Monday’s Top Stories
- Community celebrates birthday for matriarch of Albuquerque Italian restaurant business
- Luke Moga brings dual-threat skills to New Mexico quarterback room
- Frank Dooley’s granddaughter shares memories of her late grandfather’s life and his legacy
- Albuquerque police respond to barricaded suspect near Eubank
- City of Albuquerque hosts annual doggy paddle swim event at Montgomery pool
- Renowned local Indigenous artist designs Albuquerque Isotopes jersey
- Santa Fe puts broken pieces of controversial Obelisk on display in museum
Monday’s Five Facts
[1] Frijoles wildfire triples in size as firefighters attempt containment – A wildfire burning in the Pecos wilderness has now tripled in size since Saturday night. The Frijoles fire sparked Tuesday afternoon from a lightning strike. No evacuations have been issued yet, but the Cundiyo and Cerro Piñon areas are on “ready” status. New Mexico 503 is closed between County Road 98 and State Road 76 except for emergency vehicles.
[2] Trial to begin for suspected drunk driver accused of killing family in Mora County – Court documents say then 22-year-old Jesse Blanco and his friends, Karl Esquibel and Dominic Armijo, were drag racing when Blanco hit a family’s car that was pulling out of their driveway. Investigators say Blanco’s breathalyzer test came back at twice the legal limit. 42-year-old Irene Romero, 9-year-old Daniela Lopez , and 4-year-old Annalise Romero all died. Prosecutors believe Blanco’s car was going 123 miles-per-hour just seconds before the crash. Now four years after the deadly crash, Blanco is expected to head to trial.
[3] Record heat before more rain around New Mexico – Similar weather conditions will continue heading into the workweek as temperatures remain well above average. More noticeable changes arrive by the middle of the week as the monsoon high starts shifting east. Storm chances will increase every day across western, central, and northern New Mexico next week, with the highest chances for thunderstorms later in the week…