Vanessa Bowen wants to highlight Native pride, ‘hózhó’

Former Gallup resident Vanessa Bowen did what she felt was necessary to counter what she said was a hateful political message put out by Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

A few months ago, Native-born Bowen began creating hats bearing the words “Make America Native Again.” The words are a take on Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” but they’re also inspired by Native American history and values.

“I was terrified of what our country would become if Trump was to be elected president,” Bowen, a Gallup native and former marketing and event coordinator at the city’s Business...

One man treated, released from hospital

One person was injured in a roofing accident caused by a blowtorch that was too close to a gas line, officials said. Gallup Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Jesus Morales said construction workers were repairing one of two roofs at a home at 215 W. Lincoln Ave., when an explosion occurred at about 5:50 pm Sept. 7.

Workers were warming up tar to slather on the roof prior to laying shingles.

Antonio Castaneda, 41, a worker with Dominguez Construction of Gallup, was working atop the home. He said he was using the torch and it apparently got a little too close to the line.

“That was it,” he said. “It just got a little close and...

Father, daughter swept away in floodwaters

TOHATCHI – Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez were saddened to learn about a tragic accident that took place in Tohatchi Sept. 2, involving a father and daughter who were swept away in flash flood waters, ultimately losing their lives. This accident has devastated the community.

It has been reported that Jay Levier entered floodwaters after his daughter Aschley fell in trying to save her dog.

“We need to constantly remind our Navajo people to stay away from floodwaters, flood zones and to be aware of the power of flood waters. The bodies of Jay and his daughter Aschley were said have been washed five...

SAN JUAN COUNTY – New Mexico State Police investigated a double motorcycle crash that resulted in the fatalities of both drivers Sept. 3. The crash occurred at around 4 pm at the intersection of Navajo Route 5 and N.M. State Road 371 (85-mile marker) in San Juan County.

According to a news release issued by NMSP Sgt. Elizabeth Armijo, the initial investigation indicated both motorcycles were riding in tandem on Navajo Route 5. Both failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of State Road 371 causing both to crash off the opposite side of the roadway.

Both drivers are believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, Armijo stated in the...