As the state legislative session swings into high gear, local leaders are optimistic their pitches to state officials went well and will help bring some much-needed funds to McKinley County.

Representatives from the county, City of Gallup, Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital and local school systems got their turn at the podium Jan. 24, dubbed McKinley County Day, and in a session with Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham Jan. 26.

The annual event gives locals the opportunity to plead their cases and show why their projects should make the list for funding.

“It makes a difference when a community goes up to Santa Fe and speaks directly with legislators,” Gallup Interim City Manager...

An unscheduled water outage that is affecting parts of Phillipina Avenue and Apache Circle started at 11 am on Jan. 29 and will last until 5 pm.

The outage is affecting City of Gallup Water customers in the following areas:

• 204 Phillipina Avenue
• 105-109 Apache Circle

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposal for a new tax credit to help New Mexicans purchase zero-emission cars and light trucks cleared its first committee on Jan. 23.

The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted 6-3 to recommend passage of House Bill 140.

The bill would create new temporary income tax credits for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and other zero-emission vehicles. The bill also proposes tax credits for home and commercial electrical vehicle chargers.

The bill is sponsored by Reps. Dayan Hochman-Vigil and Yanira Gurrola and Sen. Bill Tallman.

“We know there’s consumer demand for these vehicles, and our...

A handful of McKinley County residents just became Gallup residents without moving an inch, as the city annexed a little over 45 acres around Cipriano Street west of State Road 602 to accommodate a major water line that will eventually connect the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project to the city’s water supply.

Dubbed the Lewis Annexation, the acreage is mostly zoned Rural Residential but will include three commercially zoned tracts to take in an existing warehouse owned by Null Rentals and two more lots that belong to Wilson and Nieves Yazzie, who run a daycare licensed for 12 children. The Yazzies hope to expand soon to double capacity.

The annexed properties will be grandfathered...