By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A district judge has ordered Sandoval County to place Matthew Wayne Herman’s name on the November ballot for New Mexico House District 23 — and the county says it’s complying, even as it prepares to keep fighting the decision in court. Thirteenth Judicial District Court Judge James A. Noel signed […]
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 inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate
A lifeline for the Rio Grande: 650 million gallons released to rescue parched river
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Albuquerque’s cracked, dry stretch of the Rio Grande is getting a temporary reprieve — though the agencies behind it are clear this is a science project, not a fix. The Water Authority and a coalition of partners released roughly 2,000 acre-feet — more than 650 million gallons — of San […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho’s bear summer continues: Another animal relocated from neighborhood
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s summer bear surge continued Tuesday when police and state wildlife officers tranquilized and relocated an animal roaming the Cabezon neighborhood. Working alongside the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, RRPD safely tranquilized the animal Tuesday morning and confirmed it will be relocated to Northern New Mexico. Officials say this […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Debate over privacy concerns continues as council backs new police tech deal
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho police will roll out 25 new body-worn cameras, automatic evidence tagging and virtual reality training after the Governing Body voted Aug. 27 to consolidate three separate Axon contracts into one 90-month agreement. Lt. Brandon McKinney told the council the deal bundles existing TASER, body-worn camera and Fusus real-time […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Treating the pack: How the Bark Bar is winning over Rio Rancho’s dogs
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. There’s a food truck rolling through Rio Rancho and Albuquerque where the entire menu is off-limits to people. Bark Bar, launched about six months ago by Chad Rutter, serves handmade “pup cups” and treats built exclusively for dogs — and the owner believes it’s the first business of its kind […]
Posted inRio Rancho
New RioTECH center puts students in the driver’s seat for future careers
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho high schoolers can now train on professional-grade auto shop equipment without leaving campus — or paying tuition — after CNM and Rio Rancho Public Schools cut the ribbon Aug. 28on the new Transportation Systems Technology Center at RioTECH. The 43,800-square-foot facility becomes the new home for CNM’s Automotive […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho residents urge city to cut ties with Flock camera network
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Four Rio Rancho residents pressed the governing body Aug. 27 to pull the plug on the city’s Flock Safety camera network, arguing that 19 cameras logging every passing license plate amounts to warrantless mass surveillance — not the crime-fighting tool police describe. Joaquin Montoya, speaking on behalf of privacy advocacy […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
From Dexter’s dirt roads to the winner’s circle: Mike Smith comes home a legend
By Kevin Hendricks and Julian Paras Mike Smith has ridden in 29 Kentucky Derbys, won a Triple Crown aboard Justify and collected more Breeders’ Cup victories than any jockey in history. But ask him what he carries with him after more than four decades in the saddle, and the answer has nothing to do with […]
Posted inSandoval County
Billions in growth: Sandoval County faces staffing shortfall amid property boom
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Sandoval County property values keep climbing — up nearly $1 billion on residential improvements alone in the past year — but the office pricing them out says staffing hasn’t kept pace with growth. New Assessor Ed Olona, appointed by commissioners in July after his predecessor resigned amid a dual-paycheck scandal, […]
Posted inSandoval County
August ends on a high note in Sandoval County: Here’s what’s happening this weekend
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. August doesn’t go quietly in Sandoval County. The final weekend of the month brings a four-time New Mexico Music Award winner to The BLOCK, a Vegas legend to Quezada’s and free trivia and a classic movie to close it all out Sunday. Friday: Eryn Bent closes out August at The […]