FATHER, DAUGHTER SWEPT AWAY IN FLOOD WATERS

TOHATCHI – 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 miles...

Staff Reports

SAN JUAN COUNTY – New Mexico State Police investigated a double motorcycle crash that resulted in the fatalities of both drivers Sept. 3. The crash occurred at around 4 pm at the intersection of Navajo Route 5 and NM State Road 371 (85 mile marker) in San Juan County.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the initial investigation indicated both motorcycles were riding in tandem on Navajo Route 5. Both failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Road 371 causing both to crash off the opposite side of the roadway.

Both drivers are believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, Armijo...

Skandera ready to lower the boom on Gallup

The New Mexico Department of Public Education appears adamant that the Gallup-McKinley County School Board comes up with a corrective action plan to right its past and current shortcomings. The premise was outlined in an Aug. 22 letter from Paul Aguilar, deputy secretary of finance and operations at PED, to School Board President Priscilla Manuelito.

“In an open meeting on Aug. 15, discussion around the Johnson O’Malley Program Agreed Upon procedures report resulted in the board stating they do not accept or ‘honor’ the report because the board did not approve of the auditor and claimed that the auditor is biased,” Aguilar...

New Gallup Police Department Chief Phillip Hart spoke to more than a dozen members of the Gallup-McKinley Chamber of Commerce Aug. 17 at the invitation of the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber set up the session so the business community could get to know the new police chief.

At the meeting, Hart shared new departmental ideas and goals about safety and security measures for the community.

“It went well,” Bill Lee, chamber executive director, said afterward. “It was a good chance for the business community and others to meet our new police chief.”

Hart touched on topics ranging from citations to the importance of crime prevention to GPD promotions. The...