By Tristen Critchfield A proposed gas station in Rio Rancho has been met with strong opposition from residents of a nearby neighborhood. Now, many of those residents are distributing flyers and gathering signatures on a petition to stop a proposed Maverik convenience store ahead of a Governing Body vote on June 25. Neighbors filed the […]
Rio Rancho
Barbara Loop reconstruction starts Monday — expect detours through January
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Drivers who use Barbara Loop between Sara Road and NM 528 should find another way to work starting Monday — the city is tearing the road apart and won’t put it back together until January. Rio Rancho kicks off a $3,273,113.85 reconstruction project June 29 that will strip and replace […]
Albuquerque man charged with stealing $23K in copper wire from Intel construction site
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. An Albuquerque man faces a felony larceny charge after Rio Rancho police say surveillance video caught him repeatedly stealing copper wire from an Intel construction site — then selling it to Albuquerque scrap metal dealers for nearly $10,500. A criminal complaint filed June 17 in Sandoval County Magistrate Court alleges […]
Rio Rancho could score its first indoor soccer facility
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho families who drive to Albuquerque for indoor soccer could soon have a home-field option — if the city approves a rezoning request set for Tuesday’s Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Developer Steven Kraemer, who operates two Albuquerque-area soccer facilities including the 25-year-old International Indoor Soccer Arena, wants to […]
From NHL ice to New Mexico: Zack Stortini named Goatheads’ first head coach
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. The New Mexico Goatheads answered the question fans have been asking since day one: Zack Stortini will be the first head coach in franchise history, the team announced Saturday at a packed reveal party at The Block in Rio Rancho. Stortini, 40, played 257 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers […]
Where to watch USA’s World Cup match vs. Australia
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. The USMNT takes on Australia at 1 p.m. Friday in a Group D match that could send the Americans to the knockout rounds — and supporters in Rio Rancho don’t have to drive far to watch it happen. Right in Rio Rancho, The BLOCK (7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE) will […]
Rio Rancho man charged with child abuse, contributing to delinquency after middle school fight escalates
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A Rio Rancho man is facing five criminal charges after Rio Rancho police say he encouraged a fight between his middle-school-age daughter and another student, then threatened a group of teenage girls and grabbed one by the arm trying to take her phone. Court records filed June 12 in Bernalillo […]
Beer, wine and more free programming: What the MAC’s expansion means for residents
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. The McDermott Athletic Center can move forward with a beer-and-wine taproom and outdoor dining area after Rio Rancho’s governing body unanimously approved two measures Thursday night — but because the MAC sits on city-owned land, council members used the moment to squeeze out new concessions for residents. The council first […]
Rio Rancho set for major upgrades: $18 Million authorized for roads, safety and community projects
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho’s Governing Body gave final approval Thursday to the sale of $18 million in voter-approved general obligation bonds, clearing the way for road reconstruction, public safety equipment and quality-of-life upgrades across the city. The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 6 on second reading, authorizing the bond issuance. No […]
Reaching for the sky: New RRPS superintendent seeking gains at high-performing district
By Rodd Cayton, The Paper. The year is 2040. The Rio Rancho Events Center is packed, as the community celebrates hundreds of newly minted graduates of a local high school. They are asked to stand, arranged by their plans for after high school. Eventually, every graduate is standing, and the community embraces its status as […]



