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 […]
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 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 […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County animal shelter earns no-kill status again
Sandoval County Animal Care Services has once again been named a no-kill shelter, a distinction the county has held for several years running, according to a press release from the county. The Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit that works with more than 5,500 shelters and rescue groups to end shelter killings, announced the […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho police credit ALPR cameras with dozens of arrests, vehicle recoveries
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s automated license plate reader network has grown to 19 cameras citywide, and police say the system — all of it run through vendor Flock Safety — is paying off in stolen vehicle recoveries and arrests. Police told councilors during an Aug. 18 work session that the most recent […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Big investments ahead: Council reviews police tech, well rehab, townhomes
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s Governing Body will decide Thursday whether to expand its Axon technology contract to nearly $4.4 million over 90 months, adding 25 more body cameras, AI-assisted translation and virtual reality use-of-force training to the police department’s toolkit. The council meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers, with […]
Posted inRio Rancho
District 2 déjà vu: Wymer opens search for new council seat
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. District 2 has a vacancy on the horizon. Councilor Jeremy Lenentine announced Aug. 19 he’s resigning for family considerations, with his last day in office set for Nov. 12 — handing Mayor Paul Wymer the job of finding a replacement under the same fast-track process that seated Councilor David Mann […]
Posted inTown of Bernalillo
Bernalillo job fair serves up careers — and tacos
Job seekers in Bernalillo won’t have to look far this week — a career and resource fair rolls into the Recreation Center Thursday with employers, blood donors and free tacos all under one roof. The Bernalillo Community Career & Resource Fair runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 27 at 370 Rotary Park Road, according […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County Commission to award $6.9M landfill road contract, recommend new state rep
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Sandoval County is about to pave the way — literally — for its new landfill, and hand the governor a name for an open seat in the Legislature, all in one Wednesday night meeting. Commissioners are set to award a $6,916,821.80 contract to Albuquerque Asphalt Inc. to build out 28th, […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho’s speed cameras are racking up tickets — and maybe too much cash
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho drivers are getting caught speeding at a record pace, and the city may soon have more camera-generated cash than it knows what to do with. The city’s newer speed camera network — 10 mobile towers citywide plus three red towers installed on Highway 528 in June — has […]