By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press, ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) โ Regulators rejected on Wednesday an effort by New Mexico’s largest electric utility to recoup from customers millions of dollars of investments made in a coal-fired power plant in the northwestern corner of the state and a nuclear power plant in neighboring Arizona. The Public Regulation […]
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APS Celebrates the Class of 2024 Selfless Seniors
For 16 years, the Albuquerque Public Schools Education Foundation has partnered with photographer Frank Frost to identify and celebrate remarkable high school students singled out for their dedication to school and commitment to others. Each Selfless Senior nominated by school staff, a friend, family, or community member is on track for the kind of achievement that […]
Sen. Heinrich nominates 11 local students to national military academies
WASHINGTON โ U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced his nominees to the United States Service Academies. A nomination is required to attend the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. Nominations to […]
Ben Ray Lujan wants to make your next Taylor Swift tickets cheaper
Washington, DC – New Mexico’s U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujรกn joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce theย Fans First Act, which would help address flaws in the current live event ticketing system by increasing transparency in ticket sales, protecting consumers from fake or dramatically overpriced tickets, and holding bad actors who engage in illegal […]
Placitas Art and Music Students Benefit From Local Wineryโs Gift
With an interest in art, Placitas, and community, stained-glass artists Barb Belknap, owner of Placitas Winery, stopped by Placitas Elementary School in December to deliver $1,000 earmarked for childrenโs art and music supplies. It’s money raised by Placitas Wineryโs raffle during the third annual Placitas Holiday Market; the winery is one of seven stops in […]
Community Briefs
Earthquakes in Sandoval County? If you were in or around Cuba and felt the ground shake last week, you werenโt imagining it. U.S. Geological Survey data shows two earthquakes on Wednesday, December 20 shook the Santa Fe National Forest. A 2.5-magnitude earthquake happened at 3 p.m., then a 3.5-magnitude earthquake happened around 4:45 p.m. According […]
Two Detention Center Officers Die in One Week
A Metropolitan Detention Center corrections officer died last week in Rio Rancho โ the second off-duty death of an MDC officer in 24 hours. The Rio Rancho Police Department, which is handling the investigation, identified the officer as Melissa Trujillo. Aย GoFundMeย page was started for Trujillo, 36, to help with funeral expenses and support her children. […]
“The Crane” at Wild Hearts Gallery
Starting off 2024 on a high note, The Crane by artist Judith Roderick will be at Wild Hearts Gallery in January. The exhibit is a tribute to the crane, both the Sandhills and the endangered Whooping Crane, featuring silk art quilts, watercolors and a newly revised book of poems and artwork depicting their grace and […]
Village Wants Collaboration with APS on School Redesign
The agenda for the Village Councilโs last meeting of the year was light with just four action items, including routine resolutions done annually to set the meeting schedule and employee holiday schedule for the next year. But the Dec. 12 meeting went on for more than two hours with much of the time spent on […]
The Biggest Stories of 2023
It has been an eventful year as The Independent concludes its first year under new ownership restoring regular newspaper service to the East Mountains and Torrance County. So with the end of the year at hand, it is customary to take a look back on the previous 12 months to remember the good, bad and […]

