Rank FALLS from second highest to 17th

SANTA FE — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and the New Mexico Department of Health report that for the third consecutive year, the state’s drug-overdose death rank among states has improved.

Based on a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Mexico’s national ranking has improved from the second highest death drug overdose death rate in the United States in 2014 to 17th highest in 2017, the most current available data nationwide.

This is the first time New Mexico has ranked outside the top 15 rankings since the CDC started reporting drug overdose death data in 1999. This comes as drug overdose death rates...

Supports those in need of substance-abuse recovery and rehab

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services announced a partnership with Immediate Action Group to aid the homeless in Gallup Dec. 11.

The agreement will strengthen and formalize an informal affiliation between the groups that has been ongoing to best serve the homeless. The effort is also designed to help those in need of recovery and rehabilitation from drug and alcohol abuse. Both are 501c3 nonprofit organizations.

“We have been working together for some time and we are formally announcing our affiliation so the community, donors and those who would like to join us can volunteer,” RMCHCS CEO David Conejo said...

Library branches show warm hands mean warm hearts

The season of giving is in full swing as the Octavia Fellin Public Library continues its annual Mitten Tree donation program throughout the month of December.

The program, inspired by a children’s book of the same name, accepts hat and mitten donations at both library locations — the main branch, 115 W. Hill Ave., and the children’s branch, 200 Aztec Ave.

“We love doing it and we don’t mind doing it because we know it’s for a good cause,” Octavia Fellin Technology Trainer Markos Chavez said.

And a good cause it is indeed as donated items are distributed to those in need by Battered Family Services, Inc., an organization...

County teachers honored as ‘exemplary’ among state educators

More than 30 teachers were recognized at the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education regular meeting Dec. 17.

The teachers, who received plaques at the meeting, were rated “exemplary” by the New Mexico teacher evaluation system.

Priscilla Manuelito, Dist. 3 board member, said it was impressive that over 30 teachers were recognized that night.

“[It is] just awesome that we have a lot of great teachers who are going above and beyond,” she said after the meeting.

At the meeting, several teachers were also recognized by the McKinley Education Foundation, a nonprofit group formed in 2006 to support...