Rio Rancho Public Schools uses a vigilant security team and technology to prevent students bringing firearms to campus, a district spokesperson says. Wyndham Kemsley told the Sandoval Signpost no firearms have been found on campus this school year. Last year, he said, the only such incident occurred when staff investigating another matter found a weapon […]
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Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Town of Bernalillo
Bernalillo schools to require clear backpacks
Transparency isn’t just for governments anymore. Bernalillo Public Schools has announced a clear backpack policy for students in Grades 4 through 12. Thomas Maes, Jr., the district’s director of safety and security, sent a letter to families explaining the policy. “Clear backpacks are part of a layered approach to safety and security that includes strategies […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County going to the dogs
National Dog Month was proclaimed Aug. 13 in Sandoval County with a few pleasing yips and good news about the animal shelter expansion project. Shelter staff brought some adoptable dogs into the county commission chamber as Commissioner Katherine Bruch read a proclamation honoring their species. Bruch highlighted several ways in which dogs enrich the lives […]
Posted inLocal Government, Town of Bernalillo
Bottoms up for cornhole tourney
Supporters of the Bernalillo High Spartans are now free to raise a glass as well as a beanbag. Town councilors on Monday approved a request to allow liquor to be served at Saturday’s Spartan Showdown Cornhole Tournament at Rotary Park. According to the agenda, organizers expect 200 people to attend the event, a fundraiser for […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
529 acres in Rio Rancho Estates eyed for industrial development
Sandoval County Commissioners are thinking about the next big economic development project for the area. At their Wednesday meeting, commissioners will consider a request from the New Mexico State Land Office and Sandoval County Economic Development to zone almost 529 acres of unplatted land in Rio Rancho Estates for industrial use. The zoning would permit […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Back-to-school guide 2025: What Sandoval County families need to know
Sandoval County families preparing for the 2025-26 school year will find significant changes awaiting them, with two major educational facilities opening their doors for the first time and staggered start dates across districts beginning as early as Aug. 4. Rio Rancho Public Schools is seeing some major changes for the new school year. The biggest […]
Posted inLocal Government, Town of Bernalillo
Bernalillo council approves firefighter incentive pay
Pay for firefighters in the Town of Bernalillo is going up. Town Councilors approved an incentive pay plan July 29 that calls for raises for several classes of employees. Those increases would be based on factors such as years of service, earning new degrees, specialty team membership or instructor positions or bilingual ability. Specialty teams […]
Posted inPueblos, Westside Albuquerque
Polling places list approved, but perhaps not final
Sandoval County election officials say they’ll keep looking for new places for voters to cast their ballots this fall. County commissioners voted July 23 to approve an updated list of polling places that drops (for now) seven locations used last year. Joey Dominguez, chief deputy county clerk, told commissioners that some voting sites are unavailable […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval Commission to weigh new fire districts, polling places
Sandoval County Commissioners Wednesday will consider updating the list of polling places for the Nov, 4 election. Joey Dominguez, chief deputy county clerk, wrote in the agenda that the action is necessary because some sites are no longer available because leases have ended or property owners have construction that conflicts with elections. If the amended […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
Sandoval County dispatch center opens but Rio Rancho challenges its readiness
The Public Safety Emergency Communications Center of Sandoval County (PSECC) isn’t just a new dispatch hub, says Deputy County Manager Eric Masterson. The building, which began taking calls July 1, also represents an opportunity to create a culture of excellence from the ground up, he said. County officials say it’s the first large-scale dispatch center […]