The Rio Rancho City Council on Thursday took a step towards authorizing up to $63.4 million in water and wastewater system bonds to fund critical utility infrastructure improvements and refinance existing debt, a move officials said will save ratepayers up to $2 million in interest costs over 20 years. The council unanimously approved the bond […]
Rio Rancho
Extended early voting begins Saturday for Rio Rancho municipal election
Extended early voting for Rio Rancho’s March 3 municipal election begins Saturday at four additional locations, giving voters more opportunities to cast ballots ahead of Election Day. The new sites open Feb. 14 and will operate Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Feb. 28. They join the Broadmoor Senior Center, which […]
Rio Rancho Governing Body to review clean FY2025 audit, consider $63M water bonds
The Rio Rancho Governing Body will accept the city’s fiscal year 2025 audit and consider issuing more than $63 million in water and wastewater system bonds during its regular meeting Thursday. The FY2025 audit, conducted by Hinkle + Landers, returned unmodified opinions on both financial statements and federal awards with no findings in any category […]
Why are there so many car washes in Rio Rancho?
If you spend enough time in Rio Rancho, you’ll eventually ask yourself, “why are there so many car washes in this city?” Drive along Southern Boulevard, Unser or 528 and you’ll see them everywhere: long tunnels, bright vacuums, free towels and signs pushing unlimited monthly plans. For a city of just over 100,000 people, the […]
Native leaders accuse NM GOP of deceit as Sen. Block slams ‘lies from the Democrat Party’
A group of Native American leaders say they were falsely listed as participants in a Republican Party event at the New Mexico State Capitol without their knowledge or consent, prompting the state’s Democratic Party chair to call for an apology and a sharp rebuttal from a Republican senator from Rio Rancho. The controversy centers on […]
‘Hustle’ busted: Man in fake Target vest used magnet to steal $1,000+ in electronics
A 34-year-old Cedar Crest man faces shoplifting and larceny charges after police say he used a magnet device to steal more than $1,180 worth of merchandise from a Rio Rancho Target store. Rio Rancho police responded to the Target at 4225 Crestview Drive SE at approximately 12:42 p.m. Sunday after asset protection staff reported a […]
Rio Rancho police invite the public to Coffee with a Cop
The Rio Rancho Police Department will host a Coffee with a Cop event on Feb. 10, inviting community members to meet with local law enforcement officers over coffee. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Brekki Brekki, located at 3755 Southern Blvd. in Rio Rancho. Coffee with a Cop is […]
Should Rio Rancho be a sanctuary city? One mayoral candidate thinks so
A question about sanctuary city policy sparked a crowd reaction at a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 3, with one candidate breaking from her opponents to voice support for the designation. During the forum hosted by The Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Rancho Observer, mayoral candidate Alexandria Piland was the only […]
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 […]
Rio Rancho Public Schools names first new superintendent in over three decades
For the first time in its 31-year history, Rio Rancho Public Schools will have a new leader. The Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Robert W. Dodd as the district’s next superintendent during a meeting Wednesday, according to a district press release. Dodd, currently the director of school leadership and improvement for Montgomery County Public […]

