Gallup Sun

Growers are persistent

The Navajo Police Department has been addressing hemp farm issues since 2019, when hemp growth was first reported.

Now the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission is being called in to help.

On Sept 18, the Shiprock District Court approved a Navajo Nation motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction order to stop hemp farm cultivation and an extensive operation to enforce that decision was initiated.

An estimated 36 hemp farms have been identified in the Shiprock, Cudeii, Hogback and Fruitland, N.M. areas. Several officers from each district have been assigned to address complaints related to hemp farm operations.

Despite the...

Missing, murdered Indigenous peoples’ crisis to be addressed

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.— Members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council expressed appreciation on the passage of Savanna’s Act by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 21. Savanna’s Act directs the Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice to begin addressing missing or murdered Native Americans on a countrywide scale through Tribal consultation and the development of inter-agency case management and reporting protocols. The same day, the House also approved the Not Invisible Act which creates the U.S. Department of the Interior and the USDOJ joint commission on reducing violent crime against Indians.

“As...

Six new positive cases, five staff, one student

SANTA FE — The Public Education Department announced six new positive cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours ending at 4 pm Sept. 24. Rapid response has been initiated, and all pertinent information has been verified with the schools and school districts. The following new cases were reported:

• Two staff members at two public schools in Eddy County were infected. They were last on campus Sept. 14 and 18.

• One case at a public school in Chaves County that is in the remote learning mode. The infected individual is a staff member who was last on school property Sept. 18.

• One case at a public school in Doña Ana County in the remote...

Addresses new ‘Spay and Neuter Program Fee’ section of rule

LAS CRUCES – The New Mexico State University Board of Regents approved the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s  proposed Commercial Feeds rule amendment at its regular meeting Sept. 18.

During the 2020 legislative session, Senate Bill 57 Pet Food Fee for Neutering & Sheltering was signed into law. This amended the New Mexico Commercial Feed Act (Section 76-19A NMSA 1978) to add a new section titled Spay and Neuter Program Fee. The legislation mandates that NMDA shall impose an additional fee on pet food registration for dogs and cats to fund the dog and cat spay and neuter assistance program and the animal...