Author: Kevin Hendricks

Kevin, also known as Steak Sauce, is a reporter for the Neighborhood Journal with a focus on the Ventana Ranch area. He has over 14 years of journalism experience, including reporting, editing and page design.

Albuquerque Police Department announced Friday the arrests of two teenagers for the shooting death of 18-year-old Jada Gonzales in December. APD  arrested Cruz Medina, 16, and Jesse Para, 19, for homicide of Gonzales at party. According to a release from APD,  officers responded to a ShotSpotter notification in the area of 5223 La Bajada NW on Dec. 18. Officers got another alert for multiple rounds in the same area a short time later. As officers responded to the scene, calls came in for a shooting nearby at Central Avenue and Yucca Drive NW with reports of a female victim. That…

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Albuquerque Police Department’s Traffic Division is investigating a fatal crash involving a vehicle driving the wrong way on Unser Blvd. last weekend. The vehicle driving the wrong way collided with another vehicle at 7 a.m. Saturday. The driver of the wrong-way vehicle died as a result of his injuries. An APD officer witnessed the crash  and said a white 2020 Ford F150 was traveling northbound on Unser, in the right lane approaching Vista Alegre Street. The officer, who was traveling on southbound Unser, saw a gold 1997 Toyota Camry make a left turn from Vista Alegre, driving south on northbound…

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The iconic theme song to “Cheers” had it right: Sometimes you DO want to go where everybody knows your name. Chastity Bustos is hoping Whiptail is that place. Bustos, who opened Whiptail in Rio Rancho in December, says she saw a need in Rio Rancho and northwest Albuquerque for more locally owned restaurants that feel like home. “When you come in, we want to know your name, we want to know about you,” Bustos said. “We are a member of a community, and we want to be an upstanding member of the community and give back and be a place…

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Albuquerque Police Department announced the arrest of Solomon Peña Monday afternoon for the recent shootings at the homes of elected officials. Peña is a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for office in November. He has claimed that the election was rigged and appears to have attended the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C. He is accused of conspiring with and paying four men to shoot at the homes of two state legislators and two county commissioners. All the shootings were directed at Democrats. APD detectives said that “Peña paid the men cash and sent text messages with addresses where he…

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Albuquerque Police Department announced Monday that there is another investigation into a report of a shooting at a home of an elected official. Last week, APD announced five separate incidents of guns being fired into the home or office of an elected official. Monday, APD detectives said they were investigating a report of gunshots fired last month toward the home of Javier Martinez, the incoming Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Martinez inspected his home following reports last week of gunshots fired toward the homes of other local lawmakers. He discovered damage presumably from gunfire heard in early December…

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Throughout January, the Parent Teacher Association at Ventana Ranch Elementary is holding a Holiday Wear Exchange. Holiday sweaters, shirts and accessories that no longer fit or are not needed can be dropped off in bins outside the school. One bin is set up near the car lane’s drop-off gate and another is located outside of the main office doors. In November, the PTA will host a free Holiday Wear Shop to disperse the donated items.

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Here’s our Monday rundown of everything you need to know for the week of Jan. 9-15. The weather: It’s going to be a beautiful week in Albuquerque. A high of 58 is forecasted for Tuesday. It could get a little chilly on Wednesday and Thursday with the lows predicted to be below 30. Here’s what is happening in Albuquerque this week The Civilian Police Oversight Agency Board has a meeting on Monday at 5 p.m. on Zoom. Members of the public can watch the meeting through GOVTV on Comcast Channel 16, or to stream live on the GOVTV website.…

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The City of Albuquerque is hosting the “Al’burr’querque Polar Bear Plunge” Saturday at Sierra Vista Swimming Pool. Thrill seekers can take a dip or go down the water slide into 40-degree water from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This a fundraising event for the Shanta Strong Swim fund. All of the event fees will go directly to the ONE Albuquerque Fund to help pay for swimming lesson scholarships. Part of the proceeds will also be used to give special treats and provide enrichment for the Rio Grande Zoo polar bears and penguins. Tickets are $40 for a swim or $50 for the slide…

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Tickets went on sale Friday for a concert featuring country music legends Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence. The show, “One Night, Two Icons: Sharing One Stage,” will take place at the Rio Rancho Events Center on March 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Rio Rancho Events Center Box Office or online. Walker is also performing a live show Friday night at Isleta Resort & Casino at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.

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