Santa Fe's police chief, Ray Rael, says some officers could be using sick leave to oppose the force's move back to an 8 hour, 5 day work-shift. Until mid 2011, officers had worked 10 hour, 4 day shifts, a change credited with saving overtime costs and helping to blunt crime. The new schedule is not popular with the police union. At Monday's Santa Fe Finance Committee meeting, Chief Rael says a recent 30-percent uptick in sick leave is likely intentional and a form of protest.
Santa Fe Mayor David Coss delivers his eighth and final "state of the city' address this evening. A 5PM event at the Community Convention Center will hear Coss address the current state of affairs as well as noting some accomplishments during his two terms in office...*****clip. Coss announced earlier this year he would not seek a 3rd term in the upcoming March 2014 municipal election
State Senator Gerry Ortiz y Pino calls the audit of New Mexico behavioral health providers released last week by the Attorney General, “useless.” The Albuquerque Democrat says most of the now-displaced New Mexico providers are out of business as a result of the audit. And Ortiz y Pino says recent comments by the chief of an Arizona replacement firm raises questions: *****Oct. 22 HSDAudit-1 :15***** Ortiz y Pino tells KSFR he plans to raise the issue with the Human Services Department at a legislative Committee meeting in Santa Fe next month.
A developer who’s charged with embezzling millions of dollars from investors, contractors and banks is behind bars today. 68-year old William Kalinowksi faces arraignment tomorrow. Kalinowski was indicted last month on ten felony counts and was booked into the Santa Fe jail Sunday after being transported from Massachusetts. He left Santa Fe five years ago leaving unfinished projects in Santa Fe’s Las Campanas development.
The folks wanting to redevelop eastside Santa Fe's Manderfield School have re-committed to the purchase from Santa Fe Public Schools and have altered their plans for use. Clare and Michael Maraist had originally wanted to create residential units, along with artist studios and a small cafe. Those plans were met with stiff opposition from the local neighborhood association. At last night's school board meeting, an amended deal was made that concurs with current zoning, which allows only for residential development. The deal is set to close by January 10th.
Santa Fe County is calling attention to an unwanted prescription drug turn-in drive this Saturday. The county is partnering with multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the region as well as the Drug Enforcement Agency. The intent is to prevent prescription drug abuse by collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted pharmaceuticals. In Santa Fe proper, Albertson’s grocery stores at DeVargas center and on Zafarano will serves as anonymous disposal locations.
The Santa Fe National Forest has announced some six prescribed burns they plan to undertake in coming days. Actual start times vary and may be adjusted according to weather conditions. In all, about one-thousand acres of woodland slash will be burned to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. 120 acres in the Santa Fe watershed are to be treated beginning October 29th.
Weather for Santa Fe – Sunny and dry through Thursday with highs in the low-to-mid 60s and overnight lows in the low 30s. A 30% chance for thundershowers is set to arrive Friday. Current Santa Fe temperature is ___.