Prosecutors are asking a judge to hold a Santa Clara man without bail pending trial for spraying an Española police officer in the face with pepper spray, after the officer pulled a stun gun on him over a possible case of trespassing at Walmart.

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.

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.

Blake the bubbly, bright-eyed boy is here to bring the fun and the joy to your days. This 10-month-old, 46-lb. shepherd/husky-mix is a smiling, splash-seeking, leaf-chasing legend. Blake believes everyday should include a little adventure, a lot of joy, lots and lots of stuffies and preferably water. A total river romancer, Blake happily paddles along catching drifting leaves like they’re nature’s tennis balls. He’ll even dip his face underwater and blow bubbles like it’s his personal party trick.

An Española man who led deputies on a low-speed chase after backing toward one in an effort to flee in La Mesilla, was ordered released on his own recognizance after a judge denied an attempt by prosecutors to have him held without bail pending trial.

Cypress Garcia was shot to death at Lotaburger in August 2022

The last Española City Council meeting of Mayor John Ramon Vigil’s administration included the generic praise and speeches that are expected at those occasions. The remarks were punctuated by tears and candid comments by some of the councilors as they shared their feelings about each other and the last four years.

Mayor-elect Dennis Tim Salazar’s inauguration ceremony will be Wednesday (4/1).

Monday marked the beginning of Holy Week for Catholics, which means that pilgrims will soon begin their trek to El Santuario de Chimayó.

The Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area would like to publicly thank Representative Joseph Sanchez for his continued leadership and support of cultural programs that strengthen our communities and drive economic development across Northern New Mexico.

August 11,1955 - January 11, 2026

Deluvina Geneva Martinez, a lifelong resident of Canjilon, NM, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born September 9, 1962, in Leadville, Colorado, to Aquilino and Dolores Baca.