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Cloudcroft Woman Sentenced

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 20:16:41 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –A Cloudcroft woman has been sentenced in the death of her husband. Deana Thetford entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and forgery in connection with the death of her husband, Craig Thetford. The couple resided in Cloudcroft where Craig was last seen in January of 2025. After months without contact his family reported him missing in May of 2025. The Otero County Sheriff’s Office went to the couple’s home to initiate a welfare check. During the investigation Deana Thetford gave multiple conflicting explanations regarding the whereabouts of her husband. That same month investigators received an anonymous tip alleging Deana had shot and killed her husband. Another search of the property revealed Craig’s body in the carport of the couple’s home. On Tuesday, Deana Thetford was sentenced to 18 years in the NM Department of Corrections.

Free Breakfast Lunch for School Kids

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:59:10 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –When school ends for the summer where can you find free breakfast and lunch for your children? The City of Albuquerque has resumed its summer meals program throughout the metro. There are 95 locations across Albuquerque providing free breakfast and lunch to children ages 1 to 18. Schools, churches and YMCA locations have already started handing out food along with most city parks. To find the free meal locations and more information go to the city’s website at cabq dot gov. For areas outside the metro in Bernalillo County you can go to the county’s website at bernco dot gov.

Plea Agreement for Houle

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:39:17 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –A plea hearing was held today (Thurs) for a man facing charges of manufacturing, distributing and possession of child pornography. Timothy Houle’s defense entered a guilty plea to manufacturing child pornography, which was accepted by Judge Lucy Soliman. The plea was part of an agreement where the court dismissed distribution and possession of child pornography charges against Houle. He was arrested in January after a tip came in from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Houle faces up to 12 years in prison at sentencing which will be held in August.

Seven Cabins Fire Update

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:57:05 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –The Seven Cabins Fire in the Capitan Mountains continues to grow in acreage but containment has improved. The latest update has the fire at 64% containment with over 540 personnel on scene. The fire is now almost 32,000 acres in size. Aerial crews have been assisting firefighters by dropping retardant and water on the fire. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the area today. A community meeting is planned for 6:30 this evening at the Arabela Volunteer Fire Station. Keep in mind, a forest closure is in effect across the Capitan Mountain Area, extending east and south of Highway 246 to the Forest Service boundary and continuing south to Forest Service Road 57. Baca Campground is included in the closure.

Free Fishing and Boating Weekend Coming

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:51:21 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –National Fishing and Boating Week happens June 6th through the14th and in celebration New Mexico State Parks will offer free day-use at all state parks that provide fishing and boating this Saturday and Sunday. NM will join more than 30 states offering free fishing opportunities giving residents and visitors an easy way to introduce someone new to the sport or return to it themselves. Toby Velasquez, director of NM State Parks says, “By offering free day-use during the opening weekend of National Fishing and Boating Week, we hope more families will get outside, experience a new state park, and connect with New Mexico’s rural communities.” Visitors are encouraged to “know before you go” by checking current conditions, fire restrictions, and weather advisories on the NM State Parks website.

Hotline To Report Abuse, Neglect Restored

Francina Walker — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 18:39:11 +0000

Suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can be reported directly to intake specialists beginning July 1st. A restored toll free hotline, 800-445-6242 will be operational for families, caregivers and providers to reach the incident management team quickly. The restored hotline is part of a broader agency effort to simplify reporting, speed up response times and improve follow up on critical incidents involving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. More information on how to report abuse, neglect or exploitation can be found at NM’s Health Care Authority website, www.hca.nm.gov.

Seasonal air service in Taos to begin June 28 and 29th

Zoltan Csanyi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:56:52 +0000

Taos, NM (KKOB) – More air travel options now available for residents in Northern New Mexico. Taos is announcing the return of seasonal air service to Taos Regional Airport for the summer.

Two airlines will now be flying in and out of Taos. JSX airlines will fly from Taos to Austin and Dallas. Contour Airlines will once again be providing service between Taos and Denver.

Summer service will operate through September 28, 2026. Trips between Taos and Denver via Contour Airlines will begin Sunday, June 28, and direct service to Dallas and Austin via JSX starting Monday, June 29.

JSX flights will operate on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Mondays, while Contour Airlines flights will operate on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays.

“Reliable regional air service continues to play an important role in connecting Taos to key markets and making our community more accessible to visitors,” said Town of Taos Mayor Daniel Barrone. “These flights help support local businesses, tourism, and economic activity while providing convenient travel options for residents across Northern New Mexico.”

Taos-area residents can also take advantage of exclusive travel savings through JSX. Whether traveling for business or taking a well-earned getaway, locals can receive up to 20% off one-way and round-trip JSX flights from Taos by using the promo code tsmlocal at checkout. Travelers are encouraged to visit JSX.com for the latest flight schedules, fares, and promotional details.

Mother arrested in death of her 1-year old child

Zoltan Csanyi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:50:35 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – 32-year-old Tabitha Leann Molina is inside the Metropolitan Detention Center without bond in connection to the death of her one-year-old child.

Medical personnel at UNM Hospital reported that the child had life-threatening injuries that were possibly because of abuse. On May 29th, the little girl was taken off of life support and died at the hospital. Molina told police that the girl had fallen, but experts told police that her injuries were not consistent with falls. Detectives said the girl had been injured multiple times before being hospitalized.

Molina is charged with intentional child abuse resulting in death of a child under 12, and child abuse.

Gas prices back over $4 per gallon in Albuquerque and around the state

Zoltan Csanyi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:42:43 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – After two weeks of price drops throughout the country, New Mexico currently has the 28th highest statewide average price. Triple-A reports this week that the price of gas in Albuquerque, which was below $4 for several days, jumped to $4.12 per gallon on the average. Santa Fe drivers are paying on average of $4.23 while Las Cruces’ average is $4.08 which is the lowest in the state.

Oil prices continue to trade slightly below $100 a barrel, but gas prices are likely to remain volatile and well above last year’s levels as long as the Middle East conflict remains unresolved

I-25 construction zone will shift starting Thursday night

Zoltan Csanyi — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:29:01 +0000

Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) – As construction on i-25 continues, drivers will be moving back to the inside lanes near the median between Candelaria Road and Montgomery Boulevard. Starting tonight, northbound I-25 traffic will shift. Southbound I-25 traffic will shift starting the night of June 9 through June 10th. After the shifts, crews say three lanes in each direction will stay open during daytime hours between Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard. Once the shifts are completed, three travel lanes in each direction will remain open during daytime hours between Comanche Road and Montgomery Boulevard.

One thing not changing in the affected area is the speed limit, which remains reduced to 55 mph through the work zone.