By Kevin Hendricks The Town of Mountainair is preparing for a big celebration on March 29 at the Dr. Saul Community Center. The annual Hall of Excellence event will honor distinguished citizens and the beloved Pinto Bean Queen competition will crown its 2025 winner. Mayor Peter Nieto announced the 2025 Hall of Excellence inductees earlier […]
Author Archives: Kevin Hendricks, nm.news
Kevin Hendricks is a local news editor with nm.news. He is a two-decade veteran of local news as a sportswriter and assistant editor with the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer.
Posted inCourts, Justice & Safety, Torrance County
11-year-old from Torrance County in custody for role in the murder of Corrales cyclist
By Kevin Hendricks Police arrested another minor who is accused of intentionally crashing a stolen car into and killing a 63-year-old Corrales man who was riding his bike last summer in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque Police Department announced Tuesday that an 11-year-old is in custody for his role in the murder of Scott Habermehl, a longtime […]
Posted inEast Mountains
PNM again considering cutting the power in the East Mountains
The Public Service Company of New Mexico is again considering a Public Safety Power Shutoff in the East Mountains on March 18. Earlier this month, PNM announced plans to shut off power to 10,000 customers in the East Mountains due to high wind conditions that could create a fire risk. Later that same day, PNM […]
Posted inEast Mountains
State Senate confirms East Mountain’s Kenderdine to governor’s cabinet
On March 10, the New Mexico Senate confirmed Melanie Kenderdine as cabinet secretary for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Kenderdine, who grew up in the East Mountains, graduated from Manzano High School and the University of New Mexico. In May, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Kenderdine as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico […]
Posted inUncategorized
Legislature Midpoint: One Step Forward…
Oh, New Mexico. It seems like we can only have one nice thing at a time, when it comes to the Legislature. Or maybe two. Good progress is being made with good government bills and healthcare reform. But then… There’s the economy. Three bills concern me greatly: a five-dollar minimum wage increase, which would make […]
Posted inUncategorized
Proposed Border Office Bill Goes South in Committee
By Nicole Maxwell A bill seeking to create a temporary cabinet department on the southern border failed in committee Wednesday morning. SB 257, which would have set up a Border Security Office, failed in the Senate Rules Committee. “The purpose of this legislation is to create a temporary, four-year Office of Border Security in the […]
Posted inUncategorized
East Mountain High is a Finalist for National Award
By Independent Staff East Mountain High School was named a Building Hope IMPACT Awards finalist last week. According to a press release, the Building Hope Awards celebrate the transformative power of education through four award categories: Community Engagement, Educational Innovation, Student Empowerment and the S. Joseph Bruno Model Charter Award, which has East Mountain High […]
Posted inUncategorized
Diamond Tail Solar Project Approved Despite Local Opposition
By Kevin Hendricks Despite fervent opposition from local residents, the Sandoval County Commission last week gave the green light to a controversial solar power and battery storage development in the East Mountains. The 3-2 vote on Feb. 18 approved a zoning request that allows the Diamond Tail solar and storage project to proceed. The Diamond […]
Posted inUncategorized
NM Supreme Court Won’t Dump DEI
By Rodd Cayton The New Mexico Supreme Court is pushing back against the Trump administration’s drive to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts across the country. The court Tuesday released an open letter to the public declaring its commitment to those values. The letter, signed by all five justices, notes that the words “Dedicated […]
Posted inUncategorized
Chile Commemorative Month Gaining Traction
By Nicole Maxwell Whether it is red, green or Christmas, New Mexican cuisine is known for its chile. HB 172 seeks to establish August as Red and Green Chile Month and was passed unanimously in the House Government Elections and Indian Affairs Committee Feb. 14. “It’s an important issue for us to bring up, and it’s […]