Staff Reports

Despite first responders life saving measures, an unidentified man died Oct. 3 from stab wounds sustained during an alleged confrontation with another man near Second Street and Hill Avenue.

Gallup Police responded to the area near Octavia Fellin Public Library shortly before 1 pm and found the badly injured victim.

Officers were able to get a lead on the suspect with the assistance of witnesses.

Detectives were called to the scene and began interviewing witnesses and processing the scene for evidence.

Late Wednesday evening, Gallup Police arrested Gregory L. Long, 26, for an open count of murder. He was booked into the Gallup McKinley Adult Detention Center with no bond. Prior to being booked, he was taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment for unknown causes.

The victim's next of kin has been notified, and the release of his name is pending.

ALBUQUERQUE — At around 7 pm Oct. 2, the New Mexico State Police investigated an incident in which a pedestrian was fatally struck by a train.

The initial investigation indicates that Gerald Paul Smith (62) of Albuquerque was trespassing on a restricted area of the rail road tracks near Commercial and Indian School when he was struck by a north bound Railrunner that had just left the downtown station.  Smith was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

It is unknown why Smith was on the tracks or whether alcohol was a factor in the incident. The investigation is ongoing with no additional information currently available.

Staff Reports

The dental assisting program at the University of New Mexico-Gallup is expanding to include additional evening and weekend options for students who are unable to commit to a traditional fulltime class schedule.

Beginning in the 2019 spring semester, the dental assisting program will pilot course offerings during evening hours which will let students take a slower approach to completing program requirements or allow for a skills refresher for those already employed in the dental field.

According to Gayle Woodcock, dental assisting program director, “Our regular certificate program requires one year of full-time study which doesn’t always work for every student. We are offering this new pilot program beginning in January as an option for students who may not be able to attend classes full-time. Two introductory courses will be offered this spring, neither of which will require prerequisites.”

“This trial schedule,” Woodcock said, “will offer classes on Monday and Thursday evenings during the spring semester. Students can enroll in either one or both classes and see how they do.”

While students still have the option of taking the full-time traditional schedule of classes, the expanded offerings provide an alternate route for students who have full-time jobs or other commitments and require more flexibility.

The program is also offered as an option for students who have work experience in dental assisting but would like to enhance their academic and clinical skills to prepare for the Dental Assisting National Board. Successful completion of the national boards is required to become a Certified Dental Assistant.

The UNM-Gallup dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. UNM-Gallup’s program is only one of five accredited programs in New Mexico.

For more information about the program, please contact Gayle Woodcock at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (505) 863-7515.

Staff Reports

WINDOW ROCK – The Navajo Nation hosted the third annual Navajo Nation Gold Star Mothers and Families Day event at the Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park and Veterans Memorial Sept. 30.

“As we come here together to ensure that our fallen warriors will never be forgotten, we also come to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by their families,” President Russell Begaye said. “Thank you to all of our Gold Star Mothers and our Gold Star Families.”

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President and the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders hosted the ceremony in Window Rock, Ariz. It was the third recognition event on the Navajo Nation. Before, families would travel greater distances to participate and honor their children amongst fellow Gold Star Families.

“For the last three years, the attendance has been growing,” Chris West, a member of the Navajo Hopi Honor Riders, said. “It’s great to see that more and more are starting to be recognized. They’re starting to know that this event does take place. With the help of the Office of the President and Vice President, we’re able to be here for the families.”

The Navajo-Hopi Honor Riders organization formed after the death of Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat on foreign soil during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The group supports soldiers by welcoming veterans home, assisting with funeral escorts and organizing the annual Navajo-Hopi Honor Run to visit veterans and their families.

Begaye and Nez issued a proclamation and designated the last Sunday in September of each year as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day to recall our sacred obligation to honor those who gave their lives in the name of freedom and recognize the mothers and families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.