By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Rio Rancho police responded to two reports of an armed subject threatening someone Monday morning, prompting a brief lockout at Rio Rancho High School, according to the Rio Rancho Police Department. Officers received a report around 8:07 a.m. that a man pointed a firearm at another person at Shining Stars […]
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Posted inRio Rancho
Taking the reins: Superintendent Dodd outlines priorities for RRPS as new school year starts
By Rodd Cayton Robert Dodd says he’s unlikely to be teaching anybody math or reading during the upcoming school year. However, he says, it’s his job as the second ever superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools to ensure the people who will be teaching math, reading and everything else have the resources, the guidance, and […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Expanding access: How a new state law is bringing a large preschool to Rio Rancho
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. A vacant lot near Rio Rancho’s City Center is one step closer to becoming La Esperanza Preschool, a 200-child facility, after the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved its site plan on July 28. Planning and Zoning Board Manager Brian Babyak recommended approval of the project, proposed by LEBM2 LLC […]
Posted inRio Rancho
State eyes selling 300 acres near Cleveland Heights for new development
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. More than 300 acres of state trust land near Cleveland Heights could go up for sale with the City of Rio Rancho’s blessing already locked in, months before residents get their say at an Aug. 5 public meeting. The New Mexico State Land Office will gather comments on the proposed […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Back-to-school 2026: What Rio Rancho families need to know
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. It’s that week that many students fear and many parents, including myself, celebrate. It’s back-to-school week. Here’s what you need to know as the 2026-2027 Rio Rancho Public School year kicks off. Most RRPS students head back to class Thursday, Aug. 6. Preschoolers at Puesta del Sol start a few […]
Posted inSandoval County
‘Jurisdictional nightmare’ ends as Rio Rancho backs Sandoval County annexation
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.Rio Rancho’s governing body unanimously cleared the way last week for Sandoval County to annex 7.8 acres into the Town of Bernalillo, a boundary shift that lets the county move forward with a bigger 13th Judicial District Court Complex and a relocated Bureau of Elections. City staff reviewed the request and […]
Posted inSandoval County
Sandoval County sheriff breaks ranks to endorse Republican successor
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. Sandoval County Sheriff Jesse James Casaus, a Democrat barred by term limits from seeking reelection, is backing Republican Victor Rodriguez to succeed him — passing over Democratic nominee John Paul Trujillo in a rare cross-party break from a sitting sheriff. In a letter of endorsement, Casaus credited his eight years […]
Posted inNew Mexico Statewide News
Teen left at Mexico border becomes flashpoint in governor’s race as AG sues CYFD
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) faces a lawsuit following the July incident of a 15-year-old U.S. citizen traveling alone toward the Mexican border. The state agency maintains that its decision to pursue reunification with the youth’s mother took legal precedence, while Attorney General Raúl Torrez contends […]
Posted inRio Rancho
Rio Rancho council locks in $452M budget, trims City Hall wish list to balance books
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.Rio Rancho’s governing body closed the books on fiscal year 2027 July 23, unanimously approving a $452 million budget that survived a late round of belt-tightening after last year’s savings came in lighter than city hall hoped. The vote on Resolution R57 sends the final budget to the New Mexico Department […]
Posted inRio Rancho
District 4 gets its Mann: RRPS attorney sworn in as Rio Rancho’s new councilor after divided vote
By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. David Mann is Rio Rancho’s newest District 4 councilor. The Governing Body voted 4-2 Thursday to confirm Mayor Paul Wymer’s pick, closing out a monthlong process that turned into a pointed debate over whether Mann’s day job — general counsel for Rio Rancho Public Schools — creates conflicts with a […]