Gallup Sun

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a recent special session, the 25th Navajo Nation Council adopted Resolution No. CMY-28-24, a proactive measure aimed at protecting the Navajo Nation’s Fiscal Recovery Funds or American Rescue Plan Act funds, from being reverted back to the federal government if it is signed into law by the Navajo Nation President.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden signed ARPA into law on March 11, 2021, which allocated $20 billion for tribal nations. The Navajo Nation received approximately $2 billion in ARPA funds.

In July, the 24th Navajo Nation Council adopted Resolution No. CJY-29-22, which allocated over $1 billion of the ARPA funds for...

From May 20 through June 2 the New Mexico State Police participated in the National Occupant Protection Mobilization, Click it or Ticket Campaign. The CIOT Campaign was conducted on all roadways within the state with an emphasis on seat belt use for both drivers and passengers.

During the two-week CIOT Campaign, New Mexico State Police officers issued a total of 373 traffic citations (232 citations were for lack of seat belt usage and 21 citations were for no child restraint). Officers made a total of six arrests (one DWI arrest, and five Misdemeanor arrests).

The safety of motorists is a top priority of the New Mexico State Police and officers will continue to conduct operations...

Featured DWI

Natasha Nez

May 29, 7:44 pm

Aggravated DWI (Third)

An employee at a local fast-food restaurant reported a suspected drunk driver, leading to the arrest of a Rehoboth woman, Natasha Nez, 38.

Gallup Patrolman Alana Bradley was dispatched to the Taco Bell at 914 E. Hwy. 66 after receiving the report of the suspect going in the drive thru. She arrived at the scene and saw a vehicle matching the caller description leaving the restaurant and driving eastbound.

Bradley pulled the vehicle, a silver SUV, over in the parking lot of El Rancho at 1000 E. Hwy. 66. She met the driver, Nez, and began questioning her. Nez reportedly stated she did not have a driver’s...

Thunderbird Jewelry celebrates 50 years in business

Don Cosper already had a lot on his plate as the Thunderbird Motel owner in the 1970s when he decided to take on a new challenge: selling turquoise stones out of the motel. Local artists began selling their jewelry to him, and thus Thunderbird Jewelry was born.

His business grew so much, that soon he had to move it out of the motel. Then, in 1974 the company moved again to the building it’s in now at 1923 W. Hwy. 66. And now, the business’s employees are getting ready to celebrate the store’s 50th anniversary.

Many of the employees have been with the store for almost 50 years themselves.

Danny Thomason initially thought...