Cleanups at Air Force bases are (sort of) underway

The gift that keeps on giving

New Mexico officials are waiting on word from the Air Force about remediation of devastating levels of toxins in the soil around military bases. A groundwater plume of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, infamously caused the total devastation of a dairy herd near Clovis earlier this year. New Mexico says it's the feds' responsibility to clean it up; the feds point the finger back at the state.

One plume, two plume

Because one type of pollution plume wasn't enough, Kirtland Air Force Base is working on cleaning up a spill of jet fuel originating in the 1950s. Kirtland officials say the cleanup is going great; but Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins, board member of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, says she is "not absolutely confident that what they're telling us is accurate."

He said, she said

Firefighter Mario Montoya of Albuquerque Fire Rescue, accused of theft and sexual harassment, says the whole female-colleague's-underwear-in-his-bag situation is just one big misunderstanding. Montoya says he found the panties on the station floor and picked them up to save his colleague some embarrassment; the department doesn't see it that way, and fired him. He wants his job back, and a review board was going to grant him his wish until the City of Albuquerque stepped in and said no. Montoya's attorney also argues that he should receive back pay, plus the year of PERA contributions that he's missed out on since his firing.

But that’s how it’s always been

New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, the first non-male person to hold the elected office, is making a point to change some rules in our state … as in, the wording of the rules themselves. The written governing rules of the State Land Office (TNM $) refer to the commissioner throughout as "he" and "him," and Garcia Richard wants to make the change to non-gender-specific references like "the commissioner" or "the applicant" or "the lessee."

Grapes Expectations

On the cover of SFR this week, writer Zibby Wilder takes a look at New Mexico's wine legacy. As the oldest wine-making region in the New World, New Mexico certainly hasn't always gotten its due. Flood and drought nearly wiped out what monks in the 1600s started—but thanks to a few hardy vintners and some stubborn vines (or is it stubborn vintners and hardy vines?), we once again have something to brag about.

You can’t do that

A staff member at the Montecito, a senior living facility on Rodeo Road, has been charged with felony abuse (TNM $) stemming from an incident in which she tried to forcibly move an elderly resident with dementia. Other employees called Kathryn Olson's actions "overly aggressive" and "uncalled for" and notified police; Olson told investigators she believes she had been "kind but firm."

Let it grow

The public library's Southside branch has a new initiative that anyone who loves food and/or the planet can get behind: a seed library. SFR takes a look at the project, how to borrow seeds for your garden, and what it means for food sovereignty and ecological resilience.

Heating up for the holiday

It should be a bit warmer across the state today, perhaps 73 degrees or so in Santa Fe—and Memorial Day Weekend will be even nicer, hitting 80. Everyone have fun and be safe, and we'll see you on Tuesday.

Thanks for reading! The Word can't believe her luck.