By Jesse Jones Shortly after Homelessness in Sandoval County: A hidden crisis was published in the Sandoval Signpost, the city quietly cleaned up a Rio Rancho encampment and fixed damaged property, earning praise from nearby residents who had raised concerns. The swift cleanup came after City of Vision resident John Pierce spoke out about safety […]
Courts, Justice & Safety
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News
Former Rio Arriba Sheriff’s died from ‘toxic effects of fentanyl and alcohol’
By Kevin Hendricks The New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator released a report Thursday that attributes the Easter death of Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield to an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and alcohol. The 50-year-old Merrifield was found dead in his patrol vehicle near his home on Easter Sunday. The initial investigation by […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
New Marble co-owner sued by Santa Fe Brewing for breach of contract. Babincsak is “getting back to making great beer”
By Kevin Hendricks It turns out there are problems that can’t be solved by beer. A legal dispute has erupted in New Mexico’s craft beer industry as Santa Fe Brewing Co. has filed a lawsuit against a former SFBC vice president and current co-owner of Marble Brewery, alleging breach of contract and fraud. The lawsuit, […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety, New Mexico Statewide News
Senator Heinrich demands answers on land transfer to Army in southern New Mexico
By Kevin Hendricks Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is pressing the Department of Defense for answers regarding the recent transfer of more than 100,000 acres of public land in three New Mexico counties to the U.S. Army. In April, over 109,651 acres of federal land along […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Choosing the chief
By Rodd Cayton Bernalillo County is asking the public to help find the right person to serve as its next fire chief. Community members are invited to a community input session Monday. URE Consulting, a firm that specializes in executive recruiting services for police and fire agencies, plans to gather feedback from residents about their […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Shoplifting in Rio Rancho soars
By Jesse Jones Most crimes in the City of Vision are down, with shoplifting being one of the few exceptions. According to the Rio Rancho Police Department’s 2024 Annual Report, shoplifting cases have increased by 13% since 2022, likely due to economic pressures and city growth. “Shoplifting is something that we’re always after,” Mayor Gregg […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Courts, Justice & Safety
Watch: Firefighter photos, video take you inside efforts to fight massive industrial fire in North Valley
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County firefighters battled a massive industrial fire in the North Valley Tuesday afternoon. The property contained large stacks of wooden pallets which burned quickly in the wind-driven incident. No firefighters or civilians were injured, though the property owner was evaluated and released on scene, according to fire officials. Fire officials documented their […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Motor vehicle thefts fall 27% in Rio Rancho in 2024
By Jesse Jones In Rio Rancho, car thefts and break-ins have dropped, likely due to police crackdowns. The City of Vision has seen an 11.4% decrease in property crime as a whole over the past two years. Motor vehicle thefts fell 27.5% and thefts from vehicles dropped 56.5%, according to the Rio Rancho Police Department’s […]
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Albuquerque Police Department finished with federal oversight after years of reform
By Rodd Cayton Federal oversight of the Albuquerque Police Department is over. The city and the U.S. Department of Justice filed a joint motion in federal court Friday to release the department from monitoring connected to high numbers of excessive-force incidents and police shootings. On Monday, U.S. District Judge James O. Browning officially dismissed the […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Westside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho sees decline in violent crime, despite surge in homicides
By Jesse Jones Violent crime in Rio Rancho is shifting — while homicides have risen, aggravated assaults and reported rape cases have dropped. New crime data from the Rio Rancho Police Department’s 2024 Annual Report paints a picture of declining violent crime in the area. Violent crime in Rio Rancho dropped about 20% from 2022 […]