Rio Rancho Fire Chief James Wenzel is one of 24 fire service leaders selected nationwide to participate in the 2026 Fire Service Executive Development Institute, a prestigious year-long leadership development program administered by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Wenzel, who was in Baltimore last week for the program’s first on-site session, said the cohort’s […]
Kevin Hendricks
Kevin Hendricks is a local news editor with nm.news. He is a two-decade veteran of local news as a sportswriter and assistant editor with the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer.
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
Son arrested after mother suffers severe, bloody head injury in domestic dispute
A 33-year-old Rio Rancho man was arrested Sunday night after his mother was hospitalized with a serious head injury following a domestic disturbance at a southeast Rio Rancho residence, according to court records filed Monday in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. Officers responded at approximately 10:15 p.m. March 8 to the 500 block of Pecos Loop […]
Posted inElections & Politics, Rio Rancho
Money talks: Rio Rancho mayoral runoff candidates lead in cash and votes
The two candidates who raised the most money in the Rio Rancho mayoral race are also the two headed to the April 14 runoff, according to campaign finance reports filed before the March 3 election and released publicly March 6. City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland together raised […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, East Mountains, Route 66 Independent
Crash report details final moments before BCSO sergeant’s fatal I-40 collision
A newly released crash report from the Rio Rancho Police Department provides new details about the sequence of events that led to the death of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Schlattman on Feb. 23 on Interstate 40 Westbound near the East Mountains. Schlattman, 52, was killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic […]
Posted inLocal Government, Sandoval Signpost, Town of Bernalillo
Bernalillo Town Council to get legislative update, take up budget adjustments
The Bernalillo Town Council will hold its regular meeting Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 829 Camino del Pueblo, with budget adjustments and a planning commission scheduling matter on the agenda. The meeting, which is also accessible remotely via Microsoft Teams, will open with a legislative update from state Rep. Derrick Lente before moving […]
Posted inRio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Heads up, Rio Rancho drivers: Key road closure starts Monday for $8.4M project
A section of Broadmoor Boulevard will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday as crews work to connect a new water line as part of a multimillion-dollar road and utility improvement project. Access to Broadmoor Blvd. from Nicklaus Drive will be blocked from March 9 through March 16 while contractors complete a water line tie-in, […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate, Placitas
Water system serving over 185 at Placitas Elementary tests positive for PFAS ‘forever chemicals,’ state testing finds
A local water system serving Placitas Elementary School has been found to be contaminated with “forever chemicals,” prompting state officials to invite local water managers to cooperate with developing programs for mitigation and monitoring. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – were developed in the 1950s to make products waterproof and stain-resistant and […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., Sandoval County, Sandoval Signpost
New Mexico Sen. Nava named to The Hill’s ‘Top Women Shaping Policy’ list
New Mexico state Sen. Cindy Nava (D-Sandoval/Bernalillo) has been named to The Hill’s inaugural “Top Women Shaping Policy” list for 2026, becoming the only lawmaker from the Southwest to receive the honor. The list, published Tuesday in The Hill’s print edition and on TheHill.com, features 50 influential women — including state lawmakers, advocates and policy […]
Posted inEvents, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Your weekend lineup: Rock royalty rolls into Rio Rancho
Rock and roll royalty headlines a packed weekend in Rio Rancho and surrounding communities, with Heart bringing its “Royal Flush Tour 2026” to the Rio Rancho Events Center on Saturday alongside a slate of outdoor, cultural and local entertainment options. Ann and Nancy Wilson are set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
New equipment, more tickets: Rio Rancho speed cameras issue thousands of citations in first 30 days
Rio Rancho’s new automated speed cameras issued nearly 6,000 citations in their first 30 days of live enforcement, with data showing thousands more violations still pending review, according to figures provided by program vendor Verra Mobility and reviewed by The 528. In 2024, the previous system issued a total of 18,739 speeding citations, averaging approximately […]