Editor’s note: This is a series profiling our local state legislators, their priorities and issues impacting our Sandoval County throughout the 60-day Legislative Session. By Jesse Jones Rep. Christine Chandler, a second-term Democrat from Los Alamos, represents House District 43, which includes all of Los Alamos County and parts of Sandoval and Santa Fe counties, […]
Jesse Jones
Posted insandoval-county
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Joshua Jones’ vision for Sandoval County
By Jesse Jones Joshua Jones made history in November as the first African American elected to the Sandoval County Commission. For Jones, who represents District 5, his leadership is not just about breaking barriers — it’s about building bridges and roads, providing clean water and keeping people safe. “Being elected as the first African American […]
Posted inBernalillo, New Mexico Legislature, news, nmstatewide, Politics & Elections
Bernalillo Hosts Deb Haaland as She Launches 2026 Governor Bid
By Jesse Jones Deb Haaland, the first official candidate in New Mexico’s 2026 governor’s race, made her second campaign stop Feb. 14 at the Range Café in Bernalillo, addressing about 200 supporters. The event was part of a 19-town tour that began Feb. 13 in Albuquerque and will end March 2 in Ruidoso. “Together, we […]
Posted inNew Mexico, New Mexico Legislature, rio-rancho, sandoval-county
Controversial Bill Limiting Public Records Access Shelved
By Jesse Jones Democratic Rep. Kathleen Cates of Rio Rancho announced she will not pursue House Bill 139, which would have added restrictions to the state’s public records law, with the justification of easing administrative burdens. The bill aimed to limit, in some cases, who could request records and give government agencies the power to […]
Posted insandoval-county
Sandoval County Commission Roundup
By Jesse Jones With the county landfill set to close in 2036 and a new site underway, Sandoval County commissioners decided at the Jan. 29 meeting to issue separate requests for proposals (RFP) for management consultation and operations rather than bundling the contracts. “I feel like I stumbled into a State Farm commercial for some […]
Posted inCorrales, Placitas, sandoval-county
Sandoval County Wildfire Plan Aims to Build Resilient Communities
By Jesse Jones Fire ecologist and watershed scientist Cody Stropki of SWCA Environmental Consultants, the County’s consultant and lead planner, presented an update on Sandoval County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan to the Sandoval County Commission at its Jan. 26 board meeting. Stropki said the plan is a community-driven project that will assess wildfire risks in […]
Posted inFood, Placitas
SOMA Coffee House Brings Fresh Brews and Community Vibes to Placitas
By Jesse Jones The aroma of freshly brewed coffee will soon fill the air in Placitas with the opening of SOMA Coffee House. The locally owned café aims to provide residents with a welcoming space to unwind, enjoy freshly roasted coffee and savor homemade pastries. SOMA Coffee House is located in the Homestead Village shopping […]
Posted inBernalillo
Mayor Torres Reaffirms Bernalillo is ‘Immigrant Friendly’
By Jesse Jones In a swift Jan. 27 meeting, the Bernalillo Council honored town attorney George Perez on his retirement, a pickleball player requested more center access and Mayor Jack Torres outlined the town’s 2017 “Immigrant Friendly” resolution. “Because of everything that’s happening in our community, within our country, I wanted to be sure we […]
Posted inBernalillo, Food
200 Social House Brings Fresh, Local Flavors to Bernalillo’s Dining Scene
By Jesse Jones A local restaurateur is giving American food a Southwest spin at Bernalillo’s newest upscale restaurant, 200 Social House. Dustin Darnell, owner of 200 Social House, is bringing the same “elevated” fine dining approach that defines his two other businesses, 3128 Social House and Gather, located in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill district. The restaurant […]
Posted inNew Mexico Legislature, sandoval-county
State Rep. Cullen Focused on Education, Tax Reform and Healthcare in Sandoval County
Editor’s note: This is a series profiling our local state legislators, their priorities and issues impacting our Sandoval County throughout the 60-day Legislative Session. Read more online. By Jesse Jones State Rep. Catherine Cullen, a freshman Republican legislator from Rio Rancho, narrowly won the vacant District 57 seat, defeating Democrat Michelle Sandoval by 133 votes. […]