Author: Rene Thompson

The Albuquerque Police Department has teamed up with the Drug Enforcement Administration and Walgreens for national Drug Take Back Day, which allows people the opportunity to properly and safely dispose of unused or expired medications. Expired pharmaceuticals can be a hassle to dispose of, as it is illegal to just throw them in the trash. They can end up in the wrong hands and often get flushed down the drain. Water treatment plants are not equipped to remove medications from wastewater, and it can also greatly affect the environment, water quality and endanger people’s health. The DEA also says the…

The Albuquerque Police Department held a news conference Friday morning to give updates on two officer-involved shootings, one of which dates back to Sept. 21 on Carlisle Blvd. The other was on Central Ave. on Sept. 27. At 2:18 a.m. Sept. 21, officers responded to reports of shots fired in the area of 3000 Carlisle Blvd. Several reports came in via Shot Spotter notifications, and a resident also reported hearing multiple gunshots west of her residence a few minutes later. An officer arrived at about 2:25 a.m. Police spotted a suspicious individual, later identified as Gabriel Garcia, 47, attempting to…

The smell of freshly printed literature and sights of sticker sets, puppy or kitten posters and calendars, not to mention the illustrations of children’s stories which can make any avid reader excited and nostalgic for better times at a scholastic school book fair. SY Jackson Elementary School will be having its book fair Nov. 14-18, and all purchases through the book fair benefit the school. A new e-wallet system gives students a cash-free way to get the books they want, and if a child is an especially veracious reader, the e-wallet also gives parents the chance to ask friends and…

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, including a one-round lap around Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque. The non-competitive walk-a-thon raises funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society and will take place in more than 150 communities across the nation. Albuquerque’s event runs from 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Since 1993, the 3-5-mile walks all over the country have collectively grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement – providing a supportive community for breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, caregivers and families. The organization has helped to fund research study…

1. Trunk-or-Treat events: Trunk-or-Treat at Grace Church from 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Trunk-or-treat with s’mores, candy, games, face painting, bounce houses, food trucks and more. The event is free and for all ages at 6901 San Antonio Drive NE. Trunk-or-Treat at First ABQ from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Parents can bring the whole family to enjoy candy, games, glow accessories and prizes. Festivities will be at 10101 Montgomery Blvd. NE. Mad Science Trunk or Treat hosted by Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails will have costume contests and a Mad Scientist’s Lab for spooky science, creepy crafts and…

A school bus was involved in a crash Thursday morning, according to the Albuquerque Police Department. In a press release from APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos, the bush crashed into several parked vehicles in the area of Montclaire Drive and Candelaria Road NE. There are no reports of anyone being transported to the hospital. Students on the bus are being checked by rescue personnel.

Embudo Canyon boasts some of the best Foothill trails and views this side of the Sandias, but what many people don’t know is the urban legends that have sprouted from the area at the end of Indian School Road throughout the years. According to Cody Polston, author of “Haunted Albuquerque,” there are numerous stories about the canyon to include the “apparition of an old man” who seemingly once lived in a cave on the hill, to the “calling woman” who screams like a banshee in the night wind that travels down the arroyo looking for her husband. People have also…

Average gas prices stayed at $3.44 from last week in the 87111 zip code. There are still stations as low as $3.11 in the Albuquerque metro. Here are a few cheaper stations this week in the Northeast Heights. • Sam’s and Costco at North Renaissance NE are both $3.14 per gallon. • Speedway at 4720 Tramway NE is $3.15 per gallon. • Murphy Express at 9700 Montgomery NE is $3.23 per gallon. • Smith’s at 5850 Eubank is $3.39 per gallon. • Speedway at 8401 Montgomery NE is at $3.33 per gallon. • Phillips 66/Circle K at 9811 Montgomery is…

Around 9 p.m. Tuesday, Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to reports of an explosion at 4200 Spanish Bit St. NE, near Montgomery and Tramway. When AFR arrived on scene, light smoke was coming from a two-bedroom apartment at the Alta Vista townhouse apartments. Investigating rescuers found smoldering materials, which were fully extinguished with a water extinguisher. The fire was determined to be accidental, and no injuries were reported.

The facts about Halloween safety can be eye-opening, as it is the one night of the year children and party-goers are out having a good time, but according to safekids.org, on average children are more than twice as likely to get hit by a car or fatally hurt on Halloween, more than any other day of the year, so safety is imperative to ensure a good time and everyone comes home safe. The following information came from the Albuquerque Police Department Northeast Command, who put out a quick list of tips that parents should take into consideration this holiday, as…