Sammy Lopez, a long-time New Mexican media leader, passed away surrounded by his family on Sunday, Oct. 6. He is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Kathy Lou Lopez; his cherished daughter, Melinda Lopez; his devoted brother, Victor Lopez; his caring sister, Bertha Benavidez; and his loving grandchildren, Javaris Smith, Jazmine Lopez, and […]
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 inUncategorized
Trial in 2023 Oñate shooting canceled after defendant takes plea deal
The attempted murder trial of a man who shot a Native activist at a protest over a controversial monument in northern New Mexico was canceled at the 11th hour. In what local prosecutors are framing as “a surprise change of events,” Ryan Martinez on Monday morning pleaded no contest to aggravated battery against Jacob Johns and aggravated […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor, Uncategorized
Letter to the Editor: New Mexico ’emerges’ as worst state in union
Submitted by state Rep. Stefani Lord, Sandia Park New Mexicans are beginning to ask – why our state is ranked last in the nation in every important category (from education, to crime, addiction, and child welfare); and why isn’t their legislator proposing solutions to fix these problems? Both are fair questions. The answer partially […]
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Mountainair Mayor Addresses Rumors About New Police Chief
Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto announced on social media that the town had hired Paul Lucero as the new chief of police on Sept. 17. Less than two weeks later, Nieto took to social media to address “some rumors that have been circulating lately” about a connection between Lucero and the former police chief, Juan Reyes. […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor, Uncategorized
Letter to the Editor: We Must Listen to Top Republican Leaders Who Are Sounding the Alarm
Submitted by Lois Vermilya, Sandia Park As a long-time east mountain resident, I believe we have to listen to the large group of Republican officials who are warning us that Donald Trump is unfit for office. His own Vice President Mike Pence and former President George W. Bush’s Vice President Dick Cheney have both disavowed […]
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New Mexico’s health provider crisis endures but it is fixable
I am writing this column from another state where I am currently undergoing a course ofmedical treatment. When this medical issue arose earlier this summer, I was told flat outby my Albuquerque primary care provider that getting a consult to this particularspecialty in New Mexico’s largest city would take a year. So here I am […]
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Victims, police expert among those who can testify in 2023 Oñate shooting trial, judge rules
A judge on Monday afternoon set guardrails around certain evidence and witness testimony in the upcoming attempted murder trial of a man who shot a climate activist at a protest over a controversial monument in northern New Mexico. First Judicial District Court Judge Jason Lidyard ruled on five disputes between state prosecutors and defense attorneys […]
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Mountainair mourns local author, community leader Steinlage
Author and beloved local leader Ben Steinlage died Sept. 23, leaving a huge hole in the Mountainair community. Steinlage and his wife, Sandi, were heavily involved in community events, including the popular Christmas Land drive that would see the community building packed with donated Christmas gifts. “The Town of Mountainair is saddened by the passing […]
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Hall of Fame songwriter Souther dies in Sandia Park home
LOS ANGELES (AP) — John David “JD” Souther, a prolific songwriter and musician who helped shape the country-rock sound that took root in Southern California in the 1970s with his collaborations with the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, died in his Sandia Park home Sept. 17 at the age of 78. Souther, who collaborated on some […]
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Burners On
Locals already know that Albuquerque has the largest hot air balloon event in the world, and we have watched the largest collection of hot air balloons in the world paint vibrant colors all over the Duke City skyline each October since 1972. Tom Garrity, the Balloon Fiesta spokesperson, says we’ve come a long way from […]