🌱 Man Arrested For Running Sex Ring + Recycling Plant Fire

Good morning, neighbors! It's me again, Erica Zenn, your host of the Albuquerque Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 53 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories today in Albuquerque:

1. An Indiana man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for operating a sex ring in Albuquerque. 32-year-old Matthew Woods pled guilty to forcing women and girls into prostitution and punishing them when they didn't comply. Upon his release, Woods must register as a sex offender and will be subject to 10 years of supervised release. (KRQE News 13)
2. Albuquerque hospitals are bursting with COVID-19 patients as cases continue to surge. Presbyterian is currently operating at around 120% capacity, while UNM Hospital is at around 150%. Both hospitals are asking the public to avoid coming in for COVID-19 tests. (KOAT New Mexico)
3. Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to a fire at a recycling plant late on Monday night. The fire broke out at the Friedman Recycling plant, located on Edith Blvd. near Montano and 2nd St., at around 10 p.m. This is the third time this recycling plant has caught fire recently — previously catching fire in Sept. 2020, and again in March of 2021. (KRQE News 13)

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Today in Albuquerque:

• Westside Artist Workshop, At Central & Unser - Patrick J. Baca Library (1:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Meet Shadowfax, a one year, seven months old cat who is looking for a forever home. (Facebook)
• Join the City of Albuquerque for Bucket Composting with the Bokashi Method at 10 a.m. on Jan. 22 at the Open Space Visitor Center! Register today - these classes are popular and fill up quickly. (Instagram)

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• NM Philharmonic & Midori! (January 15)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday off right! See you tomorrow morning for your next update.

— Erica Zenn

About me: Erica Zenn is a Masters Student in Applied Psychology at the University of Southern California who originally hails from Chapel Hill, NC. With a bachelors degree from Cornell University, Erica is an expert verbal and written communicator who brings extensive experience in employee engagement and customer experience of companies. Erica is passionate about community building, and loves using her writing and communication skills to bring people together.