🌱 Shooting Suspect Arrested + Funding For ABQ Space Center?

Good morning, neighbors! Erica Zenn here with the latest issue of the Albuquerque Daily.

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First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and cool. High: 51 Low: 27.

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Here are the top three stories in Albuquerque today:

1. The Albuquerque Police Department has arrested a suspect in the Wednesday night shooting at the Premier Gas and Food Mart on Juan Tabo Blvd NE. Christopher Valencia, 18, allegedly shot a man after leaving his home following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. Valencia is being charged with an open count of murder. (KOB)
2. Regulators in Albuquerque have approved a plan to keep a coal-fired power plant online for an additional three months. The extension is an effort to keep air conditioners functioning during the summer without the possibility of a sudden blackout in the region. The unit at the San Juan Generating Station will run until September when the state attempts to go emission-free on their electricity generation. (KRQE News 13)
3. Albuquerque joins an organization that is looking to get federal funding to build a center for space innovation in New Mexico. The organization called Space Valley Coalition consists of Central New Mexico Community College, CNM Ingenuity, NewSpace New Mexico, Spaceport America, and the New Mexico Trade Alliance. The funding would be secured through the Build Back Better Challenge which is funded through $1 billion of American Rescue Plan Act funds. (Albuquerque Business First)

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Today in Albuquerque:

• CAGC Annual Rummage Sale At The Albuquerque Garden Center (8:00 AM)
• Community Build Day At Encuentro (9:00 AM)

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From my notebook:

• The community is being invited to an exciting live panel discussion with master printers and artists in the exhibit Printers Proof. The event is on Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m. (Instagram)
• The Albuquerque Police Department honored the memory of Officer Gerald Cline on the anniversary of his death. On Feb. 24, 1983, Officer Cline was shot and killed at a low-rent motel after serving on the force for 11 years. (Facebook)
• Root 66 Food Truck ABQ, Vegan Outreach, and Tia-Mom's Cocina supported Albuquerque Animal Welfare during the pandemic. Thank you to everyone who supported an essential service in our community. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! See you all tomorrow for another 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.