Michaela Helean

Staff Writer at Rio Rancho Observer

Journalism is the first rough draft of history-Philip Graham

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Articles

Bases loaded with family, friends and baseball players for Owen Pagano Vigil

2 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

RIO RANCHO — The west diamond at Cibola Little League's baseball fields was full of people as dusk fell April 9. It wasn't for a rambunctious Little League game, though. It was a vigil for Owen Pagano, a 16-year-old and former baseball player who died in a Cochiti Lake boating accident. A crowd of baseball friends of all ages, high schoolers, friends and family surrounded the Pagano family, which huddled on the pitching mound in the center of the baseball diamond.
RRPD arrest records: Feb. 2-22

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

Christopher Urioste, 54, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for shoplifting at Walmart on Unser Boulevard. Michael Marin, 23, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for aggravated DWI/DUI (refused testing) and careless driving at Unser and Westside boulevards.
Gilman Tunnels, other Jemez sites near re-opening

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

JEMEZ — The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service announced April 1 that the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) Jemez Ranger District is in the process of reopening roads and recreation sites. “We understand that SFNF lands are important to local communities and visitors for recreation and enjoyment, and we are working to reopen areas as conditions allow,” said SFNF Jemez District Ranger Jeremy Golston in a release.
County confirms teen pulled from Cochiti Lake, pronounced dead

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

COCHITI LAKE — A teen was declared dead after being pulled from the waters of Cochiti Lake March 29. Sandoval County Sheriff's Office, a responding agent to the drowning, stated that deputies were sent to the lake around 7 a.m. to a possible drowning and attempted to save the teen's life. "Crews were attempting to conduct a rescue operation for a 16-year-old last seen in the water with a friend who was able to make it back to shore.
SSCAFCA nears end of flood control project along Unser

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

RIO RANCHO — Construction has taken over the Unser Boulevard corridor and it might be difficult for residents to know which construction is which with big talk around the soon-to-open Market Street, The Village project it is part of, AND more resources for families with patients at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center. There is, however, a plot under construction that has nothing to do — but also everything to do — with development in that area.
Tesla protests continue at Santa Ana location

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

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Cherry to re-open 5 p.m.

4 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

Cherry Road will re-open March 28 after a sinkhole closed it March 23. "Cherry Rd between Penasco Rd and Unser Frontage will re-open in both directions at 5 p.m. today, March 28th," it reads in a social media post by the city of Rio Rancho. The water main break that caused the sinkhole was repaired March 24. When the sinkhole occurred, a Rio Rancho Police Department officer vehicle fell into it. The vehicle was badly damaged but the officer was unharmed.
Cherry re-opened after five day sinkhole repair

4 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

Cherry Road re-opened March 28 after a sinkhole closed it March 23. "Cherry Rd between Penasco Rd and Unser Frontage will re-open in both directions at 5 p.m. today, March 28th," it reads in a social media post by the city of Rio Rancho. The water main break that caused the sinkhole was repaired March 24. When the sinkhole occurred, a Rio Rancho Police Department officer vehicle fell into it. The vehicle was badly damaged but the officer was unharmed.
Junior Treasurers graduate Sandoval County program

4 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

BERNALILLO — The Sandoval County Treasurer's office has molded two more young minds for the community during the second year of its Junior Treasurer program. Treasurer Jennifer Taylor announced that ASK Academy Junior Giavanna Almanzar and Rio Rancho High School Senior Mario Templeton graduated the program at the March 26 county commission meeting.
28 yo missing from RR found

4 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Michaela Helean

Update March 29 9 a.m.- State Police confirmed Saturday morning Baker was found and is safe. Rio Rancho Police Department confirmed March 28 at around 2 p.m. that a 28 year-old woman is missing and endangered. Mercedes Baker, 28, of Rio Rancho, is about five foot with brown hair and eyes. "She was last seen in Rio Rancho around 9 a.m. on March 28, 2025. She is driving a 2005 silver Honda car with NM license plate AGRK17," it reads in a New Mexico State Police post.