By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

A pedestrian trying to cross Interstate 40 near mile-marker 20 died Aug. 27 after he was hit by two tractor-trailers, officials said.

Capt. Marinda Spencer of the Gallup Police Department said Jeremiah Begay, 23, of Wide Ruins, Ariz., was hit at about 7:50 pm by a semi that failed to stop. He was then hit by another truck. The driver of the first semi did not stop, but the second driver stopped and exited his vehicle to see what was going on.

“The first semi-truck has not been located,” Spencer said. “There are indications that [Begay] was intoxicated.”

Westbound traffic along the interstate near exit 20 was diverted for a little more than...

Suspect reportedly stabbed victim near Camille’s

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

One of McKinley County’s most wanted is now behind bars at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charge, officials said.

Marinda Spencer, public information officer at the Gallup Police Department, said Darrell Desiderio, Sr., was taken into custody Aug. 5 after a brief chase downtown. According to the arrest warrant, Desiderio is being held on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

“We were able to apprehend [Mr. Desiderio],” Spencer said. “He put up a short chase, but he is now in jail.”

Desiderio, 39, was the prime suspect in a downtown stabbing...

GMCS overall school grades rise above F’s

On Aug. 25, the Gallup McKinley County Schools Student Support Center boardroom at 640 Boardman Dr. was full for a second time in two weeks. This time, though, instead of a room full of tension, the meeting revealed the smiling faces of children and adults, along with frequent outbursts of applause.

The reason for such celebration, Superintendent Frank Chiapetti said, was that “we’ve raised the bar for our students and they have succeeded.”

Chiapetti was referring to the release of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers test scores, which revealed consistent growth in student performance over the whole...

MANUELITO: Next meeting might yield decision

The Gallup McKinley County School Board took no action Aug. 24 on the job status of Superintendent Frank Chiapetti. A special meeting was held purely for closed-session purposes to discuss personnel matters related to the supervision, evaluation, and employment contract of the superintendent, as well as a report on personnel.

The meeting, conducted at the cafeteria of Tohatchi High School, the alma mater of board member Kevin Mitchell, went nearly four hours. Board members emerged from the meeting with a synopsis that wasn’t what those in attendance had expected.

“We talked about everything except the report on personnel,” Board...