Shipping containers may help revitalize Alpine Lumber site

Can the former Alpine Lumber Co. site north of downtown be transformed into a retail and dining complex that would extend downtown activities and amenities to the other side of the tracks?

Not right away, and not without significant rehabilitation and investment. In addition to resolving environmental issues, recommendations include acquiring more adjacent land to make a bigger parcel that’s more attractive to investors.

The city bought the 3.28-acre property at 104 N. Second St. in 2015. The lot is adjacent to the Gallup Arts and Cultural District and just north of the Downtown Gallup Historic District. There’s a lot...

Choosing social intervention over arrest

Even in a small, tight-knit town, it’s easy for people facing setbacks to fall through the cracks. Gallup has been quietly introducing harm reduction strategies as part of a more compassionate approach to the safety net.

Part of that is the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, started last November to help police refer non-criminals to social services in the hope of keeping them from becoming criminals or victims. LEAD bridges police services with behavioral health management.

“The goal is to keep them out of the system,” Behavioral Health Manager Debra L. Martinez said.

It starts with a call from an officer, usually in the...

Strong crowds flock to electric atmosphere

The biggest bucking bulls facing off against some of the top riders from across the country in Red Rock Park, in addition to a bevy of top entertainment from the Gallup region. These elements allowed WildThing Championship Bullriding to garner a reputation as the “Number One Open Bullriding in the Southwest.”

The signature summer event ran from July 8-9. WildThing Coordinator Larry Peterson said they had a strong show.

“We had massive crowds [at WildThing]. We sold out on Saturday, and we were nearly full on Friday. The crowd seemed to have a lot of fun, and there was a lot of excitement at the park,” Peterson said July...

STOLEN TRUCK

Gallup, July 10

A woman has been charged with stealing a Gallup Police detective’s truck.

On July 10, around 5:52 am, a fellow detective called Metro Dispatch to report that his gray Ford truck had been stolen from his house. When he called, the detective was following the stolen vehicle into Gallup.

Around 5:56 am, the detective said the truck was approaching the construction area near Chino Loop in Gamerco. Gallup Police Officer Warren Bowannie saw the truck when it drove past the Mesa View Plaza.

While Bowannie was trying to get the driver to stop, the driver continued to switch lanes in an effort to lose Bowannie. Officer Philamina Chischilly also tried to...