By Independent Staff A rollover crash in Moriarty last week left eight cattle dead. According to the Moriarty Fire Department, a semi-truck crashed on Interstate 40 near Moriarty on Feb. 5 resulting in the deaths of eight cattle. The Moriarty Fire Department reported that the incident occurred around 11 p.m. at mile marker 197. The […]
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Posted inEstancia, Moriarty, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Estancia Goes to Washington to Seek Funding
By Andrea Vasquez The town of Estancia is planning another trip to Washington, D.C., for funding purposes. Mayor Nathan Dial confirmed that Estancia is considering a trip to the nation’s capitol to secure funding for one of the town’s new “big ticket item” project. The project will include a park, pond and pool, with a […]
Posted inEstancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Bill Aims to Stop Libraries from Banning Books Based on Politics, Ideology
By Nicole Maxwell A bill aimed at protecting public libraries from politically charged book ban attempts is making its way through the Roundhouse. HB 27, the Librarian Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates, D-Rio Rancho, seeks to prohibit public libraries from getting state funding unless they adopt a policy prohibiting the removal of books […]
Posted inEstancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Bill Seeks Funding for Economic Development in the Lower Estancia Valley
By Hannah Grover State legislators are seeking funds for state officials to contract with an entity that can help promote economic development in the Lower Estancia Valley. SB 183 would provide $100,000 to the Economic Development Department to contract with an economic development organization in the region. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Liz Stefanics, […]
Posted inMoriarty, Uncategorized
BernCo District 5’s Legislative Priorities Aim to Enhance Mountain Communities
By The Independent Staff The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners has announced its legislative priorities for the 2025 state legislative session, with District 5 highlighting the unique needs of its constituents. District 5, which includes parts of the East Mountains, is seeking funding for several projects to improve infrastructure and enhance community spaces. “District 5 […]
Posted inEdgewood, Edgewood, Estancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
DOJ Announces Indictment in Massive Marijuana Cultivation Scheme
By Kevin Hendricks The United States Department of Justice announced Thursday afternoon that a federal grand jury indicted three individuals for their alleged roles in a large-scale marijuana cultivation and distribution operation on Navajo Nation lands. The indictment, unsealed Thursday, charges Dineh Benally, 48, his father, Donald Benally, 74, and Irving Rea Yui Lin, 73, […]
Posted inEdgewood, Edgewood, Estancia, Moriarty, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Like a Turquoise Cowboy: Estancia Valley to Host First Youth Ranch Rodeo This Summer
New Mexican children will be able to participate in the first Youth Ranch Rodeo, which will be held in Santa Fe on July 19. The East Mountain Rodeo Association of Edgewood (EMRA) was founded in 2020 and has hosted five adult rodeo competitions since then. Now, it is giving the kids a shot. It will […]
Posted inEdgewood, Edgewood, Estancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Feds Charge, Arrest Operator of Cannabis Facilities Near Estancia
By Kevin Hendricks A two-time Navajo Nation presidential candidate who is linked to two cannabis greenhouse operations that were raided by multiple law enforcement agencies Jan. 23 is facing a slew of federal charges. Federal authorities arrested Dineh Benally, who operates the Nihooka Dine Earthly People Church operation near Estancia, in Los Lunas the day […]
Posted inEstancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Programmed Fires at Red Canyon Campground Rescheduled
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands’ Mountainair Ranger District (NF & NGs) strategy to burn an area near the Upper Red Canyon Campground in the Manzano Mountains has been postponed due to unfavorable conditions. As explained by the New Mexico Fire Information website, the area, around 12 miles northwest of Mountainair, was initially scheduled […]
Posted inEdgewood, Edgewood, Estancia, Torrance County, Uncategorized
Feds Raid Two Cannabis Greenhouse Grow Operations in Torrance County
By Kevin Hendricks Multiple federal law enforcement agencies, along with state and local police, raided at least two cannabis greenhouse operations near Estancia. Agents and officers from the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New Mexico State Police and the Torrance County Sheriff’s Department arrived en masse at the facilities […]