By Rodd Cayton Robert Dodd says he’s unlikely to be teaching anybody math or reading during the upcoming school year. However, he says, it’s his job as the second ever superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools to ensure the people who will be teaching math, reading and everything else have the resources, the guidance, and […]
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Expanding access: How a new state law is bringing a large preschool to Rio Rancho
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A vacant lot near Rio Rancho’s City Center is one step closer to becoming La Esperanza Preschool, a 200-child facility, after the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved its site plan on July 28. Planning and Zoning Board Manager Brian Babyak recommended approval of the project, proposed by LEBM2 LLC […]
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State eyes selling 300 acres near Cleveland Heights for new development
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. More than 300 acres of state trust land near Cleveland Heights could go up for sale with the City of Rio Rancho’s blessing already locked in, months before residents get their say at an Aug. 5 public meeting. The New Mexico State Land Office will gather comments on the proposed […]
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Rio Rancho teen pleads guilty to murder in 2024 shooting
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A Rio Rancho teenager pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the 2024 shooting death of an Albuquerque homeowner who stepped outside to stop his truck from being stolen. According to Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, the teen and several co-defendants were stealing […]
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Rio Grande Social claims top prize at Rio Rancho Margarita Festival
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.Photos by Sara Atencio-Gonzales Many of the metro area’s top bars and restaurants squared off at The BLOCK Saturday, and Rio Grande Social says it came out on top. The Margarita Festival ran noon to 6 p.m., with entry tickets covering ten 3.5-oz samples per person — the largest pours allowed […]
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R4Creating keeps tech education humming with new Sparklight funding
Rio Rancho families chasing new tech skills just got a boost: R4Creating’s Community Hub is getting a fresh $5,000 grant from internet provider Sparklight to keep its STEM classes, job training and community gathering space humming. The money comes from Sparklight’s Charitable Giving Fund, which handed out more than $125,000 to 28 nonprofits across its […]
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Back-to-school 2026: What Rio Rancho families need to know
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. It’s that week that many students fear and many parents, including myself, celebrate. It’s back-to-school week. Here’s what you need to know as the 2026-2027 Rio Rancho Public School year kicks off. Most RRPS students head back to class Thursday, Aug. 6. Preschoolers at Puesta del Sol start a few […]
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Sip, vote and celebrate: Rio Rancho’s Margarita Festival arrives this weekend
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho has spent all summer giving residents reasons to get outside. This weekend, it hands them a margarita and asks them to vote. Friday: Nate Fox closes out July The BLOCK wraps up the month Friday with the Nate Fox Band on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. at […]
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Small town, big ticket: Roy hosts nearly the entire GOP slate of candidates
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Roy, New Mexico has fewer residents than most Rio Rancho neighborhoods. On July 26, it hosted nearly the entire Republican statewide ticket anyway. Rio Rancho resident Nancy Jinks organized the “Meet Your Candidates” forum at the Harding County Fairgrounds, securing commitments from U.S. Senate candidate Larry Marker, Congressional District 3 […]
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Rio Rancho council locks in $452M budget, trims City Hall wish list to balance books
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.Rio Rancho’s governing body closed the books on fiscal year 2027 July 23, unanimously approving a $452 million budget that survived a late round of belt-tightening after last year’s savings came in lighter than city hall hoped. The vote on Resolution R57 sends the final budget to the New Mexico Department […]