Fall is upon us and many of the accompanying smells and fragrances make it so memorable. Nothing smells like the clean, freshly-washed, ozone-tinged fresh air after a brisk rain shower. The rain cleanses the air of dust, smoke, pollen and many other airborne particles to reboot it as nature intended.

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

Prosecutors are seeking to have an Española man held without bail pending trial on a charge of unlawful taking of vehicle. He’s accused of crashing head-on into a tribal police officer’s cruiser and leading police on a foot chase in which they shot him twice with a stun gun. Rio

A Rio Arriba grand jury indicted a Zuni woman on six charges after a stop to check on a couple turned into a warrant arrest and then into an alleged fight. The grand jury indicted Kristi Waatsa, 27, on four counts of battery on an officer and one count each

(Photo by Derek Medina/House of Medina Images) The Española Valley High School Lady Sundevils congratulate the Capital High School Lady Jaguars after their 3-1 victory Sept. 21 at Edward Medina Gymnasium.

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 host a Dungeons and Dragons Experience from 3-7 p.m. Friday (9/25). Whether you’re brand new or curious

Leopoldo Trujillo (88) passed peacefully and surrounded by his family on Thursday September 10, 2026. Leopoldo was born on April 3, 1938, to Maria and Nestor Trujillo. He shared 61 years of marriage with his beloved Dora, and together they raised three children. Leopoldo was a devout catholic, who together

David J. Marquez was accepted into his Eternal Father’s presence on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He had family at his bedside when he made the final transition, after a period of declining health. He was born in Artesia, NM to parents Joe P. Marquez and Belen Granado Marquez. The family

Elizabeth Liz Baca August 20, 1951 – September 10, 2026 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Elizabeth “Liz” Baca, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Liz was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a woman

Dennis Barela, 34, a resident of Chimayo, NM, passed away unexpectedly on September 11, 2026. Dennis enjoyed hunting and fishing, lowrider events, family gatherings and attending his daughters’ sporting & school events he loved being a dad. Dennis was preceded in death by his father Ricky Barela Sr, mother Darlene

Gabina “Gabinita” Madrid 10.26.1924 – 9.15.2026 Gabina Madrid, our cherished matriarch, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Canjilon, New Mexico, she carried her hometown in her heart throughout her 101 years of life. Gabina was known for her warm, generous spirit. She

Edward Stanley Henderson, II August 4, 1944 – August 25, 2026 Ed Henderson died August 25, 2026, in his home in Española, New Mexico, from brain injuries sustained in a fall. Ed was born August 4, 1944, in Albion, Michigan, and moved to New Mexico in 1991. He worked as

Arturo H. Sisneros Arturo H. Sisneros, 81, of El Rito, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2026. Born on July 2, 1945, he graduated from Northern New Mexico Normal School in 1964 and proudly served 21 years in the United States Army, including service in the

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Susie Martha Trujillo, age 80, of Jacona, New Mexico, who passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Susie was known for her kindness, faith, generosity, sense of humor, and deep love for her family.

The Española Valley Fiesta Council voted Sept. 20, to remove Adam Lee Enciñas, 20, as vice president, after he was charged with three domestic violence counts, including false imprisonment, a fourth degree felony. Debra Archuleta Maestas, the secretary of the Española Valley Fiesta Corporation executive board, told the Santa Fe

Early enrollment figures for the 2026-27 School Year show student populations continue to shift across Rio Arriba County, with some districts posting modest gains while others are beginning the year below enrollment levels reported last school year. Current enrollment information from the county’s five public school districts, following a May

By Paul Gessing This November New Mexico voters will be vote on a constitutional amendment to pay each of the State’s 112 legislators an annual salary of just under $68,000 annually with that rate to rise with inflation in the future. New Mexico’s Legislature is said to be the only

Is altruism dead? Can we do things for the sake of others without taking ourselves into account? Is there such a thing as a completely unselfish act? Striving to produce a better world or even simply attempting to improve myself has driven home the question of selflessness lately. Those questions

It’s back to a full slate of games for the local football teams as the season heads into its second half. Española Valley vs. Bloomfield 7 p.m. Thursday The schedule-makers did the Sundevils (3-1, 2-0 in District 1-4A) few favors this week, giving them a short week with a Thursday

Even in mid-season, a tournament victory is one to savor and Mesa Vista did just that by earning the big trophy in the silver bracket of Cimarron’s Anna Archuleta Memorial Tournament. Volleyball Sept. 15 Pojoaque Valley 3, Española Valley 2 It’s no surprise that these rivals went down to the

In a week with few games, one local football team made a bit of a statement with a big road win, while the other schools struggled. Española Valley 64, Del Norte 14 In what is becoming something of a habit, Sundevils do-it-all Benny Trujillo did it again. Nine carries for

After his friends encouraged him to play football, Ivan Aragon gave it a whirl — and the McCurdy senior took to the game. So much, in fact, that Aragon now has an offer to play in college at Bethel, an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school in North Newton, Kansas.

The Rio Arriba Sheriff’s Office has four vacant deputy positions to fill and for the past month, the major position has also been vacant. Former major Matthew Gallegos left the department effective Aug. 2 to become the deputy jail administrator at the Rio Arriba County Detention Center in Tierra Amarilla.

A Chimayó man, deemed one of the “worst of the worst” by federal prosecutors, is suing Rio Arriba County for inhumane conditions in the Tierra Amarilla Detention Center and a beating he received that he claims could have been avoided. Felix Lewis, 45, filed the lawsuit Sept. 9 against Rio

(Courtesy Photo) Heavy rain last week caused flooding on various streets in and around Española. It also turned the 7Brew parking lot into a shallow wading pool, though the water didn’t deter some customers.