The Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society is in a class of its own.

Not only does it serve the entire west central New Mexico community, it’s the only shelter in the area.

Responsible for everything from receiving animals in Gallup and the surrounding areas to proving low cost spay and neuter clinics up to three times a week, things can get pretty hectic.

Kris Gruda, transport coordinator and foster for the shelter, has been with the organization for three years. She explained that while the animals receive proper care once they come into the facility, such as being vaccinated, assessed for adoption suitability and spayed or neutered, space is often limited.

Fostering and...

If you travel downtown enough these days, you’ll spot them here and there, skateboarders jumping off concrete curbs with precision, and spinning in circles with seeming confidence.

While still in the early planning stages, local skateboarders will get a concrete playground of their own, in the east parking lot of the Gallup Cultural Center.

City Councilors were presented with three possible locations and voted in favor of the downtown location May 12. It was with some persuasion, a generous $50,000 pledge from William McCarthy, CEO of Southwest Indian Foundation.

The city has about $10,000 in funds, and Rep. Patty Lundstrom secured $40,000 for the park during the 2014 legislative...

The Bureau of Indian Affairs decision to send prisoners to Yuma, AZ instead of McKinley County Adult Detention Center has left the city and McKinley County in a projected financial bind moving into fiscal year 2016.

McKinley County Finance Director Sara Keeler presented the news to the City Council May 12. She said the total deficit is about $1.3 million.

And the city’s share is 30 percent of the deficit, which equates to more than $3 million.

“This is a disaster,” said Mayor Jackie McKinney.

County Manager Bill Lee said the jail houses an average of 180 to 190 inmates per day and has a capacity to hold 326.

There’s no extra compensation for housing inmates from the area...

To improve the lackluster entry and exit into Gallup from Interstate 40, the City Council is developing a master plan to beautify the area.

Plans involve landscaping the four I-40 interchanges that run through town.

MRWM Landscape Architect drew up some plans that take advantage of existing native grass and add rock, stone features and bosque paintings intended to connect with the multicultural demographic that comprises of Gallup.

It’s in the early planning stages. But the overall concept would be similar to the interstate landscaping program between the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the city of Albuquerque.

Councilors gave mostly positive feedback on the designs, and...