Cases seen in Western U. S.

The New Mexico Department of Health began alerting healthcare providers to be proactive and vigilant concerning novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Jan. 22.  Travelers returning from trips abroad and showing fever and respiratory symptoms may have been affected.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals including camels, cats and bats. While originally thought to be spreading from animal-to-person, it is now believed to be spreading from  person-to-person. It’s unclear how easily this virus can be contracted between people.

ABC News reported Jan. 30 that the first case of...

Week ending Friday, January 24, 2020


Human Footprint

Around 85% of Earth’s wildlife is now being trampled by intense human pressure, which researchers say is putting some of those species into an extinction crisis. Scientists from the University of  Queensland, the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups point to land species with small ranges as being disproportionately exposed to human competition from factors such  as grazing livestock, agriculture and urban sprawl. The study’s “Human Footprint” report also lists other influences, such as population density, transportation networks, and mining and utility corridors, for their impacts on wildlife.

Earthquakes

At...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer offered condolences to the family of Sophie Yazzie, who died Jan. 25 in Tucson, Ariz. at the age of 105.  Yazzie was the longest-living veteran in the state of Ariz.

She was a member of the Navajo Nation, born in 1914 in Canyon de Chelly, Ariz.

At the age of 28, Yazzie enlisted with the U. S. Army Air Corps and served during World War II until she was honorably discharged. Following her time in the military, she returned home and worked at Wingate Boarding School.

She had four children with her late husband Jordan B. Yazzie. She was grandmother to five grandchildren and five...

Gallup Police Department are currently seeking the identity of a man found deceased near the BNSF rail yard, under Munoz Overpass, this morning.

GPD Capt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo said the call on the Native American man, age unknown, came in shortly after 9 am.

Toadlena-Pablo said in these cases, detectives share a photo of the deceased person with NCI and public service officers in hopes someone will recognize the victim so next of kin can be notified.

She added that there were no signs of foul play, and at this stage, it's not clear if the overnight icy weather played a factor in the man's death.

The Office of the Medical Investigator will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of...