News

Drought persists across Cibola County. The U.S. Drought Monitor map valid Jan. 20 shows 100% of Cibola County in drought, with 68.58% classified as Severe Drought (D2) and 31.42% in Moderate Drought (D1). Much of the Grants and El Malpais area remains in D2, reflecting a winter season that has improved snowpack in the Zuni Mountains but has not yet translated into broader recharge for local water supplies. Source: Drought.gov/U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought persists across Cibola County. The U.S. Drought Monitor map valid Jan. 20 shows 100% of Cibola County in drought, with 68.58% classified as Severe Drought (D2) and 31.42% in Moderate Drought (D1). Much of the Grants and El Malpais area remains in D2, reflecting a winter season that has improved snowpack in the Zuni Mountains but has not yet translated into broader recharge for local water supplies. Source: Drought.gov/U.S. Drought Monitor

Cibola Drought Monitor – January 2026

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – Cibola County is beginning 2026 still locked in drought, and the numbers back up what many residents have felt on the ground: winter has not yet delivered the kind of widespread, sustained moisture that would meaningfully recharge the county’s water system.As of Jan. 27,...
Don’t Make Cibola County Pay for Santa Fe’s Virtue and Washington’s Failures

Don’t Make Cibola County Pay for Santa Fe’s Virtue and Washington’s Failures

State of Affairs

Diego Lopez
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
I’m going to say this as plainly as I can: House Bill 9 scares people in Cibola County, and for good reason.Not because everyone here suddenly wants to debate immigration policy at the dinner table. Not because our community is itching for a partisan brawl.

January 2026 Arrests

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Amerika Rougemont, Reporter Grants Police Department January 2Rhiannon D Begay, age 26: Drunk or Disorderly and Disturbing the Peace Daniel J Knott, age 41: Warrant - Magistrate Courts Andrew D Vigil, age 34: Disturbing the Peace Donovan Charley, age 35: Warrant - Magistrate Courts Kimberly...

Cibola Water Monitoring Report – January 21–27

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Diego Lopez, EditorCIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – As a major winter storm system moved across the country and into New Mexico, Cibola County entered the week under close watch.Data collected ahead of the storm shows Bluewater Lake and the Rio San Jose holding steady at low levels, while snowpack in the Zuni...
Sen George Munoz asked questions about the actual economic impact of HB9 to Village of Milan. Village of Milan Manager Candice Williams says 53% of total property tax comes from the one CoreCivic facility in Milan. Also 18% of water and sewer revenue. Diego Lopez - CC

Sen George Munoz asked questions about the actual economic impact of HB9 to Village of Milan. Village of Milan Manager Candice Williams says 53% of total property tax comes from the one CoreCivic facility in Milan. Also 18% of water and sewer revenue. Diego Lopez - CC

HB 9 Advances as Cibola Officials Warn of Economic Fallout Tied to Cibola County Corrections Facility

Diego Lopez, Editor
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – A bill moving through the New Mexico Legislature that would bar state and local government agencies from signing or renewing agreements used to detain people for federal civil immigration violations has quickly become one of the most consequential measures of the 2026 session...
Life-Saving Medal awardees from left to right: officer Carmillia Speck, officer Leanda Abeita, officer Ty Robinson, Sergeant Ryan Thatcher, Sergeant Steven Shutiva, and Sergeant Anthony Kemp. Courtesy Photo

Life-Saving Medal awardees from left to right: officer Carmillia Speck, officer Leanda Abeita, officer Ty Robinson, Sergeant Ryan Thatcher, Sergeant Steven Shutiva, and Sergeant Anthony Kemp. Courtesy Photo

Grants City Council Meeting

Amerika Rougemont, Reporter
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
GRANTS, N.M. - The Grants City Meeting that took place on January 21, 2026, convened for about four hours.
This is only PROPOSED. The Cibola County commission will debate this the night of Jan. 22 after 5 p.m.

This is only PROPOSED. The Cibola County commission will debate this the night of Jan. 22 after 5 p.m.

Cibola Legislation Update, Jan. 22, 9 a.m. – HB9 to be heard TODAY

Diego Lopez
Thursday, January 22, 2026
A bill which could end a federal contract at the Cibola County Correctional Center will be heard TODAY in the New Mexico State Legislature.House Bill 9 (HB9) would prohibit state and local government agencies from signing or renewing agreements used to detain people for federal civil immigration...

Local Student Named to Adams State Honor Roll

Linda Relyea
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
ALAMOSA, CO. – Colette Tena from Grants is on the Vice President's Honor Roll at Adams State University, Alamosa, CO., for the Spring 2025 semester. Students who complete the semester with a 4.0, or above, grade point average (GPA) are named to the President's Honor Roll.