East Mountain drivers headed to weekend shopping or work in Albuquerque will need to add a little more time to their plans for the next few weekends. NMODT is beginning a project that will reduce I-40 to just one lane through the Tijeras Canyon from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every weekend through mid-June. During […]
Route 66 Independent
Posted inEdgewood
Rariden welcomed back to commission, for now, as efforts to restore fire service move forward
By Pat Davis, Route 66 Independent, Edgewood — Mike Rariden started and ended the Edgewood Town Commission meeting as a commissioner and mayor. That is not normally a newsworthy event but Tuesday’s meeting was not an ordinary meeting. After announcing in April that he would resign “during the week of May 4-8,” he rescinded his […]
Posted inEdgewood
Edgewood mayor to resign next week
Pat Davis, Route 66 Independent, Edgewood — Edgewood Mayor Mike Rariden says he will resign his position as mayor and city commissioner next week after finalizing a new agreement to restore long-term fire service to the town. Following Rariden’s resignation, the town commission will have to appoint a new commissioner to the District 5 seat. […]
Posted inEdgewood
Edgewood losing county fire, EMS coverage after payment dispute ends 21-year agreement
Edgewood residents face a July 1 deadline for new fire and emergency medical services after the town and Santa Fe County agreed to terminate a joint services agreement — and both sides are telling different stories about why. The two governments reached a walkaway settlement ending all claims with no financial payment by either party, […]
Posted inArt & Artists, East Mountains, East Mountains News, Route 66 Independent
Tinkertown becomes a nonprofit to preserve beloved East Mountain folk art destination
Ross J. Ward spent more than 40 years carving, collecting and lovingly transforming his Sandia Mountains property into a national folk art destination. Following his death in 2002, his wife, Carla, and a few dedicated family members and volunteers have continued to maintain Tinkertown for the more than 25,000 visitors who make the winding trek […]
Posted inEnvironment, Conservation & Climate
Water systems serving 700 across East Mountains test positive for PFAS “forever chemicals,” state testing finds
By Rodd Cayton and Pat Davis — Some local water systems across the East Mountains have been found to be contaminated with “forever chemicals,” prompting state officials to invite local water managers to cooperate with developing programs for mitigation and monitoring. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS – were developed in the 1950s […]
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 inRoute 66 Independent
Edgewood police welcome two new officers
The Town of Edgewood has added two new police officers to its ranks so far this year, and both come with experience from other departments. Officer Phoy St. John joined the department in January. He brings “approximately 14 years of law enforcement experience,” according to the department. Officer Colin Pritchett served in law enforcement for […]
Posted inEast Mountains, East Mountains News, Local Government, Route 66 Independent
Tijeras landowner seeks zoning approval to develop commercial plots along NM-14
By Rodd Cayton, nm.news — Village of Tijeras residents will soon weigh in on a proposed development that could bring a new gas station, restaurant or other businesses to NM 14 and I-40. Village councilors have tentatively set a public hearing for March 30 on the project, at the corner of Torres Trail and State […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, East Mountains, Route 66 Independent
Memorial services set for BCSO sergeant killed during traffic stop in East Mountains
A Bernalillo County sheriff’s sergeant who was killed when a tractor-trailer struck his patrol vehicle during a traffic stop on Interstate 40 will be honored with public memorial services this weekend and Monday, with his funeral falling on what would have been his 53rd birthday. Sgt. Michael Schlattman, a 13-year veteran of the Bernalillo County […]