Hopes to raise FAFSA completion goal

SANTA FE -  Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart announced a new Public Education Department initiative to increase the annual statewide FAFSA completion rate to 80 percent. Sept. 19. This goal is designed to support Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s recently announced New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.

The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship is Governor Lujan Grisham’s vision for increasing college access for New Mexico students. This plan to set the national standard for college affordability, will change the life outcome for tens of thousands of students, both now and far into the future. The New Mexico Public Education Department and...

GMCS superintendent, MCSO say there was no active shooter, no shots fired

 

The first day of fall turned into an alarming one for Tohatchi residents.

 

At an unspecified time on Sept. 23, Navajo Nation Police responded to a call of a male subject intending to harm himself at Tohatchi High School.

 

The school was placed under lockdown, and police units from multiple jurisdictions responded to the incident, according to Navajo Nation Police. The assisting units included McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police.

 

Students from Tohatchi High School and Tohatchi Middle School were escorted to Tohatchi Elementary School, where they followed release...

The Gallup City Council heard a presentation from the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation during the Sept. 10 regular meeting about the previous fiscal year.

Tommy Haws, president of the GGEDC Board of Directors, said during the presentation the creation of economic base jobs is the focus for the upcoming fiscal year.

One highlight from the past fiscal year is the creation of a nitrile glove factory within McKinley County. The factory, located east of Gallup at 309 E. Hwy. 66, was designated by Haws as a $49 million investment that will create about 350 jobs.

Haws said the factory is slated to begin operations in October.

Another was GGEDC winning the Foreign Direct...

Building unfit for occupancy due to infestation

The Lariat Lodge, located at 1105 E. Hwy. 66, was designated a red tag building by the City of Gallup Sept. 9, effectively labeling the premises unfit for occupancy.

CB Strain, planning and development director for the City of Gallup, said the red tag was issued because of an insect infestation within the premises.

“No council action is necessary on the red tag,” Strain said Sept. 11. “The building owners just need to fix the violation.”

This means the Lariat Lodge owners have to exterminate all of the bugs, Strain said.

The city intends to perform a follow-up inspection Sept. 12, Strain added. Any further action from the...