August is Family Fun Month, and the month was recognized with a proclamation sponsored by Sandoval County Vice Chair Jon Herr, District 2. Also recognized by Herr was Sunday is Funday, an "annual event that brings together the community for an afternoon of fun and sharing what's going on in Rio Rancho," according to their website. The event was sponsored and coordinated by the Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club and was held on August 16, 2026.
August is also Black Business Month, and a proclamation was sponsored by Sandoval County Chair Jordan Juarez, District 4. Receiving the proclamation was owner of the Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy, Ndidiamaka "Didi" Okpareke.
From left: Sandoval County Vice Chair Jon Herr, Commissioner Michael Meek, District 3, Commissioner Katherine A. Bruch, District 1, Olive Tree Compounding Owner Ndidiamaka "Didi" Okpareke,
Chair Jordan Juarez, and Commissioner Joshua A. Jones, District 5.
Sandoval County Fire & Rescue Chief Chris Bagley took the time to recognize Sandoval County Fire Rescue personnel, law enforcement officers, emergency dispatchers, and other Sandoval County departments for their response and teamwork during the McCauley Springs Fire. "Their coordinated efforts, professionalism, and commitment to public safety helped protect the residents, property, and the community during the incident," says Chief Bagley. La Cueva District Chief Lee Taylor and Captain Michelle Taylor, as well as the daughter of the incident commander, who was not in attendence because he and other members from the La Cueva Fire District were on scene at another active fire that evening, joined Bagley in recognition.
From left (back row): Sandoval County Fire Chief Chris Bagley, Vice Chair Herr, Commissioner Meek,
Chair Juarez, Commissioner Jones
From left (front row): Commissioner Bruch, La Cueva District Chief Lee Taylor, Captain Michelle Taylor,
and Public Safety Emergency Communications System (PSECC) 911 Director Yvonne Fox
and 911 Operations Manager Amber Cantril