Gallup Sun

The discussion expands to include education, legislation, systemic problems

SANTA FE—Plaintiffs in the landmark Yazzie/Martinez education lawsuit asked the First Judicial District Court Dec. 15 to order the State of New Mexico to provide computers and high-speed internet access to the thousands of “at-risk” students who lack these necessary tools for remote learning.

“Many children in New Mexico, especially those in rural districts and districts serving predominantly Native American students, don’t have computers or high-speed internet access and have been effectively denied access to public education since the pandemic started, worsening existing education inequities,”...

Gallup — Following this weekend’s authorization by the Federal Drug Administration  for the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services received its first shipment of vaccines on Dec. 16. The New Mexico Department of Health will ship the first allotment of 125 doses from its Albuquerque warehouse and will follow up with two more shipments, a week apart.

RMCHCS will follow the Centers for Disease Control  recommendation and administer the first vaccines to healthcare personnel who directly interact with patients and are at the highest level of risk for infection.

RMCHCS is working with the New Mexico Department...

New Mexico shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season should be aware of scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2019 New Mexicans lost a total of almost $18 million due to a variety of scams, ranging from non-delivery of things people paid for to phishing and identity theft.

“Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people than ever are expected to shop online this year,” James Langenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the Albuquerque FBI Division, said. “Unfortunately, that means more potential victims of holiday scams. The FBI urges consumers to be vigilant and protect themselves...

BUSTED FOR MUSHROOMS, WEED

Fort Wingate, Dec. 7

A black Mitsubishi Galant traveled east on I-40 near the 28 mile marker. It passed through the construction zone followed by McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Johnson Lee, who observed it traveling 63 mph in a 55-mph zone. Once both vehicles exited the construction lane, Lee activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop.

Lee met the driver, Cody Castillo, 25, of Lubbock, Tex., and asked him to exit the vehicle. As he did, Lee noted a strong smell of raw marijuana. Castillo was shaking and holding a drink as he told Lee he was going home to Texas from Las Vegas, Nev. Castillo denied having any marijuana in his vehicle...