Wednesday’s Top Stories
- ABQ business takes matters into own hands with shoplifters
- Crime Stoppers asking for information on persons of interest in Lobo Village shooting
- Police investigate fatal stabbing in Las Cruces
- Chief takes credit for ending DWI scheme within APD
- Santa Fe police arrest man accused of shooting pellet gun at store
- ABQ City Council works on ordinance changes to deal with nuisance properties
- The colors we see make a difference in the food we eat
Wednesday’s Five Facts
[1] Former APD officer named in scheme now trains DWI officers for state of New Mexico – Late last month, APD shared that former officer Tim McCarson is under federal investigation for possibly being involved in a network of officers who worked with at least one defense attorney and a paralegal to make DWI cases disappear. Tuesday, News 13 learned McCarson runs consulting firm, BRV Consulting, which holds a contract with the state to provide specific training to specialty officers, including members of DWI units. The contract, awarded by the New Mexico Department of Transportation shows the firm was set to receive $294,000 each year through fiscal year 2028. NMDOT says the department’s Office of General Counsel is “aware of the issue and is evaluating.”
[2] Trial of ex-Las Cruces Police officer charged in shooting death – The jury trial for a former Las Cruces police officer accused of shooting and killing a man during a fight over a stolen beer is set to continue. Brad Lunsford is facing a manslaughter charge for shooting and killing Presley Eze in August 2022. Tuesday, the state prosecutor brought up their first witness, Las Cruces police detective Rene Molenda, who was the lead investigator of the shooting. The trial is expected to last a couple more days.
[3] Warm weather lasting through the end of the week – This afternoon record breaking temperatures are possible from Farmington down to Roswell. Southern New Mexico is boasting high temperatures in the 80’s. Whereas northern New Mexico is forecasting highs in the 60’s. Both are well above seasonable averages. Gusts upwards of 50 mph are possible across northeastern New Mexico. The rest of the state can expect locally breezy conditions through the afternoon.
[4] Sandia Peak Ski Area is temporarily closing – The Sandia Peak Ski Area says it is temporarily closing. In a post, the ski area announced that warm temperatures and limited snow conditions have led them to close until further notice. Staff say they are actively monitoring the weather and will resume making snow when conditions allow.
[5] Project ECHO launches Child & Adolescent Mental Health Program – UNM’s Health Sciences Center Project ECHO is launching the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program. The program is designed to educate teachers, caseworkers, primary care providers, therapists and school counselors on how to intervene early on. Through an hour-long virtual session, once every two weeks, professionals will learn helpful tools like coping mechanisms to help youth manage depression or anxiety.