awaiting test results to see if a Santa Fe County woman died from the plague. The New Mexico Department of Health said Friday the 52-year-old woman would be the first human case of plague in the state this year if tests come back positive. The possibility had Department staff going door-to-door in the woman's neighborhood to inform them about plague found in the area. Plague is a bacterial disease from rodents that is typically transmitted to people through bites from inflected fleas or direct contact with infected animals. Symptoms in humans include sudden fever, chills, headache and weakness. There were two human plague cases in New Mexico last year.It was certainly a unique way to attempt to steal an entire bank ATM, but it failed. Albuquerque Police say a man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a construction loader and then using it to scoop up and drive away with an ATM. Police spokesman Fred Duran says 47-year-old Tommy Burks has been charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle but other charges are pending. Police said Burks appeared to be under the influence at the time of the incident. And witnesses say Burks was recklessly driving the John Deere loader near Central Avenue near 98th late Friday night. Duran says Burks is suspected of using the vehicle to remove an ATM, severely damaging a building in the process. It also caused a power outage for several city blocks in the area. A nearby officer saw the loader leaving the parking lot with the ATM still in the loader bucket. When confronted, Burks allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled. Duran says Burks was then taken into custody. The loader was reported stolen from a construction site.
overnor Susana Martinez says she has total faith in state Taxation and Revenue Secretary Demesia Padilla about allegations of wrongdoing by Padilla until evidence reveals that she shouldn't. The New Mexican recently reported that Padilla, who has served as tax secretary since 2011, is accused of trying to pressure employees to give preferential treatment to her former client in a tax audit. The allegations against Padilla were brought to light this month by State Auditor Tim Keller. Keller's office hired a firm that found evidence supporting the accusations. A spokesman for Padilla says that Keller never interviewed Padilla or other department officials. A spokesman for Keller maintains that the investigation "included interviews with multiple people" at the department. The state attorney general is reviewing the evidence.
Santa Fe Weather: Mostly sunny today with today’s high topping out at 83. Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms prior to 7pm, and the overnight low dipping to 59. Tomorrow: Partly sunny with the high, 84 and a 20-percent chance for showers and thunderstorms.