Thirteen new firefighters joined Sandoval County Fire and Rescue following a graduation ceremony April 24 at V. Sue Cleveland High School. The Class 8 graduates represent the largest academy class in the program’s history. The new first responders completed a rigorous 14-week paramilitary training program that combined classroom work with field exercises in core firefighting, […]
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 in+Arts & Culture
Corrales opens its studio doors for 28th annual art tour this weekend
Corrales artists open their studios and homes to the public this weekend, giving art lovers across the region a rare chance to meet working artists face-to-face during the 28th annual Corrales Art Studio Tour. Ninety-three artists — including student artists from two Corrales elementary schools — will show work across 33 venues May 2 and […]
Posted inRio Rancho
SWAT standoff, 9 charges: Police say Rio Rancho woman fired gun at partner while children were inside home
A Rio Rancho woman faces nine criminal charges — including aggravated assault and child abuse — after police say she fired a handgun at her partner during a domestic dispute in the early morning hours of April 18 in the High Range neighborhood. Officers dispatched around 1:47 a.m. found live rounds and spent casings in […]
Posted inRio Rancho
All 5 NM governor candidates head to Rio Rancho for Tuesday forum
All five candidates running for New Mexico governor will share a stage Tuesday night in Rio Rancho, giving Sandoval County residents — including registered independents — a front-row seat to a cross-party primary forum. The Governor Candidate Forum begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Rio Rancho Public Schools’ Training Center Room, 500 Laser Road NE. […]
Posted inEast Mountains
East Mountain gallery reopens with spring show featuring new artists, fresh mediums
A Cedar Crest art gallery is reopening its doors this spring with a new exhibition that adds fresh voices and mediums to its roster of New Mexico artists. Enchanted Soul Art | Creatives’ Gallery & Shop resumed regular hours April 17, launching its Spring Re-Enchantment 2026 exhibition, on view through May 24. Featured artists include […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Boom! The Unser-Paseo widening project is about to enter its loudest phase
Tens of thousands of Rio Rancho and Westside commuters who rely on the Unser Boulevard and Paseo del Norte corridor will hear — and feel — the next phase of construction starting Tuesday, as crews begin blasting through the basalt bedrock beneath one of the metro area’s most congested intersections. Controlled blasting is scheduled to […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho exempts employee benefits from bidding rules
Rio Rancho employees will see no gaps in their health coverage this summer after the city’s Governing Body approved a change to its procurement code Thursday that gives administrators more flexibility to secure insurance, benefits and retirement programs outside the standard bidding process. Financial Services Director Stephanie Yara told the Governing Body the exemption is […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety
State Police kill armed man after shootout with Torrance County deputies
By Kevin Hendricks, NM.News — A Torrance County man is dead after exchanging gunfire with sheriff’s deputies and a New Mexico State Police tactical team Tuesday near Manzano, following an hours-long manhunt that prompted authorities to order nearby residents to shelter in place. Torrance County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 1 p.m. Tuesday to a report […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho’s longest-serving mayor passes the gavel, sets sights on governor’s race
The tributes ran long and the tears came easy as Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull gaveled out of office April 23 as the city’s longest-serving mayor. Hull addressed the Governing Body for the final time, citing road reconstruction, the city’s aquifer recharge facility, a new permanent fund and a strengthened partnership with Intel Corporation among […]
Posted inPlacitas
Placitas PREP to host fire-behavior presentation
April doesn’t just mean it’s baseball season. It’s also fire season, and a group in Placitas is trying to ensure residents know how much danger is out there. Placitas Resilience & Emergency Preparedness Alliance (PREP) is hosting a May 12 presentation by District Ranger Ken Born of the U.S. Forest Service on possible wildfire behavior […]