Gallup Sun

A man from Fruitland, New Mexico is accused of killing one man — laughing and shooting as the victim begged for his life — injuring another and terrorizing a family on a road trip during an April shooting spree.

Rydell Happy, 30, is charged federally with second-degree murder in the April 24 death of the man.

According to a criminal complaint, officers were alerted to Happy’s crime spree after a family traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 491, about 40 miles north of Gallup, reported to law enforcement that they had been followed, rear-ended, and shot at by someone sitting in the front passenger seat of a white SUV. The call came in around 10 pm.

Further investigation revealed...

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...

A man from Fruitland, New Mexico is accused of killing one man — laughing and shooting as the victim begged for his life — injuring another and terrorizing a family on a road trip during an April shooting spree.

Rydell Happy, 30, is charged federally with second-degree murder in the April 24 death of the man.

According to a criminal complaint, officers were alerted to Happy's crime spree after a family traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 491, about 40 miles north of Gallup, reported to law enforcement that they had been followed, rear-ended, and shot at by someone sitting in the front passenger seat of a white SUV. The call came in around 10 pm.

Further investigation revealed...