Thank God for Española:  Española Police Chief Indicted

The Rio Grande Sun reports that Española’s police chief has been indicted for both child abuse and intimidating witnesses.  A Taos grand jury indicted Chief Matthew Vigil on Thursday, August 18, stemming from incidences involving his wife and her children, and an incident earlier this year involving his daughter.  He allegedly told Vicki Vigil, and one of her children not to talk to police and to refuse to testify at court proceedings, following the incident on Oct. 30, 2016, and threatened to kill her and her children should she do so.  He also allegedly hit his 13-year-old daughter in the face with a shoe during an argument at Big 5 in Taos.  The police chief has been placed on administrative leave.  Former Rio Arriba County Sheriff Tommy Rodella is currently serving a ten-year sentence in federal prison for roughing up a driver in what prosecutors described as a road rage incident.  His conviction and sentence were upheld in 2015 by the US Court of Appeals in Denver.

Otras Noticias del Norte:  Chama Mayor Resigns

The Rio Grande Sun reports Chama Mayor Ron Russom resigned his post as mayor on August 16, followed two days later by the resignation of Village Councilor Milnor Manzanares.  No reasons for the resignations have been offered.  There will now be two vacancies on the council and the council will name someone to fill the unexpired term of the mayor, who served for the past eight months.  Russom was the fifth mayor of Chama in about four years.

Coming to LPNM in September:

•  the state of the state as the election cycle begins

•  city government in Anthony and Sunland Park:  how well are these governments working for the citizens?
• More to come....