N.M. Environmental Law Center hands out AWARD

SANTA FE — The N. M. Environmental Law Center announced Dec. 4 that Homestake Barrick Gold Mining Company, with a mine five miles north of  Milan, N. M., is this year’s selection for Toxic Polluter of 2020.

The Homestake Mill site, owned by Barrick Gold, an international mining company, processed uranium that was mined from nearby mines for decades. In 1983, it was named a Superfund site, meaning that it is one of the most contaminated places in the country and a clean up is required under federal law. Yet 40 years later, more of the groundwater aquifers near the site are contaminated with uranium and selenium than when the supposed...

New Mexico’s governor announced residents can access free COVID-19 tests they can administer themselves at home, with results as soon as 24 hours later.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said New Mexicans can order the saliva testing kits. regardless of whether or not they’re symptomatic or have come into close contact with an individual who tested positive for coronavirus. If they wish, residents can use Zoom to talk to a supervisor who can help administer the test before they mail it off to the lab for results.

“We can drive down county positivity rates, help more businesses and workers get safely back on their feet, and keep more New Mexicans healthy,” Lujan Grisham said in a Dec...

The McKinley County Board of Commissioners recently voted to increase the county’s budget by more than $4 million, using revenue from the CARES Act, the economic relief bill signed into law during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commissioners Bill Lee and Billy Moore approved a motion on the matter during their Dec. 8 meeting with little fanfare.

But County Manager Anthony Dimas, Jr., who spoke with the Gallup Sun afterward, stressed the importance of the funds, saying they are much needed in a place like McKinley County, which has experienced its share of coronavirus cases compared to other parts of the state.

“It’s giving us (the ability) to be able to get PPE...

A waterline break at Aztec and S. Ford Drive in Gallup Dec. 8 did not disrupt water service for area customers, but did create a void at the southwest corner of the intersection.

Dennis Romero, Gallup executive director of water and sanitation explained that a void is something hidden underground.

“When you have a waterline leak like this,” he told the Sun, “the pressure creates a hole underneath. It doesn’t affect what’s above.”

Because the break did not impact service, it was determined that the line would be repaired Dec. 9. at which time Romero said, “We’re having to repair the sewer line as well.”

“We can do that without affecting any customer service,”...