Police

Los Alamos Police Close One Lane On Main Hill Due To Rockslide … Motorists Asked To Seek Alternate Route

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UPDATE: Road is cleared and traffic is moving smoothly. The Los Alamos Police Department has closed one lane on the Main Hill  Road this morning for an undisclosed amount of time due to a rockslide. Officers are allowing commuters to use one lane and directing traffic around the rockslide located near Anderson Lookout. Commuters are encouraged to seek an alternate route and to expect delays. Photo by Mary Arrowsmith

Scene of a Los Alamos Police Officer clearing the roadway this morning following a rockslide near Anderson Lookout on the Main Hill Road.Photo by Mary Arrowsmith Read More

Governor Signs Special Session Emergency Relief Package

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signing emergency legislation Friday to shield New Mexicans from federal cuts to food assistance and health care programs. Courtesy photo

From the Office of the Governor:

  • Four bills provide $162 million to counter federal cuts

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed emergency legislation Friday to shield New Mexicans from federal cuts to food assistance and health care programs, deploying $162 million in state funds immediately to maintain services across the state.

“When federal support falls short, New Mexico steps up — that’s our commitment Read More

FBI: Pigeon Springs Man Receives 3 Year Probationary Sentence For Role In Fatal Drunk Driving Crash

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Pigeon Springs man was sentenced to 3 years of probation for his role in a fatal drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a passenger.

According to court documents, Sept. 22, 2024, Irvin Virgil Wauneka, Jr., 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol after consuming alcohol and falling asleep at the wheel.

Jane Doe was a passenger in the vehicle. Wauneka’s impaired driving resulted in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Jane Doe suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. Read More

Stoddard Family’s ‘Heartfelt Thank You’ To Community

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Kate Stoddard

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

There was a saying in a training I attended by the Boomerang Project: “You get back what you give.” It is an unspoken philosophy of many people who do good deeds wherever and whenever they find the need. There’s a person I know who lives this motto. Her name is Kate Stoddard.

Stoddard and her family are the very definition of the kind of giving that runs deep in our community. Their contagious and constant character, attitude, and kindness know no bounds. If it could be bottled, it would fetch a fortune, and recently that boomerang of love circled back Read More

FBI: Arizona Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Abuse

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — An Arizona man admitted to engaging in sexual acts with a victim using threats and intimidation.

According to court documents, in August of 2021, Fernando Yatsatie, Jr., 47, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, unlawfully engaged in in a sexual act with a victim, placing them in fear.

Yatsatie pleaded guilty to sexual abuse. At sentencing, Yatsatie is subject to a sentence of up to life in prison. Upon his release from prison, Yatsatie will be subject to no less than five years and up to life of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent Read More

NMSP, Local Agencies Target Crime In International District

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NMSP News:

ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico State Police, in partnership with the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Parole, and the Albuquerque Police Department, conducted a weeklong crime suppression operation in Albuquerque’s International District from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28.

The operation is part of the State Police’s increased efforts in the area, aimed at reducing crime and addressing public drug use through proactive patrols and high-contact stops. 

During the seven-day effort, NMSP’s uniform officers and Crime Suppression Read More

FBI: Sanostee Man Sentenced For Violent Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Sanostee man was sentenced to 72 months in prison for a violent assault that left a woman seriously injured.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, between Dec. 2 and Dec. 3, 2023, Nathan Mescale, 36, assaulted Jane Doe and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.

Upon his release from prison, Mescale will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. Read More

FBI: Two Zuni Men Sentenced For Armed Assault

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Two Zuni men were sentenced to 33 months in prison each for a violent armed assault involving four victims.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, April 8, 2023, Kamron Kallestewa, 25, and Kaden Panteah, 20, both enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo, assaulted four individuals at a residence on the Pueblo using firearms. Kallestewa hit two victims in the head and face with his weapon and pointed it at two of the victims. Panteah, meanwhile, aimed and fired his weapon toward the victims.

Upon their release from prison, Kallestewa will Read More

FBI: Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty To Leading Massive Illegal Marijuana Operation

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FBI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Dineh Benally pleaded guilty in federal court to leading a vast illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution ring that spanned several years, exploited workers, and polluted the San Juan River on tribal lands.

Benally pleaded guilty to 15 counts, including:

 

  • Two drug trafficking conspiracy charges for orchestrating the illegal operations.
  • Four charges of manufacturing and possessing with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana and more than 1,000 marijuana plants.
  • Two charges of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
  • Two charges of illegally
Read More

State Police Checkpoints And Saturation Patrols In Counties Across New Mexico In October 2025

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State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during October 2025. Courtesy/NMSP

NMSP News:

New Mexico State Police (NMSP) will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration, insurance, and driver’s license checkpoints in all New Mexico counties during October 2025.

We are bringing awareness to these events to reduce impaired driving-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising.

These checkpoints Read More