A lawsuit against the State of New Mexico was presented during a special meeting of the Gallup City Council by City Attorney George Kozeliski June 29. The action would seek to protect Gallup from the loss of revenues if the state of New Mexico does not change the current plan to phase out the hold harmless tax break.

The hold harmless tax break was created during Bill Richardson’s term as governor. The first portion that allowed for abatement of taxes on food was enacted in 2004 and the second, relating to health care expenses was enacted in 2007. Losing the hold harmless status will be devastating to Gallup, according to local lawmakers.

The lawsuit presents two points of...

In a special session of the Gallup City Council, held June 29, a purchase of the land owned by Alpine Lumber was approved. The land is valued at about $ 1 million but the city was able to buy it for $400,000. The buildings formerly known as Alpine Lumber, 104 North Second St., and the parcel west of the buildings are included in the purchase.

City Councilor Allan Landavazo said the procurement of this property is beneficial for future development. No plan has been set for the future of the land but ideas that are in the brainstorming process include a possible convention center, retail space, a park and access for a Second Street underpass that would help traffic bypass the railroad...

After a three month long investigation, the Gallup Police Department Narcotics Task Force was able to secure a subpoena for the Abeita residence and found drugs and money in an early morning raid June 26.

Due to the dangers of the job and the confidential requirements of the Narcotics Task Force, the Gallup Sun will not release the names of the Agents. Agent #1 and Agent #2 were interviewed in a secure location about the June 26 raid, along with GPD Capt. Rick White and other media reporters.

“We’ve had an ongoing investigation on Kristopher Abeita since March,” Agent #1 said. “We were finally able to get a warrant signed, we served that warrant at 3301 Box Canyon Avenue at...

Ryan Westman, 23, of Gallup was a very busy man prior to being locked up in the county jail June 20, subsequently escaping days later, then being caught and locked up again that same day.

More charges are adding up on Westman, who scaled the fence of the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on June 24. He was apprehended based on witness statements and good old-fashioned police work.

When Westman was originally arrested on June 20, Gallup police officers found him with David Martinez, 29, of Gallup and Christina Quintana, 25, of Gallup exiting a reported stolen vehicle at 511 Cactus. Westman was booked on three outstanding warrants, receiving or transferring stolen vehicle...