Author: Gallup Sun Publishing
Staff Reports For over a year and a half, Gallup-McKinley County Schools and a former high school teacher have been locked in a legal battle that began with an email. In early January 2025, Sawyer Masonjones officially took office as president of the McKinley County Federation of United School Employees union. Shortly after, then-Miyamura High School Principal Nick Garro noticed Masonjones sending an email regarding union business during his contract hours—time he should have spent teaching. Garro alerted then-GMCS Superintendent Mike Hyatt, who issued a letter of reprimand to Masonjones Jan. 17, 2025. However, what started as a single reprimand…
Staff Reports ALBUQUERQUE — After a nine-day trial, a federal jury convicted former Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-N.M., and her friend Joseph Johnson on all counts with which they were charged stemming from a years-long scheme in which Stapleton used her position at Albuquerque Public Schools and in the legislature to steer millions of dollars in funding to Johnson’s company and secretly received approximately $1.15 million from the company. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from about July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2021, Stapleton, 69, used her position at APS as Director of the Perkins Project…
Staff Reports ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man has been charged in federal court in connection with the stabbing of two individuals. According to court documents, on July 24, Roger Pino, 44, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, allegedly confronted two individuals outside a residence in Zuni, N.M., while armed with a knife and demanding the return of his property. During the confrontation, Pino allegedly cut one victim before stabbing a second victim in the chest and slashing his face. Witnesses reported that Pino continued waving the knife and making threats as he left the scene before fleeing to…
Staff Reports ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni man was sentenced to 18 years in prison for the deaths of three individuals Aug. 3. According to court documents, on July 4, 2025, Willis Kylestewa, 42, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, drove while intoxicated with four passengers in a vehicle without working headlights. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop, Kylestewa reportedly fled, speeding and swerving through traffic before losing control of the vehicle, which flipped and crashed. Kylestewa and three passengers were ejected from the vehicle and two died after being ejected. Another passenger died inside the vehicle. At the…
By Richard Reyes, UNM-Gallup Senior Public Relations Specialist In a historic achievement, five students from The University of New Mexico-Gallup won medals for the first time during the SkillsUSA Championships this summer. Arianna “Eavan” Edwards earned a silver medal in the nurse assisting category while Sonny Gene, Donovan Padilla, Layla Perry, and Collin Brieno earned a bronze medal as a team in the entrepreneurship category during the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta from June 1-5. “This was my first time at nationals and to have walked away with a medal from that—and I do believe that I…
Staff Reports The City of Gallup will be repairing Toltec Drive between Highway 66 and Church Rock Street starting Aug. 17. The construction is expected to last until Sept 4. The construction crew will be working from 7 am to 7 pm every day, excluding weekends. The City of Gallup is asking people not to park on the street during this time. Vehicles left on the street will be towed at the owner’s expense. The city is asking drivers to anticipate some delays and plan travel accordingly by using alternative routes. For any questions or concerns, call the Public Works…
Staff Reports FARMINGTON — The Navajo Code Talker Museum is moving forward with nearly $20 million in state funding. The museum will be built on the Navajo Preparatory School’s campus, on Navajo Nation land in Farmington. Funding will cover the museum construction and development of exhibits on the language and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers. “The United States owes the Navajo Code Talkers a tremendous debt—for their language, their courage and their heroic service to our state and nation,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said in a Aug. 14 press release. “With two Code Talkers still living, there is no time…
Staff Reports WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Window Rock District Court issued several orders addressing the issues in Curley v. Nygren, including rulings affirming the authority of the Navajo Nation Council and Speaker Crystalyne Curley concerning the Legislative Branch budget and the Office of the Controller Aug. 5. Curley, on behalf of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, brought the case after President Buu Nygren sought to unlawfully remove Controller Sean McCabe, and line-item vetoed operational funding for the Legislative Branch and other essential government functions. Represented by Chief Legal Counsel Michelle Espino, the Council challenged the President’s actions by filing…
Staff Reports WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — During a recent advocacy trip, members of the Law and Order Committee met with U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., congressional staff, members of the New Mexico delegation, and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Majority to advance federal priorities related to public safety, education and food security. Chairwoman Eugenia Charles-Newton, Vice Chair Nathan Notah, and Delegate Arbin Mitchell advocated for Public Law 93-638 contracts, law enforcement recruitment and retention, 105(L) Lease funding, scholarships, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the stability of programs that provide essential services to Navajo communities. They also opposed prediction markets,…
Devin Paul Howard, of Vanderwagen, N.M., died Aug. 11. He was 53. He was born in Gallup on June 3, 1973. He was born into the Tábąąhí (Water Edge Clan) and born for Bit’ahnii (Within His Cover Clan). Devin was preceded in death by his father Ernest A. Howard; his sister Dusty R. Howard; and his brother, Darryl J. Howard. He is survived by his mother, Elaine Ike and his brother Layne Howard. A funeral service will be held at Rollie Mortuary on Aug. 18 at 10 am.
