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🌱 Why San Juan County’s sheriff is being sued over a deadly case

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Hey there, Farmington! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why San Juan County’s sheriff is being sued over a deadly case
  • Why Farmington’s police chief is demanding tougher action on youth crime
  • How Diane Denish’s path once ran through Farmington before the Roundhouse

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Farmington? Post it to Farmington photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Find out what's happening in Farmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Farmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 53 and low of 22 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partial sunshine, temps: high: 57, low: 26.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 57 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New Mexico sheriff sued over refusal to enforce red flag law, subsequent death (kob.com) — Farmington residents are learning that San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari faces a lawsuit claiming his refusal to use New Mexico’s red flag law contributed to a young woman’s death. The suit argues deputies never sought to remove an abusive boyfriend’s guns despite repeated warnings, and any damages would support the victim’s young daughter. County officials have declined comment on the pending case.
   

2. NM legislators listen to victims, law enforcement about violent juvenile crime (krqe.com) — Farmington’s police chief is publicly pressing New Mexico lawmakers to act on what he and other chiefs see as a growing crisis of violent juvenile crime. At a Las Cruces listening session, Republican legislators heard emotional testimony from victims’ families and law enforcement leaders who say the current system lacks both accountability and rehabilitation for a small group of repeat youth offenders.
   

3. New Mexico's only female lieutenant governor reflects on long career (searchlightnm.org) — Former New Mexico Lt. Gov. Diane Denish once lived in Farmington after graduating from UNM, a stop on a long political journey that later took her to the Roundhouse and a historic statewide role. In this reflective profile, she talks about championing early childhood programs, backing small businesses, navigating controversies around Gov. Bill Richardson, and how her career shaped the state’s current focus on child care and women in politics.
   

4. Navajoland postpones its first bishop election until June 2026 (episcopalnewsservice.org) — Farmington is slated to host the consecration of Navajoland’s first Episcopal bishop, but that ceremony will be pushed back because the diocese is delaying its election from January to June 2026. Church leaders say they need more time for discernment with the three candidates, so a new consecration date in Farmington will be set later.
   

5. New documentary film highlights pollution from oil and gas industry in New Mexico (tricityrecordnm.com) — Farmington appears in a new documentary about how oil and gas drilling in the San Juan and Permian basins is affecting communities’ health and environment, including those familiar with production like Farmington and Gallup. Filmmaker Annie Ersinghaus follows residents, advocates, and legal efforts pushing New Mexico to curb pollution and restrict drilling near schools, ahead of a key 2026 legislative session and a state Supreme Court case.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I made some Christmas cards.
    Three are water color, four are cut out and one is colored by my daughter. (Nextdoor Beckland Hills)
  • City of Farmington posted a job opening for Senior Center Porter in Farmington. Apply here.
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Baker and Packager Associate in Farmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Farmington here.

Ok Farmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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