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 […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
Son arrested after mother suffers severe, bloody head injury in domestic dispute
A 33-year-old Rio Rancho man was arrested Sunday night after his mother was hospitalized with a serious head injury following a domestic disturbance at a southeast Rio Rancho residence, according to court records filed Monday in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. Officers responded at approximately 10:15 p.m. March 8 to the 500 block of Pecos Loop […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety
Two Navajo Nation officers injured in To’hajiilee shooting west of ABQ; suspect in custody
The Paper. — Two Navajo Nation Police officers were injured Friday morning during a shooting in the community of To’hajiilee, sparking a localized shelter-in-place order. The New Mexico State Police confirmed to news outlets they are leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. According to a social media post from the Navajo Police Department, officers […]
Posted inAlbuquerque, Courts, Justice & Safety
One dead in plane crash on Albuquerque golf course
The Paper. — A small plane crashed at the Los Altos Golf Course on Friday morning, briefly trapping two persons inside. Albuquerque Fire Rescue members extracted two persons who were transported to a local hospital. At least one of those people died, officials said. Emergency crews responded to a 911 call at 11:39 a.m. and […]
Posted inCorrales, Corrales Comment, Courts, Justice & Safety
From one engine to two stations: The chief who transformed Corrales Fire Department
Corrales Fire Chief Anthony Martinez has been named the recipient of the VFW Public Servant Award in the firefighter category — recognition that his colleagues say is long overdue for a man who has spent 35 years quietly building one of the most improved fire departments in the state. According to village officials, Martinez joined […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, East Mountains, Route 66 Independent
Crash report details final moments before BCSO sergeant’s fatal I-40 collision
A newly released crash report from the Rio Rancho Police Department provides new details about the sequence of events that led to the death of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Schlattman on Feb. 23 on Interstate 40 Westbound near the East Mountains. Schlattman, 52, was killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic […]
Posted inCorrales, Corrales Comment, Courts, Justice & Safety
Albuquerque residents dominate Corrales DWI arrest logs
Corrales Mayor Fred Hashimoto recently told the community that a large proportion of DWI arrests in the village seemed to involve nonresident drivers. Hashimoto said Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra corroborated his understanding of the matter. An analysis of arrest logs by the Corrales Comment confirms the assumption. Comment staff found 10 DWI arrests between October […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho
New equipment, more tickets: Rio Rancho speed cameras issue thousands of citations in first 30 days
Rio Rancho’s new automated speed cameras issued nearly 6,000 citations in their first 30 days of live enforcement, with data showing thousands more violations still pending review, according to figures provided by program vendor Verra Mobility and reviewed by The 528. In 2024, the previous system issued a total of 18,739 speeding citations, averaging approximately […]
Posted inBernalillo County, Courts, Justice & Safety, Local Government
Photos: On his birthday, hundreds honor a life of service for BCSO sergeant
Hundreds gathered Monday, March 2, on what would have been his birthday at the Rio Rancho Events Center to honor Sgt. Michael Barrett Schlattman, a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputy, died in the line of duty on Feb. 23 at age 52. Schlattman joined BCSO in 2012 and was promoted to sergeant in July […]
Posted inOpinion & Analysis
New Mexico Chief Justice: Supreme Court offers a civics program for students
By Chief Justice David K. Thomson, New Mexico Supreme Court — The Supreme Court of New Mexico launched a program in 2021 to help young people learn about our system of justice and the role of courts in resolving legal disputes. The concept of the Rule of Law Program was straightforward: We learn by observation. […]