Happy 2025. It’s a new year and we have a new way to deliver the news you care about. This year, The Independent News is transitioning from a once-per-week print and email news source to a daily, digital format with an expanded bi-weekly print product. Why the change? Even in our rural areas where we’re […]
Housing & Homelessness
City Council passes measures directed at housing, homelessness
The Albuquerque City Council successfully passed legislation Monday night that seeks to shore up the city’s lack of affordable housing and also reduce homelessness, through a more effective housing voucher program. Councilors approved a bill that reforms the city’s integrated development ordinance to make it easier to build multifamily housing in residential zones located along […]
City Council passes measures directed at housing, homelessness
The Albuquerque City Council successfully passed legislation Monday night that seeks to shore up the city’s lack of affordable housing and also reduce homelessness, through a more effective housing voucher program. Councilors approved a bill that reforms the city’s integrated development ordinance to make it easier to build multifamily housing in residential zones located along […]
East Mountains Beware: Winter Storms to Bring Widespread Snowfall
Starting Jan. 7, New Mexico is set to experience significant snow coverage, high winds and frosty temperatures. While no heavy snow is expected, the icy temperatures can impact travel and outdoor conditions. Precautions are advised to deal with the light coating since the snow is set to reach a maximum of six inches, with the […]
Mountainair announces first inductee into 2025 Hall of Excellence
The Town of Mountainair announced Larry Gustin is the first inductee into the 2025 Mountainair Hall of Excellence on Jan. 7. Larry Gustin, a lifelong resident of Torrance County and owner of Gustin Hardware in both Mountainair and Estancia, will be honored posthumously along with seven other individuals at a March 29 ceremony. Mountainair Mayor […]
Iris Hewett
Iris R. Hewett of Moriarty, passed away Christmas morning in Belen. Iris was born on July 28, 1935, in American Fork, UT to August and Ella May (Thayne) Leplat. Her mother, Ella May, was born/raised on a ranch outside Casa Grande, Mexico. Ella May was taught at a young age to handle a pistol by […]
Council passes new vacant property bill
City Councilor Joaquín Baca said Monday night it’s time to change the story of Albuquerque as an extremely dangerous city. That narrative, he said, frequently describes downtown as the worst part of the city. “Somewhere along the way, it became OK for the most visible part of our city, on the iconic Route 66 to […]
Council passes new vacant property bill
City Councilor Joaquín Baca said Monday night it’s time to change the story of Albuquerque as an extremely dangerous city. That narrative, he said, frequently describes downtown as the worst part of the city. “Somewhere along the way, it became OK for the most visible part of our city, on the iconic Route 66 to […]
New State Senator Wants Strict Penalties for Drug Dealers
Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho), a retired Air Force officer and former Sandoval County commissioner, was sworn in Jan. 2 as the New Mexico state senator for District 12. With a focus on public safety, education reform and economic development, Block said he plans to address New Mexico’s most pressing challenges. Drawing from a lifetime defined […]
New year brings new action on old ABQ problems
It seems to persistently plague cities far and wide: a lack of affordable housing and an abundance of homelessness. Albuquerque City Councilors are geared up to present measures related to both — which are not always mutually exclusive — during a Monday night meeting with a stacked agenda. Some of the proposed measures seek to […]
