The name of a New Mexico State Police Officer has now been released after a shooting that happened on April 16.

On April 16, 2022, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was called to investigate an officer-involved shooting on Interstate 40, milepost 64, near Prewitt, N.M.

Officers learned that around 11:56 am, New Mexico State Police Officer Corey Newman was dispatched to the area for a welfare check on a male slumped over the steering wheel of a brown BMW passenger car. The officer arrived and made contact with the male, who was later identified as Oliver Ashley Toledo Saldivar, 26, of North Carolina.  Unbeknownst to the officer, Saldivar was the suspect in a homicide...

Senior folly ends in suspensions. Story Page 10

A senior prank has led to some trouble at Gallup High School.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Gallup Police, about 15 to 20 people entered the school on the night of March 31. These people proceeded to decorate the school’s commons and the principal’s office with streamers, balloons, signs, and glitter, among other decorative things.

Gallup High’s Principal Tammy Hall was the one who called the police. In a press release that was published on April 7, the Gallup McKinley County Schools district called the incident “illegal, damaging and disrespectful.”

The press release goes on to state:  “Breaking and...

Will too many cooks spoil the mutton stew? Some City Council members are concerned that efforts of the state-sponsored Intertribal Ceremonial Office may overshadow the traditional events put on by the Gallup Inter Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association.

Tension is centered on two things: the unity of the Ceremonial, and marketing for its events. The ICO brings the heft of a $400,000 special appropriation in state tourism funds for the event and marketing. Part of that money, plus $75,000 the city put up from Lodger’s Tax funds, is to be used to promote both groups’ events evenly, but not everyone is sure that will happen.

“We want to be sure that each and every event will be...

Centennial celebration plans in the works

Visitors to this year’s Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial in August will find new attractions alongside old favorites as the event celebrates its 100th year.

Details are still firming up, but organizers are seeking to balance traditional events like the rodeo, parades, wine tasting, pow wow and pageants with new items this year including a Native Film Festival and a Native Skate Jam.

Two groups are working to put on the Ceremonial: the local Gallup Inter Tribal Indian Ceremonial Association, which has put on the event for a century, and the state tourism department-sponsored Intertribal Ceremonial Office, which joined the efforts last...