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Anti-abortion group plans protest tonight
The Texas/New Mexico-based anti-abortion organization Southwest Coalition for Life says it plans a protest this evening in Las Cruces at the site where the Mississippi reproductive health care clinic at the center of the case that overturned Roe v. Wade intends to relocate. Coalition CEO Mark Cavaliere said in a news release the protest will include a “surprise announcement” and took aim at Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s commitment to keep reproductive health care for women safe and accessible. “The governor of New Mexico is continuing to push the same antiquated 1970s narrative of Roe vs Wade, which for 50 years has been telling women what to do with their bodies—that a woman needs to alter, suppress, and destroy the normal, healthy functions of her natural body through traumatic chemical abortion pills and invasive surgeries, in order to be successful,” Cavaliere said in a statement. “After 50 years of medical advancements in women’s healthcare, we know that destroying any part of a woman’s body is not healthcare nor is it an advancement of women’s rights.” Noting announcements of clinics moving here to provide reproductive healthcare, Cavaliere also said “New Mexico is now becoming the ‘back-alley abortion clinic’ for the entire state of Texas.” Tonight’s protest will include numerous speakers, including State Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, who recently filed a petition challenging the legality of abortion in the state.
Bernalillo County officials provide crash timeline, grieve losses
During a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department news conference yesterday, officials provided a timeline for the deadly July 16 helicopter crash that killed four first responders: Undersheriff Larry Koren, Lt. Fred Beers, Deputy Michael Levison and Bernalillo County Fire Department rescue specialist Matthew King. The four had been providing air support for fire suppression on the East Mesa Fire in Northern New Mexico. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered all state flags to fly at half staff through sundown on Friday. “All these people were dedicated, we understood that they loved what they did,” Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said. “To the point where I find some comfort in knowing that they lost their lives doing what they love.” The National Transportation Safety Board said yesterday the initial evidence shows the helicopter, “Metro 2,” descended at a high speed, landing upright. Additional information regarding what caused the crash will be available when the agency’s investigation is complete.
City announces next “guns to garden” buyback
The City of Santa Fe, the police department and New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence will be holding another gun buyback event from 9 am to 1 pm this Saturday, July 23 at Fiesta Nissan located (2005 St. Michaels Drive), another sponsor of the event. The gun buyback is part of NMPGV’s Guns to Garden program, which transforms weapons into garden tools. Saturday will mark the fifth gun buyback event between SFPD and NMPGV and the 15th the latter has done in New Mexico. According to a city news release, no information is retained on the participant turning in the firearms, who can surrender as many guns as they want as long as they are in working condition and unloaded. NMPGV and Fiesta Nissan will provide participants a gift cards for Brewers Gas, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Food King and Smiths in exchange for each firearm: $250 for M1 Garand, AR-15 and AK-47 type rifles; $200 for semi-automatic handguns and rifles; and $100 for long guns, shot guns and revolver pistols. NMPGV will also be providing gunlocks to gun owners free of charge. Guns should be kept in the trunks of all vehicles at the event. Once the surrender is completed and gift card issued, SFPD personnel will assist with conducting a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) inquiry on the surrendered firearms to ensure they are not stolen. If stolen, the firearm will be entered into evidence and the rightful owner contacted to retrieve their property.
COVID-19 by the numbers
New cases: 2,410 (includes weekend); 579,993 total cases
Deaths: 23; Santa Fe County had 325 total deaths; there have been 8,079 total fatalities statewide. Statewide hospitalizations: 154. Patients on ventilators: 21.
Case rates: According to the state health department’s most recent report on geographical trends, for the seven-day period of July 4-10, San Juan County had the highest daily case rate per 100,000 population: 63.4, followed by McKinley County at 60.9 and Lincoln County at 59.7; Santa Fe County’s case rate was 42.4, down from 49.4 last week and within the second highest category of case rates—red—in that report.
Community levels: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly community levels report, which uses case rates along with two hospital metrics in combination for its framework, for the seven-day period of July 7-13, seven counties—down from 11 last week—have “red” or high levels. After two weeks of high levels, Santa Fe County has decreased to “yellow” or medium levels. Nine counties have “green” or low levels and the rest are medium. The CDC’s recommendations include indoor masking for people living in counties with high community levels. The remainder of its recommendations can be found here.
Resources: Vaccine registration; Booster registration Free at-home rapid antigen tests; Self-report a positive COVID-19 test result to the health department; COVID-19 treatment info: oral treatments Paxlovid (age 12+) and Molnupiravir (age 18+); and monoclonal antibody treatments. Toolkit for immunocompromised individuals. People seeking treatment who do not have a medical provider can call NMDOH’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-855-600-3453. Vaccines for children: Parents of children ages 6 months to 5 years can now schedule appointments for vaccinations at VaccineNM.org.
You can read all of SFR’s COVID-19 coverage here.
Listen up
New Mexico’s Yasmin Khan reports a story for NPR’s Morning Edition exploring the legend of La Malinche, and her role in traditional festivals, such as one the segment documents in the village of San Isidro de Sedillo, in the mountains east of Albuquerque. “As in most New Mexican villages, here La Malinche is a symbol of purity, the connection of Indigenous peoples to the Catholic faith brought by the Spanish. But in other villages including in Mexico, she is represented as a traitor.” Her “controversial legacy” is explored in the exhibition Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche, currently at the Albuquerque Museum (through Sept. 4).
Some claims against one Rust producer dismissed
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Whitaker last week dismissed claims of assault and infliction of emotional distress against Rust producer Anjul Nigam and his defunct corporation, Brittany House Picture, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Script supervisor Mamie Mitchell last November sued Alec Baldwin and 22 other producers, production companies, financiers and more after Baldwin’s loaded gun fired and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured Director Joel Souza. According to the story, Nigam says he didn’t know Baldwin’s gun was loaded. “Defendants are not mentioned in the factual allegations, much less alleged to have been directly involved in any of the alleged conduct,” a court filing from his attorneys says. “The only allegation against Anjul Nigam and Brittany House Pictures is that they were producers of the film ‘Rust.’” As explained in the story and his order, Whitaker ruled Nigam “can’t be liable for assault because Mitchell didn’t allege facts sufficient to support the claim against Baldwin. If the actor didn’t assault Mitchell, then neither did Nigam.” Moreover, Whitaker “emphasized Mitchell didn’t believe she was in danger prior to the incident, an essential element of claiming assault under New Mexico law.” Mitchell can, however, file an amended claim. First Judicial District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies has yet to bring any charges in the October 2021 incident.
Eating on the mountain
OpenTable recently announced the 100 best restaurants in 2022 for outdoor dining in the US, noting that the number of restaurants listing outdoor dining grew 54% compared to pre-pandemic 2019. According to a news release, the list is curated from 13.6 million verified diner reviews, and “identifies restaurants coast-to-coast with great views, delicious cuisine and above all, an incredible outdoor dining experience.” In total, 25 states have restaurants on the list and New Mexico makes its debut appearance on the list with Santa Fe’s Izanami at Ten Thousand Waves. “The best dining experience while visiting Santa Fe,” one recent reviewer writes. “The location, service, food, and ambience are just all something to write home about. And they have the best sake selection west of the Mississippi. They definitely deserve some Michelin stars, and they deserve more than one.” And another: “Amazing food. Beautiful location. Great service. It was raining and we had a table outside and they were so accommodating with blankets and heaters—really went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable.” California had the largest number of restaurants on the list, 37, followed by Florida with 11.
Stay in the shade
The National Weather Service says today will be “scorching hot!” Specifically, Santa Fe will be sunny with a high temperature of 97 degrees. We have a 20% chance for some isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon and between 9 pm and midnight. If you were planning a trip to Roswell today, bring lots of water: The high there should reach 110 degrees. Heat advisories abound throughout the state, but tomorrow could bring some precipitation and relief.
Thanks for reading! The Word loves Wilford the bear (here’s the story behind the amazing video).
