NM Cancer Center volunteer discusses landmark year

The Relay for Life of Gallup McKinley County will hold its twentieth run June 21, an occasion that is perhaps a bit more emotional than usual for one particular cancer survivor.

At least that is the impression one gets from Joyce Graves, a volunteer at New Mexico Cancer Center, and one of the top participants of the relay.

Graves was born in Texas and grew up in Oklahoma and Kansas. She is a three-time cancer survivor, who came to Ft. Defiance, Ariz. after teaching at College of the Muscogee Nation in Oklahoma.

The Sun spoke with Graves June 10 about what the relay means to her and what is planned for the event this year.

“It’s...

Quality will remain the same

Gallup residents have likely noticed a change in the gas stations around town in the past week.

Gas stations once called Giant have now been rebranded as Speedway. Some building designs and signs have changed their appearance, and the Giant Rewards tags are now being replaced by Speedy Rewards tags.

This is because Giant and parent company Western Refinery recently became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marathon Petroleum, which has a refinery east of Gallup at 92 Giant Crossing Rd., north of the Flying J Travel Center.

V.J. Smith, government and public affairs manager for Marathon Petroleum, was present at the Gallup City Council regular meeting June 11 to...

The Gallup McKinley County Schools Board of Education recognized a number of students and staff members during their recent regular meeting June 10.

The first group recognized consisted of teachers and staff members who received New Mexico School Board Association Student Achievement Awards.

GMCS Superintendent Mike Hyatt said that these awards are given to school employees who meet certain criteria and are recommended for the award by the school board.

“The board takes time and effort to think of those teachers and staff who benefit education on behalf of the students,” he said.

Twenty one teachers and staff members from GMCS were called to come up to the front of the room...

Fun, interactive event sheds light on DWI awareness

Scores of first responder and supporting agencies gathered on the northeast end of the Rio West Mall parking lot June 8 for the 2019 McKinley County DWI Awareness Day.

The event title captured the dangers of Driving While Intoxicated – or as widely known – DWI.

Many visitors took the opportunity to participate in different activities such as ENDWI virtual reality, fatal vision goggles and golf cart course, and a paintball demonstration. The event drew in more than 300 visitors.

Visitors also picked up vital information from vendors on DWI awareness from the local DWI Task Force, county and city fire departments...