Improved drought conditions lead to lift on firework ban

Fireworks are making a comeback to McKinley County for Cinco de Mayo this year.

McKinley County saw severe drought conditions in 2021. The U.S. Drought Monitor is released by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As of April 1, 2021, it showed McKinley County in the D3 and D4 intensity zones.

These intensity zones show areas where fire damage is extreme, irrigation allotments are decreased, vegetation and native trees are dying, federal lands are closed for fire precautions, burn bans...

Fox Run Golf Course prepares to re-open

Fox Run Golf Course has been closed for maintenance since March 9, but it will be reopening on April 11.

In an interview with the Sun, Fox Run Director of Golf Matthew Alcala explained what maintenance issues were addressed while the course was closed.

“We’ve basically been removing a lot of the salt affected spots and kind of replacing that soil,” Alcala explained. “And we really started on tee boxes and other areas that are having issues.”

The greens are looking a little yellow after winter, so golf course staff is preparing to plant more grass seed so that the golf course will evolve into a green splendor.

“We’ve been...

What are the qualities that will make the best sheriff for McKinley County?

All five candidates got a swing at answering that in an April 5 forum sponsored by the McKinley County Democrats and hosted by the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce.

Candidates included one Republican, Elreno C. Henio; and four Democrats: Matthew K. Hughbanks, Francie L. Martinez, Paul R. Lucero and current Undersheriff  James Maiorano III. Most have backgrounds in local law enforcement and many in multiple agencies. All have lived locally for many years, and some have family ties to the Gallup area going back generations.

All of the candidates pledged to work the job full time (although the post only...

GMCS uses housing incentives to retain, draw quality staff

School districts across the nation are experiencing staff shortages.

According to a National Education Association survey that was published on Feb. 1, 74% of the teachers surveyed said they’ve had to fill in for colleagues or take on other duties because of a staff shortage. While 55% of the teachers interviewed said they plan to leave the profession sooner than they originally planned because of the pandemic.

The Gallup-McKinley County Schools district is trying to counter this national exodus from the profession and the area’s housing shortage by building housing specifically for teachers.

“As many people are aware...