Latest news with #Distraction-FreeBill
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Santa Fe restaurant serves as landing path for former inmates reentering society
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) –From serving time to serving members of our community in a unique way, a Santa Fe restaurant is helping inmates reentering society one dish at a time. When lunchtime hits, you'll see Isaac Sork in the kitchen serving up orders as a cook at Escondido in Santa Fe. 'I've been working here about sixty days so far,' said Sork. Story continues below Education: 'Distraction-Free Bill' to curb cell phone use in schools set to go into effect Crime: Santa Fe man accused of killing wife during an argument Resources: How New Mexico families can get money for groceries this summer He came to the restaurant straight from the state prison, dropped off with nothing more than a bag of belongings and the shirt on his back. 'They brought me here, introduced me to the Escondido family, we ate,' said Sork. He landed the gig while still in prison. He had signed up for a culinary course brought in by the new non-profit, Entrepreneurial Institute of Northern New Mexico. The non-profit was created by three-time Food Network Champion Chef Fernando Ruiz and his business partner, Ralph Martinez. 'We go into the prison three nights a week, 6:00-10:30 p.m. We always walk out just as inspired as the participants that we teach,' said Martinez. He said the inmates who participate in the course are usually close to their release. While a restaurant was never part of the plan, the cooking course brought the perfect ingredients to open Escondido in August. 'It was right on time for us to start capturing individuals coming out of our cohorts, that graduated from our cohorts, and using this as a landing path,' said Martinez. It's a fragile transition, both Martinez and Chef Ruiz know all too well. 'I went to prison for trafficking guns and drugs in Arizona twice. I've been shot, I've been stabbed,' said Chef Ruiz. He said it was food and cooking that helped him turn his life around. For him, this is a way to give back to people reentering to the outside and break the cycle of ending back up on the inside. 'He has no family support, no money, no ID, no bank account. Where do you think he's going to be in the first two weeks or thirty days?' said Chef Ruiz. 'We know where he's going to end up.' More than half of Chef Ruiz's staff share a similar story. 'I mean, I got guys walking around with ankle monitors. Their probation officers show up and have dinner, just check on them. We hang out with their POs and let them know how they're doing,' he said. 'It's a restaurant but it's become a little more than a restaurant.' This time around, Sork said he feels accepted. 'It's like a God sent. This time I've had so much support,' he said. 'These people have accepted me with open arms. At the end of the day, I'm really happy I stayed in Santa Fe.' Sork and Chef Ruiz noted how the Santa Fe community has received this restaurant and why it's important to support inmates reentering the community. 'You're going to interact with these people, they might move into your same neighborhoods…just to be more empathetic and support things like this, because it does help the community as a whole,' said Sork. So, when lunchtime hits at Escondido in Santa Fe, you'll see cook Sork in the kitchen. But if you look a little harder, you'll see what they're really offering: redemption and hope. 'Most definitely, I'd call this a second chance…this is the best opportunity I've ever had. like they've walked me into success,' said Sork. 'You know, the sky is the limit.' Chef Ruiz said the restaurant is named Escondido because it means hidden in Spanish, which was a pillar of his lifestyle when he was in drugs. He also liked that it had the word 'con' in it. Chef Ruiz and Martinez are also working to expand their culinary courses to more prisons in the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Albuquerque neighborhood reacts to weekend raid of arson suspect's home
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – After this weekend's raid in a Northwest Albuquerque neighborhood where 40-year-old Jamison Wagner was arrested for his connection to two recent arson attacks at a Tesla dealership and at the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters, we're learning more about Wagner including a visit to his neighborhood on Monday. Story continues below Education: 'Distraction-Free Bill' to curb cell phone use in schools set to go into effect Crime: Santa Fe man accused of killing wife during an argument Resources: How New Mexico families can get money for groceries this summer 'I've lived here for four years. I love the neighborhood, it's a safe place, I feel totally comfortable with my dogs out walking. My daughters, they come to the park and play all the time. It's always been a really good place to live,' said one neighbor. Runners, walkers, and bikers alike all out in a quiet northwest Albuquerque neighborhood but this weekend it was a different scene with dozens of FBI and ATF agents surrounding a home off Unser Blvd. and McMahon Blvd. 'We woke up to those booms, and I told my daughters, 'I don't know fireworks? '' said that same neighbor. 'I was gonna get ready to go to work, and as soon as I step into my ca,r I hear these loud gunshots or something just boom, boom, boom,' said Wagner's neighbor, Juan Diego Enciso. A few doors down from Enciso's home, the garage door was broken out and windows boarded up, after agents arrested 40-year-old Jamison Wagner, in connection with recent arson attacks at a Tesla dealership and the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters. 'I didn't think my neighbor three houses down would get raided, but no never experienced anything like this in my life,' said Enciso. 'I didn't think he was involved in stuff like that, it's crazy.' Online sources seem to show that Wagner graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2018 with a degree in electrical engineering and may have earned a Master's degree in engineering three years later. KRQE News 13 is still working to confirm those facts with the University. On Wagner's Facebook page, it was filled with posts about his frustrations with the current political climate and the Trump administration calling Trump a 'lawless President' and 'Nazi'. 'The passion of the left versus right, and it's coming to that, that surprises me too,' said one neighbor. The neighbors KRQE News 13 spoke with said they didn't know Wagner well. 'I can't say that one bad apple like ruins the whole pie, but it's still really surprising,' said one neighbor. Wagner is federally charged with two counts of arson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is there progress being made on major housing developments in southeast Albuquerque?
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The city has given some nice tax breaks to four big housing projects in southeast Albuquerque, but months down the line, some of those projects have yet to see much work. Almost all of these projects are located on Central Ave., many of which have funding to start but still have more permitting, hiring, and funding challenges to meet. Story continues below Education: 'Distraction-Free Bill' to curb cell phone use in schools set to go into effect Crime: Santa Fe man accused of killing wife during an argument Resources: How New Mexico families can get money for groceries this summer 'We've had a huge historic underinvestment in this area, and absolutely, before things get more expensive or the landscape gets more uncertain, it's time to act and do what we have to do now,' said Nichole Rodgers, Albuquerque City Councilor. She is pushing to get more housing in her district, including four projects for which the city already approved redevelopment tax breaks that could collectively save millions. 'These all happen to be kind of off the Central corridor, which is really nice to see, too. That's very important for access to the art transit route and reinvigorating central a bit in preparation for the centennial,' said Terry Brunner, Metropolitan Redevelopment Agency Director, CABQ. But each of those projects still has a long way to go, including the 'SOMOS' development, which will mix affordable apartments with commercial space at Central Ave. near Louisiana Blvd. The developer, Sol Housing, said their permits and contractor are set, but they need nearly $5 million to close the gap. 'Our target date is kind of early May, so hopefully within 30 days we should be breaking ground and going vertical,' said Felipe Rael, executive director of Sol Housing. Another project, the Highlands Central Market and Residence Inn, would be across from Presbyterian Hospital with a food hall and long-stay hotel. Titan development is still working on permits. 'This one is really about local economy, business development, economic development,' said Rogers. Near Nob Hill, the 16-unit Garfield townhomes have started utility work. Meanwhile, one of two towers on San Mateo near Central Ave. is looking for contractors before work begins to convert offices to apartments. 'These are out-of-state developers that are kind of new to the New Mexico market, so we want to get them in the game as soon as possible. And those towers are also something that the community is just really interested in seeing get done,' said Brunner. Across the four projects, if they come to fruition as planned, the city says it will add around 313 new units of housing. None of the projects has solid dates so far for completion. A funding boost for the 70-unit SOMOS project is slated for city council review next week. Developers are looking for $6 million from federal grants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Health alert issued for blowing dust in Albuquerque through Tuesday morning
Video: Recent forecast. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — A health alert has been issued in Albuquerque for blowing dust starting 2 a.m. Tuesday through noon that day. Anyone with a respiratory condition in the city or county is advised to limit outdoor activity during that time. Story continues below Education: 'Distraction-Free Bill' to curb cell phone use in schools set to go into effect Crime: Santa Fe man accused of killing wife during an argument Resources: How New Mexico families can get money for groceries this summer According to the City of Albuquerque, a cold front is passing through Tijeras Canyon on Monday night and a low-pressure system is crossing Arizona. This is expected to result in east winds reaching speeds of 30mph, with gusts up to 45mph in the South Valley. 'Precipitation has been far below normal in the Albuquerque area for over 4 months,' the city said in a news release. 'As a result, windy conditions are producing more dust than normal.' Contractors and businesses generating dust are asked to water thoroughly before leaving their work site at the end of the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
APD provides update on officer-involved shooting involving 19-year-old
The content of the press conference may include violent images and/or strong language. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department plans to provide an update on the March 20 officer-involved shooting of 19-year-old Julian Garcia. You can watch the press conference on this page. According to APD, Julian Garcia had a warrant out for his arrest in connection to a deadly shooting from September 2024. APD officers had been searching for Garcia after he was charged with murder in February. Story continues below Education: 'Distraction-Free Bill' to curb cell phone use in schools set to go into effect Crime: Santa Fe man accused of killing wife during an argument Resources: How New Mexico families can get money for groceries this summer At about 6 p.m. on March 20, around Unser Boulevard and Sage Road, detectives made contact with Garcia. Police say Garcia proceeded to run away. Initial shots were fired at Garcia, who was armed with a handgun at the time, according to APD. As Garcia approached the backyard of a nearby home, police said shots were fired. An officer fired at and struck Garcia, who was taken to a local hospital where he is described as being in critical, yet stable condition. No officers were injured. Garcia was wanted in connection to a shoot-out at 335 Grove Street SE. His uncle, 34-year-old James Garcia, was killed in the shooting. According to police, 32-year-old Ezekiel Brown shot James Garcia in the face after asking him if he remembered him. Two people returned gunfire, which struck Brown before he fell to the ground. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
