Marine belongs to a special group of men that outwitted the enemy in the Pacific Theater during WWII Staff Reports

WINDOW ROCK— President Russell Begaye offers his condolences to the family of Navajo Code Talker Alfred K. Newman, 94, who passed away this past Sunday.

“Navajo Code Talker Alfred Newman was a hero, and he stood amongst giants,” Begaye said. “We will be forever grateful for his contributions and bravery, as well as that of each and every one of our Navajo Code Talkers. They are national treasures.”

Mr. Newman enlisted with the United States Marine Corps on March 26, 1943, at Fort Wingate and became part of the 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment...

Shares his experience ‘running toward danger’

Leaving a restaurant after dinner one December evening, the instincts instilled through years in the United States Army and working as a firefighter kicked into full gear for Casey Franchot.

Franchot, 43, of the east side of Gallup, and formerly of New York, said he was leaving Taco Bell, 914 E. Hwy 66, the evening of Dec. 8, when he heard shouting across the street.

Franchot said someone was yelling that her baby was shot.

“I just took off across the street,” he said. “It was an inherent response.”

That evening just after 6:30 pm, according to a police report, Gallup Police Department Officer Darius Johnson was...

Kassetas brought back Harley Davidson legacy

SANTA FE — New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas retired Dec. 31, 2018 after 26 years with the department.

Kassetas started his career with the NMSP in 1992. His first duty station was Grants. During his career, Kassetas worked in both patrol and criminal investigations as an officer and supervisor.

On Aug. 1, 2013, he was appointed as the 21st New Mexico State Police chief and deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Program.

Kassetas directed the State Police, Motor Transportation Police, and Special Investigations Unit. Under his direction, he promoted an influential merger, which brought all three...

Boyd under fire for alleged oppression within department

For the past four years, Franklin Boyd has had a major role in running the Gallup Police Department, first as acting police chief when Robert Cron retired, then as deputy chief under Phillip Hart. When Hart left the department, Boyd became acting chief again as the city looks for a replacement.

Police officers who have worked under Boyd, and who have asked that their identities not be revealed for fear if retaliation, have reported an atmosphere of oppression within the GPD.

Morale is said to be at its lowest in decades, and officers have privately questioned Boyd’s ability to lead them. A number of officers have filed...