Honorees recognized for making life better, safer for kids, vets, families, wildlife

Kenneth Riege, a U.S. Air Force veteran and the general manager at Gallup’s Comfort Suites, has been named a New Mexico True Hero. The announcement was made Nov. 29 by Gov. Susana Martinez.

“Our 2016 New Mexico True Heroes all have one thing in common – they go above and beyond everyday, leading by example to make our state a better place,” Gov. Martinez said. “These five New Mexicans work to make our communities safer from criminals, help more children have a chance to reach for their dreams, serve our veterans, and care for and protect our animals and wildlife. Through their commitment...

But Thursday stealing some of the spotlight

Black Friday conjures up images of malls and big box stores full of shoppers vying for deep discounts. Things can sometimes get so hectic that fights and arguments take place over who can get one item faster than someone else.

Marriah Silversmith, store manager at Bealls at Rio West Mall, pictures it well. It was Silversmith’s first time working Black Friday at Rio West.

“I’ve seen people wait for hours until the store opens,” Silversmith said. “Once inside, they buy clothing and some buy shoes. But there weren’t that many people this year.”

Gallup resident Pooler Vasey’s turkey barely had time to settle before he brought...

A power outage on the city’s west end left dozens of residences and businesses without electricity on Nov. 26.

But electricity was quickly restored, officials said.

Gallup Electric Director Richard Matzke said power went out at about 3 am that morning at various locales throughout Gallup, adding that it didn’t come back on until about a three hours later.

“There were some strong winds at that time,” Matzke said. “That is what this was attributed to.”

Matzke said city work crews ended up replacing two fuses associated with a bigger transformer. He said the winds at the time were so strong that the fuses simply didn’t hold up.

Heather Young of Cleveland, Ohio, was staying...

Reverend Douglas Mac Arthur Cline, 74, of St. James, MO, was called home by God on Monday morning, November 21, 2016 as he prepared for an exciting week of deer hunting in Lewis County, WV with his brother. So, he was granted his final wish . . . to transition to Heaven while either worshiping at the pulpit or while spending time in the woods with his brother.

He blessed this earth and the lives of his parents when he was born in Huff Creek, WV on June 21, 1942 a son of the late Elliott Douglas Cline and Esther Gibson Cline.

On September 6, 1964 he married Linda Darlene Goodwill, who loved him beyond words and will miss him beyond measure after 52 years of marriage.

His giving...