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Editor’s note: This is the first in a four-part series highlighting the 2025 news of Rio Rancho and Sandoval County.
January
- A Rio Rancho woman, Darlene Valencia-Dean, 45, was arrested for the murder of her wife. Valencia-Dean, who awaits trial, allegedly killed her with a shotgun.
- Vandals destroyed the memorial of Adrian Maestas, a murdered Rio Rancho teen. The case is still open and unresolved.
- The local teacher's union, Rio Rancho School Employees Union, gave out nearly 30,000 books to local kids. The initiative was backed by the Rio Rancho Police and Fire departments.
- Local governments and legislators outlined priorities for the upcoming session.
- Rio Rancho Elementary School was out for days due to a gas leak. Students did not return for another week.
- A Martin Luther King Jr. historian visited Rio Rancho's St. Thomas Aquinas for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He shared King's experiences as well as his own.
- Puesta Del Sol, which was under threat for permanent closure, was allowed to stay open. The issue prompted public comment and petitions in support of keeping it open.
- Life Church, located near Loma Colorado, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Rio Rancho.
- Henry Cardana, a caretaker of a woman in Rio Rancho, was sentenced for her killing. Due to the extenuating circumstances Cardana was under at the time, his charge was brought down to manslaughter, and he received a six-year sentence.
- Cleveland Girls wrestling took the district title while the boys team took second behind Volcano Vista.
- U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury visited Avamere Rio Rancho to discuss health care. At the time, a federal funding freeze, which impacted health care, was the main concern.
- Rio Rancho City Council voted on the disputed topic of short-term rentals in the city for the second time in 100 days.
George Wilson address the Rio Rancho City Council concerning short-term rentals.
February
- Rio Rancho High School's bowling team earned second place in the NMAA State Bowling Championship.
- Local entities shared their plan for immigration enforcement. The city and county were to follow law enforcement guidance, and Rio Rancho Public Schools prioritized a safe learning environment.
- Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue was faced with a lawsuit by a former female firefighter claiming sexism, retaliation and harassment.
- An environmentalist group confronted Intel about layoffs, environmental impact and more during a webinar.
- Twelve Rio Rancho Public Schools athletes signed on with colleges.
- Hot air balloon crews took flight for a Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally and in remembrance of a crew member that passed.
- A Rio Rancho High School alum spoke to the Legislature about House Bill 73, which extended the timeline for sexual assault victim reports. The bill aimed at eliminating the statute of limitations.
- A man who taunted police to shoot him was shot in Enchanted Hills. He did not have a weapon, even though he claimed he did.
- A large solar and battery storage investment went online in Rio Rancho in the far reaches of the city near Double Eagle Air Port.
- Both of Rio Rancho's high schools qualified for wrestling state championships. The Cleveland girls won the title.
- Charlie Vause, a star runner from Rio Rancho High School, was awarded national Gatorade Player of the Year.
- Rio Rancho and Sandoval County announced their dispatch separation with the city handling urban 911 calls and the county handling rural.
- Rio Rancho municipal government made its presence known to the New Mexico House of Representatives in Santa Fe for Rio Rancho Day.
- Sandoval County commissioners upheld a zoning decision that would allow a Placitas Solar Farm to be built in the future.
March
- The Rio Rancho basketball season came to a close with a big tournament.
- The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters visited Rio Rancho Events Center and wowed the crowd.
- Sandoval County's judicial complex changes were detailed for future construction as it neared the end of design.
- A teen Subway employee and two grown men were charged in a shooting incident along Southern Boulevard. The three got into an argument over a sandwich and pulled guns on each other, then shot at each other.
- New Mexico Runners, a local soccer team, got their first win of the season.
- Rio Rancho Market Street neared completion, and store features were shared ahead of its opening.
- Cleveland's DECA program won gold in state competition.
- A new Sandoval County Commission room began its design phase.
- Protesters began their mission to argue against Elon Musk, who was an advisor to President Donald Trump at the time. They took to US 550, in front of Tesla, to chant and wave signs.
- The ASK Academy headed to world championships for robotics.
- The Unser Gateway project began to lead to urban development.
- Local school districts, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo, expressed thoughts on Trump's Department of Education Order.
- Cherry Road closed for a sink hole caused by a water main break in Rio Rancho. A police car fell into the sink hole.
- Corrales' siphon project was put on hold as water became a concern in the village.
- Big Brother's Bricks and L and L Hawaiian Barbeque opened on the same day.
An officer was caught in the sinkhole. According to a post by Rio Rancho Police Department, the officer was unharmed. However, the vehicle was badly damaged.
