Gallup Sun

Tuesday, Mar 21st

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Features

Project SEARCH brings people with intellectual, developmental disabilities into the workforce

Friday, 03 June 2022 04:38 By Molly Ann Howell Sun Correspondent

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 19.1% of people with disabilities were employed in 2020, compared to 63.7% of able-bodied people.

When it comes to intellectual disabilities, the Gallup-McKinley County Schools is trying to do something to bring that percentage up.

On May 20, five students graduated from...

Gallup High basketball player to play at Taft College

Friday, 03 June 2022 04:37 By Molly Ann Howell Sun Correspondent

Gallup High’s girls varsity basketball team finished this past season with a record of 25-5. And now one of the girls who helped them achieve that record is going on to play basketball at Taft College in California.

Trinity Juan signed her letter of intent to play basketball for the college on May 20. In an interview with the Sun, she said she was pleasantly surprised when the college reached out.

“Getting to play college basketball is a blessing,” Juan said. “I didn’t think I would have the chance [to go on to college basketball] because I was a point guard who didn’t score much, and these days it’s the people who score often are the ones who are most likely [to go on...

FBI designates 61 active shooter incidents in 2021

Friday, 03 June 2022 04:32 Staff Reports

In 2021, the FBI designated 61 shootings as active shooter incidents. In these incidents, 103 people were killed and 140 wounded, excluding the shooters.

For the period 2017–2021, active shooter incident data reveals an upward trend. The number of active shooter incidents identified in 2021 represents a 52.5% increase from 2020 and a 96.8% increase from 2017. The FBI released a “Active Shooter Incidents in the United State in 2021” report on May 23.

Casualty counts are higher for 2021 (243) when compared with 2020 (164), indicating a 48% increase. The casualties in 2021 represents the third highest total casualty count over the last five years (2017–2021). 2021 saw the highest...

Honoring the fallen

Friday, 27 May 2022 04:37 Gallupsun Staff

A group of runners gather for a photo op outside of the Larry Brian Mitchell Center during the GPD’s fallen police memorial event May 17. Mitchell was killed in the line of duty in 2001.

Runners stayed in a pack while running in honor of fallen officers May 17.

Running to honor six fallen officers who paid with their lives while serving the public, showing that officers never forget their fallen, such as GPD Officer Louis Silva, who died in 1930 and continues to be honored for his service and ultimate sacrifice.

It took all first responder departments to make the fallen officers memorial a success in 2022.

Glenn’s Bakery donated a cake to honor fallen police officers, and uplift the current ranks in attendance at the Gallup Police Dept.’s annual memorial event at Larry Brian Mitchell Center May 17.

From left, State Farm Insurance Representative and volunteer Timaris Montano, GPD Sgt. Nicola Martinez-Collins, and Gallup Fire Dept. Inspector Arlita Pablo, gather for a quick snapshot during the GPD’s annual fallen officers event May 17.

Community remembers officers killed in the line of duty

Photos Courtesy of Chee Montano

On a mission …

Friday, 20 May 2022 04:23 By Molly Ann Howell Sun Correspondent

Chance encounter leads woman on a business-helping path

A chance encounter at a local coffee shop led Sydney Smolla to a career opportunity she didn’t see coming. Smolla is a small business owner, and the barista knew she was looking for clients, so he set her up with Gallup’s Tourism and Marketing manager Jennifer Lazarz.

Smolla moved to Gallup in November after marrying her husband, who works as a pharmacist for the Gallup Indian Medical Center.

Thanks to that chance encounter, Smolla is now working for the city and helping with the Coal Avenue Commons project. She serves as the liaison between business owners, the community, and the construction company to ensure...