My compliments to the city of Gallup, and to the business and civic leaders who attended the recent Economic Roundtable for your vision and support for economic development.

With the help of visiting experts, 60 of us gathered on July 12 at the Second Street Conference Center for a day of learning and dialogue on the economic challenges and opportunities of the Greater Gallup community. By all measures, it was a resounding success, as we all got engaged in the detail, learned more about what is happening in the community’s economic development work, and brought ideas forward for accelerating our progress.

We all worked to get our heads around the complexities involved in our three...

As the 2015-16 Miss Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Queen, I’m a cultural ambassador for my Native people, and of course the Ceremonial itself. I promote traditional preservation and practices, and also educate people about the Gallup Ceremonial festivities.

I invite everyone to come and take part in this long-time event and encourage artists to enter their art work.

My name is Kahlaya Rose McKinney. I’m born of the Owens Valley Paiute Tribe of Bishop California. My father is Lakota Rosebud Sioux. My maternal grandfather is Navajo; he comes from the Red Running Into Water People Clan. And my paternal grandfather is Muskogee Creek.

I’m 20 years old, and I’m studying...

National Night Out is, on the periphery, a light-hearted event.

On Aug. 2, Gallupians gathered at the parking lot of Rio West Mall, chatted, ate free food, and explored things like the latest in fire and police equipment.

Grinning politicians made adorable speeches in an effort to boost neighborhood cohesiveness and their own approval ratings.

The city got the word out about the event and a lot of folks from around Gallup were in attendance this year. It’s almost as though cities and towns nationwide compete to see who can stage the most elaborate event.

National Night Out is about bringing police and members of the community together, Mayor Jackie McKinney and Police Chief...

Stay patient after GPD shooting

The July 24 early-morning fatal shooting of an armed Gallup man by local police demands a full and thorough investigation. The death of any citizen at the hands of a police officer is bound to produce strong emotions and a quest for the truth.

The matter also demands the community remain calm and patient.

The New Mexico State Police is piecing together the facts that culminated in the death of 29-year-old Alvin Sylversmythe at the Arnold Street public housing.

The Gallup Police Department immediately put the investigation in the hands of the NMSP to avoid bias, which is proper. The state police will take an independent look at what exactly happened...