The Town of Mountainair announced award-winning award-winning country artist Nathaniel Krantz will take the stage at the Mountainair Hall Of Excellence Pinto Bean Dance in March. The free, all-ages show set for March 29 will run from 8 p.m. to midnight at Dr. Saul Community Center. The dance will feature lively music and plenty of […]
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Mountainair Property Owners Now Responsible for Keeping Town Clean and Safe
The Town of Mountainair has adopted a property maintenance ordinance designed to ensure the community remains clean, safe and welcoming for all residents. The ordinance sets guidelines that hold property owners responsible for following to help keep the town beautiful and free from hazards. According to Mayor Peter Nieto, the guidelines include maintaining weeds to […]
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 […]
Moriarty Family Loses Home on Christmas to Fire, Seeks Community’s Help to Rebuild
A Moriarty home caught on fire on Dec. 25 with an unidentified cause. The outburst began at a neighboring RV parked just outside the house that quickly spread to Jeremiah Baca’s home. Authorities have yet to determine the cause for the fire near Indian Hills Road and Lexco Road. Although the individuals were home, the […]
Mountainair Cemetery Transferred from Harris-Hanlon Mortuary to the Town of Mountainair
By The Independent Staff Mayor Peter Nieto announced Harris-Hanlon Mortuary has bestowed the Mountainair Cemetery to the Town of Mountainair. In a Facebook post, Nieto shared his thoughts and expectations about the transfer. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Grant and Karen Preston for entrusting the Town of Mountainair with the responsibility […]
California Dreamin’
Moriarty High School softball standout Isabella Gallegos’ signed her National Letter of Intent Dec. 16th to continue her softball career at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif. Gallegos will be playing third base, catcher and pitcher at Golden West. Gallegos made an impact on the field at Moriarty, earning recognition as a key player […]
Dorothy Nell Dennisson
Dorothy Nell (Braddock) Dennisson, 82, was a lifetime resident of Stanley, passed away December 7, 2024, at her home with her loving family by her side, wentwith our Lord and Savior. Dorothy was born June 2, 1942, in Fort Worth, TX to Lawrence Wesley & Ruby May (Flippans) Braddock. Dorothy graduated from Moriarty High School […]
