Young Park sentencing, Flock cameras, flood tax relief and more
Good Sunday morning from Organ Mountain News.
It's Damien here. You may have noticed this newsletter has been quiet for the past couple of weeks. I’ve been dealing with some very serious family matters that suddenly became the top priority.
That is one of the realities of running a one-man independent newsroom. There is no backup shift, no second editor and no one else to hand the keys to when life intervenes. And sometimes, it does.
Family comes first.
The newsroom is moving again, though, and there is plenty to catch up on. So this morning, we’re getting back to it with the stories you need to know — and a few that are simply worth your time.
Let’s get into it.
Nathan Rivas, the final defendant in the 2025 Young Park mass shooting case, has been sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Rivas was 17 at the time of the March 21, 2025, shooting, which killed three people and injured 15 others during an unsanctioned car meet at Young Park. Prosecutors said he fired 13 rounds into the crowd before fleeing with the other defendants.
His sentencing closes out the cases against all four defendants. Tomas Rivas, Gustavo Dominguez and Josiah Ontiveros also received 90-year sentences for their roles in the shooting.
Organ Mountain News
Here’s what you need to know today
Flock cameras: Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story defended the city’s use of 43 Flock license plate reader cameras before state lawmakers, calling them a valuable investigative tool as legislators raised questions about privacy, access and safeguards.
Flood tax relief: New Mexico has extended several filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers affected by September flooding, with some deadlines pushed into January and both penalties and interest waived on the extensions.
Neighborhood input: Las Cruces is asking residents, businesses and property owners to help shape the Apodaca and Lift Up redevelopment plan, with an online survey open now and the first public meeting set for Oct. 28.
Festival bound: NMSU alumnus Aldo Morales’ bilingual short film “La Carne Asada” will screen this week at the Santa Fe International Film Festival, with festival events running Oct. 14-19.
Worth knowing
The League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico has distributed 14,000 copies of its free 2026 Voters’ Guide ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
The 24-page guide covers local and statewide races and includes candidates’ responses to questions from the League. Several candidates also provided answers in Spanish.
Printed copies are available at locations across Doña Ana County, and the guide can also be downloaded online.
From the newsroom
Running a one-person newsroom means there is very little cushion when life suddenly demands your full attention.
That’s one reason I’m especially grateful for the readers who support Organ Mountain News on a recurring basis. When an emergency arises, that reliable support doesn’t remove the disruption, but it does ease some of the financial pressure that comes with stepping away from the newsroom.
That kind of stability matters. It helps keep the site running, the tools paid for and the reporting infrastructure in place so that when I can return to the work, I’m able to pick it back up without starting from zero.
To everyone who supports Organ Mountain News month after month: thank you. Your support provides more than funding. It provides a little breathing room when it matters most.
Stay connected
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