One hundred and sixty-four happy students became graduates at the commencement exercise last Friday, May 15, in the arena of Red Rock Park. Undeterred by the chilly weather and wind, a very large collection of family and friends attended the event in support of these students.

The lengthy ceremony included the Presentation of Colors by the GHS JROTC, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Lakota Jordan, the national anthem by Blaine Yazzie, and a tri-cultural prayer by: Mia Salazar in English, Govinda Lingayat in Hindu, and Shawn Jim in Navajo.

Dr. Kim Orr, the principal of GHS, welcomed the guests and introduced the special people in attendance. Mike Butkovich, the previous...

Seventy-one hard-working students at Gallup Central High received diplomas on May 14 after a happy celebration, and a few speeches. There were also diplomas for 26 adult graduates of Gallup’s only alternative school for those students who, for a variety of reasons, found the mainstream schools too harsh or incompatible to their needs or educations.

The large crowd that filed into the Miyamura gymnasium were present to support these students for their continued effort, and the hugs and applause were as genuine, if not more so, than the other public high schools in town.

The processional was followed by a tri-lingual Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of America, recited by...

The Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society is in a class of its own.

Not only does it serve the entire west central New Mexico community, it’s the only shelter in the area.

Responsible for everything from receiving animals in Gallup and the surrounding areas to proving low cost spay and neuter clinics up to three times a week, things can get pretty hectic.

Kris Gruda, transport coordinator and foster for the shelter, has been with the organization for three years. She explained that while the animals receive proper care once they come into the facility, such as being vaccinated, assessed for adoption suitability and spayed or neutered, space is often limited.

Fostering and...

If you travel downtown enough these days, you’ll spot them here and there, skateboarders jumping off concrete curbs with precision, and spinning in circles with seeming confidence.

While still in the early planning stages, local skateboarders will get a concrete playground of their own, in the east parking lot of the Gallup Cultural Center.

City Councilors were presented with three possible locations and voted in favor of the downtown location May 12. It was with some persuasion, a generous $50,000 pledge from William McCarthy, CEO of Southwest Indian Foundation.

The city has about $10,000 in funds, and Rep. Patty Lundstrom secured $40,000 for the park during the 2014 legislative...