Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered condolences and prayers for the family of retired Navajo Nation Judge Marilou B. Begaye, who passed on Sept. 24 at the age of 74.

“In her 23 years of service to the Judicial Branch, Judge Begaye helped many families and served with great honor. We offer our prayers for her family, friends, and many others who are grieving the loss of a great person,” Nez said.

Begaye was appointed children’s court Judge by Chairman Peterson Zah and was confirmed for probationary appointment in 1985. She was permanently confirmed in 1989 and retired in 2008.

Begaye was known for her commitment to families and educating...

Brings jobs to local youth

A nonprofit construction company in Farmington partnered with Shiprock Chapter House to employ young people during the pandemic.

The New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps awarded Capacity Builders, Inc. of Farmington $105,000 to provide jobs for young people in public projects that conserve the state’s natural resources and yield community benefits of lasting value.

The project gave on-the-job experience in construction to 16 young adults and three of those were hired in permanent positions with local companies.

As COVID-19 swept the nation this year, Nizhoni Park, Shiprock’s community park, was already selected as a workforce site by CBI to operate a...

Seven staff members, three students tested positive

SANTA FE — The Public Education Department announced seven new positive cases of COVID-19 as of Oct. 1. Rapid response has been initiated, and all pertinent information has been verified with the schools and school districts. The following new cases were reported:

• Three cases in Bernalillo County. All three infected individuals are staff members who were last on school property Sept. 3 and Sept. 23 (two individuals). All staff members and the parents and guardians of all students in the affected school have been notified of the positive cases.

• One case in Chaves County. The infected individual is a staff member who was...

Mark Shea dismissed

SANTA FE — Sept. 25 was the last day for N. M. Public Safety Secretary Mark Shea.

The Lujan Grisham Administration is using this leadership change to strengthen the mission of the Department of Public Safety to deliver vigorous and smart-on-crime statewide law enforcement, with a renewed emphasis on community police work and the unequivocal protection of New Mexicans’ civil rights.

State Police Chief Tim Johnson will serve as interim secretary. Deputy Chief Robert Thornton will serve as interim state police chief. The administration has begun a search for a replacement secretary.

Johnson has served in various leadership roles at the agency since 2000 and as...