Rio Rancho’s police and fire departments handled tens of thousands of calls in 2025, with new data showing faster fire response times but a notable rise in structure fires and a wide spread in police response times depending on call urgency. The Rio Rancho Police Department received 66,232 total calls for service between Jan. 1 […]
(LAYOUT) Front Feature (main)(1)
Posted inLocal Government, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Why is a mayoral candidate suing the City of Rio Rancho?
A federal lawsuit alleging that Rio Rancho has systematically ignored its own legislative rules has become a central pillar for one candidate in the city’s upcoming mayoral race. The city denies the allegations in the lawsuit and maintains that it has complied with all applicable rules and regulations. Corrine Rios, the lead plaintiff in Rios […]
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue ready to break ground on new fire station
After years of planning, data collection and funding pursuits, Rio Rancho Fire Rescue is on the verge of breaking ground on Fire Station 8 — the city’s first new fire station since 2011 — with a bid closing March 26 and shovels expected in the ground as early as late April. Fire Chief James Wenzel […]
Posted inElections & Politics, Rio Rancho
Early voting turnout outpaces 2022 numbers in Rio Rancho municipal election
Early voting in Rio Rancho’s March 3 municipal election is tracking ahead of 2022 levels, City Clerk Noel Davis told the Governing Body during a work session Tuesday. Davis said 692 voters cast ballots during the first days of early voting at the Broadmoor Senior Center, which opened as the sole early voting site Feb. […]
Posted inFeatures, Rio Rancho
New Mexico Goatheads build momentum for inaugural season
As the New Mexico Goatheads prepare to drop the puck on their inaugural season, the front office has hit the ice running. It was May 7 when guests in sharp suits gathered at the Rio Rancho Events Center to make it official: pro hockey was coming back to New Mexico. The team — then known […]
Posted inRio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Why are there so many car washes in Rio Rancho?
If you spend enough time in Rio Rancho, you’ll eventually ask yourself, “why are there so many car washes in this city?” Drive along Southern Boulevard, Unser or 528 and you’ll see them everywhere: long tunnels, bright vacuums, free towels and signs pushing unlimited monthly plans. For a city of just over 100,000 people, the […]
Posted inElections & Politics, Rio Rancho, The 528 Rio Rancho
Should Rio Rancho be a sanctuary city? One mayoral candidate thinks so
A question about sanctuary city policy sparked a crowd reaction at a mayoral candidate forum on Feb. 3, with one candidate breaking from her opponents to voice support for the designation. During the forum hosted by The Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Rio Rancho Observer, mayoral candidate Alexandria Piland was the only […]
Posted inLocal Government, Westside Albuquerque
Hypersonic missile plant draws hundreds to community meeting in Rio Rancho
Hundreds of residents packed an elementary school cafeteria Tuesday night to question representatives from Castelion Corporation about a proposed hypersonic missile manufacturing facility planned for just outside of Rio Rancho. The company unveiled plans for Project Ranger, a $100 million facility that would manufacture solid rocket motors and assemble complete missiles for the U.S. military […]
Posted inWestside Albuquerque
Rio Rancho to host first Pride celebration in 2026
Rio Rancho will host its first Pride festival next year, following months of community organizing that began after a Sandoval Signpost story highlighted the absence of LGBTQ+ celebrations in Sandoval County. Deb Dapson, a Rio Rancho City Council member and part of the planning committee, said the event will take place at Haynes Park in […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov., Westside Albuquerque
Hundreds of Rio Rancho students hit by federal funding delay
Rio Rancho Public Schools leaders are seeking ways to absorb the loss of about $780,000 in federal aid due to a pause in payments. RRPS Spokesperson Wyndham Kemsley said the amount is less than what’s being withheld from other districts around the state, but the loss of any federal funding is cause for concern. Kemsley […]