From the Las Vegas Optic Adelina Tafoya liked to sing and had even recorded a song in a studio. She also liked to make short videos and post them to the popular social media app TikTok. For Briana Saiz, her sister, Tafoya was someone she could always count on for a laugh. “My sister was…
From the Las Vegas Optic The horrific smell coming from the structure was obvious, even from the outskirts of the property. Trash, furniture and other debris cluttered the lawn and prompted someone living in the west side neighborhood to contact the city about the mess. Two enforcement service specialists — city employees who assist with…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — Addictions are complex and as unique as the people who struggle with them. The effects of addiction are often persistent and recurring, causing those in treatment to experience setbacks as they work toward recovery. For participants in Alamosa’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, the road to treatment…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — Addiction is not a crime, yet many battling addiction end up with a criminal record because their addiction pushed them to break the law. In some cases, they might steal items from a store. In other cases, the crime they’ve committed is merely possessing the drug they’re…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — Many people with an addiction to drugs or alcohol will end up spending time in jail. The reasons may be because they cannot afford bail, because they are picked up on warrants for missed court dates or because they are arrested for other crimes while awaiting trial.…
From the Las Vegas Optic ALAMOSA, Colo. — They are struggling, often at the lowest point in their lives. Then they’re arrested. Charged with a crime, they face fines, fees and maybe even a lengthy sentence behind bars. They come from varied backgrounds and walks of life. The events that led them into the courtroom…
From the Las Vegas Optic Editor’s note: The following is part five in an ongoing series on drug and alcohol addiction in San Miguel and Mora counties. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore what’s being done about it and take a look at how other communities are addressing addiction. Ashley N. Fernandez approached the nondescript…
From the Idaho Business Review Rep. Muffy Davis won her seat in the Idaho House of Representatives in November 2018, capturing more than 56% of votes to become one of just 14 Democrats serving in the 70-member Idaho House of Representatives. “I’m thrilled to be here,” Davis said, “but it’s very hard work.” Davis knows…
From the Idaho Business Review A love of entrepreneurship and social responsibility led Jessica Rolph to co-found her first company, organic baby food maker Happy Family. Success did not come instantly though. “We launched with frozen baby food in 2006, and it completely failed,” she said through a laugh. “But we hung in there ……
From the Idaho Business Review Although many people likely view reporting to a probation officer as a punishment, Ada County Juvenile Court Probation Supervisor Leahann Romero said her goal is to instead make those visits about rehabilitation. It’s an approach that has shown success. By helping juveniles in the criminal court system set and meet…
