Monthly event faces concerns over art authenticity, non-local participants

Of the various agenda items reviewed Oct. 23 at the Gallup City Council regular meeting, the future and continuation of ArtsCrawl Gallup generated the most discussion.

Lynn Huenemann, who spoke for the item, requested the discussion be added to the agenda in an Oct. 15 letter, which stated Coal Avenue business owners and community members were concerned about the future of ArtsCrawl, a monthly art event put on by gallupARTS and held at galleries and restaurants downtown.

A Sept. 7 press release states the 2018 season would be gallupARTS’s last to host the event. The release states ArtsCrawl is now well...

Auditors seek transparency for public health insurance agency

SANTA FE – State Auditor Wayne Johnson has asked a judge to let his office do its job and audit a government entity that provides health coverage to New Mexicans denied coverage by big insurance companies.

Johnson’s office filed a motion for summary judgment asking a judge to forego a trial in the lawsuit filed by the New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool, which has not been transparent with its finances and operations.

Attorneys with the Auditor’s office said the judge has enough information to make a decision on the law without a prolonged legal process.

The court filing states, “NMMIP is about as far removed as...

Man arrested on multiple charges including child abuse

A Vanderwagen man faces numerous charges after allegedly firing a gun Oct. 24 in downtown Gallup.

Tyrell Bitsilly, 20, has been charged with aggravated assault on a household member, shooting at a dwelling, tampering with evidence and two counts each of aggravated assault and abuse of a child.

It all began at about 3:25 pm, when a woman reported that Bitsilly had fired a gun in her vehicle while it was parked at 200 West Aztec Ave. She said Bitsilly then exited the vehicle and walked away.

The woman told police her mother and two children were in the backseat of the vehicle at the time of the incident.

She said she and...

A Yah-ta-hey man was struck and killed the morning of Oct. 21 in a hit-and-run accident, according to Gallup police.

Gallup Police Department Captain Marinda Spencer identified the victim as Jonathan Davis, 32. Davis died at the scene from injuries he received in the accident.

The accident occurred about 3:45 am, near the West Y Carwash and U.S. Highway 66. When police responded to the scene, the suspect vehicle was nowhere to be seen.

On Oct. 25, Spencer told the Sun police were able to track down the vehicle and speak to the driver, whose name has not yet been released. The case is still under investigation.

The accident closed Highway 66 to traffic for six and a half hours.