🌱 Killing Over Parking Spot + Human Smuggling + Car Warming Citations

Hello, everybody. It's me, Helen Eckhard, your host of the Albuquerque Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Chilly with plenty of sun. High: 47 Low: 28.

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Here are the top three stories today in Albuquerque:

1. A duo has been accused of killing a man over a parking spot in northeast Albuquerque. Emery Gallegos and Savannah Davis, both 19 years old, have been accused of killing William Lee Vencill, 65, over a dispute about a parking spot in September. The shooting took place at the Mission Hills apartment complex where they lived. The two were arrested on Wednesday and will be charged with open counts of murder and tampering with evidence, according to APD. (KRQE News 13)
2. In just three weeks, federal investigators have uncovered a second human smuggling operation in Albuquerque. Albuquerque police and Homeland Security Agents rescued 48 undocumented non-citizens at an apartment complex near Central and Louisiana, as well as 10 undocumented non-citizens and three kidnapping victims from a commercial parking lot off of Interstate 40. During the investigation on Friday, special agents arrested 32-year-old Marcelo Alonso-Almaraz and 35-year-old Eloisa Almaraz-Vasquez, both undocumented non-citizens from Mexico, and charged them with human smuggling and hostage-taking. (KOB 4)
3. The Albuquerque Police Department is citing drivers for leaving their cars running in the cold. Police will be citing those who leave their cars idling — which is against the law — as part of an effort to reduce car thefts across the city. While some residents aren't happy about the initiative, APD says their goal is to educate drivers and claims not warming up your vehicle is one of the best ways to avoid auto theft. (KRQE News 13)
   

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Today in Albuquerque:

• Veterans Day Observations At Historic Fairview Cemetery (10:30 AM)
• Vaccine Clinic At Mountain Mahogany Community School (1:00 PM)

Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Albuquerque!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

From my notebook:

• In addition to taking care of the animals in their immediate care, the ABQ BioPark is extremely active in local, regional and international conservation projects too! Learn more at the link. (ABQ BioPark via Instagram)
• Albuquerque Police Department's Community Engagement Unit partnered with Care Net and Larry H. Miller, who donated diaper kits consisting of wipes, sanitizer, diapers, and gloves for officers to keep in their units for use on calls when they encounter a child and/or family in need. Click the link to view photos. (Albuquerque Police Department via Facebook)
• Don’t miss out on Santa Fe Brewing Company's Holiday Fundraiser at Tin Can Alley on Dec. 10. They will be hosting a toy and food drive to support the efforts of local non-profit partners. (Santa Fe Brewing Company via Instagram)
• The International Western Music Association Convention is taking place now through Sunday at Hotel Albuquerque. (KOB 4)

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Events:

• 505 Friendsgiving (November 16)
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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all later for another update!

— Helen Eckhard

About me: Helen Eckhard is a marketing associate at Lightning Media Partners. Outside of work, she enjoys constructing crossword puzzles, knitting, or devising increasingly crafty ways to kill off characters in her mystery novels.