New Mexico
5 dogs quarantined after Mountainair exposure, officals to release new info Friday
5 dogs quarantined after Mountainair exposure, officals to release new info Friday
MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. – Investigators say they could have answers within the next 24 hours about a mysterious substance that killed three people inside a Mountainair home and sickened more than two dozen others.
Officials are expected to provide an update Friday on what exactly caused the deadly incident, which has raised serious questions about exposure risks for both humans and animals.
Growing Impact: From victims to first responders
The incident began Wednesday when four people were found unresponsive at a home after coming into contact with an unknown substance. Two were declared dead on scene, and the other two were given Narcan, resuscitated and taken to UNM Hospital. One of them died after arriving at the ER. Initially reported as an overdose call, the situation quickly escalated.
More than 25 people — including at least 18 first responders — were exposed and required quarantine at UNM Hospital. Most have since been released, but two individuals remain under observation as of Wednesday night.
Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said the town’s EMS chief, Josh Lewis, may have been among the most heavily exposed.
“He’s one of the first that went into the residence,” Nieto said. “That’s what we’re thinking — he was the one that got the most of it.”
Lewis was released from UNM Hospital Thursday afternoon and is reported to be doing well according to the Town of Mountainair Facebook page.
Animal quarantine underway
The effects of the mysterious substance have extended beyond humans.
Four dogs that were inside the home are now in quarantine at Mountainair Animal Control, while crews continue searching for a fifth dog.
Staff members are taking significant precautions while caring for the animals.
“We’re wearing all of our PPE just to touch them,” said Jennifer Carter with Mountainair Animal Control. “Right now there are no symptoms. We’re just going to keep an eye on them for the next 10 days.”
So far, all the dogs appear healthy and symptom-free, but officials say they will continue monitoring them closely. If cleared by a veterinarian, the dogs may eventually be put up for adoption unless claimed by family members.
Hospital and community response
At UNM Hospital, dozens of potentially exposed individuals were quarantined as a precaution. While most have now been released, officials say the response is ongoing, with continued monitoring for anyone who may have come into contact with the substance.
The incident has caused fear and uncertainty among those affected — including the quarantined animals.
“They’re grieving, they’re very scared,” Carter said. “They don’t know who I am or the volunteers, so they’re nervous and apprehensive. But we’ll win them over.”
Investigation expands with federal involvement
The case is now being led by New Mexico State Police, with assistance from multiple agencies including Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
FBI agents were seen at the home Wednesday, and officials confirmed that DEA agents conducted air quality testing in and around the property. Authorities have reassured nearby residents that the air is safe.
Key questions remain
With a news conference scheduled for Friday, investigators are expected to provide more clarity. Major questions still remain, including:
- What was the substance that caused the deaths?
- How were 18 first responders exposed?
- Were proper safety protocols followed at the scene?
- What is the current condition of the two remaining patients at UNM Hospital?
Hospital officials are also expected to address their quarantine procedures and safety protocols during the briefing.
New Mexico
Woman arrested, accused of throwing knife and harassing neighbors
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Southwest Albuquerque neighbors claim a woman targeted them for at least a year, throwing items into their yard, and leading one family to spend more than $1,000 on security.
Neighbors said they kept contacting Albuquerque police, the city and the state after the most recent encounter left a father with a cut on his face. They said Sunday’s arrest helped some, but they still do not feel safe.
Richard and Lindsey Boldin said they have dealt with harassment from Andrea Padilla-Garcia for at least a year. They said she has thrown broken glass, frozen food, a MacBook, metal poles and wood over their fence and dumped nail polish on it.
They said the incident with the glass resulted in a cut to Richard’s face.
“She can’t come back to where she lives. I won’t feel safe. There’s no way,” Lindsey Boldin said.
The Boldins said they spent more than a thousand dollars on security cameras, motion-sensor lights and other steps to protect their property. They also blocked the view into their yard, but said they still do not feel safe.
“It hurts the whole family. We’ve got to watch animals going outside. We have to watch when we go outside. You know, when can we go outside?” Richard Boldin said. “She kept coming to the fence and attacking the fence and shaking it and yelling at the fence at the children, you know, giving them inappropriate, you know, telling them inappropriate things.”
Neighbor Lawrence Lovato said he has lived in the neighborhood for about a year and what he has seen stands out from anything he has experienced before. He said he has called police multiple times.
“Never in my life have I have I seen something as horrible that I’ve seen here,” Lawrence Lovato said.
Lovato said he worries about his own safety and his daughter’s safety. Neighbors said they plan to keep looking out for one another and hope the latest arrest leads to help for Padilla-Garcia. She remains in jail and faced charges of battery and aggravated assault.
New Mexico
Retirement reality check: Is it too late to start saving?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Americans now say they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, up $200,000 from last year, according to a study discussed by Oakmont Advisory Group.
David Hicks of Oakmont Advisory Group said the number can feel overwhelming, but he said people should focus on starting and adjusting a plan instead of panicking.
“The average retiree actually has less than $300,000 saved for retirement, so that’s about a $1 million gap there,” Hicks said.
Hicks said the $1.46 million figure reflects what people think they need, but he said retirement planning depends on each person’s savings, income and timeline.
He said longer life spans now mean many people need to plan for 20, 25 or even 30 years in retirement.
“When you start saving when you’re younger, it makes a lot of difference in the future,” Hicks said.
Hicks said 57% of people do not start saving until after age 30, and he said about a third do not start until their 40s.
Hicks pointed to Fidelity benchmarks that suggest workers should aim to save one times their salary in their 30s, three times in their 40s, six times in their 50s and 10 times by retirement.
“Don’t wait another year. Don’t wait another month. Just start that process of saving,” Hicks said.
Hicks also said the study found people who work with a financial adviser improve their chances of retirement success by about 50% and report more confidence about their plans.
New Mexico
Stables at Tamaya kick-off annual rodeo season featuring rescue horses
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A New Mexico rodeo tradition is changing lives one horse at a time. For years, the Stables at Tamaya have kept old western traditions alive at Santa Ana Pueblo, and they’re also giving dozens of rescue horses a second chance at life.
Every Thursday night under the stable lights at Tamaya, folks from all over gather for a one-of-a-kind rodeo.
Head Wrangler at the Stables at Tamaya, Dominic Duran says, “Our rodeos are so special because they really show the growth of all of our horses out here.”
From team roping to barrel racing and steer stopping the stunts are all performed by none other than rescue horses. “The main thing to know is it’s not a regular rodeo. It’s not about the competition. It’s about the growth of the horses,” explained founder and owner of Tamaya Horse Rehab Connie Collis.

Collis founded Tamaya Horse Rehab 14 years ago, saving horses from across the state and country, providing them with much-needed TLC to get them back on their hooves.
“These horses are all rescued from various situations. We have a lot of owner surrenders. We have horses that we get through the livestock board, neglect cases, abuse cases, as well as some Mustangs,” explained Duran.

The rodeo started shortly after the horse rehabilitation program was launched to generate funding to pay for everything from the alfalfa they eat, to the costly treatments for the dozens of horses in their care.
“Our goal is to make them the best versions of themselves. And so when we take them in, we want to analyze what we have and our goal is to get them as far as we can,” emphasized head wrangler Duran. “Horses are just like people. They need a job and they start to love what they do, just like we do out here.”

Duran says every horse has a different story and journey, but over the years, they’ve helped hundreds, offering them a full and enriching life through riding and activities like the rodeo.
“It is an amazing journey to get one, especially a skinny one or one that has really bad behavioral problems, and turn it around,” shared Collis.
Collis says the rodeo has grown in size every year and has quickly become a beloved tradition at the stables and across the equestrian community, becoming one of their larger fundraisers throughout the year. And with 126 horses in their care right now, they hope more people will make their way out to the stables this summer.

“Whether you’ve been here one time or 10 times, you should definitely come on out and come love on your favorite horses and see what progress they made over the last couple years,” said Duran.
The Stables at Tamaya will continue to run their rodeo season every Thursday from 7 to 9 through the third week of August.
-
North Dakota4 minutes agoTimothy Paul Ganyo
-
Ohio9 minutes agoGALLERY: Photos of former Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel
-
Oklahoma16 minutes agoOHP remembers K-9 for protecting countless lives during career
-
Oregon19 minutes ago
Fireworks on sale in Oregon until July 6
-
Pennsylvania24 minutes agoPennsylvania company builds goals for US Soccer, FIFA World Cup matches
-
Rhode Island31 minutes agoEthics Commission denies Shekarchi’s motion to dismiss high court bid ethics complaint
-
South-Carolina33 minutes agoInside TCMU’s new SC 250 exhibit
-
South Dakota39 minutes ago“This Is Our Event” – Local news, weather and sports from Pierre, South Dakota