Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of Brad Keeler as an Eleventh Judicial District Court Judge May 20. Keeler’s appointment fills the seat left vacant due to the retirement of the Honorable Judge Louis E. DePauli, Jr.

Since 2003, Keeler practiced as an attorney at Keeler & Keeler, LLP, most recently holding the title of partner. Keeler is a graduate of Baylor University and Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He was admitted to the New Mexico Bar in 2002.

His appointment begins June 8.

Staff Reports

For the past 29 months, city staff have tried to get the council to agree on wastewater and water rate changes. Now, Gallup citizens may finally see a change.

A LONG JOURNEY

In May 2022, city staff proposed a water rate increase of 22.5% for 2022 and 2023. At the time, Councilor Sarah Piano, Dist. 3, balked at the number, so staff reconvened and came back with a different number in August 2022: raising rates by 10% each year for the next four years, and by 5% for each of the two years after that.

The city is trying to balance replacing and repairing lines that are past their life expectancy – causing dozens of breaks around the city every year – with making the rate increase...

Patten talks contracts, employment, other changes

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital has officially cut ties with Community Health Corporation. Their contract with the Texas-based hospital management company formally ended on May 2.

RMCHC’s agreement with CHC was for a five-year period, with what’s called a three-year window. At the three-year mark, either party in the agreement could notify the other of its intent to end the agreement. The hospital board notified CHC of their intent to end the agreement in October.

In a May 8 interview with the Sun, the hospital’s Interim CEO Bill Patten reflected on the hospital’s time with CHC and the board’s decision to find a new...

Candidates aim to strengthen county’s voice


Patty Lundstrom has been the House Representative for District 9 since 2003, and she is hoping to keep her seat on the Legislative once again during the 2024 election.

But two other Democrats have hopes of taking their turn on the legislative floor: Christopher Hud-son and Arval McCabe. The primary election will be held on June 4, and the general election will take place on Nov. 5.

 

LUNDSTROM’S PLANS FOR REELECTION

In an interview with the Sun, Lundstrom said she hopes to continue the projects she’s already started as a Representative if she is reelected.

“I would like to finish some of the projects that I’ve already...