Northern New Mexico Independent

12/04/2023

Chama man charged with felony assault on a police officer for his part in January 6.

Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Columbia FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, April 12, 2023 New Mexico Man Arrested on Felony Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Defendant Accused of Assaulting Officer and Entering the U.S. Capitol WASHINGTON — A New Mexico man...

18/07/2022

This is deeply saddening.

According to a release from New Mexico State Police late last night:

"The 8 year old female victim was located deceased and it was learned she was non-native so NMSP has taken over as primary investigating agency.

She was located by the NMSP dive team at about 10:00 pm tonight. She was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Preliminary investigation indicates the drowning was accidental, and there appears to be no foul play NMSP will not be identifying the victim or family. "

Española Firefighters out at San Juan lakes for possible drowning....
Please hold your little ones closer tonight and pray for the family!

15/06/2022

Have a criminal record in New Mexico? Want to get it wiped clean? Do you qualify?

07/04/2022

It's the end of an era for the Sun.

https://www.sfreporter.com/news/2022/04/06/gop-media-gambit/

High-profile Republicans, oil barons form investment group to purchase Española’s ‘Rio Grande SUN’ newspaper

05/04/2022

Just received from the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office.

County Management will be present to hear citizen concerns and ideas.

All meetings will be from 6-8 pm.

30/03/2022

Tomorrow will be Police Chief Roger Jimenez's last day with the city. The following is an excerpt from a letter he sent to city employees today:

I just wanted to write a few lines to thank all of you for the support for our Public Safety Department.

These past four years have been challenging, but we have met the challenges with skill and professionalism.

Dealing with a global health pandemic, the rise nationwide of homelessness, George Floyd incident, and the flooding of Fentanyl,
has crippled some agencies. Just one of those significant events could cripple an agency. We rose above it and not only succeeded, but excelled!

I could not have the motivation to excel, if it were not for the unwavering support of Mayor Javier Sanchez, Deputy Chief Jack Jones and all the staff within The City of Española. I wish I had enough time to list you all by name, but please know you all were vital to our success.

The foundation has been set for Española to be the epicenter of premier law enforcement training mixed with community policing. I have never seen such a committed group of professionals to one city. Please continue to support our first responders who provide the blanket of safety for the Valley. Get out and go on a ride along with our officers to truly understand and appreciate what they do.

To Mayor-Elect and City Council new and old - It has been an honor and privilege working with all of you. We may not have agreed but I guarantee you one thing, you knew I was going to do the right thing for the community. I know that sentiment will stick around with our officers and police administrators. Please have the courage and integrity to support them.

23/03/2022

Today!

22/03/2022

Just received via the Inspection of Public Records Act in regards to the most recent Municipal Election. This email was sent to the Secretary of State by individuals at the city.

These are actual screenshots of the email.

02/03/2022

Voters have decided: John Ramon Vigil will be the new mayor of Española.

Less than 2,000 votes were cast for either Sanchez or Vigil, indicating that roughly 80% of the people in the city didn't vote at all.

That's 2,000 people deciding what's best for the 10,000 people in Española. Voter turnout has been comparably low for the past several election cycles.

27/02/2022

This might be helpful:
https://searchlightnm.org/pandemic-death-benefits-going-unused/

A federal program covers funeral costs for COVID-19 victims, but few New Mexicans are applying

19/02/2022

Every home in New Mexico is eligible to order free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests. Ordering is fast and simple. Millions are available to ship directly, and pick up is also an option!

Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.

Visit findatestnm.org

18/02/2022

15/02/2022

03/02/2022

We're hearing reports that some municipal election candidates are already out driving folks to the polls.

We think that's fantastic, however, if those candidates are offering alcoholic refreshments, or accompanying people into the polling place and guiding their votes, those things are illegal.

If you have been approached by anyone or promised anything in exchange for voting, please send us a message, we want to hear from you!

03/02/2022

Received a call from an Española citizen asking for more information about Joseph Madrid who is running for the Española Municipal Judge position. Here's a link to his campaign page. And some of his campaign material.

https://www.facebook.com/JosephWMadridForEspanolaMunicipalJudge

Early voting is ongoing within the city of Española and the Municipal judge position carries with it a great deal of responsibility.

Madrid's father is also a judge, at the county level.

27/01/2022

Two years ago, the Rio Grande Sun reported that the Law Enforcement Academy wasn't tracking police training. Attorney General Hector Balderas asked for an audit in September 2019.

There has been no audit. So, The Paper. took a look at the records and found most police are woefully short on training or reporting to the state.

Española Police Department Chief Roger Jimenez said his department has been providing training for other departments in Northern New Mexico, because the Law Enforcement Academy is not.

New Mexico law enforcement is required to receive dozens of hours of additional training every two years in order to keep their certification. But who

27/01/2022

More details.

Representative Roger E. Montoya Issues Statement on Car Accident this Morning:
“I am Thankful for Our Brave First Responders”

VELARDE, NM - Early this morning, Representative Roger E. Montoya (D-Velarde) was in a single vehicle car crash while heading south bound on US-84/285, near Alcalde. He was on his way to the New Mexico State Capitol for the legislative session when he hit a patch of ice, causing his truck to spin out of control and flip twice before resting at the bottom of an embankment.

“It happened very quickly and was a violent experience,” said Rep. Montoya. “I was driving, hit a patch of ice, and the next thing I knew, I was flying through a fence and my truck was rolling. I was trapped inside my truck for nearly 35 minutes until our brave first responders cut my windshield and pulled me to safety.”

Rep. Montoya was transported to Española Presbyterian Hospital where he received superior care from their wonderful medical team. He was released a few hours later.

“The Representative is currently experiencing debilitating hip pain and is at home resting,'' said his Chief of Staff, Isaac Dakota Casados. “He will require careful monitoring over the next week, but hopes to return to the Roundhouse as soon as possible to champion his landmark rural infrastructure bill.”

“I am thankful to our brave first responders, the New Mexico State Police, our volunteer fire departments, EMS services, the Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Department, tribal police, residents Harold and Pam Salazar, and concerned neighbors who provided aid,” said Montoya. “Our first responders are critical to public health and safety. It is deeply concerning that too many of these responders are severely underpaid or have to donate their time due to funding shortages. As a legislator, I am committed to bridging this inequity and elevating their voices for a future career pathway.”

Rep. Montoya is thankful for the outpouring of support and well wishes.

# # #

26/01/2022

25/01/2022

327 news cases in Rio Arriba over the weekend.

929 in Santa Fe County.

148 in Taos.

Please be safe.

04/01/2022

168 new cases in Rio Arriba. 87 in Taos.

30/12/2021

29/12/2021

Is your bus service going to be limited? Public comment is open

15/12/2021

14/12/2021

The following information is posted on behalf of the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation:

12.13.21 - The Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying remains found in a rural area near Red Mesa, Arizona on March 20, 2021.
The male individual did not have identification and was found wearing a light-colored shirt, belt, light-colored cargo-style pants, and black “BRAHMA” brand slip and oil-resistant boots.

If you have any information -or- if you think you may know the identity of this individual, please call the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation at 505-368-1300 or the Navajo Police Department at 505-368-1350/1351. Please reference Log # 02-21-011891

07/12/2021

Jody Rufino "Mono" Martinez, of Truchas, who was involved in a romantic relationship with a Rio Arriba County Jail employee during his imprisonment there has been sentenced to life in a federal prison.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/snm-gang-member-sentenced-life-prison-murder-racketeering-and-firearm-possession

Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, December 3, 2021 SNM gang member sentenced to life in prison for murder, racketeering and firearm possession ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –Jody Rufino “Mono” Martinez, 42, of Truchas, New Mexico, was sente...