Press
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026
Dream Flights relished by veterans, enthusiasts Monday in Farmington
A group of senior veterans and a couple of volunteers took to the skies Monday morning in a restored WWII-era Stearman biplane, savoring 15 minutes of open-cockpit flight as Dream Flights brought its nationwide mission of honoring veterans to the Four Corners Regional Airport.
The event, sponsored by Three Rivers Estates Senior Living and Memory Care, gave 10 participants a chance to experience what founder Darryl Fischer calls the “pure magic” of flight – a program that has delivered more than 8,400 free rides to veterans across the country. Passengers described the Farmington flights as “outstanding,” “unbelievable” and “like being a bird,” while Fischer and his volunteer crew said the joy and renewed energy they witnessed is what keeps them traveling from state-to-state each season.
Thurs, August 1st 2024
4 long-term care facilities in New Mexico fail surprise inspections
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Four long-term care facilities in New Mexico failed a surprise inspection from our state Department of Health.
Back in May, our state Health Department conducted surprise inspections at 91 facilities around our state.
The governor and members of the Health Department and Department of Aging and Long-term Services talked about those inspections Wednesday. They say, for the most part, New Mexico care facilities aren’t up to standard.
Four facilities that totally failed inspection: Bonney Home and Red Rocks Care Center in Gallup, and Las Palomas Center and Morada Albuquerque in Albuquerque.
A fifth facility, Uptown Rehabilitation Center, was flagged for further review because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
“The message today is, please call us so we can do the core investigatory work that is required to make sure that people aren’t just safe, but they’re getting high quality services,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The governor is urging anyone with concerns about the conditions at a care center where their loved one is staying to contact Adult Protective Services at 866-654-3219.
They’re also looking for more volunteers to help investigate and resolve concerns, folks can call 866-451-2901.
11 facilities passed inspection with perfect scores, and four of them are in Albuquerque, four are in Santa Fe, two are in Roswell, and one is in Farmington.
TUE, December 12th 2023
Kirtland Central JROTC brings seasons greetings to senior living homes
Every year, the JROTC makes time to visit the senior homes in the area, instructor Pedro Larribas said, but this year, they changed the visits from Veterans Day week to December to bring a holiday feel to their performance.
Cadet Battalion Cmdr. Dakari White organized the visits and the program himself.
Thirty students visited this year with nine coming from the Kirtland High Chamber Choir.
Chamber Choir, a regular addition to the senior visits, kicked off the performance with songs like “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night.”
Choir teacher David Collard said the songs were chosen to come together quickly. Karen Decker, pianist for Kirtland High and Middle school choir accompanied the group on the piano.
White played a Kenny G rendition of “Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas” on the saxophone. Cadet Mike John played the Navajo flute, and Cadet Sarah Emerson played a holiday song on the violin.
The cadets marched in formation to accompany a student performance by Jaden Whiteface, who put on a show as Elvis dancing and singing to “Blue Christmas.”
Aside from the support of residents, the cadets rang jingle bells behind the Elvis impersonator and did some dance movements.
Whiteface said he started doing Elvis impersonations at age 14 for family members, after being influenced by his mother.
