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
Edgewood and Santa Fe County finalize agreement to keep emergency services going
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
New Mexico
Eight Black New Mexican artists explore the concept of land through art
New Mexico
New Mexico leaders push funding to fight screwworm after 1 local case
New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck said the parasite has spread to New Mexico, though officials say they have not found any human cases.
“This is also not a political issue this is a nationwide issue that we all need to address because it affects all warm blooded animals including humans,” Holeck said.
U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernandez support the Protect America’s Herds Act.
The bill would create a grant program to train people to identify, treat, prevent and report screwworm. It would also support more livestock inspections and education for ranchers.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said she heard concerns from tribal leaders about the cost of protecting cattle herds.
“I spoke with one of our tribal leaders today and they have cattle operation and they’re worried, and they’re talking about how much more money they’re having to pay to go make sure they check on their herds and there are extra costs,” Leger Fernandez said.
Funding would prioritize states and tribal communities most at risk for screwworm outbreaks.
State health officials said screwworm is not a food safety issue. They also said ranchers should stay alert but not alarmed.
-
Atlanta, GA10 seconds agoInjury Update: Michael Harris II improving but could go on IL
-
Minneapolis, MN3 minutes agoAfter raising money for immigrant families, Minneapolis adult store asks community for help
-
Indianapolis, IN8 minutes agoKate Douglass sets 50 free world record in Indy: ‘Did not expect (that) like ever’
-
Pittsburg, PA15 minutes agoColorado Rockies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game discussion: Bubba Chandler vs. Kyle Freeland
-
Augusta, GA18 minutes ago
10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival draws crowds despite heat
-
Washington, D.C30 minutes agoDupont Circle closed for Pride weekend as National Park Service erects fences
-
Cleveland, OH33 minutes agoWoman killed, several children injured in Ohio Turnpike crash in Lorain County
-
Austin, TX38 minutes agoScrewworm medications straining animal shelter budgets across Texas