A wave of administrative departures shaped the Town of Edgewood throughout 2025 amid a wave of lawsuits and controversy among commissioners. Here are some The Independent covered throughout the year. In May, then-Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Jones resigned, and she was replaced by Victoria Archuleta. In September, Shaline Lopez accepted the position, where she remained for just […]
Posted inEdgewood, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
‘Good things to come’ for Edgewood: Town fills up employment vacancies
After a period of administrative vacancy, the Town of Edgewood has entered the new year under the leadership of Town Manager Kelly Hamilton, who has hit the ground at “warp speed” to stabilize the local government as the town makes progress toward filling a myriad of vacant positions, commissioners said at the Dec. 23 Town […]
Posted inMoriarty, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
Moriarty sees surge of resignations in 2025
Throughout 2025, The Independent covered a wave of resignations from employees of the City of Moriarty as tension and financial crises arose. In August, City Clerk/Treasurer Deborah Liu stepped down, citing “rampant corruption” and a lack of transparency within the city council. Liu, who was hired to resolve the city’s accounting issues, had uncovered IRS […]
Posted inUncategorized
Commissioner Filandro Anaya finishes term
Edgewood community members and officials gathered Dec. 23 to honor outgoing Commissioner Filandro Anaya for his leadership during the town’s transition to a new form of government. While his four-year term officially ended on Dec. 31 after he was overtaken by Stephen Murillo in the District 2 race, the community used the final commission meeting […]
Posted inEdgewood, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
Records reveal details of Santa Fe County lawsuit against Edgewood
A recent Inspection of Public Records request revealed more information about the complaint Santa Fe County filed against the Town of Edgewood in November. According to records in response to an Inspection of Public Records request from The Independent filed in October, Manager Greg Shaffer notified the Town of Edgewood in April 2025 of an […]
Posted inEstancia, Opinion & Analysis, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
Estancia’s economic fate hinges on expired detention facility contract
Former Estancia Mayor Nathan Dial expressed concern for the town’s economy if the Torrance County Detention Facility ceases operation, as newly released data shows a surge and decline in detainees during the contract period. The six-month contract between CoreCivic and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was enacted in April and expired at the end of […]
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Cedar Crest community unites to help with Trail Rider Pizza renovation
Just over three months after the Greenside Cafe closed, Trail Rider Pizza owner Ashlea Cook will take over the space in an expansion of the locally cherished dining spot. “We are in full renovation mode,” Cook told The Independent. Cook, who will celebrate her 20th anniversary in the business next month, has been seeking to […]
Posted inEstancia, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
No runoff? Estancia mayoral election causes confusion as Riley overtakes incumbent
Estancia Mayor Runnel Riley was sworn into his position on Dec. 15 after overtaking the incumbent mayor, Nathan Dial, by just a few votes, prompting a recount and confusion from the community and Dial himself about the runoff process in New Mexico. After the initial count, Dial and write-in candidate Boyd Vardy each had 63 […]
Posted inEdgewood, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
Edgewood public buildings face leakage, structural damage
Edgewood commissioners took steps toward resolving structural and plumbing issues at the Edgewood Community Library and Town Hall during the Town of Edgewood Commission meeting on December 9. In her presentation to commissioners, Community Liaison Linda Burke brought to their attention more than 20 instances of water leaks, including one currently, in town buildings in […]
Posted inEdgewood, Route 66 Independent, Uncategorized
‘Abysmal’ morale: Edgewood commissioners accept clerk-treasurer’s resignation
Town of Edgewood commissioners voted to accept the resignation of Shaline Lopez, clerk-treasurer for the town, during the regular session Town Commission meeting on Tuesday evening. “Staff morale is abysmal right now,” Lopez said in her presentation early in the meeting. At the end of the meeting, after a closed session, commissioners moved to accept […]