One of the most critical migratory cases occurred on Dec. 19 at the 520 Gila Courtroom in Albuquerque’s Federal Courthouse. This federal court hearing is the first to defy the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 2022 decision to re-certify the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, New Mexico, as law-abiding with federal standards to […]
Estancia
Puffing, Painting, Improving the Community
A community club will be hosting a cannabis-themed Winter Solstice celebration in Estancia this month, where participants are invited to create artwork and find potential solutions to problems facing their Torrance County community. The Estancia Valley High Society and Thriving Roots are teaming up to put on their Winter Solstice Puff and Paint event Dec. […]
Jaramillo has been serving Torrance County for nearly a quarter century
In the November election, former Torrance County Clerk Linda Jaramillo was elected county commissioner, and although she might be its newest member, she’s no stranger to the commission chambers, and no stranger to New Mexico; she’s lived here for 70 years. Her history of public service began in the medical field and continued into politics, […]
Substitute Teacher at Estancia High School Accused of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Student
An Estancia woman is facing six felony charges including criminal sexual penetration of a minor and child solicitation by electronic communication device while she was working as a substitute teacher at Estancia High School. Estancia police say some of the alleged crimes happened on Estancia Municipal Schools property. Police say Michaela Ford of Estancia, 30, […]
Missing ballots counted and added to Torrance County total count just in time for Election Day
Even though 140 absentee ballots were mailed in October without a return address, Torrance County Clerk Linda Jaramillo said the missing labels did not impact validity, and counting them was no issue. They were inspected with enough time to be returned before Nov. 5. The voting centers in Torrance County closed at 7 p.m., and […]
Honoring Those Who Serve
The gym at Estancia Valley Classical Academy was filled to the brim this Veterans Day with members of the armed services and those who wished to recognize them for their valor. Students including EVCA student government, teachers, and faculty pitched in to show their appreciation with the annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast and Flag Ceremony, an […]
Raised to Serve: A Veteran’s Journey from Rural New Mexico to Military Service
By Judy A. Tachias Growing up today in a small rural county mirrors the same values and traditions that long shaped the Estancia Valley in New Mexico. Children are raised with a deep respect for the land, working farms that were passed down through generations. They gather to celebrate milestones in their lives. Children grow […]
NMDOT Invests over $1 Million in two East Mountains Projects
The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) District Five office recently awarded seven local governments with a 95% match in funding. According to a press release from NMDOT, the funding, announced Oct. 31, is for local entity projects, investing $9,713116.73 in District Five Transportation Funded Roadway projects. Two projects in the East Mountains totaling over […]
Residents push commission to deny new cannabis grows
There are often more staff than public speakers at regular Wednesday morning meetings of the Torrance County Commission. But on Oct. 9, more than three dozen residents made the trek to the commission chambers in Estancia to plead for commissioners to put a pause on the explosive growth of cannabis greenhouse projects quickly replacing the […]
Smashing Pumpkins
This October the Estancia Rotary Club is kicking off fall the same way they have for 28 years: by launching pumpkins as far as they possibly can with mechanical devices. Families, community-serving groups, vendors, pie connoisseurs, slingshot engineers, travelers from around New Mexico and anyone looking to spend a cool afternoon outdoors will be gathered […]