Submitted by Dora M. Dominguez, Director Sandoval County Tourism Department Public trust is essential, and questions about transparency deserve clear and factual answers. However, the recent editorial regarding Project Ranger and Sandoval County’s zoning actions presents an incomplete and inaccurate account of the process surrounding Section 36. Sandoval County has held an economic development lease […]
Communities
Posted inArts + Culture, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho arts organization seeks singers, actors for new season
Rio Rancho Creative Crossroads is recruiting participants for multiple programs this month, including two youth choral groups and a community theatre production. The Children’s Chorus of Rio Rancho and Rio Rancho Youth Chorus will hold their first rehearsal Saturday, Jan. 17, at Star Heights Recreation Center, 800 Polaris Blvd. The session will include an informational […]
Posted inArts + Culture, Placitas
Arts site to benefit Placitas, supporters say
A proposed outdoor art and music venue in Placitas is intended as a quality-of-life improver for the community, according to an organization backing its initial planning stage. Some residents have expressed concern about the project’s possible impact on the unincorporated village, with some advising Sandoval County commissioners to deny a routine fiscal-agency request. The Placitas […]
Posted inEast Mountains, Education
Charter school student honored for advocacy leadership
A high school student who regularly testifies before state lawmakers and speaks at board meetings has been named Student of the Year by Public Charter Schools of New Mexico. Miller Millea, a student at East Mountain High School, received the award for grades 7-12 as part of the organization’s 2025 Excellence Awards, which recognize leadership […]
Posted inEstancia, Opinion
Letter to the editor: Accountability demanded at Estancia Valley Classical Academy
Submitted by David C. Nuckols, EVCA teacher, and Craig Springer, parent. Enrollment at Estancia Valley Classical Academy in Edgewood, a public charter school, has drastically declined. So has state funding. Five teachers were recently put out of a job and two went part-time. All seven volunteered for the personnel action. Slapdash signs in front of […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Commissioner Filandro Anaya finishes term
Edgewood community members and officials gathered Dec. 23 to honor outgoing Commissioner Filandro Anaya for his leadership during the town’s transition to a new form of government. While his four-year term officially ended on Dec. 31 after he was overtaken by Stephen Murillo in the District 2 race, the community used the final commission meeting […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Records reveal details of Santa Fe County lawsuit against Edgewood
A recent Inspection of Public Records request revealed more information about the complaint Santa Fe County filed against the Town of Edgewood in November. According to records in response to an Inspection of Public Records request from The Independent filed in October, Manager Greg Shaffer notified the Town of Edgewood in April 2025 of an […]
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, Pueblos
Flu hospitalizations eclipse COVID as flu season hits New Mexico
Just in time for some of the busiest days for travel and family get-togethers, flu season is hitting New Mexico hard. National flu surveillance published by the Centers for Disease Control ranks New Mexico’s flu activity as “high” for the week ending Dec. 13. That puts the Land of Enchantment among the top 1/3 of […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Pueblos
Seeking storytellers
Unlike most Americans, and most humans, I read newspapers – three to five a day, albeit online. Fewer than one out of four Americans reads a daily newspaper in any format and less than one out of three people worldwide do. The world is crowded with information sources just a click away and all of […]
Posted inEdgewood, Local Gov.
Edgewood to swear in new officials, consider multiple zoning changes
The Town of Edgewood will swear in five newly elected officials Tuesday before considering eight zoning ordinances during a packed regular meeting. The swearing-in ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at Edgewood Town Hall Commission Chambers, 171A NM 344. Municipal Judge William White and four commissioners will take their oaths of office: Kenneth Brennan (District 1), […]