A 67-year-old Albuquerque man faces multiple felony charges after allegedly soliciting a minor through an online platform in an undercover investigation, according to court documents filed last week in Torrance County Magistrate Court. The suspect was arrested Dec. 3 at a Speedway gas station in Estancia following a week-long investigation by local law enforcement, according […]
Torrance County
Posted inMountainair, Music
Free holiday concert to feature classical quartet in Mountainair
The Manzano Mountain Art Council will present a free holiday concert featuring classical string quartet music Wednesday afternoon at the MMAC Center. Strings of the Southwest will perform “Papa Haydn’s Holiday Concert — Classics & Sounds of the Season” at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at 101 E. Broadway, at the intersection of U.S. 60 and […]
Posted inLocal Gov., Torrance County
Torrance County Commission to consider $3 million in construction contracts
The Torrance County Board of County Commissioners will consider approving nearly $3 million in construction contract amendments for major county projects at their administrative meeting Wednesday. The commission is set to vote on a $2.8 million contract amendment with Franken Construction LLC to complete an early work package for the Torrance County Fairgrounds Project. Commissioners […]
Posted inTorrance County
Recount confirms new mayor in Estancia
A month after the final ballots were cast, a state-ordered recount conducted in December has confirmed that Estancia Mayor Nathan M. Dial was unseated by a challenger in the Nov. 3 election. Senaida Anaya, the chief deputy clerk in Torrance County, told New Mexico Political Report that her office completed the recount on Thursday and […]
Posted inTorrance County
Sen. Heinrich continues to call for updates on expired ICE detention facility contract
By Lauren Lifke A detention facility in Estancia for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is still operating without a contract after its contract expired in October. Torrance County Manager Jordan Barela told The Independent that the county had an intergovernmental agreement with ICE that expired Oct. 31. The facility has since been operating without a new […]
Posted inEstancia
The race isn’t over yet: Close calls force recounts in Estancia, Moriarty
By Alex Ross Who says every vote doesn’t count? 34 races that were on the ballot on Nov. 3 that do not yet have clear winners and must undergo a statewide automatic recount after candidates and ballot questions came within ½ percent of each other on Election Day, including several where just one vote makes […]
Posted inLocal Gov., Torrance County
Torrance County launches text alert system for emergency notifications
Torrance County launched a text messaging alert system Wednesday, enabling residents to receive emergency notifications and county information directly on their mobile phones. The TextMyGov service went live Dec. 3 andwill send alerts about emergencies, road closures, critical incidents and weather events to residents who opt in. The county will send an initial text message […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Moriarty
Moriarty man, 85, charged after alleged knife incident with sons
An 85-year-old Moriarty man faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly threatening his adult sons with a knife during a domestic disturbance last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in Torrance County Magistrate Court. The man was charged following an incident on Nov. 30, at a residence on Irone […]
Posted inGeneral Interest, Mountainair
Mountainair to induct former mayor to 2026 Hall of Excellence
The Town of Mountainair will induct former Mayor Carl Ivey into its 2026 Hall of Excellence, honoring his nearly four years of service leading the community and his decades-long commitment to education. According to Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto, Ivey and his wife, Ruth, moved to Mountainair from Albuquerque in 1985 and opened Alpine Motors, a […]
Posted inMountainair
Mountainair gears up for holidays with parade, Grinchmas and New Year’s Eve dance
The Town of Mountainair will host its annual Christmas parade Dec. 20, followed by holiday celebrations and a New Year’s Eve dance to close out 2025, Mayor Peter Nieto announced Monday. The Christmas parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. with lineup starting at 5 p.m. on Limit Avenue by Highway 60. Residents interested in entering […]