Staff Reports

A Navajo Nation Patrol Officer was killed today in a head-on collision that took place near Mile Post 15.5 on Navajo Route 64 between Chinle and Tsaile, Ariz.

The Navajo Nation Police Department has identified the patrol officer as Leander Frank.

According to Jesse Delmar, director of the Division of Public Safety, Frank had been dispatched to a call in the Tsaile area.

It was reported that Frank’s vehicle was approaching another vehicle. Both vehicles tried to avoid each other but collided head-on in the middle of the highway.

Frank was killed instantly. All passengers from the other vehicle survived the crash.

The accident is currently being investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

A pedestrian trying to cross Interstate 40 near mile-marker 20 died Aug. 27 after he was hit by two tractor-trailers, officials said.

Capt. Marinda Spencer of the Gallup Police Department said Jeremiah Begay, 23, of Wide Ruins, Ariz., was hit at about 7:50 pm by a semi that failed to stop. He was then hit by another truck. The driver of the first semi did not stop, but the second driver stopped and exited his vehicle to see what was going on.

“The first semi-truck has not been located,” Spencer said. “There are indications that [Begay] was intoxicated.”

Westbound traffic along the interstate near exit 20 was diverted for a little more than two hours. Spencer said the victim was barely identifiable.

While crossing is not condoned, Spencer said it’s not uncommon for people to cross that stretch of highway to get to Walmart and the retail sector along U.S. 491.

A police investigation of the matter is ongoing.

The last 18-wheeler death along that stretch of I-40 occurred in November of 2014. In that incident, George Morgan, 51, of Mexican Springs was killed while trying to cross the highway.

GMCS overall school grades rise above F’s

On Aug. 25, the Gallup McKinley County Schools Student Support Center boardroom at 640 Boardman Dr. was full for a second time in two weeks. This time, though, instead of a room full of tension, the meeting revealed the smiling faces of children and adults, along with frequent outbursts of applause.

The reason for such celebration, Superintendent Frank Chiapetti said, was that “we’ve raised the bar for our students and they have succeeded.”

Chiapetti was referring to the release of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test scores, which revealed consistent growth in student performance over the whole GMCS school district.

The scores affect the grades given to individual schools. In the past, multiple GMCS schools received “F” grades.

Indian Hill Elementary School went from an F to an A in one year. Applause and cheers erupted when Chiapetti told the audience that the GMCS district had no F-graded schools in the new school year.

“We work in a district that has no failing schools,” he said.

Statistical graphs showed that, among the improved schools, 96 percent of that growth came from students who are classified as economically disadvantaged.

“Everyone is expected to grow. From the bottom to the top,” Chiapetti said about the new way GMCS measures students.

Other speakers joined in the celebration, too. School Board President Priscilla Manuelito greeted the group in Navajo and echoed the sentiment that this was a day to celebrate.

“We are very thankful to our children and the successes they are making and with everyone that is supporting their endeavors,” Manuelito said. “It is awesome!”

The president and CEO of the Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce, Bill Lee, shared words of congratulations on behalf of business leaders in the community.

“Sometimes it’s easy to stand up and point fingers and assess blame,” Lee said, about recent alleged problems in the school district.  “But it is even better to stand up and point fingers of praise.”

Lee also called Chiapetti a fair and strong leader.

“These new grades prove that he is the superintendent this community needs,” Lee —who also commended the hard work of administrators, teachers, and students — said.

“What we know at the Chamber is that each and every one of you [students in attendance] will be our future workforce, the entrepreneurs and starters of businesses that will take our community farther than we ever dreamed of,” Lee said.  “I see a room full of hope and potential.”

After the meeting had officially concluded, high-fives and hugs were exchanged between principals, students from the top-growing schools, teachers, and even the superintendent himself.

One school said they planned to celebrate the improvements the following morning, Aug. 25, with what they claimed would be the longest conga-dance line in Gallup’s history.

The Sun witnessed the dance line in action at Rocky View Elementary School, 345 Basillio Dr. After the regular morning announcements, the intercom played music from artist Katy Perry roaring in every classroom, hallway, and even the recess field outside.  Every grade level came out in its own line, slowly combining with other classes until all the lines converged on the playground with confetti in the air.

Story and photos by Andy Gibbons III
Sun Correspondent

Staff Reports

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Darrell Desiderio, Sr. of Twin Lakes for the stabbing injury of Andrew Garcia, Jr.

He's wanted on a $10,000 cash only bond, and faces the charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Gallup Police Department Lt. Rosanne Morrissette said Desiderio allegedly stabbed Garcia up to four times. He's was in stable condition Monday.

According to an eyewitness account listed in the arrest warrant, around 9 am Thursday morning Garcia confronted Desiderio in front of the McKinley County Courthouse about stealing his brother's backpack at Trade Mark Square.

When the argument grew heated, Desiderio started searching his pockets when a woman by the name of "Charlene" possibly "Charlene Hannaweeka" handed him a knife.

Desiderio then stabbed Garcia and fled from the scene. He was last seen wearing a white tank top with a white shirt, and blue jean shorts.

Garcia was flown to a Albuquerque hospital with life-threatening injuries. He was stabbed twice in the liver .

Anyone with information that leads to an arrest is eligible to receive an award for up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers. Call: (505) 722-6161.