Governor backs out from attending

On Sept. 7, New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department held a “Pull Together” rally at Gallup High School’s Kenneth Holloway Auditorium. The event was spearheaded by CYFD Cabinet Secretary Monique Jacobson, the main speaker at the event.

Gov. Susana Martinez, who originally planned on attending the event, did not make it to Gallup. Her absence may have contributed to the low attendance during the afternoon event.

But with news of the event being released to the public one day before the event, the attendance was dismal – 48 in all.

GMCS Public Relations Director Teri Frazier said a CYFD spokesperson told her to release...

Vanessa Bowen wants to highlight Native pride, ‘hózhó’

Former Gallup resident Vanessa Bowen did what she felt was necessary to counter what she said was a hateful political message put out by Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

A few months ago, Native-born Bowen began creating hats bearing the words “Make America Native Again.” The words are a take on Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” but they’re also inspired by Native American history and values.

“I was terrified of what our country would become if Trump was to be elected president,” Bowen, a Gallup native and former marketing and event coordinator at the city’s Business...

One man treated, released from hospital

One person was injured in a roofing accident caused by a blowtorch that was too close to a gas line, officials said. Gallup Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Jesus Morales said construction workers were repairing one of two roofs at a home at 215 W. Lincoln Ave., when an explosion occurred at about 5:50 pm Sept. 7.

Workers were warming up tar to slather on the roof prior to laying shingles.

Antonio Castaneda, 41, a worker with Dominguez Construction of Gallup, was working atop the home. He said he was using the torch and it apparently got a little too close to the line.

“That was it,” he said. “It just got a little close and...

Father, daughter swept away in floodwaters

TOHATCHI – Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez were saddened to learn about a tragic accident that took place in Tohatchi Sept. 2, involving a father and daughter who were swept away in flash flood waters, ultimately losing their lives. This accident has devastated the community.

It has been reported that Jay Levier entered floodwaters after his daughter Aschley fell in trying to save her dog.

“We need to constantly remind our Navajo people to stay away from floodwaters, flood zones and to be aware of the power of flood waters. The bodies of Jay and his daughter Aschley were said have been washed five...