WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offer their heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Navajo Code Talker Joe Vandever, Sr., who passed away on Friday morning at the age of 96 in Haystack, N.M.

“The Navajo people have lost another great warrior who sacrificed more than we’ll ever know to defend our country. On behalf of the Navajo Nation, we offer our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his wife, children, and many other loved ones,” Nez said.

According to his family, Vandever passed away due to health complications. He was born on Feb. 5, 1923 into the Red Running Into the Water People clan, born for Two...

Incident report in question

A blaze that broke out at a residence Jan. 17 has left a local family without a home and many of their belongings either burned or destroyed.




SEQUENCE OF EVENTS

The day started off normally for Theresa Keemann and her family at their home about four miles south of Gallup.

“We got up, we turned a propane heater on,” Keemann said Jan. 22. “When we leave the house, we make sure everything’s off, like the propane heater and the propane stove.”

Keemann received a phone call from her son, who works for Dallago Corporation, who said he needed to be picked up. Afterwards, they stopped at Navajo Shopping Center, 1300 Chino Rd. in Gamerco, to pick...

Inconsistencies with information on hand

The unofficial list of candidates for the City of Gallup’s Municipal Officer Election was released Jan. 8 and listed two candidates for Dist. 4 City Councilor, Francisca “Fran” P. Palochak and Levi F. Saucedo.

However, as of Jan. 22, the official ballot is down to just Palochak.

A letter issued Jan. 10 to Saucedo by the City of Gallup stated he did not qualify as a candidate pursuant to the express requirements of the New Mexico Election Code.

Specifically, he was determined to be in violation of Section 1-22-3.1E(3) NMSA 1978, which states a candidate will not be placed on the ballot until they are notified in writing by the municipal...

Monetary gift for district leads to program development

Last summer, Marathon Petroleum issued a monetary gift of $75,000 to Gallup-McKinley County Schools in support of building the district’s manufacturing and architecture classes. Of this amount, $50,000 went to the construction/carpentry pathway development, and $25,000 went to the welding production pathway.

The Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education opened their Jan. 21 meeting with a recognition for Marathon Petroleum.

“The funding for our students is so needed,” Dist. 3 Member Priscilla Manuelito said. “One of the things we’re working on [that will benefit] is Career Pathways.”

Manuelito also addressed...