Rio Grande Sun

The Rio Grande Sun is a weekly publication based in Espanola, New Mexico.

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Autopsy, toxicology reports reveal fentanyl, alcohol in sheriff's system

21 hours ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield died from an overdose of the synthetic opiate fentanyl and alcohol, according to autopsy and toxicology reports just released. Both alcohol and fentanyl are depressants. Merrifield, 50, was found outside, near his Abiquiú Lake home in his patrol car on April 20. In a press release, Sheriff Lorenzo Aguilar wrote that he was profoundly disappointed and concerned about the autopsy findings.
Hearing Set for Wednesday in Shooting Case

4 days ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Prosecutors are asking that Ricky Romero, accused of fatally shooting his father, April 20, in Truchas, be held without bail pending trial on a charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutor Kent Wahlquist wrote in the April 28 motion that the evidence against Romero, 18, is strong, as he admitted to New Mexico State Police investigators that he killed his father. Romero has no prior criminal record. A combined preliminary and dangerousness hearing is set for Wednesday (5/7) in Tierra Amarilla.
Meal with Wheels: Perfection is Peanut Butter and Chocolate

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

As we head into summer and the accompanying party season, it’s nice to have a few extra recipes on hand for baked goods that can sit out in the heat and not spoil, unlike so many other goods brought to a cookout. While I’ve written about brownies before (less sugar with a mixture of dark and regular cocoa powder), I’m always looking for a new spin.
Man Allegedly Beaten for Money Owed

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Two men are wanted on warrants for allegedly beating a man over a debt and breaking his teeth with a rifle while a third man was arrested in mid-April on a warrant. Española City Police have charged three men for allegedly luring another man to a house and bashing in his teeth with the “AR-style” rifle in a plan to either steal from him or collect a debt.
Staying Close to Home Has Been Dominguez’s Priority

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Glen Rosales

While basketball has taken Mike Dominguez across the country and even south to Mexico, staying close to home and family was a huge priority for the former New Mexico Highlands men’s basketball coach. So when Northern New Mexico College came calling looking for a coach, it was quite serendipitous. “It was a perfect storm kind of deal,” he said. “It opened up at the same time (as leaving Highlands).
Hundreds Attend Sheriff Billy Merrifield's Memorial

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Jennifer Garcia |Jennifer García

Rio Arriba County's Top Law Enforcement Official Was Laid to Rest Thursday in ChimayóThe mood was somber and the Edward Medina Gymnasium unusually quiet as people filed in on April 29, to pay their respects to Rio Arriba County Sheriff Billy Merrifield. Hundreds of family members, friends and colleagues filled the bleachers for his memorial service.
Trojans Headed to Class 2A Track Meet

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Glen Rosales

It’s been quite some time since the Mesa Vista boys were able to stake a claim as district track and field champions. So long, in fact, that coach Ben Sandoval Jr., was a freshman on that 2009 team and his dad, Ben Sandoval Sr., was the head coach. But the result of that effort is the Trojans will be loaded for the Class 2A New Mexico meet Friday and Saturday at The University of New Mexico Track and Soccer Complex. “The last time we qualified in this many was in 2009,” Sandoval Jr. said.
Mandy Montoya Comes Home Again

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Glen Rosales

Mandy Montoya is coming home again, but this time she’s the one in charge. Montoya, 39, was recently tapped as the new Northern New Mexico College women’s basketball coach. It’s her second go-round at the school, after she was the associate head coach from 2015-19. Montoya, who is from Española, earned an undergrad degree from New Mexico Highlands University and a master’s at Eastern New Mexico University.
Man Released After Allegedly Stabbing 5

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Nicholas Roybal-Martinez, of Medanales, has been ordered to report to pre-trial services A Medanales man who went on an alleged stabbing spree on April 22 in Española, attacking five people with a knife, fleeing the scene and then found hiding under a dog kennel, has been released on his own recognizance. Rio Arriba Magistrate Judge Alexandra Naranjo released Nicholas Roybal-Martinez, 31, on April 23 and ordered him to report to pre-trial services.
Nothing is Slowing Arcenio Mtz. Down

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Glen Rosales

EVHS junior got into baseball during COVID, while watching it on TVLeroy Salazar gets emotional every time he sees his great-grandson Arcenio Rey Mtz. take the field for the Española Valley junior varsity baseball team. “It’s fabulous,” he says. “I get tears in my eyes.” Mtz., a junior, has autism, but that hasn’t curbed his appetite for sports. He also bowls in the Special Olympics and plays Smash Brothers for the Sundevils E-Sports team. But baseball is something special.