Matthew Reisen

Police said a fourth person was airlifted to a burn hospital in Lubbock

A male wolf trapped in Catron County and released in Mexico this spring traveled almost 100 miles to cross the border back into New Mexico last weekend. Wolf 2814 — named “Flor” by advocates — was pinged around 11 p.m. on Oct. 3 as having entered the state in the bootheel, west of Antelope Wells, according to locator maps updated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Advocates said the crossing — at an unwalled section of the border that is under construction — underscored the need for a halt to the construction.

Federal authorities say a Tijeras man and registered Republican tried to vote for his wife in the 2024 general election several months after she died. Patrick Perea, 62, was indicted on Oct. 6 on one count of fraudulent voting for trying to cast his wife Lisa Perea’s absentee ballot in October 2024. If convicted, Perea faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Federal court records show Perea was arrested Friday and released pending trial by day’s end. Perea and his attorney could not be reached Saturday.

The Bernalillo County Commission District 5 seat — which runs from Southeast Albuquerque far into the East Mountains — is a race between an incumbent and a fresh face. Commissioner Eric Olivas, a Democrat who previously served as commission chair, will face off against Republican Thomas Riley, an insurance salesman from Tijeras.

County Manager Cindy Chavez and consultant John Allen, founder and president of J. Allen & Associates/Correctional Healthcare Management, presented the options, alongside their respective challenges and benefits, in an hourlong presentation. The meeting came several months after the current healthcare provider at MDC, University of New Mexico Hospital, declined to renew its four-year contract. For years the facility has been beset by dozens of inmate deaths — hitting an annual high in 2026 — and repeated federal findings of unconstitutional healthcare. The options, first shopped around with input from advisory boards and current and former inmates, included the county running the healthcare system on its own, a hybrid model sharing functions with partner organizations and hiring one provider, similar to the current system, to operate healthcare.

Authorities say a woman threatened a judge, her ex-husband and a guardian ad litem amid a custody dispute.

An Albuquerque man accused of selling 3D printed guns was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for allegedly trying to sic his dog on federal agents during a search of the apartment he was living in. Nathaniel Walker, 34, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and assault upon a federal officer.

On Saturday, Shiprock took the brunt of the historic flood event as the river lapped at the edges of the main bridge and submerged surrounding neighborhoods. The flooding began Thursday as heavy rainfall hit the Four Corners region. By Friday evening, whole neighborhoods had been evacuated and at least 60 swift-water rescues happened across the county, including families lifted off rooftops by helicopter.

Since dismantling over a dozen Flock cameras across Rio Rancho and Albuquerque, Jevon Martinez has gone viral on social media — with some calling him a hero. A GoFundMe, reportedly to keep the 44-year-old’s “family provided for,” raised over $45,000 as of Friday. But, court records show, Martinez may have GoFundMe’d himself out of free legal counsel in the Rio Rancho case.

In a three-hour discussion, commissioners mainly quibbled over costs and rarely spoke of the over 50 MDC inmates that have died since 2020. At the conclusion, they chose a new healthcare model for the facility that officials hope will stop the death toll. In a 4-1 vote, commissioners approved the hybrid model suggested by consultant John Allen — which puts the county as the overseeing authority while partnering with a main healthcare contractor and specialty subcontractors.