In June, the Gallup City Council approved the FY21 city budget, which included numerous reductions in services on city revenues and the governor’s public health orders restricting in-person gatherings due to the impact of the COVID pandemic.

As a result, the budget called for the closure of city recreation centers, including Larry Brian Mitchell, Harold Runnels, the Aquatic Center, El Morro Theatre and Events Center, Cecil Garcia Fitness Center and Red Rock Park Convention Center and Arena through Sept. 30.

Memberships for the Aquatic Center and Cecil Garcia Fitness Center were suspended as well.

Fifty-four full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees were also furloughed through...

The sky was clear on the morning of Sept. 15, which fit the mood at the new Thoreau Elementary School.

Members from the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education and staff from Thoreau Elementary were present for a grand opening ceremony and blessing of the new building. Numerous guests, students, and community members also attended the ceremony, following the proper safety protocols.

Thoreau Elementary Principal Daryl Antone welcomed the crowd to what he called a wonderful, momentous event.

“Our students, staff, and community members have been looking forward to this day for quite some time,” Antone said.

Antone expressed his gratitude to the district superintendent...

The 2020 Presidential Election is getting closer, and organizers and supporters of both political parties are gearing up.

Whether it is encouraging people to register to vote or building support for their respective candidates, the coming weeks will be a frenzy for groups like the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

As part of getting the word out about being registered to vote and voting safely, DPNM recently brought on a director exclusively for outreach to Tribal nations, Kianna Holian.

The Sun spoke with Holian about her role and the upcoming election on Sept. 23.

WHY OUTREACH?

Originally from the Pueblo of Cochiti, Holian attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, which...

Growers are persistent

The Navajo Police Department has been addressing hemp farm issues since 2019, when hemp growth was first reported.

Now the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission is being called in to help.

On Sept 18, the Shiprock District Court approved a Navajo Nation motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction order to stop hemp farm cultivation and an extensive operation to enforce that decision was initiated.

An estimated 36 hemp farms have been identified in the Shiprock, Cudeii, Hogback and Fruitland, N.M. areas. Several officers from each district have been assigned to address complaints related to hemp farm operations.

Despite the...