The Edgewood Town Commission approved the 2025 Comprehensive Plan at its first meeting of the year Tuesday night. The Jan. 7 session covered several topics, including an internship program, budget adjustments, the 2025 holiday calendar and the discussion of a memorial for late Mayor Lawrence Keaty. After public comments and matters from the commissioners, the […]
Torrance County
Big Changes are in Store for The Independent in 2025
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Historic Hearing Carlos Doe v. ICE Set a Precedent for Future Cases Against Torrance County Detention Facility
One of the most critical migratory cases occurred on Dec. 19 at the 520 Gila Courtroom in Albuquerque’s Federal Courthouse. This federal court hearing is the first to defy the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 2022 decision to re-certify the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, New Mexico, as law-abiding with federal standards to […]
Puffing, Painting, Improving the Community
A community club will be hosting a cannabis-themed Winter Solstice celebration in Estancia this month, where participants are invited to create artwork and find potential solutions to problems facing their Torrance County community. The Estancia Valley High Society and Thriving Roots are teaming up to put on their Winter Solstice Puff and Paint event Dec. […]
Stansbury Announces Run for House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Position
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury officially announced Dec. 9 she will run for the congressional House Natural Resources (NHRC) ranking member seat. Stansbury, a Democrat who represents New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, was endorsed last week by the former NHRC Ranking Member Raúl Grijalva, D-Arizona, who announced in October his plans to step down following a […]
Jaramillo has been serving Torrance County for nearly a quarter century
In the November election, former Torrance County Clerk Linda Jaramillo was elected county commissioner, and although she might be its newest member, she’s no stranger to the commission chambers, and no stranger to New Mexico; she’s lived here for 70 years. Her history of public service began in the medical field and continued into politics, […]