News - Mountainair Dispatch (Page 5)

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A collection of 140 posts

A fire grows beneath a power pole and amongst scrub brush and trees to the left of a gate to a ranch.

Fire on Red Bluff Rapidly Contained by USFS and Mountainair Firefighters

Just past Mountainair High School's football field, Third Street curves around the MIP property, briefly turning into Smith Road before becoming Red Bluff Road at the next curve. There, a set of power lines hang over the metal gate to the Lovato family's ranch. The lines

Trustee Stella Chavez, Trustee J. Morrow Hall, look at Mayor Nathan Dial as he smirks at a member of tand Mayor Nathan Dial

Estancia Trustees Address Pay Raises for Clerk and Interim Chief

The July 17, 2023, meeting of Estancia’s Board of Trustees could be broken down into three broad topics: land use and maintenance, matters concerning the interim chief and town clerk, and the Old Timers’ Day events. Mayor Pro Tem Noah Sedillo was not present for the meeting, so all

Mountainair BOE addresses the end of the fiscal year

Mountainair BOE addresses the end of the fiscal year

The June 27, 2023, meeting of the Mountainair Board of Education began with Mountainair Public Schools business manager Peter Nieto working to close out several financial matters before the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2023. Specifically, Nieto addressed payroll, expenditures, multiple budget adjustment requests related to operational

Mountainair’s New Fire Truck Rolls Out

Mountainair’s New Fire Truck Rolls Out

In January 2022, Mountainair Fire Department’s Josh Lewis started working on purchasing a fire truck. It just arrived. It promises to be an asset to fighting fires for MFD.

Mountainair’s Fourth of July Jubilee

For a joyful celebration such as this, I felt video would do far more than words, so please enjoy this wrap-up of Mountainair's jubilee festivities, from the Friday dance concert, the Saturday morning parade, the naturalization of 11 new citizens, and, of course, the fireworks spectacular. Please don&

MPS Sexual Assault Investigations End Without Criminal Charges

MPS Sexual Assault Investigations End Without Criminal Charges

At the end of January 2023, Joshua Toler made shocking allegations of sexual misconduct by Mountainair basketball players. Now the findings from the investigations into those allegations are public.

June 20th's Mountainair Town Council Meeting focused on Jubilee and Infrastructure Improvements

June 20th's Mountainair Town Council Meeting focused on Jubilee and Infrastructure Improvements

The town council meeting began with Mayor Peter Nieto and the Town Council discussing the town’s need to hire two public works employees. Town Clerk Dennis Fulfer also mentioned that he was vetting two applicants for the Mountainair Police Department. With respect to the Mountainair Jubilee, the mayor discussed

Springer smiling at the camera after encouraging his viewers to engage with a deputy of the Torrance County Sheriff’s Office.

Dispute Between 7th District and YouTuber Becomes a Criminal Case and a Civil Rights Lawsuit

James Springer has made a successful YouTube business confronting law enforcement and public officials in what are called “First Amendment Audits.” His most recent video at the Estancia courthouse has led to criminal charges — and now he encourages his viewers to confront local law enforcement.

Mountainair Town Council Conducts Special Meeting to Make Changes in Public Works Department

Mountainair Town Council Conducts Special Meeting to Make Changes in Public Works Department

On Thursday, June 8, 2023, the Mountainair Town Council met in a special meeting to address an employee discipline matter. After the council met in executive session for roughly one hour, the council returned to its chamber where it voted unanimously to demote Public Works Supervisor Edward "Popeye"

Mountainair Town Council Addresses Drought Declaration, Planning for Jubilee and Independence Day, and Issues Related to Meter Upgrades

Mountainair Town Council Addresses Drought Declaration, Planning for Jubilee and Independence Day, and Issues Related to Meter Upgrades

When the Mountainair Town Council had its regular meeting on June 6, 2023, it planned to begin with a public hearing in which the Fire Chief, Phillip Nelson, was expected to make a declaration of drought conditions. However, due to the recent rains, Mayor Peter Nieto announced, the declaration of

Torrance County Commissioners Boost Employee Pay and Secure Water Rights in Marathon Session

Torrance County Commissioners Boost Employee Pay and Secure Water Rights in Marathon Session

Prior to the deal worked out by President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy regarding the debt ceiling, the Torrance County Board of County Commissioners met on May 24, 2023. At the time, There were fears that a failure to resolve the debt ceiling crisis could result in what County Commissioner

Corporal Sharpless Fights to Get His Dispatches Out

Corporal Sharpless Fights to Get His Dispatches Out

⚠️Advertise with the Dispatch: If you are interested in advertising with the Mountainair Dispatch, you can either email me at todd@mountainairdispatch.com and I will work with you to get the process started, or you can fill out this form that will walk you through what info I need

Tomas Wolff's Memorial Day Mosaic reads "Remember the Sacrifice - Memorial Day 2023 - Mountainair, NM."

Mountainair Unveils Mosaic During Memorial Day Ceremony

In a quiet, somber, and respectful ceremony, Mountainair artist Tomas Wolff’s patriotic mosaic was unveiled at town hall on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023. Mayor Peter Nieto unveiled the mosaic in a talk that included the history of Mountainair’s Medal of Honor awardee, Edward Clay Sharpless, and

Controlled Burn in Manzanos

Controlled Burn in Manzanos

The National Forest Service has listed a prescribed burn of 219 acres for today, May 26, 2023 on the Inciweb wildfire reporting system. The National Forest Service reports that the burn may be visible in the surrounding areas of Belen, the Estancia Valley, Los Lunas, Manzano, Mountainair, Punta de Agua,

Severe Weather Statement for Torrance County

Severe Weather Statement for Torrance County

NOAA just issued the following severe weather statement at 13:26 MDT. 000 WWUS55 KABQ 261926 SVSABQ Severe Weather StatementNational Weather Service Albuquerque NM126 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 NMC001-049-057-262015- /O.CON.KABQ.SV.W.0091.000000T0000Z-230526T2015Z/ Santa Fe-Bernalillo-Torrance- 126 PM MDT Fri May 26 2023 ... A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

Town Council Addresses Real Estate Proposals, Sale of Fire Trucks, and Reinvestment of Municipal Funds

Town Council Addresses Real Estate Proposals, Sale of Fire Trucks, and Reinvestment of Municipal Funds

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Mountainair Town Council met for two sessions: the first was a special session addressing the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY2024) budget (this will be addressed separately). The second session was dedicated to regular matters. During the second session, Town Clerk Dennis Fulfer sought approval to

Fire Ban Leads Off Mountainair Town Council Meeting

The May 2, 2023 Mountainair Town Council Meeting began with a proclamation of drought conditions by Fire Chief Phillip Nelson. Mayor Peter Nieto submitted a declaration for town council approval restricting certain types of fires and fireworks based on Fire Chief Nelson's proclamation. The town council approved this

Medina Remains Missing After A Month

The direction of the investigation into Christopher Medina’s disappearance is unknown. There are no known suspects.

Volunteers Rescue Lost Hiker in Manzano Mountains

Volunteers Rescue Lost Hiker in Manzano Mountains

Torrance County Fire Chief Don Dirks looked at the graphical information system (GIS) display on his cellphone. “Right here,” he explained, pointing west of the entrance to Manzano Mountains State Park, off Forest Road 253, “is where his phone last pinged. Now his battery is down to nine percent.” Dirks

Mountainair Mayor Issues Day of Prayer Proclamation and Town Council Moves Forward on Real Estate Purchase

The April 18, 2023 town council meeting began with a discussion of replacing a pump that was operating poorly in Mountainair’s water system. Town Public Works head Edward “Popeye” Padilla concluded his briefing to the town council explaining that the department was also dealing with vandals damaging stop signs.

Mountainair Dispatch Files AG Complaint Against CoreCivic and Torrance County For Violation of Sunshine Laws

Torrance County claims it does not keep records of who it arrests. A Torrance County employee verified that these records are created for Torrance County by its contractor, CoreCivic. The Mountainair Dispatch has filed a complaint to gain access to these records.

Mountainair Hopes to Use Pay Increase to Attract Police

Gustin's Thief Pleads Out

Continued Culture War over Masks Leads to Arrest and Contempt Charge

Continued Culture War over Masks Leads to Arrest and Contempt Charge

“She was being defiant and obstinate and disrespectful to the judge,” Sheriff Frazee said of Estrada. “So I saw it with my own eyes. And so do I think she was contemptuous? Yes, I did. And he [Davis] found her in contempt. And I think it was the proper charge.”

County Commissioner Sam Schropp stands in front of a podium.

New County Commissioner, Big Plans

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