Last month, just before school let out, Carroll Elementary School in Bernalillo came alive with vibrant sights and sounds for its annual Cultural Day. The event brought together students, teachers and the community to celebrate diverse cultures through music, dance and art. For over a decade, Cultural Day has been a tradition at the school, […]
Jesse Jones
Driving Growth
Bernalillo’s new director of economic and community development says she hopes to revitalize the town and its Main Street. Christina Jones was appointed as the town’s economic development officer in February, succeeding Mike Kloeppel, who served in the position for seven years before becoming the town’s recreation director. Originally from Albuquerque, Jones has lived in […]
Rio Rancho Billion Dollar Solar Project Nears Completion
Rio Rancho is about to become a major renewable energy source for New Mexico as work on a billion-dollar, two-phase solar project nears completion. Clēnera, a privately held renewable energy company based in Boise, Idaho, is the developer of the Atrisco Solar and Quail Ranch Solar projects located just north of Double Eagle II Airport. […]
Workforce Housing at Cuba Health Center Breaks Ground
New housing units being built in the Village of Cuba are part of a plan to improve health care provider retention in the rural community. On May 29, Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS) officials, along with Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-New Mexico), celebrated the groundbreaking for new workforce housing units at the Cuba Health Center. The […]
County Commission Urges Governor to Declare State of Emergency
Sandoval County Commissioners have officially let the governor know how they feel about crime on the border. In response to escalating crises of fentanyl, human trafficking, and border-related crime, the Sandoval County commissioners approved a letter at the May 22 meeting asking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to declare a state of emergency. After a discussion, […]
How Green is Too Green?
The Bernalillo Town Council reversed the planning commission’s approval of a dispensary painted bright green, citing community concerns regarding historic preservation. Dispensary Near Me, a cannabis dispensary located at 413 South Camino Del Pueblo in Bernalillo, has been ordered to repaint its building following public complaints. At the May 28 meeting, the town council overturned […]
Bernalillo Budget Includes Raise for Town Employees
The Town of Bernalillo unveiled its preliminary budget at the May 13 council meeting, focusing on enhancing community health and safety, as well as improving the quality of life for town employees. The proposed budget reflects the town’s conservative financial strategy to maintain a balanced budget. The budget includes allocations for a salary increase for […]
Bernalillo Declines Federal Loan for Lead Pipe Survey
The Town of Bernalillo has declined a $250,000 federal loan intended to fund lead and copper water pipe surveys in communities around New Mexico. Town leaders decided not to accept the money because officials initially applied for what they believed to be grant-funded assistance but when the contract arrived, it was structured as a loan-grant […]
Community Mourns the Sudden Death of Placitas Elementary Principal
The community of Placitas was devastated by the news of the death of Joe Lepre, Placitas Elementary School principal, on April 30. Bernalillo Public Schools provided support to families and staff by offering access to counselors for discussions and assistance. Lepre, a 48-year-old husband and father of two, graduated from Bernalillo High School and earned […]
Commission Takes Action on Cuba Water Emergency
The Sandoval County Commission on May 8 approved an emergency/disaster declaration to address a water supply crisis in the Village of Cuba. The emergency item was added to the agenda due to an ongoing situation in Cuba where residents were without water and had been facing low water pressure for three weeks. “By doing this […]