Investigation yields few clues on how it started

GAMERCO– Shortly before 9 pm on a Saturday evening, a Gamerco home at 202 S. Chino Loop went up in flames. Then a second home. What expectedly ensued next was complete panic for the two families impacted by the blaze, according to McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Roxanne King’s report.

Gallup Fire Department arrived on scene, and began to douse the flames. In a video submitted to the Gallup Sun, a small child could be heard saying it sounded like “popcorn” popping as memories and beloved belongings popped, melted, and burned to a crisp during the three-alarm fire June 25.

Dina Barron, one of the homeowners, arrived...

At $100K annually, Hart in small company at City Hall

A law enforcement veteran with experience at the state and federal levels is now at the helm of the Gallup Police Department. Phillip Hart, 53, was sworn-in as police chief June 28 by Gallup Municipal Judge Grant Foutz in a specially called meeting prior to the regular city meeting.

Hart starts the $100,000-a-year job July 1. The salary amount makes Hart one of the highest paid city employees, with City Attorney George Kozeliski, City Manager Maryann Ustick, and City Electric Director Richard Matzke the only other city workers pulling in six figure salaries on a yearly basis. At $119,000 annually, Kozeliski is the top paid person...

During a public hearing on Jun. 27 regarding the transfer of ownership of a liquor license currently held by Tomahawk Inc., in Prewitt, Navajo Nation Vice President Jonathan Nez said the Nation does not support the transfer of Ownership to Reds Mart, LLC.

“We officially oppose this transfer,” Vice President Nez said. “It only changes the location but it does not affect the negative impact a liquor establishment has on our people. Beyond that, the liquor license will stay in close proximity to the Baca Dlo’Ayashi Community School.”

The transfer of the ownership has received preliminary approval from the director of the Alcohol and Gaming Division. The sole purpose of the...

MENTMORE — In the early morning of June 26, one man died in a head-on collision with a BNSF train.

At 4:40 am, McKinley County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Roxanne King was dispatched to Defiance Draw Road in reference to an accident involving a train and a vehicle. At the scene, the train was at a standstill and a black Jeep Patriot with Arizona plates was facing east on the tracks, .7 miles west of Tseyatoh crossing, according to King’s report.

“Due to the direction of both vehicles, it appeared to be a head on collision,” King wrote.

The vehicle sustained heavy damage, and the driver, 45-year-old Arvin Bain of Ft. Defiance died at the scene. However, engineers said a...