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A collection of 126 posts

Representative Discusses Targeting Fentanyl-Related Crime and Torrance County's Decision to Extend CoreCivic Contract

Representative Discusses Targeting Fentanyl-Related Crime and Torrance County's Decision to Extend CoreCivic Contract

Representative Melanie Stansbury (NM-1, which includes Torrance County) was satisfied with the recently enacted congressional resolution that provided temporary funding to keep the federal government operational. During her September 26, 2024, press conference, Stansbury noted that the US Congress would have to address numerous matters to renegotiate federal funding before

Despite Rumors, New Estancia EMT Has Healthy Record

Despite Rumors, New Estancia EMT Has Healthy Record

After reporting that Estancia Fire Department had hired Lester Gary as an EMT on September 18, 2024, sources approached the Mountainair Dispatch asserting that Gary had a history of disciplinary action due to negligence and misconduct. While small-town rumors can be accurate, this is not such an instance. A public

USDA, USFS, Southwestern Region, Cibola NF & NGs Planned Fall/Winter 2024-2025 Prescribed Fires Map

Forest Service Announces Prescribed Burns for Autumn

At the September 24, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee, US Forest Service representative Christian Larson identified two possible prescribed burns for Autumn in the Torrance County area. A press release published by the New Mexico Fire Information website provided additional details regarding seven prescribed burns

County Commission Extends Contract with CoreCivic and Identifies Incoming County Manager

County Commission Extends Contract with CoreCivic and Identifies Incoming County Manager

The September 25, 2024, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners ("TCC") addressed: 1. Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial's concerns regarding the Torrance County Sheriff threatening to arrest him for attending a meeting of the Torrance County Republican Party at the McIntosh Senior Center; 2. the Torrance County

Mountainair Selects New Police Chief

Mountainair Selects New Police Chief

After addressing the administrative matters normally dealt with during town council meetings, Mountainair's town council went into executive session on September 17, 2024, to discuss whether their candidate, dressed in a conservative suit and white shirt and seated in the front row of the audience, was right for

Board of Trustees Addresses Change in Zoning and Swears In New Officer

Board of Trustees Addresses Change in Zoning and Swears In New Officer

Estancia opened its Monday, September 16, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting with a public hearing addressing whether to approve a zoning amendment request made by Robert "Bo" Lutrick. Lutrick, the owner of 408 and 415 Lassiter Street North, sought to convert the zoning from R-1, Conventional Residential Zoning,

Another Look at Cannabis, a Multi-million Dollar Expense, and A Relationship with EMWT Water

Another Look at Cannabis, a Multi-million Dollar Expense, and A Relationship with EMWT Water

The Torrance County Public Hearing Concerning Cannabis Grow Operations The September 11, 2024, regular meeting of the Torrance County Commission opened with a lengthy public comment period largely composed of activists requesting that the Torrance County Commission terminate its contract with CoreCivic for the operation of the Torrance County Detention

Traffic Stop Leads to Manhunt and Arrest in Mountainair

Traffic Stop Leads to Manhunt and Arrest in Mountainair

On Friday, September 13, 2024, Torrance County Emergency Management released a statement on social media advising the public to be on the lookout for a shirtless male. On Saturday, the Torrance County Sheriff's Office arrested that individual in Mountainair. Undersheriff Stephanie Reynolds provided additional information via email regarding

100th Birthday of Ike Cole at the Veterans of Foreign Wars

100th Birthday of Ike Cole at the Veterans of Foreign Wars

In Moriarty on Friday, August 30, 2024, VFW Post 3370 celebrated what would have been the 100th Birthday of Ivan "Ike" Cole, a decorated World War II combat veteran who served with the 45th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) of the 45th Infantry Division. Cole was repeatedly wounded and was

Bomb Threat Turns Out To Be A Dud

Bomb Threat Turns Out To Be A Dud

On August 30, 2024, social media users began to report they had seen evidence of alleged bomb threats made on Snapchat against the Moriarty-Edgewood School District and the Estancia Municipal School District. These reports turned out to be false. Addressing the subject via email, Torrance County Sheriff's Office

Estancia Selects New Interim Police Chief

Estancia Selects New Interim Police Chief

During the August 19, 2024, meeting of the Estancia Board of Trustees, Mayor Nathan Dial swore in Sergeant Thomas Carter as Estancia's new interim police chief. On August 14, 2024, Dial had explained that Carter's predecessor, Jason Downing, had been relieved from his position as interim

Torrance County Opens the Doors on New Road Department Facility

Torrance County Opens the Doors on New Road Department Facility

State Senator Liz Stefanics, State Representative Stefani Lord, County Commissioners Kevin McCall and Sam Schropp, County Commissioner-elect/County Clerk Linda Jaramillo, and County Manager Janice Barela were on hand for the August 13, 2024, ribbon-cutting at the new Torrance County Road Department facility on Salt Missions Road in Estancia. County

Police Chief Candidate Ghosts Mountainair

Police Chief Candidate Ghosts Mountainair

Mayor Peter Nieto revealed during the July 2, 2024, meeting of the Mountainair Town Council that after he had assisted Mountainair Police Chief candidate Jimmy Macon with part of the process of getting certified as a law enforcement officer in New Mexico, Macon had stopped returning Nieto’s calls and

Willard Residents Can Expect An Increase in their Trash Bill

Willard Residents Can Expect An Increase in their Trash Bill

Willard’s village council met on July 8, 2024. The council addressed issues related to the village’s septic system, village audits, solid waste rates increasing, and updates concerning EMW Gas. The updates concerning EMW pertained to how the utility might lease its current headquarters to the Estancia Police Department

Mountainair Fire, EMS, and Public Works Conduct Rescue During Flood

Mountainair Fire, EMS, and Public Works Conduct Rescue During Flood

The call came out from Torrance County Dispatch at approximately 10:30 PM, after monsoon rain and flooding on Saturday, June 29, 2024: two individuals in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) had gotten stuck in an arroyo on Red Bluff Road west of the Mountainair Cemetary. Soaking wet from the rain,

EMWT meeting canceled

Tonight’s EMWT meeting has been canceled due to lack of a quorum.

Water Line Break Leads to Interruption in Water Service

Water Line Break Leads to Interruption in Water Service

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Mountainair's Public Works Department faced a water line break in an older, concrete-and-asbestos water line that left the town without water for hours. The break occurred next to the Shaffer Hotel, off NM-55. Public Works Supervisor Carl Archuleta said that the cause of

A Successor, Not a Replacement

A Successor, Not a Replacement

Mountainair Town Council Selects New Town Clerk and Addresses Public Concerns Regarding Cannabis Processing Operation The air was heavy with humidity at the start of the June 6, 2024, meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. The mugginess was only exacerbated by the roughly fifty people in the town council building.

Estancia Police Chief on Administrative Leave

Estancia Police Chief on Administrative Leave

According to claims by members of Estancia Police, Torrance County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) no longer has the personnel to cover late-night law enforcement matters. Mountainair’s incoming police chief, expected before the end of May 2024, has not yet arrived. Now, Estancia’s police force is down to two

Mile-Long Yard Sale Brings Crowds to Estancia

Mile-Long Yard Sale Brings Crowds to Estancia

Thunderhead clouds assembled in formation on the eastern border of Estancia. While the clouds were an ominous sign, they were not deterrents to those participating in Estancia’s Mile Long Yard Sale on June 1, 2024. Tents and tables lined NM-41 from Joseph Avenue to Highland Avenue. Charles Burson, a

2024 Mountainair Graduation

2024 Mountainair Graduation

2024 Estancia Graduation

2024 Estancia Graduation

Estancia Trustees Take Stock of Baseball Field Project

The Estancia Board of Trustees Meeting on May 20, 2024, involved minor decisions concerning operations at the town hall, training on the Open Meetings Act, and an update on the progress on the Estancia baseball field. Beginning the first of July 2024, the Board decided unanimously, the town hall will

Seven Hours in May: Interim Budget Brings No Salary Increase for County Employees

Seven Hours in May: Interim Budget Brings No Salary Increase for County Employees

This time last year, the Torrance County Commission held an eleven-and-a-half hour session addressing the county’s interim budget and the use of ARPA funding before a feared clawback of federal funds. This year’s interim budget session was much shorter: just seven hours long. Torrance County Clerk and 3rd

A Shortage of Law Enforcement and Care for Arthur Park Addressed by Estancia Trustees

A Shortage of Law Enforcement and Care for Arthur Park Addressed by Estancia Trustees

Perhaps it was a sign of spring fever, but the audience, mostly municipal employees, were jovial at the start of the May 6, 2024, meeting of the Estancia Board of Trustees. Jokes were shared amongst members of the town's maintenance staff, town clerk, and board members. As the

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