Staff Reports

Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Darrell Desiderio, Sr. of Twin Lakes for the stabbing injury of Andrew Garcia, Jr.

He's wanted on a $10,000 cash only bond, and faces the charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

Gallup Police Department Lt. Rosanne Morrissette said Desiderio allegedly stabbed Garcia up to four times. He's was in stable condition Monday.

According to an eyewitness account listed in the arrest warrant, around 9 am Thursday morning Garcia confronted Desiderio in front of the McKinley County Courthouse about stealing his brother's backpack at Trade Mark Square.

When the argument grew heated, Desiderio started searching his pockets...

Heated topic: Teachers who hail from abroad

The Gallup McKinley County Schools Board of Education meeting started at 6 pm Aug. 15 and dragged on for more than five hours, ending after 11 pm.

But not a lot of business was taken care of during that long span, with some agenda items tabled until next meeting.

At the start of the meeting, it was standing room only. Scores of Filipino teachers, staff, and supporters were there to speak out against alleged comments made to the media by recently appointed board member Sandra Jeff.

Heckling from the audience – from calling out Jeff on her questionable residency in McKinley County to making derogatory remarks about a Gallup-based...

GPD chief: ‘More promotions’ coming

Three officers from the Gallup Police Department were promoted Aug. 15 by new city Police Chief Phillip Hart during a formal ceremony at Gallup Municipal Court.

The promoted employees were patrol officers Nicola Martinez, Terrance Peyketewa, and Anthony Seciwa. The officers were all promoted to the rank of sergeant.

“I am very proud to promote three of our police officers to the rank of sergeant,” Hart said in a brief introduction. “These are people who work for you.”

Martinez is originally from Haystack, and is an eight-year police department veteran who graduated with a criminal justice degree from New Mexico State...

Team trained by CCSO

Lt. Pat Salazar of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office informed the McKinley County Board of Commissioners Aug. 16 that the MCSO now has a certified emergency response team.

The announcement by Salazar, which included introductions to commissioners of members of the ERT team who were dressed in response gear, took place at the regular county meeting.

“Things went well,” Salazar told board members. “As I understand it, it was eight days of some very tough training. [ERT] members are called in when an incident presents significant risk to law enforcement officers and the public.”

Salazar noted that the training certifies the ERT members to respond to...