Agreement keeps chamber in tourism, marketing picture

The Gallup City Council unanimously approved a $185,000 professional services agreement June 14 with the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce – furthering a lodgers tax relationship with Chamber CEO Bill Lee that goes back several years.

The vote on the professional services matter took place at the regular city meeting. City Tourism and Marketing Manager Catherine Sebold and City Manager Maryann Ustick introduced the item to council members.

The agreement allows the chamber to oversee, manage, and design the content, production, sales, and distribution of the 2017 Gallup Visitor’s Guide, which can be found at area...

Matter related to temporary construction permits

The Gallup City Council has approved a right-of-entry and deed for a New Mexico Department of Transportation project along Boardman Drive. The issue was brought before council members at the June 28 meeting and received a unanimous vote.

“We gave the [New Mexico Department of Transportation] some small bits of rights-of-way in front of the train station for some work they are to do,” City Attorney George Kozeliski explained to the panel. “They sent us three packets of items they needed from the city. Only the council can deed property. That’s why it was before the council.”

Kozeliski said the DOT requested the right to do...

NM Auditor’s Office wants to prevent backlogs

DNA evidence from a sex crime can be collected from a crime scene, but it’s even more useful for law enforcement agencies if it comes from a victim’s body, clothes, or personal belongings. Victims may choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam, also called a “rape kit,” which preserves possible DNA evidence.

Rape kits were the topic of a June 23 visit by Sarita Nair, chief legal counsel under State Auditor Tim Keller, who gave a one-hour presentation at the El Morro Theatre on the importance of law enforcement agencies processing rape kits so as to avoid backlogs.

“The idea with rape kits is to get current and stay...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Phillip Francisco, 40, of Farmington, has been chosen as the new Navajo Nation chief of police.

The chief of police position has remained vacant for nearly eight years. Director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety Jesse Delmar said hiring a permanent chief of police has been a top priority for the Begaye-Nez administration.

“President Begaye and Vice President Nez had given me a directive to hire a chief of police since I was first appointed as director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety,” Delmar said. “I am very excited to announce today our selection of Phillip Francisco from Farmington, N.M. as the next chief of police for the Navajo Police...