
A death foretold
More details have emerged ($) concerning the death of a Santa Fe city worker earlier this month; it appears it wasn't the first time Toby Williams did unsafe electrical work, since the electricity was still on when he was working on the lights in a potential violation of OSHA laws. Williams also didn't appear to meet the minimum job requirements, which asked for experience in jobs like construction or electric work. It also came to light that a video of the accident exists. The Williams family has asked that the video stay private and not be released under IPRA laws.
The worst text to get from an ex
Patrons of now-closed VIP Spa in Albuquerque should get tested. The spa, which offered the probably bogus service of vampire facials, was apparently not properly cleaning the syringes with which it injected its clients' blood back into their faces, and two former clients have tested positive for HIV with no other suspected source of infection. Problems with the spa's health inspection first popped up last year, but the investigation is ongoing and back in the news. Here's a link about the facials, but don't click it if blood makes you queasy.
The nation’s piggy bank
New Mexico's 529 college savings plans have some perks as compared to those in other states, but officials still say they are underused ($); and, as SFR reported last week, even when they are used, it's questionable how much good they do for anyone who doesn't have disposable income. Of course, it makes sense that usually only people with money to spare will spare the money to save for college; additionally, the tax shelter the savings accounts provide takes money away from funds that would help underprivileged folks get an education. Further, The New Mexican reports, only about 23,000 New Mexicans have the accounts in our state, compared to over 100,000 out-of-state residents, likely directed here by brokers thanks to our competitive terms.
Oh, zero
Following in what has become a sort of dubious tradition, Los Alamos National Labs has again been found in violation of safety procedures for its nuclear program. A report by the US Department of Energy cites "institutional behaviors" that encourage "problem recurrences" and that "corrective actions" were delayed for years; one issue, for example, is that the letter O was repeatedly confused with the number 0 on waste drums. A lab spokesman told the Albuquerque Journal that the facility is working on improving.
Case closed (or at least sealed)
Arthur Lovato, 59, has been charged with the murder of Rita Jaramillo, 49, of Los Lunas. Jaramillo was reported missing in September when her trailer was found burned. Her children say that Lovato is her ex-boyfriend, and while police have sealed documents related to the case, they apparently have reason to charge him with her disappearance and what they have decided is her death. Lovato is locked up on Grants on other charges.
A picture’s worth a couple years
The Word's father has always said, "Don't post anything on the internet that you wouldn't want printed in the newspaper," and it appears 18-year-old Enrique Palomino has learned that the hard way. The Albuquerque man was on probation for a rash of break-ins in 2015 during which one of his accomplices shot and killed someone, and then Palomino recently posted a picture on Facebook with beer, marijuana and guns. Cops saw it and determined it a violation of his parole. Palomino is back behind bars for more than two years as a result.
On the hunt
Police are still searching for Hunter Woods, a 16-year-old Santa Fe High student, who may have fired gunshots that critically injured a man ($) at the Avaria apartments on Lorca Drive just after midnight on Monday morning. The victim is believed to be the boy's mother's boyfriend, and police say Woods could be driving a silver 2016 Kia sedan with the license plate 890 SXN.
Thanks for reading! The Word has had a John Mayer song stuck in her head for a few days and isn't entirely sure why.