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Residents Push for Answers on Wind and Transmission Projects; County's Advisor Fields Both, Despite Saying He Represents Neither

Torrance County Commissioners

Residents Push for Answers on Wind and Transmission Projects; County's Advisor Fields Both, Despite Saying He Represents Neither

Torrance County’s financial advisor, Rob Burpo, disclaimed formal ties to PNM’s transmission project, then fielded engineering, water and environmental questions about it anyway, while the county attorney, Michael Garcia, defended commissioners against accusations of self-dealing. ESTANCIA, N.M. — Art Tapia drove from Moriarty on Wednesday, August 26,

Mountainair EMS Director Charged With Child Sexual Penetration, Aggravated Battery

Mountainair EMS Director Charged With Child Sexual Penetration, Aggravated Battery

Preliminary hearing set for September 16 as town confirms an employee is on paid leave MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. — Joshua Lewis, the director of the Town of Mountainair's EMS department, has been charged with three felonies, including two counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child, according to court

Fire Truck Rolls Over Near Mountainair

Torrance County Fire Department

Fire Truck Rolls Over Near Mountainair

MOUNTAINAIR, NM — A Torrance County Fire and Rescue engine rolled over in unincorporated Torrance County on Monday, August 31, 2026, according to personnel on scene. The rollover occurred at roughly 12:00 PM MDT on County Road B050 near its intersection with County Road B051, roughly two miles northwest of

Upcoming Events for August 31, 2026

Upcoming Events for August 31, 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 to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Joins

Flood Advisory for Northwestern Torrance County Through 7:45 PM; Heavy Rain Continues From Thunderstorms

Flood Advisory for Northwestern Torrance County Through 7:45 PM; Heavy Rain Continues From Thunderstorms

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flood Advisory for northwestern Torrance County and Bernalillo County, in effect until 7:45 p.m. MDT this evening (Monday, August 31, 2026). At 4:51 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain from thunderstorms across the area. Between 0.

Whiskey Fire Grows to 351 Acres as Blanco, Cerro Fires Near Containment

Whiskey Fire 2026

Whiskey Fire Grows to 351 Acres as Blanco, Cerro Fires Near Containment

Closure orders remain in effect through September as crews shift from the two smaller blazes to the growing Manzano Mountains wildfire MOUNTAINAIR — The Whiskey Fire burning in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness has grown to at least 351 acres, according to the wildfire tracking service Watch Duty, up from the 250

Like Spinning Plates: The Torrance County Commission's Response to Transparency Complaints Validates Public Concerns

Torrance County Commissioners

Like Spinning Plates: The Torrance County Commission's Response to Transparency Complaints Validates Public Concerns

Recently, beginning at the July 22, 2026, meeting of the Torrance County Commissioners, residents have voiced complaints about the lack of transparency and candor they experience when dealing with the Torrance County government. Commissioners have responded to those complaints with frustration more often than transparency — including, at the commission'

TORRANCE COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING AND INTENT TO ADOPT BOND ORDINANCE RE PALOMAS POWER PROJECT

TORRANCE COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING AND INTENT TO ADOPT BOND ORDINANCE RE PALOMAS POWER PROJECT

TORRANCE COUNTY, NEW MEXICO NOTICE OF MEETING AND INTENT TO ADOPT BOND ORDINANCE Torrance County, New Mexico (the “County”), hereby gives notice of a regular Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., in the Commission Chambers at the Administrative Offices of the

Strong Outflow Boundary Tracking Into West Central Torrance County; Gusty Winds and Blowing Dust Expected

Strong Outflow Boundary Tracking Into West Central Torrance County; Gusty Winds and Blowing Dust Expected

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Special Weather Statement for a strong outflow boundary affecting west central Torrance County and neighboring areas, in effect until 5:30 p.m. MDT this afternoon (Wednesday, August 26, 2026). At 4:43 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a

Three Wildfires Burn in the Manzano Mountains as Neighbors Step In to Feed Crews

Three Wildfires Burn in the Manzano Mountains as Neighbors Step In to Feed Crews

The Whiskey, Blanco, and Cerro fires have burned roughly 49 acres combined near Fourth of July Canyon, and a local retreat center is cooking meals for firefighters bedding down nearby MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. — Janette Bell, of Manzano Mountain Retreat, watched a thin white line of smoke over the ridge above

PNM's Mid-State Transmission Line Draws Sharp Questions From Torrance County Landowners

PNM's Mid-State Transmission Line Draws Sharp Questions From Torrance County Landowners

At a virtual open house Monday night, residents from Loma Parda to the Manzano Land Grant pressed PNM and its development partner on easements, eminent domain, tribal consultation, and wildfire risk along a proposed 345-kV line through three counties. Cui bono, cui prodest? “Who benefits, who does it profit?

Upcoming Events for August 24, 2026

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events for August 24, 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 to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai

The PNM Mid-State Transmission Project

The PNM Mid-State Transmission Project

PNM has proposed a new 345-kilovolt transmission line, called the Mid-State Transmission Project, running through Torrance, Socorro, and Valencia counties. The route runs near Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and both the Abó and Gran Quivira units of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, and it crosses directly through our

Lightning sparks new wildfire in Manzano Mountain Wilderness, smoke visible from Mountainair

Whiskey Fire 2026

Lightning sparks new wildfire in Manzano Mountain Wilderness, smoke visible from Mountainair

A new wildfire ignited by lightning is burning in the Manzano Mountain Wilderness, prompting the US Forest Service to warn residents across the Estancia Valley that smoke may be visible from Mountainair and surrounding communities. The Whiskey Fire was reported at 1:50 PM MDT on Friday, August 21, 2026,

Willard Trash Rates Rise 6.5 Percent Under Contract Adjustment

Willard Trash Rates Rise 6.5 Percent Under Contract Adjustment

Trash collection rates for Village of Willard residents and businesses increased effective August 1, 2026, following an annual price adjustment allowed under the village's solid waste contract with Universal Waste Systems. What Changed In a June 15, 2026 letter to Village Clerk Cassandra Garcia, UWS Governmental Affairs and

Estancia Mayor Pro Tem Appears in Court on Felony Alcohol Sale Charges

Estancia Mayor Pro Tem Appears in Court on Felony Alcohol Sale Charges

Estancia Mayor Pro Tem Amy Lynn May appeared before Magistrate Judge Craig M. Davis in Moriarty Magistrate Court on August 17, 2026, for a first appearance on two counts of unlawful sale of an alcoholic beverage. Each count is a fourth-degree felony under New Mexico's Liquor Control

Public Notice: Service of Process by Publication in Klosinski v. Klosinski

Public Notice: Service of Process by Publication in Klosinski v. Klosinski

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNALILLO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT JANICE KLOSINSKI, Petitioner, v. GARY KLOSINSKI, Respondent. No. D-202-DM-2025-03182 TO: GARY KLOSINSKI You are hereby notified that the above-named Petitioner has filed a Petition against you in

Flood Advisory for Northern Torrance County Through 9 PM; Near-Stationary Thunderstorms Causing Arroyo Flooding

Flood Advisory for Northern Torrance County Through 9 PM; Near-Stationary Thunderstorms Causing Arroyo Flooding

The National Weather Service in Albuquerque has issued a Flood Advisory for northern Torrance County, in effect until 9 p.m. MDT this evening (Monday, August 17, 2026). At 5:55 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain from near-stationary thunderstorms between Stanley and Moriarty. Between 1 and

Estancia Fire Chief Details Nearly $55,000 in Damage and Missing Gear as Board Wrestles With Budget, Water Strain

Estancia Fire Chief Details Nearly $55,000 in Damage and Missing Gear as Board Wrestles With Budget, Water Strain

Board also approves a $554,685.58 road payment, renews its school resource officer agreement, and confronts a wave of overdue financial reports at its August 3, 2026, meeting. ESTANCIA, N.M. - Fire Chief Chris Wolonsky alleged tens of thousands of dollars in damaged and missing fire department equipment from

Upcoming Events for August 17, 2026

Upcoming Events for August 17, 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 to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai

Willard Village Council Pulls Community Center From Rental Use Over Possible Asbestos, Weighs $50,000 Playground Donation

Willard Village Council Pulls Community Center From Rental Use Over Possible Asbestos, Weighs $50,000 Playground Donation

WILLARD, N.M. — The Willard Village Council moved Monday, August 10, 2026, to take the village's only community center off the rental market after Mayor Edward Redondo raised concerns that insulation in the building's attic could contain asbestos, the same problem he said he found and

Temporarily Away From Office but Not Unavailable

I have been away from the Mountainair Dispatch office beginning Wednesday, August 5, 2026, for treatment related to kidney stones and will be back in the hospital to address additional stones in the coming weeks. I will remain available throughout for tips, questions, advertising, and breaking developments on any story

Sand Springs Fire Update: 80% Contained as Smoke Advisory Covers the State

Sand Springs Fire

Sand Springs Fire Update: 80% Contained as Smoke Advisory Covers the State

Editor's note: As stated on social media (I should have posted that here first before social media but I will chalk that up to a beginner mistake), I have been away from the Mountainair Dispatch office beginning Wednesday, August 5, 2026, for treatment related to kidney stones and

Upcoming Events for August 10, 2026

Upcoming Events for August 10, 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 to submit your event. There is no cost to publish upcoming events. Federal Government Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai

Public Notice: Service of Process by Publication in Klosinski v. Klosinski

Public Notice: Service of Process by Publication in Klosinski v. Klosinski

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNALILLO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT JANICE KLOSINSKI, Petitioner, v. GARY KLOSINSKI, Respondent. No. D-202-DM-2025-03182 TO: GARY KLOSINSKI You are hereby notified that the above-named Petitioner has filed a Petition against you in