The Gallup City Council discussed Resolution No. R2018-27, which opposes the rail transportation of nuclear waste through Gallup, at its Sept. 25 regular meeting.

City Attorney Curtis Hayes said energy industry supplier Holtec International has applied with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a license to store radioactive waste in a temporary underground storage facility in Lea County.

This facility would hold waste for up to 40 years, and would do so until a permanent storage location is identified and built.

Public hearings were held by the NRC on the matter, including one in Gallup on May 21. The public comment period closed July 31.

Hayes said five New Mexico cities and...

Meeting discusses detangling confusing process

The Gallup City Council discussed the current vendor ordinance at its Sept. 25 regular meeting.

The city sought feedback from the council and public on what amendments could be made to streamline the application process for vendors.

City Attorney Curtis Hayes listed five vendor ordinance issues.

Permit fees

The first issue pertained to differing fees for various classifications of vendor permits. The current fee structure was described as confusing and inconsistent in the amounts charged for each permit.

Currently, a vendor can apply for one of 10 permits and pay a fee ranging from $25 to $100; the time period for valid permits...

Community workers ahead of schedule, expand plan of clearing overgrown vegetation

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services’ community workers plan to complete their cleanup of the Mossman area hit by break-ins by the end of September, beating earlier estimates by several weeks while also expanding the scope of their mission to include cleaning a children’s park and resident common areas such as sidewalks.

The hospital has partnered with the Gallup Police Department to help clear and remove vegetation which might have served as cover for intruders involved in residential robberies in the Mossman area of Gallup.

The hospital’s Community Work Service Program members...

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Police Department arrested a community school bus driver Sept. 24 at 6:59 pm, near the Vanderwagen community.

According to the arresting officer, information came from a parent who was alerted by their child, a passenger on the bus. The child indicated the bus driver was driving dangerously on the road.

The parent was able to intercept the bus and remove the keys from the ignition while safely removing the remaining three children from the bus.

The Window Rock District of the NPD responded and subsequently arrested the bus driver who was booked into the Window Rock Detention Center for DUI, endangering a child and reckless driving.

The remaining children...