Silversmith drops the hammer on Rangel, Noriega

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent

Two of the three deputies involved in a physical altercation in January are no longer employed with the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, officials said. Three others were suspended.



McKinley County Sheriff Ron Silversmith confirmed in a written statement to the Gallup Sun March 22 that termination letters were prepared for Richard Rangel and A.J. Noriega, but, the one-page letter states, “… pursuant to policy and past practices we have accepted resignation in lieu of termination from each.”



Three other deputies received suspensions without pay from between 30 to 45 days, Silversmith...

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent


A Gallup man remained jailed March 17 at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond that relates to murder and tampering with evidence charges, according to an arrest warrant.



According to the warrant, Daniel Martinez, 42, who goes by various aliases, such as "'Artemo' or 'Artemio'... did kill Jose Alfredo Morales and did destroy hide or place with the intent to prevent apprehension or prosecution, " the arrest affidavit, in part, reads.



Both crimes are felonies and punishable by life in prison taken together. The matter stems from a Nov. 9 incident in which a relative went to the trailer home of Morales located...

The national, state and POW-MIA flags stood at half-mast Monday at the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, in honor of slain Navajo Police Department Officer Houston James Largo.

Prior to Monday night’s vigil for the fallen officer, McKinley County Under Sheriff Paul Lucero said, “Our condolences to his family. He was definitely a good officer and will be missed. Everyone is very sad here.”

MCSO deputies assisted NPD officers in apprehending shooting suspect Kirby Cleveland Sunday, according to media reports. Largo passed away from his injuries Sunday afternoon.

Early Monday,  local law enforcement escorted the body into the borders of the city to Rollie’s Mortuary...

Blue Ribbon Task Force to be formed

The McKinley County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 March 14 to support a resolution related to the gathering of more information about the environmental impact of uranium mining.

That was the outcome of a regular county commission meeting whereby area community members asked the county to not entertain notions about uranium mining.

Commissioners Carol Bowman-Muskett and Bill Lee voted in favor of the resolution. Commissioner Genevieve Jackson opposed it on the grounds that some new detail should be included in a new resolution. Bowman-Musket and Lee suggested that passing a moratorium could land McKinley County in legal and financial hot...