Mountainair’s Town Council will get a familiar face in a painful moment: Wayne Jones, husband of late Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, has accepted an appointment to fill her vacant council seat, Mayor Peter Nieto announced on July 23. Nieto said filling the vacancy fell to him under municipal procedure following Gayle Jones’ death, though the […]
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.
Posted inMountainair
Mountainair mourns Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, a legend of NM municipal government
Mountainair is mourning the loss of Mayor Pro-Tem Gayle Jones, a fixture of New Mexico municipal government whose career touched three towns, two emergency responder uniforms and, by her mayor’s account, nearly everyone who ever needed a straight answer at Town Hall. Mayor Peter Nieto announced Jones’ death on July 22 in a statement to […]
Posted inEdgewood
East Mountain Food Pantry’s Back2School Bash returns with bounce houses, raffle prizes and free school supplies push
East Mountain families can lock in a free day of bounce houses, food trucks and games while helping stock backpacks for local kids headed back to class. The East Mountain Food Pantry hosts its annual Back2School Bash Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Venus Park, according to the pantry, which has served […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Beyond partisanship: Why I’m running to secure the future of the East mountains
Submitted by Zach Withers Friends and neighbors, my name is Zach Withers and I am the independent candidate in the House District 22 State Representative race. I was born and raised in the East Mountains. I went to East Mountain high school, then earned a degree in international studies with a focus on political science […]
Posted inRio Rancho
‘Enough is Enough’: Rep. Cates challenges industry over PFAS labeling law
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. New Mexico shoppers could lose their right to know which household products contain “forever chemicals” if a coalition of national trade groups gets its way in federal court. State Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, fired back this week with a letter to eight industry associations defending House Bill 212, the […]
Sandoval Signpost
Posted inSandoval County
Mariachi, charity bingo, a Fox News comedian and a Route 66 history lesson cap a packed weekend
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. The City of Vision keeps the summer rolling this weekend with a lineup that runs from charity bingo to Latin Grammy winners — and the options only get better if you’re willing to make the drive across the river. Friday night: Southern rock, mariachi and a comedian who cleans up […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Tickets On Sale for Tamaya’s Horseshoes & Heels Gala Benefiting Rescued Horses
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Horse lovers can now grab tickets to the 2026 Horseshoes & Heels Gala, the annual fundraiser keeping rescued and rehabilitated horses fed, trained and cared for at the Stables at Tamaya. The Nov. 28 gala at Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa kicks off with a 5 p.m. cocktail reception, […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Hopi carver turns cottonwood root into art at Coronado Historic Site Aug. 2
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Cottonwood root becomes detailed Hopi figurines Aug. 2 as carver Randy Brokeshoulder demonstrates his craft at Coronado Historic Site. Brokeshoulder, who carries Hopi, Navajo and Absentee Shawnee heritage, works from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2, finishing each figure with natural pigments, yarn, feathers and horsehair. He’s the great-grandson […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Police presence at Rio Rancho High School? Just training, officials say
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho High School families flooded the office with calls this morning after spotting a heavy police presence on campus — but administrators say there’s nothing to worry about. Principal Millan Baca sent a letter to families confirming multiple law enforcement agencies are running a scheduled training exercise at the […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County rejects redistricting ruling, says current maps are legal
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A state judge ordered Sandoval County to redraw its commission district boundaries, ruling the county’s 2021 map failed to consult tribal nations and didn’t give Native American and Hispanic voters an equal say. Now the county says the judge got it wrong — and the maps aren’t changing anytime soon. […]