Editor’s note: Every drop from a Rio Rancho tap starts hundreds of feet underground. The city runs entirely on groundwater. On Oct. 20, the city’s utility managers, its water rights attorney and state geologists walked the Governing Body and the new Public Infrastructure Advisory Board through how the system works. They also covered what it […]
Kevin Hendricks, Editor
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.
NM Political Report
Posted in■ New Mexico State Government
Back in the House: Reeb will take seat she quit last month after uncontested re-election
By Kevin Hendricks — Voters in House District 64 sent Andrea Reeb back to Santa Fe on Tuesday, three weeks after she quit. Now the Clovis Republican says she’s coming back to the House. Reeb announced Thursday that she will take her seat for the upcoming term. She won re-election to the seat representing Chaves, […]
The Paper. Rio Rancho
Posted in■ Events
Weekend lineup: Playoff soccer, comedy legends, hockey and a Fur Ball
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — There are weekends and then there are weekends. This one has playoff soccer, back-to-back hockey, a veteran stand-up comedian doing two shows a night, a 30th anniversary animal rescue gala, a free book festival and a star party in the mountains. Pick your adventure — there’s enough here for […]
Posted in■ Events
Peace, love and paws: Watermelon Mountain Ranch throws a groovy Fur Ball for 30 years of saving lives
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Dust off the bell-bottoms. Watermelon Mountain Ranch, the Rio Rancho no-kill shelter that bills itself as New Mexico’s largest, throws its 30th anniversary Fur Ball on Saturday, and every ticket helps homeless dogs and cats get a second chance. The gala, themed “30 Years of Peace, Love and Saving […]
The Paper. Rio Rancho
Posted in■ Education
RRPS brings Horizon 2040 planning to Rio Rancho High tonight
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Missed last week’s Horizon 2040 kickoff? Rio Rancho Public Schools serves up a second helping tonight. The district hosts the second of four community conversations on its next strategic plan Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6-7 p.m. at Rio Rancho High School. Parents, students, staff and community members can share […]
NM Political Report
Posted in■ Politics & Elections
Haaland won the election. Now, how will she govern?
By Kevin Hendricks — New Mexico made history Tuesday night with Deb Haaland winning her campaign to be the first Native American woman to win a governor’s seat. Haaland, a Laguna Pueblo member and former U.S. Interior secretary, beat Republican Gregg Hull by 14 points to become New Mexico’s next governor. She takes office Jan. […]
NM Political Report
Posted in■ Politics & Elections
‘Great Scott’: Sen. Jay Block sees a dark sequel under Gov. Haaland
By Kevin Hendricks — For some New Mexico Republicans, Wednesday morning came with a headache. “That’s a really bad hangover,” said state Sen. Jay Block, a Republican from Rio Rancho, of waking up to Democrat Deb Haaland as governor-elect. Block has a bleak forecast for the next four years. “I think it’s going to look […]
NM Political Report
Posted in■ Politics & Elections
Democrat Vasquez wins third term after $21.8 million race
By Kevin Hendricks — After months of TV ads, mailers and text messages across southern New Mexico, voters in the 2nd Congressional District gave U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez a third term, and it wasn’t close. Vasquez, a Las Cruces Democrat, beat Republican Greg Cunningham 59% to 41% on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the […]
The Paper. Rio Rancho
Posted in■ Local Government
Hull back at City Hall? Mayor Wymer says the rumors are just that
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Rio Rancho Mayor Paul Wymer says he’s not going anywhere. Now that Gregg Hull has lost the governor’s race, talk around town has turned to whether Rio Rancho’s former mayor might take back his old office, with Wymer stepping aside to make room. Wymer said the rumors came from […]
The Paper. Rio Rancho
Posted in■ Politics & Elections
Flipped by 334 votes: Democrats take the Sandoval County Commission
By Kevin Hendricks — A 334-vote margin just handed Democrats control of the Sandoval County Commission. Democrat Frank Smith Jr. edged out Republican Edwin Linson 7,983 to 7,649 for the District 3 seat Tuesday, according to unofficial results. Smith replaces term-limited Republican Commissioner Mike Meek, and his win flips the board to a Democratic majority. […]