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Dogs Explore Ancient Ruins at BARK in the Park Event at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Arts and Culture

Dogs Explore Ancient Ruins at BARK in the Park Event at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Saturday’s BARK in the Park event at the Quarai Unit of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument was a success for both the Friends of Mountainair Animal Shelter (FOMAS) and the National Park Service, but most of all for the dogs. Along with visitors’ pets, FOMAS brought multiple adoptable and

Upcoming Events for April 6, 2026

Upcoming Events for April 6, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I'd love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details or fill out this form to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government Salinas Pueblo Missions Gran Quivira will

Torrance County Approves ICE Detention Contract Extension Over Public Objections

Torrance County

Torrance County Approves ICE Detention Contract Extension Over Public Objections

ESTANCIA – The Torrance County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved what county officials indicated is likely the final extension of the county's contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia. The contract modification extends the intergovernmental service agreement between Torrance

a stippled black and white engraving on a sepia background of the weather conditions in this weather alert affecting a New Mexico town during the Great Depression; ai generated

Freeze Alert

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque issued a Freeze Watch at 12:00 PM MDT, Thursday, April 2, 2026, warning that sub-freezing temperatures could develop late Friday night and continue into Saturday morning across parts of central and northern New Mexico, including the Estancia Valley. Forecasters say temperatures could drop

Diné Jewelry History Talk Comes to Mountainair

Diné Jewelry History Talk Comes to Mountainair

The Torrance County Archaeological Society will host a free public presentation on the history of Diné (Navajo) jewelry on Tuesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the MMAC Building, 101 E. Broadway, Mountainair. Zeke Naabaahii Argeanas will lead the presentation, which explores one of the most distinctive and

Upcoming Events for March 30, 2026

Upcoming Events for March 30, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I'd love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details or fill out this form to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions

Torrance County Commission Postpones Contract Decision

Torrance County Commission Postpones Contract Decision

The Monday, March 30, 2026, special meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners was postponed by the commissioners before it got underway. County Attorney Michael Garcia and Torrance County Commission Chair Ryan Schwebach conferred over Zoom regarding the meeting agenda, noting that it described the special meeting as occurring on “Wednesday,

Special Meeting Regarding ICE Contract

Special Meeting Regarding ICE Contract

The Torrance County Commissioners will be holding a special meeting on Monday, March 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will address the contract with ICE regarding services at the Torrance County Detention Facility, fire services for the Town of Edgewood, and the Corona School Bond Election. The meeting

Fire Weather Watch Thursday for Central Highlands Amid Record Heat and Critical Wind Conditions

Fire Weather Watch Thursday for Central Highlands Amid Record Heat and Critical Wind Conditions

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, Central Highlands, Northeast Highlands, and Northeast Plains, in effect Thursday, March 26, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. MDT. This watch comes as the region enters an extended stretch of

Moriarty Community Open House Event

Moriarty Community Open House Event

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is hosting a community open house for the City of Moriarty to ask a question that affects all residents: What should the City of Moriarty look like in 20 years? This question has huge implications, from where people work, to where they buy their groceries,

Upcoming Events for March 23, 2026

Upcoming Events for March 23, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I'd love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Celebrating the Park's Fossil Finds

Why it matters that Estancia will not have a clean opinion from its auditor for FY2025

Why it matters that Estancia will not have a clean opinion from its auditor for FY2025

As noted in the previous article, Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley remarked that he believes Estancia will not receive a "clean opinion" from its auditor for the FY2025 Audit. One could consider this to be a sign of financial trouble for the town. However, for those not versed in

Estancia Trustees Tackle Sheriff's Complaint Against Police Chief And An Upcoming Audit

Estancia Trustees Tackle Sheriff's Complaint Against Police Chief And An Upcoming Audit

ESTANCIA — The Estancia Board of Trustees covered a packed agenda Monday night, March 16, 2026, headlined by a lengthy public airing of a dispute between Estancia Police Chief Thomas Carter and Torrance County Sheriff David Frazee over a cross-commission agreement between Estancia and Mountainair police departments. The board also introduced

Mountainair Hires New Police Officer, Addresses Treasurer Vacancy

Mountainair Hires New Police Officer, Addresses Treasurer Vacancy

MOUNTAINAIR — The Mountainair Town Council approved the hiring of a certified police officer and took steps to manage ongoing financial operations following the resignation of the town treasurer at its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. New Officer Approved The council unanimously approved the hiring of Jasmine Jaramillo as

Upcoming Events for March 16, 2026

Upcoming Events for March 16, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I'd love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Celebrating the Park's Fossil Finds

High Wind Watch Issued for Torrance County and Eastern New Mexico from Saturday Night Through Sunday

High Wind Watch Issued for Torrance County and Eastern New Mexico from Saturday Night Through Sunday

This weather alert covers high winds related to the fire weather in the previous weather alert, but focuses on those winds rather than the fire risk. The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a High Wind Watch for Torrance County, the Estancia Valley, the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, and

Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch for Sandia and Manzano Mountains

Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch for Sandia and Manzano Mountains

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Central Highlands, including the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, in effect today (Friday, March 13) from noon until 8 p.m. MDT. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued for a broader region, including west central

State Report Card Shows Mountainair Public Schools Losing Ground Year Over Year

State Report Card Shows Mountainair Public Schools Losing Ground Year Over Year

Mountainair Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Pedro Vallejo recently shared the district's 2024-2025 report card with the Mountainair Dispatch, released by the New Mexico Public Education Department through its NM Vistas accountability system. The report card follows a 2023-2024 cycle in which the district posted some of its strongest

Moriarty City Council Approves Zoning Change for Commercial Development Near Airport

Moriarty City Council Approves Zoning Change for Commercial Development Near Airport

The Moriarty City Council approved a zoning change on February 12, 2026, that will clear the way for commercial development on four lots near the Soaring Museum and municipal airport, though the vote revealed some lingering concerns about the city's limited manufacturing zones. The council voted 3–0

Upcoming Events for March 9, 2026

Upcoming Events for March 9, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Celebrating the Park's Fossil Finds — Salinas

Bodycam Footage Contradicts Mayor's Characterization of Fire Chief Termination

Bodycam Footage Contradicts Mayor's Characterization of Fire Chief Termination

Bodycam footage recorded by Estancia Police Chief Tom Carter on February 9, 2026, shows Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley asking Estancia Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky to step down from his position. Riley justified asking Wolonsky to step down by citing liability concerns, including the presence of a baby at the fire

Call to Artists: "Free Range" Exhibition at Manzano Mountain Art Council

Call to Artists: "Free Range" Exhibition at Manzano Mountain Art Council

The Manzano Mountain Art Council (MMAC) is now accepting applications for its next art exhibition, Free Range, and encourages local artists to apply! The theme celebrates the wide-open landscape we know and love here in Torrance County: fences, windmills, barbed wire, long vistas, livestock, range animals, and cowboy dreams. If

Upcoming Events for March 2, 2026

Upcoming Events for March 2, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Nothing significant to report. State Government New Mexico

Mountainair Senior Donation Drive

Mountainair Senior Donation Drive

Mustang Families and Community Members! The Mountainair Elementary Leadership Team is hosting a Senior Donation Drive from Monday, March 2, 2026, through Wednesday, March 11, 2026. During this time, the Mountainair Elementary Leadership Team will be collecting items to donate to the local senior center here in Mountainair. All donated

Upcoming Events for February 23, 2026

Upcoming Events for February 23, 2026

Do you want to advertise your event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government National Park Service Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Nothing significant to report. State Government New Mexico