Homemaking in a Post-Apocalyptic Hellscape, Dodging Polite Strangers, and Other Questionable Advice

Welcome to Thatz Not Okay, a regular column in which I school inquiring readers on what is and is not okay. Please send your questions to caity.weaver@gawker.com with the subject "Thatz Not Okay."
Scofflaw Spends Night in Jail For Failing to Return Overdue Copy of 'Twilight' to Library
Lori Teel of Portales, New Mexico, says she was handcuffed in front of her five young children and made to spend the night in jail because she neglected to pay $36 in library fines for an overdue Twilight book and a Twilight DVD.
Firefighters Finally Making Progress Against Largest Fire in New Mexico History
The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire has burned 241,701 acres of the Gila National Forest, making it the largest fire in New Mexico history. It's also been incredibly difficult to fight against, but firefighters are now reporting that it is 17 percent contained.
Man Banned From City Hall Amid Lap-Dancing Controversy is Elected Mayor
Daniel Salinas, a mayoral candidate in Sunland Park, N.M., beat out two others in Tuesday night's election despite the fact that he is been banned from City Hall amid a lap-dancing extortion controversy:
The Harrowing Before-and-After Photos of Two Years in Solitary
On the left: Stephen Slevin in 2005, when he was arrested in New Mexico's Dona Ana County on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving a stolen vehicle (Slevin says the car was lent to him by a friend). On the right: Slevin in 2007, just before he was released after spending nearly all of two years in…
Gary Johnson Will Run for Top Republican Screwer-Overer
Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has dropped out of the Republican presidential race. He rarely ever polled above 8 — people, not percentage points. He made a popular Rush Limbaugh joke about doggie poop during one of the two debates in which he appeared. He took his shirt off for the papers and rode a bike. He…
New Mexico Attorney General Warns Against the Molesty Charms of Pedobear
Pedobear! You know him as the internet superstar who brings joy to millions as a cuddly harbinger of child predation. But not everyone finds the concept of a pervy virtual Easter Bunny to be utterly delightful. In 2010, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department issued a warning claiming that Pedobear had been…
Woman Loses Scalp During Vicious Fight With Ex-Friend
Unless you're into the tonsured monk look, you should probably avoid pissing off Gabriela Nunez—a 19-year-old bouffant-ed brawler from Las Cruces, New Mexico who allegedly ripped the scalp off another woman during a particularly intense fight. She must have one hell of a hand-gripper exercise regimen.
Woman Stabs Boyfriend Repeatedly for Cheating at Monopoly
Laura Chavez, a 60 year-old New Mexican, was drinking and playing a nice game of Monopoly with her grandson and her boyfriend, Clyde "Butch" Smith. When Chavez suspected Smith of cheating, she sent her grandson to bed and proceeded to hit Smith over the head with a bottle and then stabbed him repeatedly with a kitchen…
American-Born Radical Cleric Killed in Yemen
Anwar al-Awlaki—New Mexico native, YouTube star, alleged al Queda recruiter, inspiration to the Times Square bomber, the underwear bomber, and the Fort Hood shooter, jihad brand strategist, and john—is dead now. So are his bodyguards. [Image via ABC]
Newspaper Uses Wrong Officer's Pic for Car Hood Sex Cop Article
To illustrate its coverage on fired New Mexico sex cop Bert Lopez, the UK's Daily Mail uses a picture of a different—and deceased—Burt Lopez. How embarrassing! (Still not as embarrassing as being caught by surveillance cameras sexing ladies while still wearing your police uniform, though.)
Car Hood Sex Cop Fired
The New Mexico State Police officer caught sexing a lady lying on a car has been fired—even though he did nothing illegal. Bert Lopez—a past "officer of the year"—has 30 days to appeal his dismissal.
Surveillance Camera Catches Cop Having Sex on the Hood of a Car
Here's a local news report that features photos, obtained from a surveillance camera, of a uniformed New Mexico State Police officer using the hood of a car to give one woman a full cavity search, if you catch my drift. The officer in question hasn't been fired as of yet, but he's now the subject of an internal…
Mayor's City Sued for Contracts He Signed While Drunk
Hats off to Sunland Park, New Mexico Mayor Martin Resendiz, for making the useless invalids in Washington look vaguely — vaguely — competent in comparison! Because it turns out that Mayor Resendiz only signed those nine contracts with the company that is now suing his city for seven figures because he was really,…
Mysterious Imprisoned 'John Doe' Identified
The mysterious man imprisoned in Utah County jail for a month while refusing to reveal his identity has finally been identified. As God. Kidding! Actually, it's Philip Todd Beavers, 61, of Farmington, N.M., who lost his job in late June.
