Judge agrees to step down

The Judicial Standards Commission for the State of New Mexico filed a petition Aug. 28 to accept the permanent retirement of McKinley County Eleventh District Court magistrate April J. Silversmith.

An agreement was reached with Silversmith in lieu of disciplinary proceedings for ten allegations in a Notice of Investigation dated Feb. 20, 2019.

Among the 10 allegations listed on the notice of investigation were two that involved Silversmith’s family. The petition said Silversmith failed to recuse herself from two traffic cases for her niece, Chelsey Thomas, and involved herself in cases connected with her son, Stephen Silversmith, and in a matter in which...

Gallup nurse chronicles treating COVID patients

During the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across the world were overrun with patients needing treatment. Most of them may have recovered, but not without suffering potentially lasting health issues. Headlines flew each day about the number of new cases and the people who had succumbed to the disease. The number of total deaths across the world passed one million just before Sept. 30.

Being a first responder in a hospital during unprecedented times could be expected to take a severe toll on anyone, as well as those near and dear to them. Anna Rogers is one of those people.

Rogers started working at Gallup Indian Medical...

CARES Act funds move water, wifi access projects forward

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer received an update report from Navajo Tribal Utility Authority, indicating that NTUA has connected 223 homes to the electric grid, upgraded 30 water wells, and continues to install up to 150 water cisterns systems, and move forward using CARES Act funds.

NTUA utility crews are working 10-hour days, weekends, and holidays to complete projects. NTUA is planning to extend electricity to 510 families, which includes over 350 families that were identified during the 2020 LIGHT UP NAVAJO II application process.

In addition, NTUA continues to...

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered condolences and prayers for the family of retired Navajo Nation Judge Marilou B. Begaye, who passed on Sept. 24 at the age of 74.

“In her 23 years of service to the Judicial Branch, Judge Begaye helped many families and served with great honor. We offer our prayers for her family, friends, and many others who are grieving the loss of a great person,” Nez said.

Begaye was appointed children’s court Judge by Chairman Peterson Zah and was confirmed for probationary appointment in 1985. She was permanently confirmed in 1989 and retired in 2008.

Begaye was known for her commitment to families and educating...