Chama Valley & Abiquiú Daily Digest Friday, October 09, 2026
Ty's Take
There's a particular kind of morning when the Chama rises fast and water finds places it shouldn't, and you learn pretty quick whether the infrastructure holding things together was built with the next hundred-year event in mind. The flooding that caught 7 Brew came down to decisions made (or not made) years back about berms and drainage, the sort of things that don't matter until they do, and then they matter to everybody with a business or a home in the path. Out here we live with water the way other places live with highways, which means respecting it and building smarter. Sometimes we do. Sometimes we don't, and then we spend time afterward asking why.
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Rio Grande SUN
No Berm Caused 7 Brew Flooding
Heavy September rains flooded the 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee parking lot in Española, forcing customers to navigate water to get their orders. City officials say the coffee company is responsible for addressing the drainage problems that caused the flooding.
A city councilor publicly endorsed Gregg Hull, praising his track record as Rio Rancho's mayor and his ability to work across disagreements. The councilor highlighted Hull's collaborative approach to public service as particularly valuable in New Mexico municipal government.
Garcia Pleads No Contest in Man’s Stabbing Death
Cesar Garcia pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the September 2025 stabbing death of Anthony Velasquez in the Ohkay Owingeh laundromat parking lot. District Judge Anastasia Martin accepted the plea deal during a hearing on Sept. 24.
EVHS Tops Grants in 20-14 Victory
Española Valley's Sundevils defeated Grants 20-14 in high school football action as the postseason push heats up. The victory came after a slow start that followed a three-hour bus ride for the team.
Reform Legislative Ethics Laws to Restore Trust in Government
A recent poll found that only 19 percent of New Mexico residents trust state government officials, hitting a record low and dropping from 31 percent five years earlier. Experts say commonsense legislative ethics reforms could help restore public confidence in state leadership.
Century Bank Ownership Will Change Under Deal
Century Bank's ownership is set to change if a deal with Oklahoma-based 7Bank Corp is completed, though the Española location at 322 N. Riverside Drive is expected to retain its name. CEO Max Myers said the bank remains committed to serving the community despite the ownership transition.
Former Rio Grande SUN sports writer George Morse, who passed away, was remembered as someone who cherished outdoor life and adventure. Whether fly fishing, hunting, or working the soil, Morse lived close to nature throughout his life.
Northern New Mexico College hosted a Small Town Outreach Recruitment and Yield event on Sept. 28 that attracted roughly 160 guests and 74 registered students. Colleges from across the country participated in the collaborative program designed to recruit and support students from small towns.
Deb Haaland and Gregg Hull: Who Are They, Really?
In the governor's race, Democrat Deb Haaland has refused to debate while Republican Gregg Hull has been evasive about his stance on Trump, leaving voters with unanswered questions. Critics say neither candidate's communication strategy is resonating with the public.
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