Gallup Sun

Another year… another ranking at the bottom of the barrel. New Mexico has ranked among the worst states in which to be a child for so long that it hardly seems like news anymore. In the 25-plus years that the Annie E. Casey Foundation has been publishing the KIDS COUNT Data Book, we’ve never ranked above 40th. Most years, we’ve ranked in the bottom five, but we can and we must do better by our kids

We have made progress in some areas. Over the last several years, child and teen death rates and teen birth rates have gone down, along with the percentage of children who lack health insurance, while high school graduation rates have gone up.

While these are positive trends, they align...

When we think of strep throat, we generally think of that infection most of us get during a lifetime where we get this sudden, painful sore throat and fever. We just go to the doctor, get antibiotics, stay home from work or school a day or two and everything’s fine.

Truth is, there are many different types of strep bacteria. Some cause more serious illness than others.

Strep throat is a bacterial infection in the throat and the tonsils. It’s caused by streptococcal (strep) bacteria, and it can be passed from person-to-person when the infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes, tiny droplets with the strep bacteria go into the air. It’s that simple: those itty bitty droplets...

Author proposes shutting down a fire department

Upon retirement many Gallupians head to far away communities to spend their golden years participating in numerous activies. For many of us who remain the activities provided by our golf course, bowling alleys and local bars as well as the senior citizen centers for free lunch is not exactly our cup of tea. I have a pretty good idea of the type of recreation center activities which would attract my wife and I into paying membership fees and I reckon there are many others in Gallup like us.

In determining the appropriate venue for a publicly funded community recreation facility it may be best to first determine what is not in the best...

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

It’s going into Leo’s birthday season, and Madame G assures you that this one will be a dazzling one to remember. Not for the weather, but the extreme positive vibes that you feel when the people in your life are in tune to each others needs. Some ice cream cake and good music will have you prancing around the house like the king/queen of the castle. You’ll have a blast.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Don’t let a an old friend influence future decision making – especially if you haven’t seen this friend for years and he or she suddenly friends you on Facebook. All the sudden, it seems like it was yesterday that you last saw each other. People change and not...