Morning Word: Archdiocese Releases List of Accused Priests

Credibly accused
The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has released a list of its priests, deacons and brothers who have been credibly accused in the Catholic Church's ongoing child sex abuse scandal. The list comes as a judge found there is good reason to unseal some records the church fought for years to keep hidden. The archdiocese was taken to court by Albuquerque TV station KOB in an effort to unseal those documents. Last month, SFR examined the cases and attorneys behind the claim. While the list purports to name church officials who have been credibly accused, it is the church—not an outside group or investigator—that makes that determination.

Palace Avenue break-ins
Thieves have been targeting jewelry stores on East Palace Avenue this summer. Six break-ins have netted crooks thousands of dollars worth of loot. A police spokesman says it can't be called a trend, but shop owners and the Chamber of Commerce say they can't recall anything like this and it seems concerning. Commercial burglaries are up 114 percent over the past year. Residential burglaries are down slightly.

Entrada's future
SFR's cover story this week takes you inside the protest of the Entrada during Fiestas and examines the simmering unrest that's caused vocal opposition to the pageant this year and in years past. Police have released body camera video from some officers who were stationed in the Plaza during protests on Friday. 

Bank cries foul
Santa Fe-based Century Bank is suing the Santa Fe Railyard Community Corp over a competing development project it says shouldn't have been approved. The Railyard Flats apartment complex is next door to the Artyard condominiums. The bank owns about 85 percent of the space in Artyard after foreclosing on it in 2013. The suit says a new development next door is making it impossible to lease existing space effectively.

Homeland insecurity
SFR and NM Political Report teamed up this week in a piece that digs in to ongoing problems at the state's emergency management agency. If past performance is any indicator of the state's readiness, when disaster strikes—and it eventually always does—the state may have serious difficulty digging itself out of the rubble.

Stepping out
It's been a week since Mayor Javier Gonzales announced he'll forgo a second term. This week, he tells SFR about how he came to his decision and about what's ahead as a truly single dad. Meanwhile, a short list of potential mayoral candidates has emerged, with plenty of time left to collect the 265 signatures needed to start a run.

Former teacher accused again
While teaching at Fairview Elementary School in Española, Gary Gregor sexually abused female students, a new lawsuit claims. Gregor is in custody right now facing criminal charges for similar allegations and two other suits have already been filed by other alleged victims.

Big chill
So you're telling us there's a chance? Forecast models for next week predict a big cool down next week that bumps right up against our fair city. Despite unseasonably warm temperatures this week, the leaves are gonna be changing soon.

Thanks for reading! The Word is unabashedly ready for some pumpkin spice something-or-other today.

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Santa Fe Reporter