¡Que viva!
There are times when Santa Fe might learn a thing or two from Española. The city's neighbor to the north has already recommended changes to its annual Fiesta, at the request of its new mayor. Santa Fe, too, has a new mayor, who says talks involving the Fiesta—and particularly the Entrada—are still underway. The Española report was authored by a former state historian who is at work on a report about Santa Fe's pageant and the history many "first families" claim. SFR's Aaron Cantú delivers a fascinating read this week.
F*&! my campaign
Pat Davis, the Albuquerque City Councilor running for the open 1st Congressional District seat, has decided top drop out and throw his support behind Deb Haaland. Haaland is locked in a tight race with Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and Damon Martinez. Davis, as you'll recall, made a splash by dropping an f-bomb on the NRA in his campaign TV ad.
Teen who threatened SFHS principal violates release terms
Again, actually. Police say Alejandro Valle had a rifle in his truck when he said he was going to shoot the principal at Santa Fe High School earlier this year. He's been charged with a felony for that and has been on pre-trial release since an early hearing in the case. But he's broken his terms of release twice ($). Yesterday, state District Court Judge Glenn Ellington gave Valle another chance to shape up. It appears a plea deal is in the works.
Settling
Another settlement for Northern New Mexico College. The school agreed to pay an Indiana-based builder more than $126,000 for breach of contract claims involving scrapped plans to build dorms on campus. The school contracted with the company for early work, but the state Board of Finance vetoed the idea, citing ongoing problems with Northern's finances. It's part of a trail of of payouts that totals well over $1 million since 2016.
Endorsements
In the interest of giving voters the maximum amount of time possible to saunter into a voting center and cast their ballot in the primary, the Word will pass along SFR's endorsements (this week's cover story) a couple days earlier than is our custom. The paper chose Joe Cervantes for governor, Stephanie Garcia Richard for land commissioner and oh, so much more. Hope it's helpful.
Tree hugging
Santa Fe's Plaza trees need some love. There were 53 of them at last count, including 16 different kinds, and with all our strolling through their shady domain, the ground above their roots is compacted. Not only does water have a much harder time reaching the trees, they're under almost constant attack by some pest or another.
Now, bears
Man, first it's snakes slithering their way into our dreams and now it's bears. A guy camping near Silver City was bitten by a bear while relaxing in his tent. The bite was apparently minor enough (for a bear bite) and the man drove himself to an emergency room. He reportedly committed an error he likely won't make again: keeping food in his tent. Bears can smell food like no one's business and nylon generally isn't regarded as being bear-proof.
Best of …
SFR's annual Best of Santa Fe contest is winding down. There are just two days left to vote for your favorite people, places and things. You can do so here and help make sure that cool banner is hanging outside the places you frequent.
Thanks for reading! The Word is going to lobby for a Best of Santa Fe category next year that's "Best Time of Day During the Summer," and it will be approximately 7:48 pm. It's so nice in the evenings these days.
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