Week ending Friday, April 2, 2021


Ursine Illness

California wildlife officials warn that a new unexplained neurological illness is causing some black bear cubs in the state to exhibit overly friendly “doglike” behavior with humans. Several have been fearlessly eating and camping out in backyards as humans look on. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says one young bear that was picked up was lethargic and underweight, displaying head tremors and a subtle head tilt.  Encephalitis, or brain inflammation, appears to be the cause. “At this point, we don’t know what causes the encephalitis, so we don’t know what, if any, health risks these bears might pose to other...

TSAILE, Ariz. – Nelson BeGaye, a former Diné College Board of Regent who served from 2015 to 2019 and tirelessly pressed for Navajo culture in the school’s leadership and inside the classrooms, passed away April 15 at the age of 69.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer issued a proclamation April 17 ordering all flags on the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff in honor of the former longtime Navajo Nation Council member.Board President Greg Bigman, who served alongside BeGaye on the Board said he tremendously advocated for Navajo language and culture beyond academic programs but also on the board where he requested the college ceremonial basket be...

The FBI announced they are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the circumstances surrounding the death of Watson Ben Watchman.

Watchman, then 43, was found deceased at his residence in Tohatchi, N.M. on Aug. 1. The cause of death was determined to be blunt head trauma.

The FBI and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety are investigating.

If you have information on this case, call the FBI at 505-889-1300 or go online at tips.fbi.gov.

Gallup water customers in the areas of 201-237 Coal Ave. 230 S. Second St., and 214 Aztec Ave. may experience low water pressure until 2 pm.

A contractor working in the alley hit a waterline and the City of Gallup Water Department will need to shut off the water in order to make repairs.

Customers in the 3400 block of Zia Drive may experience low water pressure until 5 pm while the water department repairs a water line break in the area. Workers will need to shut off the water in order to perform their work safely.

Another water outage is set for the area of 300 - 515 Park Ave, after a contractor hit a water line in the area. The water pressure could be low until 12 am.

If you...