Chama Valley & Abiquiú Daily Digest Saturday, May 30, 2026
Ty's Take
Spring's running late up here again, and the Cumbres & Toltec delays opening are hitting harder than usual because everybody's been waiting on that payroll. A tourist railroad doesn't sound like much if you're not actually living on it, but in Chama it's the difference between a working season and a long hungry stretch. Meanwhile down in Tierra Amarilla, somebody's got enough nerve to pry open a register at the Walmart, which tells you something about how thin margins get when the seasonal work hasn't kicked in yet. There's real money problems walking through this whole corridor right now, and they don't always look like they do on a spreadsheet.
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Rio Grande SUN
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad has delayed its 2026 operating season opening due to severe drought and wildfire dangers affecting the New Mexico and Colorado region. The railroad cited concern for local land, forests, and communities in making the decision to postpone.
Walmart Cash Register Allegedly Pried Open
A Chimayó man faces potential detention without bail after allegedly stealing $1,820 from a Walmart cash register in Española and threatening an employee with a chisel. Prosecutors argue he poses a danger to the community and should remain held pending trial.
United Way Announces Executive Director Transition
United Way Northern New Mexico announced Donna Milanovich as its new executive director following a planned leadership transition with outgoing director Cindy Padilla. The board unanimously approved the appointment at the organization's recent donor appreciation dinner in Los Alamos.
State Rep. Susan Herrera has drawn criticism from candidates running in District 41 and the Rio Arriba County Sheriff's race over her recent actions. The district spans portions of Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos Counties.
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