The murder almost a century ago of a prominent Bernalillo businessman is the inspiration for a new fictional novel coming out June 28. Author Mattison Casaus’ first novel, A Piece of the Town, intricately weaves a narrative that blends truth and fiction about the 1932 murder of George Silva and the iconic Silva’s Saloon in […]
Jesse Jones
Sandoval County Holds Voter Roll Event
To proactively ensure the accuracy of voter rolls and facilitate a seamless election process, the Sandoval County Clerk’s Office organized a voter rolls accuracy event May 6 at the County Administration building. The goal was to help registered voters in Sandoval County who wanted to verify their voter registration details or make updates ahead of […]
Sandoval County Businesses See Soaring Property Values
Property values in Sandoval County have seen a huge increase this year. In particular, Rio Rancho business property owners have seen some of the highest increases in the county. Several property owners urged county commissioners at the April 24 meeting to do something about the high property values from the Assessor’s Office. During the commission […]
‘We Want to Keep it Small But Help It Grow’
The new Bernalillo development coordinator wants to help people’s construction projects become reality, as the town continues to grow. Martin Martinez aids residents in project construction by simplifying the permitting process and ensuring regulatory compliance for a smoother process. “I always wanted to make a difference and help people, that’s my ultimate goal, to make […]
James Beard Semi-finalist Brings Smash-Style Burgers, Spicy Chicken to Rio Rancho
A James Beard Award semifinalist from New Mexico is expanding to Rio Rancho. Basit Gauba, a restaurant and food truck owner from Albuquerque, is preparing to bring two of his restaurants to Rio Rancho’s new indoor/outdoor retail and event space, The Block, which is set to open in June. Gauba, owner of Tikka Spice Desi […]
Councilors Approve 4% Solid Waste Rate Hike
Bernalillo town councilors voted at the April 22 council meeting to approve a solid waste rate increase and heard just how much the town received from the Legislature. Adam Meyer, the district manager for Road Runner Waste Services, asked the council to approve a rate increase for Bernalillo. The council unanimously approved a 4% adjustment […]
Haaland Visits Placitas to Commemorate Historic Public Lands Protection
The BLM announced updated regulations for the balanced management of America’s public lands, ensuring sustainability for the future on April 18. U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, who serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued a statement Thursday celebrating an announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior which finalized the Bureau of Land […]
Placitas residents concerned over proposed Forest Service plan
A proposed plan by the Forest Service to mitigate fire risks in the Sandia Ranger District has sparked concerns among residents and stakeholders in the Placitas Canyon. Jon Couch, who serves as the Commissioner of the Los Huertas Community Ditch and is an Associate Supervisor for the Coronado Soil and Water Conservation District (CSWCD), strongly […]
Rio Rancho City Manager’s Recommended Budget Includes Beefed-Up Public Safety and a Water Rate Hike
Rio Rancho’s city manager has recommended a $146.6 million budget that prioritizes investments in public safety along with upgrades to community infrastructure and efforts to retain city employees. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and the City Council received City Manager Matt Geisel’s recommended budget for the 2025 fiscal year on April 15. Public Safety The […]
County Fire Chief Submits Plan to Improve Response Times
Honors and annual reports were on the table at the Sandoval County Commission meeting on April 10. Sandoval County Sheriff Jesse James Casaus and Chief Deputy Officer Allen Mills took the lead at the meeting by handing out awards and promotions to law enforcement personnel and presenting their 2023 annual report to the commission. Highlights […]