Officers from the Gallup Police Department were dispatched to Speedway Central, 1223 E. Hwy. 66, in reference to a robbery July 31.

Officers made contact with the reporting employee, who informed officers that a male walked in to the business with a handgun and fired off one round, asking for cigarettes.

The employee behind the counter informed officers, the male pointed the gun at him and said, “Menthol cigarettes.”

The employee began to open the register and the male suspect fired off another round from the gun, into the air, again asking for cigarettes. The employee gave the cigarettes to the male suspect. The male suspect then placed $4 on the counter and walked out the door.

Cigarettes were valued at $8. The suspect, described as Hispanic looking, height of 6-feet, heavy set, light skin with possible facial hair; and was wearing a white T-shirt, gray shorts, and a gray baseball cap.

Gallup Police detectives were called to this incident and began the investigation.

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant after interviews and gathering of evidence for Fernando Segovia, 28, of Gallup. The warrant is for Armed Robbery (2^nd Degree Felony), Aggravated Assault (4^th Degree Felony), two Counts of Shooting at inhabited dwelling or occupied building (4^th Degree Felony), and Possession of firearm or destructive device by a felon (4^th Degree Felony).

Segovia was booked in the McKinley County Detention Center.

Staff Reports

A drive-thru food drive to benefit the Community Pantry is being sponsored by an international organization at the Red Rock Elementary School parking lot at 1305 Redrock Dr. from 12:00 pm-3:00 pm Nov. 13.

Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, dried pasta or beans, etc. and checks made out to “The Community Pantry” will be accepted.

This food drive is sponsored by P.E.O. Chapters C & T.

P. E. O. stands for Philanthropic Educational Organization which bears the motto “Women helping women reach for the stars.” P.E.O. is an international group that helps women with their education. Established on Jan. 21, 1869, it was founded by seven students at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Over time it expanded to include women off campus and its membership has come to encompass more than half a million women in the U. S. and Canada.

As of April 2021, P.E.O. has awarded:

Educational Loan Fund dollars totaling $229.5 million

• International Peace Scholarships totaling $43.5 million
• Program for Continuing Education grants totaling $65.1 million
• Scholar Awards totaling $30.1 million
• P.E.O. STAR Scholarships (for exceptional high school seniors) totaling $14.9 million.

New Mexico offers assistance to women through the New Mexico State Scholarship, the Delilah Williams Scholarship, the Jean Boswell Scholarship and the Francine Neff Scholarship.

Grant, loan and award recipients need not be members of P.E.O. With the exception of international students who receive International Peace Scholarships, each recipient is sponsored by a P.E.O. chapter.

The international website is peointernational.org and the New Mexico website is nmpeo.org/nmpeo.

Nov. 12 is the last day for the COVID-19 $100 cards

Staff Reports

The deadline for activating COVID-19 incentive cards is Nov. 12.

New Mexicans who received these cards to spur them to get COVID-19 vaccines are being reminded by the Department of Health that cards must be activated by Nov. 12, the date on which the incentive program will end.

After that time, technical support for the program will end and the incentive can no longer be claimed.

New Mexicans who completed their vaccination series between June 14 and June 17th or received a first or second shot between Aug. 2 and Aug. 31 are eligible. People who received their vaccinations in June were automatically opted-in to the program during the June incentive. Those who received their vaccines in August had to opt-in individually to qualify.

Only one $100 incentive was allowed per person. Those under 18 years old did not receive the incentive directly. Parents/guardians had to provide permission and receive the disbursement.

Gallup family upended by reckless driver gets help from community

It took just a few seconds late in the afternoon of Oct. 26 to turn the Hudgeons’ lives, household, and business upside down.

Ana and Ryan Hudgeons run RAH Photography, which often provides pictures of local high school games and community events for the Gallup Sun.

A white pickup truck sped through the neighborhood a little before 6 pm Oct. 26, crashed through their fence and took off a corner of their house.

Outside was one of the family dogs and inside were three more. The rest of the family members, including the Hudgeons’ daughter were all away at the time.

Ana Hudgeons said neighbors thought they smelled gas and called the Gallup Fire Department.

Crews did an assessment and only minor injuries were found.

The house was evaluated for hazards and the gas meter and utilities were turned off.

The Hudgeons’ have sustained numerous losses in this incident. While no lives were lost, Ana Hudgeons said some of the items destroyed are irreplaceable, including a grandfather clock inherited from Ryan’s grandmother.

Because their house is also the location for their business, RAH Photography, 938 Cerrito Dr., the Hudgeons lost camera equipment, an iPad, and other items that help them run their photography operation.

“There was something protecting us, but something needs to be done about the danger that is Cerrito Street,” Hudgeons said. “People drive down that street flying 60 miles an hour and it’s a curve and people don’t care.”

Hudgeons said the family needs video, justice, and donations.

Ana and Ryan Hudgeons are asking for video from anyone in the area of Red Rock hospital, Filipina, Burke, Ford Canyon, and Mossman.

One of their neighbors, Sabor Biggs, has set up a gofundme page to help the family recover. It can be reached at https://bit.ly/3vRDePt or by going to gofundme.com and searching for Help Ana and Ryan Hudgeons rebuild.

Insurance adjustors visited the home Oct. 27 and Hudgeons hopes to have some numbers from them within a week. She is currently waiting for a police report.

By Beth Blakeman
Managing Editor