NM Auditor’s Office wants to prevent backlogs

DNA evidence from a sex crime can be collected from a crime scene, but it’s even more useful for law enforcement agencies if it comes from a victim’s body, clothes, or personal belongings. Victims may choose to have a sexual assault forensic exam, also called a “rape kit,” which preserves possible DNA evidence.

Rape kits were the topic of a June 23 visit by Sarita Nair, chief legal counsel under State Auditor Tim Keller, who gave a one-hour presentation at the El Morro Theatre on the importance of law enforcement agencies processing rape kits so as to avoid backlogs.

“The idea with rape kits is to get current and stay...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Phillip Francisco, 40, of Farmington, has been chosen as the new Navajo Nation chief of police.

The chief of police position has remained vacant for nearly eight years. Director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety Jesse Delmar said hiring a permanent chief of police has been a top priority for the Begaye-Nez administration.

“President Begaye and Vice President Nez had given me a directive to hire a chief of police since I was first appointed as director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety,” Delmar said. “I am very excited to announce today our selection of Phillip Francisco from Farmington, N.M. as the next chief of police for the Navajo Police...

LOCAL FIREWORKS SHOW OFFERS SAFE ALTERNATIVE

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, Gallup Fire Marshal Jesus Morales took the time this week to offer some safety measures for folks to adhere to both inside and outside the home. Morales, a career city fire department employee, said approved vendors began to sell fireworks on June 20 and will cease selling them July 6.

“The fire department is urging the public to use extreme caution when using fireworks in the city on July Fourth,” Morales said.

Morales said a permit is required to use fireworks within the city limits. He noted that permits cost $15 and can be purchased from the city clerk’s office at Gallup City...

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...