KRQE News Feed: Convicted Killer, Shutdown Dam, Heater and Dryer, Work Program, Light-Based Art

Tuesday's Top Stories

The five facts of Tuesday

[1] Man who ran over and killed ABQ church security guard received life sentence – Marc Ward was convicted of first-degree murder in March for killing Daniel Bourne, 61, who worked as a security guard at Calvary Church. On September 23, 2022, Bourne went to check out what he thought was a suspicious vehicle in the Calvary Church parking lot along Osuna near Jefferson. As Bourne approached the truck, Ward ran over it twice, then dragged Bourne's body to a nearby arroyo. Ward faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. He will have the possibility of parole after 30 years.

[2] Major delays in years-long water project affecting New Mexico farmers – Federal Reclamation Bureau seeks new ways to get water to New Mexico farmers after shutdown of the construction of a dam. Federal authorities conducted a 12-year study of El Vado Dam, concluding that the dam had seepage problems and that the spill needed to be repaired. Construction began in 2021 to resolve issues, but was recently halted after experiencing problems. The bureau said it is working to find a new solution and get water back into the dam by next year, but it still doesn't know how much it could hold. They said they hope to resume construction within the next three years.

[3] Isolated Storms and Warmer Temperatures Around New Mexico – Storms will develop in the state's mountains early this afternoon, moving southeast into adjacent lower terrain. We cannot rule out an isolated thunderstorm in the metro in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will return to normal today, with highs in the 80s and 90s for most of the state.

[4] City of Albuquerque Relaunches Its Homeless Day Job Program – The City of Albuquerque is bringing back a program aimed at helping homeless residents. The program would give homeless people daily employment in the city. Former Mayor Richard Berry started a similar program in 2015. The program lasted for a few years before fading. Officials say jobs in the previous program were limited and want more departments to participate. The city has 60 days to develop a program that the City Council will eventually approve.

[5] New Light-Based Art Installations Coming to Downtown Albuquerque – A project to bring light-based art near downtown Albuquerque is returning this year. “City Brights II” will feature light-based artwork at 10 downtown locations, including around Lomas, Broadway, 12th St. and Coal. The city is currently looking for artists to participate in the project and will provide them with funding. The deadline for artists to submit their proposals is July 1. The pieces are expected to be installed between fall 2024 and early 2025.