The latest challenge with impact aid

The battle for Impact Aid rears its head throughout the year for many rural New Mexico schools, including Gallup-McKinley County Schools.

The Second Session of the 54th New Mexico Legislature provided a prime opportunity for legislators to combat the effects of large amounts of aid being credited to the state by the federal government and handed out to larger, richer communities.

Senate Bill 198 a key bill pertaining to Impact Aid, awaits a decision in the Senate Education Committee. The GMCS Board of Education thanked local legislators for their efforts in fighting for Impact Aid during the board’s March 9 meeting.

The legislators...

Planning combined effort to combat virus

As COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, spreads throughout the United States, people have begun taking drastic measures, stocking up on cleaning and wellness supplies and going into quarantine from work or school.

McKinley County Fire Chief Jesus Morales attended the Gallup City Council’s March 10 meeting to discuss plans to prepare for the virus reaching McKinley County.

Morales had attended an emergency planning meeting earlier between numerous local medical office personnel and employers. This meeting was closed off to the media, so the Sun was not allowed entry.

“There was a lot of discussion,” Morales said. “There were several...

Runoff mayoral election set for March 31

The Gallup City Council heard the results of the Regular Municipal Election canvass during their March 10 meeting.

The canvass took place earlier March 10 before the McKinley County Board of Commissioners, who acted as the Canvassing Board in accordance with the State Election Code.

City Clerk Alfred Abeita said the results were in line with what was reported as the unofficial results on March 3.

This also means since mayoral frontrunner Sammy Chioda did not receive 40 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff election held between the two qualified candidates who received the highest number of votes cast for the office, in accordance...

Low-cost spay/neuter services, shelter funds

SANTA FE - Help in keeping spay and neuter costs down has arrived in the form of Senate Bill 57, signed into law March 6 by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

SB 57, sponsored by Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Joanne Ferrary, D-Las Cruces, will cover the costs of spay and neuter services for low-income families and deliver funds to struggling animal shelters around the state.

To fund the programs, pet food manufacturers with an annual gross revenue of $3 million or more will pay a $100 fee per year for dog food, cat food, and pet treat brands sold in New Mexico after a 3-year phase-in. This fee is on par with what these...