Jeff, Long are no-shows

As next week’s Gallup-McKinley County Board of Education election date nears closer, a candidate forum was held Feb. 1 at the school district’s main office on Boardman Drive. The forum was sponsored by the Gallup Sun, the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation and the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce.

The event was attended by close to 100 people and was centered upon a 90-minute question-and-answer session for those running for seats in districts 2, 4 and 5.

Improving teacher quality and transparency were two issues that dominated the forum – the first of its kind in recent memory as it relates to school board seats. Candidates Freda...

MCSO grief-stricken

By Babette Herrmann
Sun Editor

Deputy Christopher Tsosie was known as a the quiet guy who always showed up to work on time at the McKinley County Sheriff's Office. Like any good employee, his dutifulness kept him flying below the radar.  

Tsosie, 43, had recently reached the one year milestone at MCSO, and Sheriff Ron Silversmith saw an experienced deputy ready to grow within the department. His future was bright. He was someone that didn't need micromanaged or held by the hand. Sadly, his life was cut short Jan. 25 while he was reportedly getting ready for his shift, which started at 6 pm.

At this juncture, there's no clear answers as to what went wrong that day...

‘Quiet Zone’ assessment study approved

The Gallup City Council approved the issuing of a beer and wine license to JJSST, doing business as Coal Street Pub, located at 303 W. Coal Ave. The licensure approval took place at the Jan. 24 regular city meeting by a 3-1 vote.

Mayor Jackie McKinney did not attend the council meeting. City Councilor Linda Garcia, whose council district includes the restaurant and pub, voted in favor of the license as did councilors Allan Landavazo, Yogash Kumar and Fran Palochak. The latter said they favored the survey and the quiet zone.

“I didn’t see a problem with it,” Garcia said of her vote. “That location had had the same license before...

Irving: County to use $170K to leverage more funds

The McKinley County Board of Commissioners approved a $170,000 budget resolution Jan. 24 for the planning, design and construction of road improvements for Deer Springs Road. The road is a 10-mile rural stretch between the Mexican Springs and Twin Lakes chapter houses and has been in need of improvement for years, officials have said.

Commissioner Genevieve Jackson did not attend the commission meeting. Commissioners Bill Lee and Carol Bowman-Muskett attended the meeting and voted in approval of the matter.

“This is something that has been a part of the county’s to-do list for a long time,” McKinley County Attorney Doug Decker...