Albuquerque

MLG’s State Police, Enviro Secretary let ABQ restaurant stay open following public pushback

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Saturday, scores of customers came to Backstreet Grill in Albuquerque’s Old Town to support it as it refused to close down following Yelp reviews and a KRQE 13 report alleging that employees were not wearing masks while working outside. 

The massive support for Backstreet Grill came as embattled Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s State Police delivered a cease and desist order to the business, which was supposed to shut it down. But the restaurant owner refused to stay shuttered.

Along with multiple State Police officers came Lujan Grisham’s well-paid Environment Department Secretary James Kenney, who spoke with some supporters of Backstreet Grill, including Audrey Trujillo, a conservative activist in New Mexico. Kenny said, “We oversee the OSHA program. Just to make sure the employees are safe. And the lack of employees wearing masks as they’re performing their duties puts them at risk.” 

Another health official, Christopher Hutchinson of the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department, was short with Trujillo and others, refusing to give them his name despite being present in an official capacity and merely telling them he was there because of a “lack of compliance” from the business. 

“When is this going to end? When are you going to let these people run their businesses?” asked Trujillo to Kenney. “New Mexico is staying in this because they’re getting money. They are getting federal money,” she added. 

“Look, I appreciate the conversation we’re having…. We’re so close. We’re getting very close to being over that edge” of being out of the pandemic, Kenney said. He did not elaborate on when or how that would happen. Shortly afterward, Kenney, Hutchinson, and the Stae Police officers left.

Chris, the owner of the business, said, “We were looking at a potential arrest. We were asked to shut it down even though it’s unconstitutional. The judge has issued a temporary order to shut us down pending even talking to her, which is very unacceptable considering the damage that would do to an already damaged business. On top of that, I just never saw that this would be something that would be an outcome.” 

He added, “I tried to be polite and professional with the sergeant I realized was in command. He was waiting for orders. He was just following orders. They let him use his own decision-making in the field and he said that upon my request to leave, that he would honor that request and he would let us continue doing business.” 

When asked if the massive public turnout to support the grill helped, he said, “Absolutely. Everything helps. Everything matters. Everything helps, and the support that I’ve gotten today is something I never even dreamed of. I feel like I’ve been fighting this fight alone for the longest time. And finally, now, I’m seeing the people come out and step up to the plate and actually stand on-scene and make their presence known. 

MLG’s State Police, Enviro Secretary let ABQ restaurant stay open following public pushback Read More »

Albuquerque legend and three-time Indy 500 champ Bobby Unser dies at 87

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News / By

On Sunday, three-time Indy 500 champion and NASCAR racing legend Bobby Unser passed away at 87. Unser, who moved with his family to Albuquerque from Colorado Springs at the age of one, is one of only ten drivers in the world to win the Indianapolis 500 three times or more. 

Unser had an uphill battle in his racing career, debuting at the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb in 1955 but finishing fifth that year. However, one year later, Unser won his first of a record 13 championships at Pike’s Peak. In 1963, Unser raced his first Indy 500, but he crashed early and placed at number 33. His first Indy-car win was in 1967 at Mosport in Ontario, and one year later, he won his first Indianapolis 500.

The Unser family is a racing dynasty. His brother, Jerry Unser, died in a crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His younger brother, Al Unser, is a four-time Indy 500 winner, and his nephew, Al Unser, Jr., won the race twice. In total, six members of the family have raced at the Indianapolis 500.

After his retirement from racing, Unser became a television commentator for Indy car races, working for NBC, ABC, and ESPN for twenty years. 

Following his retirement, he was asked what he attributed to his success in different cars, venues, and different eras during his career. He replied, “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”

Unser was inducted into many motorsports Halls of Fame, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

Bobby Unser is survived by his wife Lisa, sons Bobby Jr. and Robby, and daughters Cindy and Jeri.

Bobby Unser’s lifetime of achievements can be remembered by visiting the Unser Racing Museum in Albuquerque, which is currently shuttered by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s COVID-19 lockdown. The museum is set to reopen sometime in the Fall of 2021.

Albuquerque legend and three-time Indy 500 champ Bobby Unser dies at 87 Read More »

ABQ restaurant shut down by State Police after employees defy Gov. MLG’s mask mandates

18 Comments / New Mexico, News / By

On Friday, it was reported that Old Town Albuquerque restaurant Backstreet Grill had been shut down due to employees defying Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s mask mandates despite the CDC allowing fully vaccinated people to be outside without masks. 

The restaurant, which was previously shut down in 2020 for similar complaints, had been shuttered after multiple nameless, faceless individuals complained via Yelp about servers not wearing masks. 

“The hostess did not wear a mask. I asked her if she would, she said no,” one review said. “He kind of leaned over towards us, still no mask, to point at the menu. I asked him if he could wear a mask. He flat out said no,” said another.

KRQE 13 checked out the situation, where they caught multiple employees not wearing masks while serving food in the fresh outdoor air. 

The news station reached out to Christopher Cordova, one of the restaurant’s managers, for comment. He wrote back, saying, “We live in America where mandates are not laws, we have the right to refuse to wear a mask.” When asked if he would share his side on camera, he replied, “I’m not interested in talking about masks. It’s very boring for me.”

The station got a comment from Albuquerque Environmental Health Department’s Mark DiMenna, who said, “Very few instances where anyone flagrantly disregarding what the public health order is asking for,” and that “This is sort of an exceptional situation.”

After KRQE 13 reached out to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s environmental health departments, the restaurant was shut down by the New Mexico State Police just a few hours later for violating the health order. 

Other restaurants and other institutions across the state have been mask shamed and harassed by Gov. Lujan Grisham’s administrations throughout the pandemic. Her State Police have been employed as attack dogs to implement her orders while she has called out specific establishments and jurisdictions across the state during her COVID-19 press conferences, including Hobbs and Española. 

ABQ restaurant shut down by State Police after employees defy Gov. MLG’s mask mandates Read More »

‘Miserable’: 20 APD officers quit Emergency Response Team after dozens leave force altogether

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Wednesday, it was reported that 20 officers who serve on the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) Emergency Response Team (ERT) would be resigning from the team. However, they are not resigning from the force itself. 

The move comes after a far-left counter-protest to a nonexistent event supposedly being put on by the New Mexico chapter of the Proud Boys, although sources close to the organization claim there was no protest originally planned at all that day.

According to Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association president Shaun Willoughby, the resignations from the ERT are because of the protest that happened on Civic Plaza over the weekend. According to KOB, “During the protest, officers said an armed man was taunting demonstrators, so APD field officers detained him. At the time of his detainment, the man was not charged.” 

“APD officials later reversed that decision and put an officer on leave for the day to conduct an investigation. APD said there was a breakdown in the chain of command about whether charges would be pressed against the armed man.” 

Seventeen officers, one lieutenant, and two sergeants resigned from the team that handles protests, according to Willoughby. The officers feel over-scrutinized, so they decided to take a stand together.

Willoughby says, “This comes down to a lack of trust,” adding that “They’re damned if they do, and they’re damned if they don’t.” 

“They don’t feel supported here, and they don’t feel trust. They feel second-guessed, and they don’t feel that they can do their job, no matter how perfect they do their job, without getting in trouble,” Willoughby added.

However, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller’s APD spokesperson released the following statement: 

“Chief Medina made it clear that we cannot have a breakdown in communication during critical incidents. We have worked hard to earn back the public’s trust. We will lose that trust if we resist accountability and culture change.”

“I think Mayor Keller needs to make a serious decision of what this police department’s priority structure is,” Willoughby said. “I think that he needs to carry that sentiment down to the police chief, so that your police officers feel supported.”

According to Willoughby, over 20 APD officers have quit the force altogether within the last two months, following an all-out assault on law enforcement during the legislative session earlier this year and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller having social workers respond to some calls instead of officers. There have also been many proposals from the Albuquerque City Council to “defund” parts of APD.  

“We are seeing a dramatic increase of Albuquerque police officers applying to go to other departments,” Willoughby said. “Morale, let’s not even talk about it because it doesn’t exist. There is no morale. Your Albuquerque police officers are absolutely miserable at work— nobody’s happy.”

‘Miserable’: 20 APD officers quit Emergency Response Team after dozens leave force altogether Read More »

VIDEO: ABQ Walmart still has long lines days after Gov. MLG relaxes store capacity restrictions

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday, outside of the Walmart at 2701 Carlisle Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, there were long lines reported in the late afternoon, despite Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham relaxing her public health orders from 75 people total in each grocery and big-box store to 25% capacity.

The video shows New Mexicans still waiting outside in the cold, including the elderly, disabled, and those medically fragile.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor has mandated harsh lockdowns, which have shuttered countless businesses — many for good. They have also forced children to switch to distance learning, which excludes children who cannot afford internet access or education. 

Then, just ahead of Thanksgiving, Lujan Grisham mandated the strict 75-person capacity for groceries, resulting in hours-long breadlines, which may have inadvertently exposed more people to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, after the Governor is no longer being considered for a position in former Vice President Joe Biden’s fictitious presidential cabinet, she began loosening the tight leash she has on the people of New Mexico.  

After she relaxed the health order, Lujan Grisham said, “With colder weather here, we want to ensure that people aren’t gathering in lines for an unsafe length of time, especially in communities where there are fewer retail options for essential needs. We are grateful to the numerous companies and stores across New Mexico that have made every effort to keep their customers, employees and communities safe.” 

But despite the bread crumbs from the Governor’s office, the breadlines continue, and as the year ends, temperatures are continuing to drop. The Governor’s office has not provided scientific evidence to warrant her lockdowns. However, as long as New Mexicans submit to her edicts, the suffering will continue. 

If readers see long lines at grocery stores in their area, please email them to us at News@PinonPost.com

VIDEO: ABQ Walmart still has long lines days after Gov. MLG relaxes store capacity restrictions Read More »

ABQ City Hall: Protest opposing COVID crackdown bill turns into celebration after councilors nix it

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council was set to vote on Ordinance 20-40, a strict COVID-19 enforcement bill that would make it a misdemeanor to disobey public health orders. 

The Piñon Post reported last week on the proposal, and countless New Mexicans wrote the Albuquerque City Council demanding they withdraw the bill.

On Monday, the Piñon Post learned from City Council staff that “the sponsors have chosen to take it off the agenda for today,” but they “have not said” if they will place it back on the agenda. Later that day, it was formally announced that the bill sponsors, Councilors Isaac Benton and Cynthia Borrego had withdrawn the proposal. 

A group of patriots was already planning on organizing outside of City Hall to protest the ordinance. However, that protest turned into a celebration of the proposal being nixed. 

Protesters came with American flags, Trump flags, and patriotic gear. Here is a picture of the schene:

ABQ City Hall: Protest opposing COVID crackdown bill turns into celebration after councilors nix it Read More »

After backlash, ABQ City Council drops bill jailing people for non-compliance with COVID mandates

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Piñon Post has learned that Ordinance 20-40, sponsored by Councilors Isaac Benton and Cynthia Borrego, which would mandate fines and jail time for those not following public health orders, will no longer be considered at Monday’s 3:00 City Council meeting.

According to City Council staff, “the sponsors have chosen to take it off the agenda for today,” but they “have not said” if they will place it back on the agenda. 

Our reporting was followed-up by a formal announcement from the Council, reading, “City Councilors Cynthia Borrego and Isaac Benton have announced that they are withdrawing O-20-40, relating to enforcement of Public Health Orders. They will turn their attention to creating an educational campaign to assist community compliance with Public Health Orders.”

The proposal would have charged all who “knowingly obstruct, impede with, or interfere with any City employee’s officer’s or agent’s enforcement of any public health laws, orders, or restrictions” with a misdemeanor, which is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both. 

The backtracking on the proposal appears to be, at least in part, due to public outrage, with many reaching out to city councilors demanding they vote against the proposal. The New Mexico Republican Party shared a post on Saturday urging supporters to contact councilors to oppose the bill.

Albuquerque residents were planned to protest the bill at 12:00 noon on Monday, however, according to one organizer of the protest, it will now be “turned into a celebration.” 

Regardless, if citizens would like to contact City Council members regarding the proposal, their emails can be found below:

Mayor Tim Keller: MayorKellerIQ@cabq.gov

Councilor Lan Sena, District 1: lansena@cabq.gov

Councilor Isaac Benton, District 2: ibenton@cabq.gov

Councilor Klarissa Peña, District 3: kpena@cabq.gov

Councilor Brook Bassan, District 4: bbassan@cabq.gov

Councilor Cynthia Borrego, District 5: cynthiaborrego@cabq.gov

Councilor Pat Davis, District 6: patdavis@cabq.gov

Councilor Diane G. Gibson, District 7: dgibson@cabq.gov

Councilor Trudy Jones, District 8: trudyjones@cabq.gov

Councilor Don Harris, District 9: dharris@cabq.gov

After backlash, ABQ City Council drops bill jailing people for non-compliance with COVID mandates Read More »

ALERT: ABQ City Council voting Monday to fine, jail citizens breaking public health orders

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, the Albuquerque City Council, overseeing New Mexico’s largest city, will consider a motion allowing $500 fines and 90 days in jail for non-compliance with public health requirements.

The proposal, brought forth by Councilors Isaac Benton and Cynthia Borrego would charge all who “knowingly obstruct, impede with, or interfere with any City employee’s officer’s or agent’s enforcement of any public health laws, orders, or restrictions” with a misdemeanor, which is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or both. 

“It’s really important that we all work together but for the people who don’t feel like they can work with this, it puts another layer, basically, of enforcement,” said Councilor Cynthia Borrego, who serves District Five. “For people who are just resistant and have that sentiment that ‘I’m not going to cooperate’, unfortunately, we need to do something to bring those numbers down and that’s what this really is doing.”

“Borrego says, if approved, the bill could also include penalties like up to 90 days in jail for refusing to comply with the public health order. The bill’s co-sponsor, Councilor Ike Benton, tells us stronger enforcement is needed and he has concerns about public health directives being ignored, so he hopes this added city ordinance, on top of state law, will make people take the orders more seriously,” reported KRQE News 13. 

The news comes as New Mexicans are already locked down due to the Governor’s public health orders, which have caused businesses to close and New Mexicans to stand in long lines to buy food and basic necessities at grocery stores.

If the Albuquerque City Council approves this measure, it would mean even harsher enforcement of the strict health orders and even less freedom for citizens. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office previously called restrictions on grocery store capacities merely a “minor inconvenience” and long lines at stores “Republican talking points.” 

The meeting will take place virtually on Monday at 3:00 p.m. More information about the meeting and to submit public written or live testimony can be found here. Citizens can contact Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and the Albuquerque City Council to oppose the bill by contacting the councilors below: 

Mayor Tim Keller: MayorKellerIQ@cabq.gov

Councilor Lan Sena, District 1: lansena@cabq.gov

Councilor Isaac Benton, District 2: ibenton@cabq.gov

Councilor Klarissa Peña, District 3: kpena@cabq.gov

Councilor Brook Bassan, District 4: bbassan@cabq.gov

Councilor Cynthia Borrego, District 5: cynthiaborrego@cabq.gov

Councilor Pat Davis, District 6: patdavis@cabq.gov

Councilor Diane G. Gibson, District 7: dgibson@cabq.gov

Councilor Trudy Jones, District 8: trudyjones@cabq.gov

Councilor Don Harris, District 9: dharris@cabq.gov

ALERT: ABQ City Council voting Monday to fine, jail citizens breaking public health orders Read More »

NM GOP files lawsuit to impound ballots in Bernalillo County, citing ‘unusual’ election activity

7 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Friday, the Republican Party of New Mexico announced they have financed and filed a lawsuit requesting for Bernalillo County ballots in the First Congressional District to be impounded to search for irregularities.

“There are questions that still persist in this election that involve election integrity, and we must look closely at what happened here in New Mexico,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce.

According to the news release, the New Mexico Republican Party asked congressional candidate Michelle Garcia Holmes, who ran for the seat, to submit the petition. “New Mexico law grants candidates the right to have authorities impound tally sheets, registration certificates, paper ballots, absentee ballots, statements of canvass, absentee ballot applications and absentee ballot registers,” says the release.

NM GOP and Garcia Holmes are petitioning the Court to impound ballots in Bernalillo County’s 70 election-day voting convenience centers, 17 early alternative voting locations, and 88 absentee voter precincts.

“The Republican Party of New Mexico is also considering impounding ballots in other counties,” the release adds. 

Last month, President Trump’s legal team members, including Rudy Giuliani and Boris Epshteyn, mentioned over 180,000 ballots in question in New Mexico, which they were seeking to review. Being the most populous in the state, Bernalillo County will be lucrative for searing for fraud if the Court allows the petition to move forward. 

New Mexico uses the Dominion Voting Systems machines, which have been in question due to their ability to switch votes. Felon ex-Secretary of State Dianna Duran originally implemented them in New Mexico’s voting system in 2014.

People can help the Republican Party of New Mexico get over the finish line by donating at the website here. To read more about voter fraud in New Mexico, read more from the Piñon Post here.

Chairman Steve Pearce will be on Breitbart SiriusXM Radio on Saturday morning to discuss the ballot impounding and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s COVID-19 restrictions.

NM GOP files lawsuit to impound ballots in Bernalillo County, citing ‘unusual’ election activity Read More »

Thousands of patriots hold massive rallies, parades across New Mexico as election day nears

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Saturday, pro-Trump patriots from every corner of the state held massive rallies and parades across New Mexico, from the state Capitol in Santa Fe, to Rio Rancho, Corrales, Carlsbad, Roswell, and Las Cruces. 

Hundreds came out to protest Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s health orders in front of the Capitol, on Saturday, with patriots holding American and New Mexican flags, wearing Trump gear, and signs supporting the reopening of New Mexico.

According to KOB 4’s Patrick Hayes, around 1,000 people showed up for the “Protest for Freedom,” which had high-profile guests, such as Pastor Steve Smotherman of Albuquerque’s Legacy Church, former New Mexico representative and Republican nominee for Congress in District 2 and Yvette Herrell.

“The Governor should fear the people. We should never fear our government. And we the people from every walk of life — Democrat, Republican, Independent — that has gone out the door. It’s about righteousness and unrighteousness. It’s about right and wrong, it’s about evil and good,” said Smotherman, speaking of Lujan Grisham’s strict COVID-19 lockdown.

Herrell said, “I’ve been saying this all along. This is not about Yvette Herrell. This is about one nation under God. We are fighting for our nation!” 

On Friday, Herrell was at a “Tractors for Trump” ride in Roswell, where folks came together, mainly from the agricultural community, to support President Trump and Republicans in the state. 

On Saturday, patriots 750 vehicles full of Trump supporters traveled from Carlsbad to Roswell to support President Trump. 

There was also a large caravan of pro-Trump patriots driving through Corrales on Saturday, holding Trump flags and signs in support of the President’s re-election.  Similar events also took place in Las Cruces.

On Sunday, there is another scheduled parade, this time in Albuquerque on Tramway and Central, which is expected to garner many patriots ready to flip New Mexico red in November.

Thousands of patriots hold massive rallies, parades across New Mexico as election day nears Read More »

1 … 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Scroll to Top