Street-level entertainment will take center stage

Visitors to this year’s Freedom Festival may have their heads in the clouds, but the event will have its feet and wheels firmly on the ground.

The event, which is  usually known as the Ride, Flight & Cruise weekend, won’t include hot air balloons taking flight this year due to communication and scheduling issues. But despite the challenges of jump-starting a post-lockdown event, festival planners will not be deflated.

The balloons are expected to be back next year, and this year’s party will be all about the cars and motorcycles. And of course, the bands, kinetic performers and beer garden. The full schedule of July 30 events...

Victim’s sister looking for answers

It’s been almost two months since Octavia Johnson’s brother Byron Begay was killed, but she’s not giving up on trying to bring his killer to justice.

On May 10, Begay, 32, from Churchrock, was shot outside of the Cliffside Apartments, 602 Dani Dr. When the Gallup Police arrived at the scene, they found Begay with two gunshots to his torso area.

In an interview with the Sun on June 22, Johnson described her brother as someone who was always willing to help others.

“If somebody was needing food or needing something, he would always say ‘oh if you guys need a place to stay you can stay in my room’ or if he knew that somebody was...

A man from Pinedale, N.M., has a long list of charges after a violent fight with police officers in which he bit two of them.

On June 27, around 11:26 am, Gallup Police Officer Matthew Strandy was dispatched to the Ranchito Motel, 1009 W. Coal Ave., when Officer Christopher Dawes called over the radio and requested that he help out with a violent situation.

When Strandy got to the motel, he noticed Dawes and Officer John Gonzales on the ground physically struggling with a man who was later identified as Elliot George. Lt. Mark Spencer was also at the scene, standing outside of a doorway with his taser in hand.

According to Strandy’s report, Spencer initiated his taser while Dawes...

Sanford Begay, 37, was last seen on March 27 in Waterflow, N.M. by his sister.  Begay was heard from on April 12 via text message saying he was in Mississippi.  Begay was with his girlfriend Slyvania Allen, who was found recently at a rehab in Phoenix.

Begay is 6’ 2” and weighs about 210 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

He also has tattoos on both arms and both legs.  He is known to wear earrings as well.

If you’ve seen or know Sanford Begay’s whereabouts call Metro Dispatch at (505) 722-2231 or your local Police Department.

Staff Reports