Primary election results for McKinley County have been finalized and certified, but who will appear on the November ballot for County Commission District 1 is still a mystery.

“The [county] canvass is finished and to my understanding is finished by the Secretary of State and the State Canvassing Board,” County Attorney Doug Decker said.

Even that routine procedure, in which county commissioners certify the votes for their counties, was momentarily in doubt, but not because of anything in McKinley County.

The three-member Otero County Commission initially refused to certify that county’s votes, based on unsubstantiated suspicion of Dominion voting machines. Until all counties...

The New Mexico Department of Transportation asks all motorists to obey all traffic signs, use caution, and watch for heavy equipment and construction personnel in all work zones. PLEASE NOTE: Conditions are subject to change without notice.  Double fines for speeding in work zones in effect.

During backups, use both lanes and take turns merging. Watch for slow moving or stopped traffic. Allow extra time and expect delays.

INTERSTATE

I-40, mile marker 111.043 – 117.000, west of Laguna to Mesita

Mountain States Constructors, Inc. (Contractor) continues roadway reconstruction, ramp rehabilitation and bridge rehabilitation work.  I-40 will be reduced to one lane from 7 am – 6...

Animals abandoned out front will be euthanized

Due to a distemper outbreak, the McKinley County Humane Society will be undergoing a full four-week quarantine that started on June 20. During this time the Humane Society will not be doing any adoptions, animal viewings, and accepting any surrendered animals.

The Gallup Dog Park will be closed during the four-week quarantine period.

Distemper is a very serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems of adult dogs and puppies. It is very contagious and transferred through airborne exposure (sneezing or coughing) to the virus from an infected dog or wild animal. All dogs and puppies are susceptible to...

It’s in the nature of emergencies that they’re unexpected and generally demand a response when there’s no time to think. Who do you call? Where do you go? What happens to your pets or livestock if you’re displaced?

Authorities in Gallup and McKinley County want to have answers for as many of those questions as possible before an emergency arises. Now, those answers include pets and livestock as well as people.

Counties are required to have emergency operations plans so they don’t have to figure out how to handle emergencies on the fly. That plan is broken into smaller components, including a Joint Shelter and Mass Care plan. It’s an agreement to respond and coordinate...