A month after the final ballots were cast, a state-ordered recount conducted in December has confirmed that Estancia Mayor Nathan M. Dial was unseated by a challenger in the Nov. 3 election. Senaida Anaya, the chief deputy clerk in Torrance County, told New Mexico Political Report that her office completed the recount on Thursday and […]
Westside Albuquerque
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Sen. Heinrich continues to call for updates on expired ICE detention facility contract
By Lauren Lifke A detention facility in Estancia for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still operating without a contract after its contract expired in October. Torrance County Manager Jordan Barela told The Independent that the county had an intergovernmental agreement with ICE that expired Oct. 31. The facility has since been operating without a new […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Torrance County launches text alert system for emergency notifications
Torrance County launched a text messaging alert system Wednesday, enabling residents to receive emergency notifications and county information directly on their mobile phones. The TextMyGov service went live Dec. 3 andwill send alerts about emergencies, road closures, critical incidents and weather events to residents who opt in. The county will send an initial text message […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho police food drive collects over 9,000 pounds
The Rio Rancho Police Department’s 17th annual food drive Saturday collected more than 5,000 pounds of food for St. Felix Pantry and about 4,000 pounds for Storehouse West. Tim Sheahan, president and CEO of St. Felix Pantry, confirmed his organization received over 5,000 pounds of donations from the event. Police officers collected non-perishable food items […]
Posted inNew Mexico State Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Sandoval County fire departments receive $1.5 million in state grants
Four fire departments in Sandoval County will receive a combined $1.5 million in state grant funding to improve emergency response capabilities and firefighter safety, the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday. The grants, awarded through the state’s Fire Protection Fund, will support major infrastructure improvements across the county. The Rio Rancho Fire Department […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Torrance County fire departments awarded $625,000 in state grants
Two fire departments in Torrance County will receive $625,000 in state grant funding to purchase new equipment and support volunteer firefighter recruitment, the New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office announced Monday. The Moriarty Fire Department received the largest award at $600,000 to purchase a Class A fire engine, while the Mountainair Fire Department was awarded […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho police to hold 17th annual food drive Saturday
The Rio Rancho Police Department will collect non-perishable food items and cash donations Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at seven grocery stores across the city. The 17th annual food drive will take place at: All donations will benefit St. Felix Pantry, which serves families in the Rio Rancho community. Police officers will deliver the […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Horses in Santa Fe County among those potentially exposed to serious equine herpes outbreak
Horses in Santa Fe County are among those potentially exposed to a serious outbreak of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, a neurologic disease that has already caused multiple horse deaths in other states, New Mexico livestock officials said Friday. The New Mexico Livestock Board Office of the State Veterinarian identified Santa Fe County as one of seven […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Water main break causes road closure, service disruptions in Rio Rancho
A major water main break near the intersection of Western Hills Drive and Lema Road is causing service disruptions and road closures in Rio Rancho, city officials announced Friday morning. The break was reported as of 6:30 a.m., according to a statement from the City of Rio Rancho. Residents in the affected area may experience […]
Posted inPueblos, Westside Albuquerque
Letter to the Editor: Project Ranger or Project Undercover?
Submitted by Zachary Darden, Rio Rancho Over the past few months, the Castelion Corporation has been quietly considering Sandoval County as the location for a new rocket motor manufacturing facility, which will contain several structures, with the biggest one being over 200,000 square feet, on more than 1,000 acres. Despite the scale of the project, […]