KRQE Newsfeed: Mobile response program, APD chief crash, Storms ahead, Laundromat demolition, ABQ health inspection pause
Tuesday's Top Stories
UNMH: Critical Care Tower experiencing construction delays
City of Albuquerque looks into addiction and homelessness with new study
Town hall meeting in Ruidoso will discuss wildfire and flash flooding recovery
Man accused of fleeing BCSO deputies facing federal gun charge
Woman accused of carjacking local judge pleads not guilty
Doña Ana County unveils new EV charging stations
Red Lobster is closing more restaurants. See where they are
White House official says US and China are working to avoid conflict at talks in Beijing
Tuesday's Five Facts
[1] NMDOH speaks on progress of homeless mobile response program – The state invested $4 million to help the homeless in rural areas. The Mobile Homelessness Response Demonstration Project helps build mobile responses in rural New Mexico, across 19 counties. Organizations were able to meet with more than 3,000 individuals to provide services. DOH secretary Patrick Allen says there are resources to continue funding the project and that they are working with the governor's office on the budget.
[2] City councilor calls for additional investigation into APD chief's crash – An Albuquerque City Councilor is calling for a deeper look into the crash involving Police Chief Harold Medina. In February, Medina says gunfire caused him to speed through a red light and crash into another vehicle, seriously injuring the driver. APD's internal affairs found Medina violated department policies for failing to safely operate his vehicle and for failing to turn on his body camera. Councilor Louie Sanchez filed a complaint with the Law Enforcement Academy Board and the State Department of Public Safety. A spokesperson for the city says the crash has been reviewed extensively and a final decision has been made.
[3] Flooding ahead & muggy weather for New Mexico – As temperatures rise from the morning school commute into the upper 60's, 70's, 80's, and lower 90's by the afternoon, plenty of moisture in the air, along with just enough daytime heating, will lead to plenty of areas receiving the potential for rainfall. While the far northwestern parts of the Four Corners may be even drier today, the heart of the region has the best chance of rain for today with the flash flooding risk higher in the early-to-mid afternoon hours because the storms will be even slower in movement.
[4] Demolition begins for Wash Tub Laundromat, owner hopes to eventually rebuild – Demolition began Monday for the Downtown-area laundromat that went up in flames in February. Now, the owner hopes to rebuild. Surveillance video appears to show a homeless camp on the north side of the building where a small fire starts that quickly grows after an electrical box explodes. According to owner Hunter Greene, there is no time frame yet on when rebuilding could start.
[5] Restaurant health inspections on temporary pause in Albuquerque – Routine restaurant inspections will be pausing in Albuquerque. The Environmental Health Department says they need time to reach inspectors how to enforce newly adopted rules. The new food safety ordinance adds a yellow category, in addition to green and red. The yellow label signifies that a restaurant needs some fixing, but does not warrant a shutdown. The health department says that even though inspections are pause, they're still taking allegations of unsafe eateries seriously and customers should not be worried about eating out.
