Rio Rancho Observer

The Rio Rancho Observer is a community newspaper that is locally owned and managed. It focuses on providing quality news and information to the residents of Rio Rancho and Southern Sandoval County, adhering to the highest standards in both business and journalism.

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Sandoval County joins those most affected by measles with four recent cases

2 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Olivier Uyttebrouck

ALBUQUERQUE — Measles is edging into New Mexico’s largest metro area, with four cases reported in Sandoval County in the past week, health officials said. The new Sandoval County cases bring the state’s total to 76 confirmed illnesses, New Mexico Department of Health officials said Thursday at a news conference in Albuquerque. The first two Sandoval County cases were announced May 15. Health officials said at the time that those infected had traveled to sites in Albuquerque and the East Mountains.
New owners of indoor football team in New Mexico explore rebrand in preparation for 2026 season

2 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Sean Reider

ALBUQUERQUE — Indoor football will return to New Mexico next year — albeit with a couple major changes. After buying the Duke City Gladiators, new owners Mike Fietz and Bob Pitre are in the process of rebranding the Indoor Football League team. The team plans on announcing a new name and securing a venue over the summer before filling out the team's staff this fall.
CNM, Rio Rancho schools break ground on facility for automotive programming

2 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Kevin Opsahl

RIO RANCHO — RioTECH sophomore Lluvia Torres has worked on maintaining cars with her grandfather ever since she was little, she told a group of dignitaries May 22 from a podium just feet away from her school on Zenith Court, off of NM-528.
City of Vision’s postseason softball honorees

2 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Gary Herron

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho High School junior Lilyrose Larrabee and her senior teammate Aleah Alvarado were the Rams’ All-District first-team selections for the 2025 softball season, along with Cleveland High’s Danika Jaime, a freshman, and senior Amanda McKinley. Alvarado and McKinley garnered lifelong memories this spring: Alvarado clubbed four home runs in a single game, while McKinley socked two grand slams and drove in a school-record 10 runs in a game.
Matadors end Rams’ baseball run, 9-5

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Gary Herron

ALBUQUERQUE — A late-inning comeback wasn’t in the cards Friday afternoon for the Rio Rancho High School baseball team as their season ended with a 9-5 loss to Sandia in a Class 5A semifinal game at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness sports complex. A five-run fifth turned a deadlock at 4 into a 9-4 lead for the Matadors, who lost the 2013 championship game to the Rams. The second-seeded Rams (23-7) grabbed an early lead with three runs in the bottom of the first.
Storm fall just short of baseball semifinals

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Gary Herron

ALBUQUERQUE — Cleveland High School’s hopes of playing in the Class 5A championship for the second year in a row were derailed Thursday afternoon, when the Storm came out on the short end of an 8-7 battle with Eldorado. “Well, it was a good game,” Storm coach Shane Shallenberger said. “They scored one more run than we did.”It had been a seesaw affair, with the No. 4 Storm (20-10) clinging to a 6-5 lead going into the top of the seventh.
PNM bills to increase by roughly $12 in the next year

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Megan Gleason

Most New Mexicans’ monthly electricity bills will rise by roughly $12.50 within the next year. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission on Thursday approved a phased-in rate increase request from Public Service Company of New Mexico to help cover the costs of system expansions, including renewable energy equipment, and upgrading old equipment.
Bishop in charge of chess game behind the plate

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Gary Herron

RIO RANCHO – Why would a smart teenage baseball player want to be the catcher? After all, the mask, shin guards and chest protector have long been called the “tools of ignorance.”Cleveland High’s senior catcher, Owen “Opie” Bishop, says he likes the challenge and necessary leadership skills a catcher needs to help his team. “I like being involved.
Rams baseball team advances to semifinals

3 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Gary Herron

ALBUQUERQUE — The Rio Rancho High School baseball team beat Centennial 5-3 Thursday morning to advance into a 4 p.m. Friday semifinal at the Jennifer Riordan Spark Kindness sports complex. The Rams (23-6) got an RBI-single from junior second baseman Alex Gallegos to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth, and junior shortstop Wyatt Tinker added an RBI double to make it 5-3. Sophomore Logan Sunstrom pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. The Rams took the lead in the third.
Freedman Group acquires RR'S Lectrosonics with plans for heavy investment

4 weeks ago | rrobserver.com | Tracy Goldizen

RIO RANCHO — Lectrosonics, a manufacturer of professional wireless systems headquartered in Rio Rancho, is getting new ownership that comes with heavy investment in the company, including ramped-up production, pay raises, new staff and plans for expansion. On Thursday, the Freedman Group announced the purchase at a gathering at Hotel Chaco. It is the parent company of RØDE, Mackie, Aphex, SoundField and Event Electronics, Aphex Event Electronics and Crate guitar amplifiers.