Prize includes $25,000

SANTA FE — Silvia Miranda, fourth grade teacher at Mesa Elementary in Clovis, was named New Mexico’s 2018-19 Milken Educator by the Milken Family Foundation Nov. 21. Dr. Jane Foley, senior vice president of Milken Educator Awards made the announcement.

“Silvia Miranda is a shining example of the best of the teaching profession,” Secretary Christopher Ruszkowski said.  “She is committed to and driven by high expectations, accountability and results, professional development and training. We are honored to recognize Ms. Miranda’s excellence in teaching and student achievement result – she’s truly exemplary and a tribute to the profession.”

The...

The Balloon Rally schedule of events includes mass ascensions, balloon glows, and competition with beautiful, handcrafted Native American arts and crafts.

Friday, November 30

Mass Ascension from Fox Run Golf Course in Gallup & from Red Rock Park 7:30 am

Glow in The Rocks and Indian Dances at Red Rock Park 6 pm

Saturday, December 1

Dawn Patrol 6:30 am

Mass Ascension at Red Rock Park 7:30 am

Pyramid Rock Run Registration at Red Rock Park 8 am

Pyramid Rock Run at Red Rock Park 9 am

Downtown Christmas Parade 1 pm

Balloominaria at Rio West Mall 6 pm

Sunday, December 2

Dawn Patrol 6:30 am

Mass Ascension at Red Rock Park 7 am

Awards Brunch and Auction at Red Rock Park 10...

Open-house attendees tour renovated facility, hear from guest speakers

Na’Nizhoozhi Center, Inc., a substance-abuse treatment and detox facility located at 2201 Boyd Ave. in Gallup, held an open house of its newly renovated facility Nov. 16.

Updates to the facility, which provides both short- and long-term inpatient treatment, include 60 new beds in the residential areas, a renovated kitchen and dining areas, an intake center and the facility’s spiritual areas.

According to former McKinley County Commission Chairman David Dallago, NCI takes in roughly 26,000 patients a year.

NCI Clinical Director Kevin Foley said the facility renovations began after NCI received a...

Community turns out for fundraising gala

As yet another holiday season filled with family gatherings and close friends kicks off, not all of us feel the holly, jolly holiday spirit. Many folks both within and outside of the McKinley County area will once again be without food due to circumstances beyond their control.

But amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there is some hope this season for those who feel the pain of hunger, as the Community Pantry in Gallup hosted a “Hope for the Holidays” gala event Nov. 17 to raise funds in order to replenish food items at the Pantry.

The Community Pantry, founded in 1999 by Jim Harlin and Tom Crider, is a nonprofit that provides...