New Mexico
New Mexicans mourn loss of Bloomfield officer Timothy Ontiveros
New Mexico mourns for an officer lost in the line of duty. Bloomfield police say a man shot Officer Timothy Ontiveros multiple times during a traffic stop on Memorial Day.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexicans are mourning for an officer lost in the line of duty. Bloomfield police say a man shot Officer Timothy Ontiveros multiple times during a traffic stop on Memorial Day.
After a weeklong fight, Ontiveros lost that battle Sunday. Ontiveros had been with the Bloomfield Police Department for six months.
In that short time, BPD Chief Phillip Francisco says he knew Ontiveros as a kind, funny, and respectable person, both inside and outside of work.
“It’s a tragic loss. We’re all trying to grieve and get through this together, not only in the community and his family but our family here in law enforcement. They’re like brother to us, sometimes even closer to family, because they work, they take care of each other, they protect each other on the street, they eat with each other. So they’re very close, almost like a family. So the loss that they are feeling, as far as officers here, is going to take an immense time to heal,” said Francisco.
Outside Bloomfield Police Department, the flag flew at half-staff, and people left flowers on a police unit that the chief says Ontiveros loved because he was a car guy.
The mayor of Bloomfield says it is those memories that will make sure Ontiveros is never forgotten.
“This doesn’t happen in our small town and so it is definitely something we will not forget, and we don’t want people to forget. We want them to remember that Officer Ontiveros he served our community, he served it well,” said Mayor Cynthia Atencio.
On Sunday night, law enforcement from across the state escorted Ontiveros body from the hospital to the Office of Medical Investigator, where doctors will conduct an autopsy.
We’re expecting police from Bloomfield and beyond to take Ontiveros’ body back to the Four Corners Tuesday at 10 a.m. They’ll head up I-25 to 550 through Bernalillo and on to Bloomfield.
New Mexico
Gas prices rose this week in New Mexico. Here’s why
Regional gas prices rose for the second consecutive week and reached an average of $3.60 per gallon of regular fuel on Monday, up from last week’s price of $3.41 per gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Gas prices are jumping around because traders are trying to price in how long the Iran war will disrupt oil flows from the Middle East, on top of the usual spring run‑up in demand as driving season approaches. Markets are baking in higher risk and “additional volatility” but not a long-term shutdown, and prices could retreat if it becomes clear the tensions are short-lived, petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan said.
Analysts say another 20 to 30 cents a gallon is still likely in the weeks ahead.
The average fuel price in the Gulf Coast region rose about 107 cents since last month. According to the EIA, gas prices across the region in the last year have been as low as $2.37 on Jan. 5, 2026, and as high as $3.60 on March 23, 2026.
A year ago, the average gas price in the Gulf Coast region was 31% lower at $2.74 per gallon.
>> INTERACTIVE: See how your area’s gas prices have changed over the years at data.lcsun-news.com.
The average gas price in the United States last week was $3.96, making prices in the Gulf Coast region about 9.0% lower than the nation’s average. The average national gas price is higher than last week’s average of $3.72 per gallon.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s tally of prices in the Gulf Coast states includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.
USA TODAY Co. is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu.
New Mexico
Grass fire burning thousands of acres in Quay County
QUAY COUNTY, N.M. – A grass fire has burned an estimated 1,000-2,000 acres near San Jon in Quay County.
Emergency crews say the Old 66 Fire is threatening structures, and remains 0% contained.
The New Mexico Forestry Division said crews discovered the fire at 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 27 east of San Jon, north of Interstate 40 in Quay County.
Smoke is visible from Interstate 40 and surrounding areas.
The fire is on private land and the cause remains under investigation.
State Road 469 is closed at Main Avenue. Officials said local residents should use caution and avoid the area.
Structures threatened include a wind farm to the southwest.
New Mexico
Reckoning over César Chávez’s legacy deepens in New Mexico amid swift erasure plans
-
Detroit, MI1 week agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Sports7 days agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
New Mexico6 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Business1 week agoDisney’s new CEO says his focus is on storytelling and creativity
-
Tennessee5 days agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Technology6 days agoYouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast
-
Texas1 week agoHow to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets