A 77-year-old man in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, has been diagnosed with plague, marking the second case this year with no fatalities. The disease, transmitted through fleas from rodents, can also spread via contact with infected animals. Health officials advise precautions such as avoiding sick animals, controlling fleas on pets, and using insect repellent, while emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention for symptoms like sudden fever and swollen lymph nodes.
Jaremy Smith, the man wanted for a police officer's murder, has been captured by the New Mexico State Police after a pursuit and a deputy-involved shooting in Bernalillo County. No deputies were reported injured, and the Multi-Agency Task Force is investigating the incident.
Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman has dismissed over 150 DWI cases, citing an ongoing federal investigation into officers within the Albuquerque Police Department's DWI unit. Federal agents have searched the homes of officers involved in the dismissed cases. Bregman stated that he had no choice but to drop the cases and emphasized the need to follow his ethics as a prosecutor. He declined to provide specific details and referred inquiries to the U.S. Attorney's office.
A new study revealed that 22 young people between 14 and 18 years old die from drug overdoses in the U.S. every week, with Bernalillo County identified as a national hotspot. The White House is urging schools to make naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of an overdose, available and to develop or revise emergency plans in case of an overdose. The director of Drug Control Policy at the White House emphasized the importance of increasing access to naloxone, as it could potentially save thousands of lives. Officials from Albuquerque Public Schools and Rio Rancho Public Schools have confirmed that they have naloxone in every school, including middle and elementary schools.
Bernalillo County officials in New Mexico are hosting a free vaccine clinic for dogs in response to the spread of a respiratory illness. While there are no identified positive cases in the state, the clinic will offer Bordetella shots as a precautionary measure. Symptoms of the Canine Respiratory Syndrome include trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, fever, discharge from eyes and nose, lethargy, dehydration, and loss of appetite. Dog owners are advised to contact a veterinarian if their pet displays multiple symptoms.
A crash between two semitrailers on Interstate 40 in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, resulted in one fatality. The crash occurred around 11 p.m. and closed all eastbound traffic at mile marker 135. The area near the Route 66 Casino Hotel was affected. The investigation is ongoing, and further details about the crash are currently limited. The eastbound traffic reopened around 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
A fire has started outside a plastic recycling facility in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, emitting black smoke. The building has been evacuated, and Bernalillo County Fire Rescue and Albuquerque Fire Rescue are on the scene.
Bernalillo County in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is removing dangerous traffic circles along Sunset Road after numerous complaints from residents about speeding drivers and accidents. County Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada acknowledged the mistakes made in implementing the roundabouts and stated that the county is now taking action to fix the issue. The county will be conducting a redesign process and seeking feedback from residents to find alternative solutions to slow down drivers in the area.
Fire crews from Bernalillo County, Albuquerque Fire Rescue, and the Forest Service are responding to a fire that started in the Sandia Mountains on Monday afternoon. The fire is located west of the 10k trial, north of State Highway 536, and east of the Ellis Trailhead. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and crews are working to get people off the trail.
A body recovery is underway in southwest Albuquerque after a person was found floating in the Rio Grande just south of Rio Bravo Southwest. Albuquerque Fire Rescue first made the discovery and notified other first responders. Bernalillo County open space units were notified and are preparing to recover the body. AFR and Albuquerque's open space are also on the scene.
The 30th annual South Valley Pride Day celebration took place in Albuquerque, organized by the West Side Community Center and Bernalillo County. The event included a parade with dancers, public safety agencies, school sports teams, and lowriders. Food trucks, arts and craft vendors, and a car show were also present at the Westside Community Center. The celebration showcased the small-town spirit of the South Valley community, where "everybody knows everybody and everybody gets along."
