By Rodd Cayton, Route 66 Independent — Cindy Sims says her next role will be “the little old lady with story books.” After 45 years in education, the last seven as superintendent of the Estancia Municipal School District, Sims is retiring at the end of the school year. She said she wants to spend more […]
Rodd Cayton
Rodd Cayton is a senior reporter with nm.news covering local news and government as a local reporting fellow with NM Reports.
Posted inNM.news
Maverik gas station proposal appears dead after developer misses appeal deadline
By Rodd Cayton, The Paper. — Residents of Netherwood Park, Summit Park and other neighborhoods apparently won’t be getting a Maverik gas station and convenience store as a neighbor – and they seem fine with that. Maverik, which applied to develop the property at Carlisle Boulevard and Indian School Road, did not appeal a denial […]
Posted inEast Mountains
This time, it’s a ‘no’
Village councilors in Tijeras Monday officially rejected a zoning change they had previously chosen to set aside in the face of overwhelming public pushback. Mayor Jake Bruton told the Route 66 Independent the council erred by letting a public hearing on rezoning 58 acre property near I-40 and State Route 14 conclude without taking a […]
Posted inCorrales
Corrales council moves to end vague ‘that’s how it’s always been’ road decisions
Village councilors in Corrales are seeking to make their decisions on road projects clearer. The agenda for Tuesday’s meeting includes possible approval of a policy governing road paving, repair and maintenance procedures for the village. The topic moved to the forefront of Corrales debate in February, after several residents of Perea Road took issue with […]
Posted inSandoval County
Greater access to the Great Outdoors
A pair of Sandoval County projects will share in the latest round of state trail grants. Los Amigos de Valles Caldera and the Pueblo of Santa Ana’s Tamaya Wellness Program will receive $46,000 and $99,999, respectively, from the Outdoor Recreation Division of the Economic Development Department of New Mexico. Los Amigos de Valles Caldera says […]
Posted inSandoval County
Record heat, drought prompts early statewide fire restrictions
Those whose outdoor plans include fires will need to review updated rules to stay in compliance with state law. The New Mexico Forestry Division is enacting statewide fire restrictions in an effort to reduce the risk of wildfire starts. The new restrictions taking effect today, April 6, apply to all “non-federal, non-Tribal and non-municipal lands […]
Posted inEducation
Estancia voters OK $4 million to train students for farm, trades and wind power jobs
Future Estancia High School students will be faced with more options after graduation, if school leaders have their way. Voters have approved a $4 million bond issue that will help the Estancia Municipal School District build a new career and vocational education center. 69% of 447 mailed-in ballots voted in support, officials say. “We are […]
Posted inEdgewood
Edgewood pursuing Congressional earmark to plan for new police facility
By Rodd Cayton, nm.news — Edgewood Police Chief Aaron Frost is thinking about the long term. During a recent commission meeting, Frost told commissioners that he had initiated the process to request planning funding and the Independent followed up to find out more. While acknowledging that the town has other needs, Frost told the Route […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate
Water systems serving 700 across East Mountains test positive for PFAS “forever chemicals,” state testing finds
By Rodd Cayton and Pat Davis — Some local water systems across the East Mountains have 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 […]
Posted inEast Mountains, East Mountains News, Local Government, Route 66 Independent
Tijeras landowner seeks zoning approval to develop commercial plots along NM-14
By Rodd Cayton, nm.news — Village of Tijeras residents will soon weigh in on a proposed development that could bring a new gas station, restaurant or other businesses to NM 14 and I-40. Village councilors have tentatively set a public hearing for March 30 on the project, at the corner of Torres Trail and State […]