Memorial Day story coverage tops this list

1. “Memorial Day in full bloom” by Tom Hartsock. With this piece, the Sun captured the spirit of the veteran holiday while showcasing its importance.

The number of participants illustrates that fallen soldiers are acknowledged for their service in keeping America safe and at peace.

Accompanying the written story was a cadre of event photos by several photographers capturing Gallup’s diversity gathering for the commemoration of fallen soldiers.

2. “Haatiishaa aaldi nei (Autoimmune Disease)” by Greg McNeil. In his two-part story, instructor and clinical counselor Greg McNeil writes about the 88 types of autoimmune diseases.  Some include lupus, colitis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, psoriasis, cardiovascular, seizures, chronic fatigue syndrome, Hashimoto, inflammatory bowel and rheumatoid arthritis.

Part two of his story reflects on Navajo history.  Searching through the Navajo museum he finds no photographs of the early Navajo people being overweight.

McNeil concludes that change can occur in all of us, with healthier choices, patience, and understanding what is not good for us.

3. “Diné Dentist brings career, family to Gallup” by Boderra Joe. Dr. DezBaa Damon-Mallette returned to the local area after serving four years in emote Alaskan villages.

Now with Rainaldi Dental, Damon-Mallette focuses on patient care.  Dr. Lidio Rainaldi compliments her compassion and warmness to patients.  Her addition to his staff allows him more quality time with patients.

She serves in a field that was meant for her showing her patients she cares about their health.

4. “During a cold winter, GPD officers take steps to serve their community” by Rick Abasta. The ride along story gets in the trenches and gives readers an up close look at what the Gallup police and Community Service Aides do to save lives.

Gallup suffered four exposure related deaths in 2016.

5. “Mud (Hastł’ishnii) film debuts at Sundance” Staff Reports. Last summer was production season for Mud, a film written and directed by Shaandiin Tome that portrays the character of Ruby, whose relationship with her teenaged son Joseph is inhibited by alcohol.

In September, Mud crew and talent spent five days in Gallup shooting their film from Saturday to Monday.

On Dec. 4, the Sundance Institute selected 60 short films out of 9,000 submissions.  With a less than one percent chance, Mud made it to the 2018 Film Festival.

Mud will bring attention to Gallup through the screen. Tome and Aroonsri Khamsamran, producer, will enter Mud in film festivals throughout the United States and around the world.

They plan to bring the 2018 Sundance Film selection to Gallup on Feb. 9.

By Deswood Tome
Sun Correspondent

1. “GPD officers cleared in Sylversmythe shooting” by Bernie Dotson. Reportedly, the 300 pound-plus Sylversmythe lunged at several officers with a knife that he wielded as a weapon. The incident happened in the wee hours of the morning at Gallup Housing Authority’s Arnold Street complex in the summer of 2016.

2. “Tohatchi wins NM 3A championship” by Bernie Dotson.

The Tohatchi girls basketball team won the New Mexico 3A state basketball championship behind 20 points by junior point guard Kalian Mitchell and 18 points by Cheyenne Begay. The team is one of the best in the history of state sports. Now a senior, Mitchell made all-state in the 8th grade and has made first or second team all-state since then for consecutive years.

The Lady Cougars beat Eunice 57-50 in March and became the sole team in Tohatchi basketball history to win a state championship.

3. “Beloved elections director, husband, father passes on” by Babette Herrmann. Rick Palochak was a familiar name to reporters who covered politics, particularly during election times. Palochak worked tireless hours with area journalists to make sure every detail was correct.

4. “Kentucky fugitives caught in Gallup” by Bernie Dotson. David Thomas and Elizabeth Neal were apprehended by the GPD at the Super 8 along West Historic Highway 66. The pair shot two people in Owen County, Kentucky, and made their way to Gallup. The GPD received a tip that the two, along with two kids, were at the Super 8 and apparently on the run.

5. “Native American themed films feature star power” by Dee Velasco. The Gallup Film Festival kicked off yet another successful year, showcasing films such as “The Watchman’s Canoe,” which was made by filmmaker Barri Chase of Washington. The festival has proven that it is one of Gallup’s top annual attractions with respect to star power. At the 2017 film festival were film starts Adam Beach and Thoreau’s own Roger Willie.

By Bernie Dotson

For the Sun