Rio Grande Sun

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

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Man Kicking Up Dirt Interrupts Mid-Day Reading

2 days ago | riograndesun.com | Jennifer Garcia |Jennifer García

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 Sheriff’s deputies or State Police responded to the following calls: Don’t shoot FidoMay 155:45 a.m. A break-in was reported at Treasures of Enchantment Thrift Store.
Police Blotter: Thou Shall Not Pass the EVHS Gates

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

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 Sheriff’s deputies or State Police responded to the following calls: Day for domesticsMay 812:50 a.m. A vehicle hit a deer in Chama and started on fire.
Competency Raised at Romero’s Hearing

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Ricky Romero, charged with first degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting his father April 20 in Truchas, had the question of his competency raised one day ahead of a planned hearing to see if he is a danger to the community. The motion to determine competency was presumably filed by Romero’s attorney, but court records only show that the competency motion was filed on May 7.
Woman Accused of Harboring ‘Pajaro’ Takes Plea Deal

1 week ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

The woman initially charged with harboring a felon, after she was spotted driving around with a man wanted on a warrant, at the time for murder, took a plea deal for a misdemeanor. Leticia Doherty, also known as Leticia Atencio, 42, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in January, receiving 182 days of probation and 20 hours of community service. That plea was a step down from the charge she initially faced of harboring a felon.
Jicarilla Officer Accused of Raping Son, Abusing Daughter

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

A Jicarilla Apache Nation tribal police officer has been charged with allegedly raping her prepubescent son and physically abusing one of her two daughters. FBI agents charged Lory Muniz, 48, with aggravated sexual abuse and abuse of a child on April 17.
Police Blotter: Even Fido Disagrees With Owner’s Driving

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Jennifer Garcia |Jennifer García

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.
OMI Reports Reveal Sheriff’s Cause of Death

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Rio Arriba Sheriff Billy Merrifield died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl and alcohol, according to autopsy and toxicology reports released on May 15. Merrifield, 50, had a blood-alcohol level of 0.07, just below the legal per se limit for someone to be convicted of drunk driving.
Father’s Charges Dropped After Infant Overdoses on Fentanyl

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

Child abuse charges against a man accused of allowing his infant child to overdose on fentanyl before the child was revived have been dropped by prosecutors as part of an agreement in a district court case. Prosecutors dismissed the magistrate court case against Matthew Padilla, 34, of Española, on May 12. Prosecutor Kimberly Weston wrote that the case against him was being dismissed “as part of an agreement to resolve a probation violation” in a separate case.
Shooting Victim Sues County and Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Wheeler Cowperthwaite

The Native American activist shot during the 2023 protest over the placement of the Juan de Oñate statue at the Rio Arriba County complex is suing the Sheriff’s Office and the county for failing to protect the people there. Jacob Johns filed the lawsuit on May 12, through his attorney Mariel Nanasi. Nanasi filed a second lawsuit the same day on behalf of another protester, Malaya Corrine Peixinho, 23.
Athletes Choose Track Meet Over Graduation

2 weeks ago | riograndesun.com | Glen Rosales

ALBUQUERQUE — Pojoaque Valley seniors Mikayla Calabaza and Steven Dolcine recently faced a tough choice: walk across the stage Saturday morning with their fellow graduates to collect their high school diplomas or compete in the sport they love in one last attempt to grab state gold. While many of their teammates opted for the former, Calabaza and Dolcine were at the New Mexico state track and field meet at The University of New Mexico Track and Soccer Complex.