Friday’s Top Stories
New Mexico pays $1.5 million to former officer’s rape victim
What’s happening around New Mexico October 4-10
Albuquerque man accused of keeping man hostage in a motel
Expanded parking part of new upgrades at Balloon Fiesta Park
A sign of the times: Balloon Fiesta mixes tradition with high-tech drones
‘Rust’ to premiere in Poland in November
Dockworkers’ union to suspend strike until Jan. 15
Strongest solar flare since 2005 erupts: Will it impact Earth?
Friday’s Five Facts
[1] 19 dogs removed from Albuquerque home following suspicious death – 19 dogs are now in the care of the City of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department following a suspicious death at a home near Central and Atrisco. Around 11 a.m. APD responded to the residence and located a deceased individual and is investigating the incident as a suspicious death. Animal Welfare removed the dogs from the property and said the dogs will be quarantined from other animals and will be under their care through the investigation. KRQE News 13 had previously reported about that property that has gotten complaints about the large number of unkept and dangerous dogs that were responsible for seriously injuring a woman.
[2] $2 million payout in lawsuit against NMDOH for abuse of child in treatment center – In 2018 a child at the Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center said he was taken advantage of by his teacher Mark Cuoccio. According to an initial filing, Cuoccio touched the child inappropriately and gave him alcohol and drugs. Another court document accused Cuoccio of sexually assaulting the child multiple times. The lawsuit is now ending in a $2 million payout for the minor. Cuoccio also faced criminal charges and pleaded guilty to criminal sexual contact of a minor. He was sentenced to seven and a half years behind bars but the judge suspended it meaning instead of going to prison he is serving probation.
[3] Seasonably warm temperatures & lighter winds – A high pressure system to the west has partially brought down the stronger upper-level northeasterly winds to the surface, but as the system moves west, calmer conditions with clear skies and dry air will allow for temperatures to rise. Very clear skies with relatively chilly mornings and very warm afternoons will continue all the way through Balloon Fiesta Weekend
[4] City of Albuquerque combating surge in illegal sign posting – The city said there has been a surge in illegal signs posted all across the city. It is illegal to post any advertisements on city poles. The city said crews are out every day taking them down. To report illegal signs, call 311.
[5] UNM student working to improve pedestrian safety near campus – Jackie Davis, a senior at the University of New Mexico is working to upgrade safety measures around what she says is a busy and dangerous spot on Central. Davis says there is no crosswalk at the intersection at Central and Buena Vista to ensure safe passage for people rushing to get to class. She notified city council, but says she was told an intersection as complex as that one would not only need a crosswalk, but a signal as well. The city says they are looking into that intersection.
