Imagine how much easier moving would be if you could have your water and power disconnected and reconnected instantly, with the flip of a switch. Or how much you would save if a utility could alert you to a water leak or electric connection burnout before it happens?

That’s the promise of a new utility management system that could save the city and the public plenty of money and headaches.

Gallupians won’t notice any difference for about a year, because that’s how long it will take to install new electric meters for all customers and information transmission nodes onto a couple dozen utility poles around town.

Right now, the city is operating under the Automated Meter Reading...

Coal Avenue Commons project nearing completion

City Manager Maryann Ustick and Planning and Development Director Clyde Strain were expecting the Coal Avenue Commons project to be finished around March or April of 2023. But as most Gallupians know, traffic is now flowing smoothly along First Street and Second Street.

Construction company Murphy Builders wanted to finish up before Christmas, so they did. In an interview with the Sun, Ustick said everyone was glad they finished earlier than expected with the bad weather Gallup has been experiencing lately.

The first phase of the project was finished in July 2020. The second phase focused on First Street and Second Street, with...

It’s not just residents eagerly awaiting a decision on water rates. Businesses have plans to make, and they can’t do it without some reliable way to predict costs.

That issue trickled into town as negotiations on a new utility rate contract for nitrile glove manufacturer Rhino Health opened a can of worms about creating an industrial water rate.

The city has proposed creating an industrial rate – something the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation has been after for a decade – as part of a larger water rate overhaul, but the city council has been unable to reach a decision on that.

GGEDC Executive Director Patty Lundstrom and her team explained how important...

Gallup Police Chief Franklin Boyd is retiring.

After 24 years and 10 months as of service, Boyd's last day will be Jan. 20.

Captain Erin Toadlena-Pablo will be Acting Chief of Police and Captain Billy Padavich will be Acting Deputy Chief of Police until such time as a new Police Chief is hired.

“It was an extreme honor for me to serve as your Chief of Police," Boyd said in a press release published on Jan. 19. "This is a great Department because of all the hard work, devotion to duty, and dedication of all the officers and support staff of the Gallup Police Department."

Boyd continued to hank the city officials he worked with.

I would like to thank the City of Gallup, mayor...