Economic Gardening garners praise from local businesses

Story by Amy Byres with the Rio Rancho Observer The Sandoval Economic Alliance “Economic Gardening” pilot program participants marked it a success.At the SEA virtual luncheon March 25, participants discussed their experiences.Kristin Browning-Mezel is an owner of Mezel Mods, a manufacturing company that uses 3D printing to modify pinball machines. The Rio Rancho-based company has five employees and was established … Read More

Staying connected in Cuba, New Mexico

Superintendent of Cuba Independent Schools, Dr. Karen Sanchez-Griego sits on a stone that will act as student’s chair for an upcoming outside classroom in Cuba, New Mexico. Sanchez-Griego has worked hard in the last three years since becoming the Superintendent of Cuba Schools to help kids get laptops and reflective reading material.

Sandoval County chaplain retires after a decade of service

Story and photos by Amy Byres with the Rio Rancho Observer After a decade of helping Sandoval County first responders cope with the sacrifice of serving, Senior Chaplain Kathy Thibodaux is retiring.Thibodaux started the chaplaincy program in 2011 under late county Fire Chief Jon Tibbetts. Before that, she worked as a hospice nurse for 30 years and a disaster chaplain … Read More

Second Gentleman visits Santo Domingo Health Center

Photo provided by Roberto Rosales with the Albuquerque Journal The Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff toured a COVID-19 vaccination site at the Santo Domingo Health Center in Kewa Pueblo on Wednesday 3/17/2021. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Kewa Pueblo Governor Sedelio Tenorio, Sr. joined him on the tour. Mr. Emhoff highlighted how the American Rescue Plan will ramp up … Read More

Meet Sandoval County’s first deputy county manager

Story and photos by Amy Byres with the Rio Rancho Observer BERNALILLO — The new deputy county manager said he is the best at being the second in charge.Robert Doucette began the new position in January.“I was taught a long time ago — and I think it’s great advice — when you go into a new organization, if you go … Read More

Nose for trouble: Human-canine duo fight drugs

Story and photos by Amy Byres with the Rio Rancho Observer A day in the life of a deputy from the K9 unit is something to bark about.Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office Deputy A.J. Noriega is K9 Candice’s handler. The two mainly patrol Interstate-25 in hopes of catching drugs, human trafficking and other offenses.Candice is a narcotics detection dog, he said.“I … Read More

Fire cadets finish 8th week with county

Sandoval County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kenny Snow demonstrates proper technique for cadets during a fire academy training exercise Wednesday at Station 21 on Santa Ana Pueblo.