CROWNPOINT, N.M. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and First Lady Phefelia Nez had the honor of attending the graduation ceremony to recognize and congratulate the Navajo Nation Police Training Academy Class 57, comprised of 10 Diné men and women who received their Navajo Nation Police badge during the event held at Navajo Technical University on June 18.

“Today is a very special occasion for the 10 men and women who are taking on the tremendous challenge of serving and protecting our people and communities,” Nez said. “They are now our frontline warriors who will take on the risks and sacrifices to lessen the burden on our people. I am very proud of each and every one...

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered their condolences June 28 to the loved ones of Gold Star Mother, Ada Holly, who passed away at the age of 93, in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by family and friends.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ada Holly. Ada Holly was a tremendous supporter and advocate for all Navajo Veterans. She advocated at the local, state and federal level to help veterans and their family,” Nez said.

He went on to pray for Holly’s family and friends.

“She was a compassionate and determined leader and was a grandmother and mother to many. On behalf of the Navajo people...

Rising construction costs hamper repair projects

Sidewalks, curbs and gutters that are crumbling are the kind of thing that get citizens’ attention, because people encounter and use them every day. Getting them fixed is expensive, and takes longer with a tight budget.

So even though the city council   greenlit about $250,000 that was previously set aside for a design and engineering plan to fix curbs, gutters and sidewalks on five blocks around the city, only one of them will happen in the next year. That’s because each block will cost $400,000 – equal to the entire sidewalk budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

“Construction [costs] of these projects has gone up...

Primary election results for McKinley County have been finalized and certified, but who will appear on the November ballot for County Commission District 1 is still a mystery.

“The [county] canvass is finished and to my understanding is finished by the Secretary of State and the State Canvassing Board,” County Attorney Doug Decker said.

Even that routine procedure, in which county commissioners certify the votes for their counties, was momentarily in doubt, but not because of anything in McKinley County.

The three-member Otero County Commission initially refused to certify that county’s votes, based on unsubstantiated suspicion of Dominion voting machines. Until all counties...