Rio Rancho community reels after officer Gregg Benner death
Editorial notes a city-wide outpouring of support for the Rio Rancho Police Department and Benner family after the on duty shooting death. Citizens gather at Haynes Park for a candlelight vigil, with flowers and flags forming a growing memorial along Pinetree Road. A Pay It Award drive by KOB and Ten-82 raises over 24000 for the family, while local businesses provide meals for officers. Elizabeth Garcia calls Rio Rancho “a family community” amid unprecedented tragedy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lizabeth Garcia
Gregg Benner
Haynes Park
Rio Rancho
Pinetree Road
Esther Bone
Benner
Gregg
Nigel Benner
Gregg Hull
KOB
Ten-82
Albertsons
Dion’s
Twister’s
Rio
Elizabeth Garcia
Guidelines for Rio Rancho Observer Submissions
Readers may submit Guest opinions and letters to the editor with limits. Submissions must include author name city and a verifiable contact phone number. Anonymous entries are not accepted and each writer may submit once per month.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Rio Rancho Observer
City leaders urged to boost police pay after officer’s death
A Rio Rancho reader laments city officials for delaying police compensation raises after the Memorial Day death of Officer Gregg Benner. The writer criticizes the mayor, city manager, and a judge in harsh terms, urges the councilor to lead a pay-raise push, and expresses condolences to Benner’s family and Rio Rancho’s police. The letter notes local roads and other issues, calling for a strong legacy and improved protection for residents.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hobbs
Farmington
Judge faces critique after officer’s death debate
A Bernalillo County incident centers on Judge Cristina Jaramillo and parolee Andrew Romero. The column argues leniency allowed Romero to reoffend, leading to Officer Gregg Benner’s death and calls for judicial reform. It questions balance and fairness in the criminal justice system.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Officer Benner
Rw Rancho
Gregg Benner
Bernalillo County
Cristina Jaramillo
Andrew Romero
Romero
Jaramillo
America
Judge Jaramillo
Tess
Aeration removed from pond raises health concerns at Rio Rancho course
A letter to the editor warns that removing pond aeration at the north course leaves stagnant water and potential West Nile mosquito breeding. The writer cites a past case near Lakeview Circle and urges city intervention to drain the pond for public safety.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alovilda Cheney
Lakeview Circle
Knights Drive Supports Rio Rancho Special Olympians
Knights of Columbus Council 6696 in Rio Rancho thanks residents for donations to the Tootsie Roll Drive raising 13513.95 dollars for Rio Rancho Rockets Special Olympics. They credit Brother Knights and local Walmart stores NM 528 area credit union and friends for assistance. Co chairs Roy Jess Jim Cutler Gary Hohmann Dewey Manon Jr pledge blessings.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Knights of Columbus
Council
Rio Rancho
Albuquerque
Knights of Columbus Council
Knights
Rio Rancho Rockets
Walmart
Coors
Unser Boulevard
NM 528
Roy Jess
Jim Cutler
Gary Hohmann
Dewey Manon Jr
Open letter questions Rio Rancho poverty and Walmart stock idea
A local open letter to Mayor Hull argues that economic reality in Rio Rancho since 2008 creates a culture of poverty. It compares a poor worker at Walmart earning about 21 600 a year to a rich person buying Walmart stock for 936, then receiving 48 in dividends and criticizes wage suppression and dividend-focused profit strategies. It cautions that Enchanted Hills new stores will just add part time low wage jobs and raise social service costs, ending with Dan Webb as the author.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hull
Rio Rancho
Enchanted Hills
New Mexico
Walmart
Also Mentioned on This Page
Nor Mar
Rrobserver
the Observer
Jackie Moseley
Fane
Larry VM. Johnson
Rom DeFeo Rio Rancho
Knights’ Drive
Dan Webb
Ciahler
Scissor
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