112 Articles in Central News
El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Road list approved

Socorro County commissioners approved the annual certified maintained mileage report for 2025 at their March 25 meeting. Read moreRoad list approved

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Prisoners to the wolf: Catron County reaches breaking point

Catron County is scheduled to hold a special meeting at 10 a.m. on April 3 to consider a resolution to declare an emergency due to the extreme continual injury an… Read morePrisoners to the wolf: Catron County reaches breaking point

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Mayor prepares to cut off county

At last week’s City of Socorro meeting, Mayor Ravi Bhasker announced he would prepare documents to formally request from the New Mexico Department of Transportati… Read moreMayor prepares to cut off county

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

County pays $2 million to inmate

Socorro County settled two million dollars in a lawsuit for the alleged civil and constitutional rights violation of Jessie Chavez, an inmate at the Socorro Count… Read moreCounty pays $2 million to inmate

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Ungelbah Dávila| Staff Reporter

America’s Job Center offers help to jobseekers

On Thursday, March 13, a crowd gathered at the Socorro County Annex Building to celebrate the opening of the region’s new America’s Job Center office. Guests were… Read moreAmerica’s Job Center offers help to jobseekers

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Veterans, elected officials and county roads discussed at meeting

At the March 11 Socorro County meeting, Julie Griego, county assessor, recommended that veterans check their notice values, scheduled to be mailed out on April 1,… Read moreVeterans, elected officials and county roads discussed at meeting

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

HIGH FIRE RISK: Structure fires continue

In the early hours of February 28, Trisha Lopez was awakened by her six-month-old puppy barking. When she and her husband, Alvaro Lopez, went outside to investiga… Read moreHIGH FIRE RISK: Structure fires continue

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Ungelbah Dávila | Staff Reporter

Housing applications open: Vista de Socorro slated to open in May

It’s been a year and some change since ground broke on a new affordable housing project in Socorro. According to El Camino Real Housing Authority Executive Director Mary Ann Chavez-Lopez, the new Vista de Socorro is a 32-unit apartment comple…

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Mayor rejects county offer

Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker told Socorro County Manager Andy Lotrich that there was no room for negotiation regarding the City’s request for the county to fund salaries for three EMS firefighter positions.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Spring clean for local parks

Thirty volunteers rolled up their sleeves on Saturday morning to clean up trash and make updates to Otero Park, Sandbar Park and Bosque Park.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

City reports on banking status

The banking status of Socorro City was discussed in last week’s meeting.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Emergency services in Socorro

The city council and mayor heard a presentation by Jason Everett last week at their regular meeting regarding fire and emergency services.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

In it for the long run, Quebradas scenic byway

As dawn broke on Saturday morning, a spirited group of 33 runners assembled on a mesa along the Quebradas Byway. They prepared to navigate 33 miles of rocky terrain, with stretches of sandy arroyos and ridgelines.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Friends pleased with new building

After experiencing multiple relocations throughout the years, the Socorro Friends of the Library (FOL) has proudly established a permanent home for their beloved bookstore in a spacious new building.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

The long and winding roads of Socorro County

Eight people spoke up during public comment at the Socorro County Commission meeting last Tuesday, concerned that their roads were going to be removed from the county road maintenance list.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Auto extrication: training for real life emergencies

On Saturday, members of the Fire Departments from Midway, North Socorro County, Magdalena, the Very Large Array (VLA), and Pie Town met at the Magdalena Fire Station for an auto extrication training exercise. This collaborative effort focused…

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: El Defensor Chieftain

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Phone, internet service outage in multiple counties

Socorro County experienced an outage of cell phone and internet service on February 12.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: James Yodice | Albuquerque Journal

Ocampo resigns as Socorro football coach

Socorro High School for many years has been one of New Mexico’s outstanding Class 3A football programs.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza | Editor

Derailed train was carrying sulfuric acid

At approximately 8:40 a.m. on February 13, Socorro County Fire Departments were dispatched to Hwy 116 in northern Socorro County in reference to a train derailment. The main concern of the seven-car derailment being three cars bearing sulfuric acid.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino

Police Blotter

January 8

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Teen grieves horse killed by wolves

Fifteen-year-old Taylor McQueen and her quarter horse, Pickles, shared a unique bond she fears she will never have again.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Staff Report

NMT responds to allegations

New Mexico Tech released the following statement in response to an article concerning its former president, Stephen Wells, filing a whistleblower lawsuit in which he alleges the university’s mismanagement of funds caused the loss of millions …

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Payments and proxies discussed at meeting

The County Livestock Loss Authority had their first meeting since the State Ethics Commission settlement last week at the Socorro County Annex I.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Catron County Judge suspended

Catron County’s Magistrate Judge, Hon. Susan E. Griffin has been temporarily suspended without pay effective immediately according to an order from the Supreme Court of New Mexico dated February 5.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Rufenacht guilty of manslaughter

Daniel Rufenacht of Magdalena was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter last week after a three-day jury trial.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Colleen Heild | Journal Investigative Reporter

Former NM Tech president files whistleblower lawsuit, claims resignation was forced

Stephen Wells is a geologist by profession, but after becoming president of one of the state’s most prestigious universities, the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, he became a financial sleuth.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Is there a water park in Socorro’s future?

Socorro Mayor Ravi Bhasker proposed the purchase of a property to develop a recreational water park.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Finley Gym is for the community

Every weekday, two friends meet at the Finley gym. Margie Montoya and Amalia Aragon believe their morning chats and workouts provide a great start to the day.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Haven’s contract will not be renewed

Magdalena School board voted not to renew Superintendent Dr. Glenn Haven’s contract on January 20. In a 3-2 vote, Board President Lynn Major, board members Rachel Montoya and Sharon Harris were against the renewal, with Kelby Stephens and Bre…

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

State Rep tour

Rebecca Dow (R), recently elected as the State Representative for District 38, has felt welcomed by the residents of Socorro County. As she explores the area, she has taken the time to meet and connect with community members, listening to the…

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Socorro Directory now in print

The 100% Socorro family service directory is now available in print. This free resource guide provides information about various services available in Socorro County, aiming to help families easily access the support they need.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Racing the winds: 69kv project is urgent

Socorro Electric Cooperative (SEC) held a members update meeting at Magdalena Schools on Thursday night, drawing in 50 attendees. Manuel Gonzales, SEC’s CEO, led a discussion on the Magdalena 69KV project, power outages and fiber.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Firefighting stipends get approval

Socorro County Board of Commissions had a reorganization meeting on January 14 in which they established resolutions on appointments and meeting rules.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

State Police investigating Polvadera homicide

On January 10th, 2025, New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents were called to 6 Sylvia Road in Polvadera to investigate a homicide. Sheriff Lee Armijo confirmed Socorro Sheriff’s office responded to the shooting.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Students promote school bus safety

During the City Council meeting on Monday, five students from Socorro were honored for their outstanding achievements in promoting bus safety with their impactful posters, that earned them first place in a recent competition.

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

Caught up in the web of “accidental” accidents

Last year I kept having these accidents. I accidentally traded two goats for five, somehow brought home a miniature donkey in a minivan, and said yes to another cat with super sad eyes. Two pigs showed up at my house on their own; I could see…

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

El Defensor Chieftain

by: Jessica Carranza Pino | Editor

CLLA and Ethics settle complaint

On December 10, three board members of the County Livestock Loss Authority reached an agreement following a civil action under the Governmental Conduct Act initiated by the New Mexico State Ethics Commission (NMSEC).

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:03AM

Valencia County Hospital gets its name

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Belen program hit by fed DEI cuts

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Bosque Farms has a new fire chief

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Belen firefighter adopts boy in Baby Box

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Thriving to Succeed at La Vida Felicidad

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Belen is working on its infrastructure

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Los Lunas approves updated zoning code

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Belen native retires from U.S. Navy

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Ruling to affect school calendars

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Camino Real Artist exhibit

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Local students win VFW contests

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Community DataBank: On the Agenda

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Community Databank: On the Agenda

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

I-25, N.M. 6 upgrades coming soon

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Fire destroys Belen home

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Homewise to help with home ownership

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Belen Schools achieve spotlight

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Los Lunas honored for its fiscal budget

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

ICAN program helps focus on nutrition

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

Man arrested with Claymore mine

Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

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Published: Thursday, April 03, 2025 07:04AM

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