By Wheeler CowperthwaiteSpecial to the SUN One day after a New Mexico State Police officer charged a Medanales man with involuntary manslaughter for fatally striking a pedestrian Nov. 10, 2025 on State Road 68 near the Ohkay Casino, prosecutors dismissed the charge without prejudice. Since the charge against Sean Dixon,

By Wheeler CowperthwaiteSpecial to the SUN After allegedly fatally shooting his neighbor in 2023 following an argument, then being transferred to the Los Lunas prison because his health was in “significant decline,” Ray Martinez’s murder case is on pause after his competency was raised. His case was set to go

By Miles Barth SUN Staff Writer Award recognizes excellence and authenticity in cuisine Through tears, Lupita Maldonado told the crowd gathered at La Fonda Del Sol on Aug. 14 that despite the challenges she and her husband, JR Maldonado, faced operating their restaurant, they’ve connected with diners because of the

By Cadie CarrilloSpecial to the SUN Española Public Schools interim superintendent Dr. Karen Griego Sanchez will remain at the helm through the 2026-27 school year, as the District begins a $216,010 examination of its finances and operations and prepares for another superintendent search next spring. The Board of Education announced

It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Karen Layla Martinez on July 30th, 2026. Karen was a loving wife, a cherished daughter, grandmother and a treasured aunt. Above all she was loved. Her sudden passing has left an immeasurable void in our hearts while

By Wheeler CowperthwaiteSpecial to the SUN The City of Española settled a lawsuit for $99,000, alleging it censored and retaliated against one of its critics, who runs a Facebook group. The city settled the lawsuit Aug. 7 with Cynthia Lentini, after she accused city officials of retaliating against her for

Every community has its complaints. We talk about corruption. Favoritism. Nepotism. Toxic workplaces. Retaliation. Political division. We shake our heads and wonder why nothing ever seems to change. But there is a question we rarely ask ourselves: What role do I play? Not just elected officials. Not just government employees

Andreita Romero, 95 a longtime resident of Espanola, NM, passed away on August 10th, 2026. Andreita was born on May 26th, 1931, to Frank and Debari Rodriquez. She loved serving her community as a manager at both Lotaburger and Dandy Burgers. She is survived by her sister Alice Wheeler (Tony),

Albert (Bert) Freddie Vigil Jr, of Chimayo was called home, by our Lord God on August 10, 2026. Bert had a profound love for his family or as Bert would say, “Amor”, which meant Bert he would protect his loved ones at all costs. Bert was an avid outdoors man

By Sherry RobinsonAll She Wrote Big black headlines, usually reserved for natural disasters or political upsets, announced, “Sheryl Williams Stapleton found guilty on all counts.” We could see it coming. When the best defense your lawyer can come up with is that you stole from your co-defendant and not taxpayers,

Cal ThomasTribune Content Agency “We are the United States of America and there is nothing we can’t do if we do it together.” ­— President Joe Biden I am not in the habit of favorably quoting the former president, but he was right when he said this. Why, then, are

By Cardie CarrilloSpecial the to SUN Students at two schools in the Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools district were released early Aug. 13 for what interim superintendent Esmeralda Valdez described publicly as “unforeseen maintenance issues.” Meanwhile, questions persist about the district’s water system, a documented history of water quality and infrastructure

By Glen RosalesSpecial to the SUN There is a certain amount of local reverence attached to the name Dusty Giles. As the Escalante football coach, Giles turned the Lobos into a powerhouse, winning three Class 2A state championships in a span of four years, and also taking Escalante and Jal

By Glen RosalesSpecial to the SUN Now that Escalante has successfully completed its transition to eight-man football, a new head coach is looking to help the Lobos take the next step forward. Coach Billy Laminack said he’s ready for the job, even though Escalate lost a significant amount of talent

By Glen RosalesSpecial to the SUN Although this is her first high school head coaching gig, local volleyball enthusiasts should be quite familiar with new Española Valley coach Germayne Gurule. She coached for 12 years at Carlos F. Vigil Middle School, covering volleyball and basketball. She’s also coached local club

By Glen RosalesSpecial to the SUN All things considered, the Coronado High School volleyball team had a strong season to build on in coach Jaylenne Jacquez’s first year at the helm. The Lady Leopards’ six wins nearly equaled the total from the prior two seasons combined. And the team lost

The Northern landrace chile cultivars are beginning to appear at local Farmers Markets and street-side vendors. This is what many of us eagerly wait for every late summer. That mouthwatering aroma of the first roasting and the first taste of lightly, sweet, fruity flavor bursting with freshness is an unforgettable

By Miles Barth SUN Staff Writer After reluctantly giving in to their guardian’s insistence that they wear sunscreen, Española students rushed to jump into the Ranchitos pool, shoot baskets with friends and practice their swim technique during the City of Española’s Splash Bash Aug. 4 at the Penny Garcia Roybal

The police blotter is published to give readers an abridged look at criminal activity in their community and neighborhood. It is simply an illustration of what local law enforcement, funded by taxpayers, must deal with daily throughout the Española Valley. Española Police officers, Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police, Rio Arriba County

By Miles Barth SUN Staff Writer Cameron Martinez will be honored for years to come at Northern New Mexico College, as the school began development of “Cameron’s Place,” a new outdoor amphitheater named in remembrance of him. Family, friends, community leaders and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham attended the Monday morning

By Wheeler CowperthwaiteSpecial to the SUN A former Ohkay Owingeh police officer who pleaded guilty in a case where he tipped off a suspected drug dealer, has withdrawn his guilty plea because the charge could have resulted in an appeal. Instead of sentencing Justin Aguino to an agreed-upon sentence of

Items for Northern Briefs may be submitted by sending them to jgarcia@riograndesun.com Submissions must be received no later than noon Monday for publication that week. Española Public Library The Española Public Library will show “The Sheep Detective” on Friday (8/14) as the Movie in the Afternoon, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

A hopeless romantic with a heart as big as his ginormous ears, Lensky is both poet and playmate. Named for a character in the Santa Fe Opera’s production of “Eugene Onegin,” he’s earnest, loyal and full of youthful passion. This little Lensky may not write sonnets, but he’ll happily follow

By Wheeler Cowperthwaite Special to the SUN Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Vallecitos man after he allegedly threatened a store clerk with a rifle after refusing to sell him alcohol. Deputy John Greene arrested Louie Torrez, 59, on July 9 after finding him just down the road from

By Wheeler CowperthwaiteSpecial to the SUN A Rio Arriba jury convicted a Santa Fe man guilty of misdemeanor battery charges after a five-day trial. Jurors convicted Jerdarious Raphealito, 26, on July 29, on four counts of battery against a household member and one count of resisting arrest. The battery against