Fewer than 1 in 6 Rio Rancho residents voted in the March 3 election that will determine who runs New Mexico’s third-largest city — and the roughly $500,000 it cost taxpayers to hold that election won’t fix a single pothole. City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland square off […]
Rio Rancho
Posted inThe Paper.
Pacific Rim Food Park reborn with new name, new family-friendly focus
The closing of the Pacific Rim Food Park in the Northeast Heights left foodies with a hole in their menus but a new concept opened last year aims to fill it. With the weather warming up, we dropped by the the newly-named Albuquerque Food Park to check the vibe. Food trucks have captured the public […]
Posted inEducation, Rio Rancho
Community will get a chance to influence Rio Rancho Public Schools’ $253 million budget
Rio Rancho families have a narrow window to shape the future of their schools — and the clock is already running. Dr. Robert Dodd, the first new superintendent Rio Rancho Public Schools has seen in 31 years, launched a 100-day community listening plan this month. What families, staff and students tell him will directly drive […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
20-year-old man facing charges after allegedly battering woman holding an infant
A 20-year-old man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly battering a woman who was holding her infant and damaging several vehicles during a March 15 incident in Corrales Heights. The man was charged with attempt to commit child abuse not resulting in death or great bodily harm, two counts of criminal damage to property over […]
Posted inLocal Government, Rio Rancho
Here’s why your water rates are going up, and what $63.4 million buys
Rio Rancho water customers will see modest but steady rate increases over the next five years — and in exchange, the city is promising safer drinking water, fewer main breaks, better fire protection and a long-term drought buffer. The Governing Body made that trade official on March 12 by approving a $63.4 million water and […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho’s weekend lineup: Races, art, laughs and live music
The City of Vision is going green this weekend as the 21st annual NM Shamrock Shuffle takes center stage, highlighting a packed schedule of community races, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly activities. From athletic pursuits at Loma Colorado Park to local author talks at the public library, here is a preview of what’s happening in Rio […]
Posted in+Arts & Culture, Rio Rancho
Sandoval County’s first-ever Pride celebration coming to Rio Rancho this June
A question posed in these pages last May — “Where’s the Pride in Sandoval County?” — is about to have an answer. Rio Rancho will host its first-ever Pride celebration on June 6, the result of a grassroots effort that came together after our sister paper, the Sandoval Signpost, reported that New Mexico’s third-largest county […]
Posted inElections & Politics, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Continuity vs. change: Wymer, Piland offer Rio Rancho voters a clear choice in runoff
City Councilor Paul Wymer and former Sandoval County Democratic Party chair Alexandria Piland will square off April 14 in a runoff election to determine who will succeed Mayor Gregg Hull, with the two candidates presenting voters a clear choice between continuity and change. Wymer led the six-candidate March 3 field with 6,240 votes, or 45%, […]
Posted inLocal Government, Rio Rancho
From pipes to premiums: How Rio Rancho’s $63M water investment impacts you
The Rio Rancho Governing Body will hold a final vote Thursday on a $63.4 million water and wastewater bond ordinance that unanimously cleared its first reading last month, setting the stage for the city to move quickly on a sweeping infrastructure investment plan. If approved on second reading at the 6 p.m. meeting, the city […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho fire chief selected for elite national leadership program
Rio Rancho Fire Chief James Wenzel is one of 24 fire service leaders selected nationwide to participate in the 2026 Fire Service Executive Development Institute, a prestigious year-long leadership development program administered by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Wenzel, who was in Baltimore last week for the program’s first on-site session, said the cohort’s […]