Best Buy homicide suspect appears in court today
Homicide suspect Zachary Babitz is scheduled for his first court appearance at 9 am today in Santa Fe County Magistrate Court before Judge David Segura, following capture in and extradition from Las Cruces over the weekend. Santa Fe Police issued an arrest warrant Aug. 8 for the 38-year-old Babitz on charges of murder, robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the Aug. 6 fatal shooting that claimed the life of Gordon Peter Wilson, 83. Babitz stole the victim’s blue 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee and fled the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Las Cruces Police Department allege Babitz and an accomplice committed armed robbery at an Arby’s in that city and carjacked a Chevrolet Impala from a woman. The woman whose car was stolen was not physically injured. Police also learned the car Babitz and his female accomplice drove to the Arby’s restaurant is believed to be stolen out of Albuquerque. In a news conference following Babitz’ arrest, Santa Fe Police Department Captain Thomas Grundler said the law enforcement agency is “extremely proud” of the collaborative effort between agencies that resulted in Babitz’s arrest. “Mr. Babitz should have never been on our streets to commit the crime he has since he was released from prison. I know the goal of incarceration is rehabilitation, but in the case of Zachary Babitz, this did not occur. Mr. Babitz didn’t stop at murder but continued to victimize communities in New Mexico until he was caught,” Grundler said. “The City of Santa Fe and other communities in New Mexico affected by Mr. Babitz can breathe a little easier today thanks to the Las Cruces Police Department...Nothing can replace the loss of life, but I hope that Mr. Wilson’s family can take some solace in the fact that his killer has been apprehended and will answer for his crimes.”
City plans more safe outdoor spaces
The City of Santa Fe yesterday announced a request for proposals for privately owned properties willing to host a new Safe Outdoor Spaces, aka designated temporary shelters for unhoused residents. The city unveiled its first pop-up shelter community last spring: 10 structures set up at Christ Lutheran Church, with additional support services provided by Life Link and Southwest Care. The church was the only bidder to be a host site during the first RFP. According to a news release, the next site could contain up to 50 stand-alone structures. “The target population for Safe Outdoor Spaces are those who may be currently living in encampments and for whom standard shelter services are not an option, either because of behavioral health issues, substance use, distrust of shelter services, owning a pet or wanting share space with a partner,” the city announcement says. The structures can house one or two people, and include climate control systems, “interchangeable bed/desk options, LED lighting and a locking door to provide a comfortable and secure place to sleep and store belongings” as well as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. On-site services will include help with food and case management, as well as finding housing and jobs. The city says “24/7 oversight of the SOS will ensure residents and neighbors can dwell peacefully and safely.”
US Attorney, Interior Secretary visit NM
US Attorney General Merrick Garland visited Albuquerque yesterday, where he discussed violent crime and fentanyl during remarks from the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. According to a news release, both Garland and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who accompanied him on the visit, were briefed on the state’s efforts to tackle the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis, as well as human trafficking in Indian country, at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit. They also held a “listening session” with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include the Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos and Tesuque Pueblos. “It was my honor to be home in New Mexico with Attorney General Garland today to share, listen and learn about how the federal government can continue to be an active partner in the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples and Human Trafficking crises that have plagued Indian Country since colonization began,” Haaland says in a statement. “Together, the Interior and Justice Departments have made significant progress during the Biden-Harris administration, but we must continue to do everything we can to ensure that investments, resources and attention are paid to this critical issue.”
Trust acquires land for Gila Wilderness
The Wilderness Land Trust has acquired what it characterizes as one of the last remaining development threats to New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness: the 40-acre Spring Canyon. According to a news release, the area provides habitat for rare species such as the Gila Trout, Southwest Willow Flycatcher, Mexican spotted owl, and several packs of reintroduced endangered Mexican wolves. The Trust will now work with the Gila National Forest to transfer the property to public ownership and add it to the Gila Wilderness, which celebrates the centennial of its founding this year. “As America’s first wilderness area, the Gila Wilderness is both an incredible landscape and important part of our public lands history. We’re proud to be stewards of it, and look forward to working with The Wilderness Land Trust to add the Spring Canyon property to the forest for future generations to enjoy,” Gila National Forest District Ranger of Wilderness Ranger District Brian Stultz says in a statement. Spring Canyon is the 27th property protected by the Trust.
Listen up
Justin Hendrix, CEO and editor of the nonprofit Tech Policy Press, talks with New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez about the AG’s lawsuit against Meta, alleging the social media company has failed to protect children from solicitation and worse on Facebook and Instagram. The conversation was recorded in advance of an Aug. 7 panel at the 2024 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit in Washington, DC, in which Torrez participated. Torrez discusses his legal background, his allegations against the company and the legal arguments in his suit.
Fall lookout
It’s just about the most wonderful time of the year: Fall. Travel & Leisure magazine kicks off Autumn vibes with a roundup of the 15 most scenic US train rides for viewing the foliage, including—of course—the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which the story describes as “nothing short of breathtaking as it traverses the diverse terrain of Colorado and New Mexico…With the leaves transforming the landscape into a show of spectacular reds, golds, and oranges, this ride is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country come autumn.” The Travel also marries fall views with train travel, highlighting seven Amtrak journeys with beautiful mountain views. “Board the Southwest Chief in Chicago and embark on a thrilling journey to Los Angeles, traversing the dramatic landscapes of the American Southwest,” the story advises. “The Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico set the tone for an unforgettable adventure…The rugged beauty of red rock formations, expansive desert vistas and picturesque pueblos unfolds along the way.” If one is in a train mood, don’t sleep on Santa Fe’s Sky Railway, which has special Native American dance performances coming up this weekend.
The smell of fall
Speaking of fall, in a story for Food & Wine magazine, food writer Maggie Hennessy explores what makes Hatch chiles so special. While she and her husband arrived in Las Cruces last year the day after the Hatch Chile Festival ended (this year’s runs Aug. 31-Sept. 1), they still managed to procure 10 pounds of chile, which they then packed “into our biggest cooler full of ice, replenishing it at every gas station and hotel on the 1,500-mile drive home to the Midwest.” After all, she notes, “this is just what one does for real-deal Hatch chiles.” Hennessy delves into the provenance of Hatch chiles, the fight to preserve their authenticity, where to buy them and, most importantly, how to use them, with links to several recipes. She also provides a non-recipe recipe for chile con queso, a dish that summons memories, she writes, of Chope’s in La Mesa. “I sautéed onion in butter, then added garlic, chopped tomatoes, and the chiles in their liquid before ladling the mixture into ramekins, topping them with cheese, and broiling until bubbly,” she writes. “Pinching my first stretchy, tangy bite with a bit of blistered flour tortilla, I was transported back to late summer in the borderlands with that azure desert sky and the scent of just-roasted Hatch chiles heavy in the air. There’s no chile like a New Mexican chile.” And now we’re hungry.
A storm is brewing
The National Weather Service forecasts a 70% chance for precipitation today, with showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 3pm. Look for increasing clouds, with a high temperature near 84 degrees. Power should be restored, following an outage last night affecting some Santa Fe residents. And LaFarge Library remained closed yesterday, following damage from a lightning strike last week.
Thanks for reading! The Word found “Susan Sontag’s Notes on (Summer) Camp” by Michelle Cohn pretty amusing, but suspects some familiarity with Sontag may be required to feel the same way.