By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s District 4 council seat has sat empty since Paul Wymer traded his councilor badge for the mayor’s gavel in May. That changes Thursday, when the Governing Body votes to confirm attorney David Mann as Wymer’s replacement. Who’s getting the seat, and why Mann, a 12-year District 4 resident […]
Kevin Hendricks
Kevin Hendricks is an editor with nm.news where he oversees Sandoval County newsrooms. A native of Southeast ABQ, he reported for the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer before joining nm.news in 2024.
Posted inNM.news
Fewer crimes, more tickets: Inside the RRPD’s 2025 Annual Report
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s overall crime numbers dropped again last year, but drivers didn’t get the same break — and the city’s 911 center answered 30,000 fewer calls after splitting from the county, according to the Police Department’s newly released 2025 Annual Report. Crime down, but not everywhere Reported offenses fell to […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County commissioners to weigh $34.4M in bond asks, ethics overhaul and a new assessor Wednesday
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Sandoval County voters could see three General Obligation Bond questions on their November ballot — for libraries, fire training and a beefed-up Bureau of Elections building — after commissioners hear a mill rate study Wednesday night. It’s one of several consequential items packed into a meeting that also tackles who […]
Posted inElections & Politics
Miyagishima bows out of gubernatorial race, throws support behind Gregg Hull
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Ken Miyagishima is out of the governor’s race — and he’s taking his supporters straight to Gregg Hull. The longest-serving mayor in Las Cruces history announced Friday he’s ending his campaign and endorsing the former Rio Rancho mayor, folding a southern New Mexico coalition into Hull’s bid. Miyagishima and running […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Betting on sovereignty: Heinrich fights to protect tribal gaming from prediction markets
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., led a dozen Senate Democrats in a July 17 letter urging leaders of two Senate committees to add tribal and state gaming protections to pending cryptocurrency legislation, arguing the bills as written would let prediction markets offer sports and casino-style betting nationwide while sidestepping tribal […]
Posted inRio Rancho
PHOTOS: Rio Rancho leaders, friends and family turn out to support The Paper.
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Thank you, Rio Rancho! The Paper. threw a party Thursday and the City of Vision showed up in full force. To the friends, family, elected officials and local leaders who danced, noshed and networked with us at The BLOCK — thank you. The turnout crossed party lines and government levels. […]
Posted inSandoval County
Tribal nations, Democratic Party win major redistricting ruling in Sandoval County
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A state judge has ordered Sandoval County to redraw its commission district boundaries, ruling the county’s 2021 map failed to consult tribal nations and didn’t give Native American and Hispanic voters an equal say. A judge ruled for the Democratic Party of Sandoval County, the Pueblo of San Felipe, the […]
Posted inSandoval County
Defiant to the end: Assessor Linda Gallegos resigns, criticizes commissioners
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Sandoval County Assessor Linda Gallegos has resigned, closing out a two-term tenure that became a countywide controversy after she kept collecting her county paycheck while working a second, higher-paying state job. Her resignation, effective July 10, comes five weeks after commissioners voted to formally demand it. In a resignation letter […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho woman brings nearly entire GOP ticket to tiny Roy for candidate forum
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Roy, New Mexico has a population smaller than most Rio Rancho neighborhoods. On July 26, it’s set to host nearly the entire Republican statewide ticket. Rio Rancho resident Nancy Jinks organized the “Meet Your Candidates” forum, securing commitments from: State Sen. and Rio Rancho resident Jay Block will moderate. Jinks […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Summer BLOCK Party and beyond: What to do in and around Rio Rancho this weekend
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Before the weekend even starts, Rio Rancho has a reason to celebrate. The Paper. throws open the doors Thursday night for a free Summer BLOCK Party marking its expansion into the City of Vision — and everyone’s invited. The open house runs 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 16, at The BLOCK, […]