Author: Gallupsun Staff

Councilors approve Comprehensive Safety Action Plan By Molly Ann HowellManaging Editor Gallup city officials are taking the necessary steps to make the community safer. During a November city council meeting, a consultant from Bohannan Huston presented an update on the City of Gallup Comprehensive Safety Action Plan. This plan ensures Gallup meets federal requirements for future “Safe Streets and Roads for All” funding. Subsequently, consultant Clare Haley returned to the council during their April 28 meeting to present the finalized plan for official approval. The SS4A program is a federal initiative that grants funds to regional, local, and tribal projects…

By Molly Ann HowellManaging Editor Drought conditions haven’t improved since McKinley County Fire Chief Tim Berry addressed the McKinley County Commission on March 17. Consequently, the county has officially declared extreme, exceptional, or severe drought conditions throughout the region. McKinley County Deputy Fire Chief Rich Austin provided a formal update on these conditions during the Commission’s May 12 regular meeting. According to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor as of May 7, severe (D2) drought covers 79% of the county, while the remaining 21% falls into the extreme (D3) category. The National Drought Mitigation Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture,…

Staff Reports ALBUQUERQUE — A Zuni woman pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after her 2-month-old daughter died from asphyxiation. According to court documents, on the night of Jan. 25, 2025, Miranda Cachini, 27, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, consumed alcoholic beverages and fell asleep while breastfeeding her 2-month-old daughter in bed. During the night, Cachini reportedly rolled over on top of the baby, causing her to pass away by asphyxiation. Cachini pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and faces up to eight years in prison at sentencing. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this…

Staff Reports An Albuquerque man is facing charges from Gallup Magistrate Court after he reportedly shot at a man who refused to race him. On May 3, around 10:15 pm, Gallup Police Officer Eric Mangum was on patrol when Metro Dispatch received a call about a man who reportedly shot at a vehicle while driving near the intersection of Highway 66 and Ford Drive. According to Mangum’s report, the suspect had been driving a black Dodge Charger with red trim on the headlights. The suspect was eventually identified as Jim Ramone, 21. The victim said Ramone had tried to race…

Staff Reports Gallup Police are currently investigating a shooting that occurred near a local restaurant. On May 11, around 10 pm, Gallup Police officers responded to a shooting incident that occurred at Flavors of the Middle East, 700 E. Hwy. 66. Witnesses reported that multiple shots were discharged from a vehicle. A juvenile was in the victim that the suspects reportedly shot at. Officers initiated a citywide search for the suspect vehicle, and issued an attempt-to-locate directive. On May 12, the GPD located the vehicle at the Walmart located at 1650 W. Maloney Ave. According to a Gallup Police Department…

Staff Reports NO PAYDAY FOR SHOPLIFTER Yatahey, May 3 A Yatahey woman was arrested after trying to take several candy bars from a local store without paying for them. On May 3, McKinley County Sheriff’s Officer Miguel Bittony was dispatched to the Family Dollar store at 24 Hwy. 264 in Yatahey after an employee called Metro Dispatch and said that a customer had left the store with something concealed on their person. Bittony left the store and shortly afterward found a pair of persons matching the description given to him by the employee. He had to travel off the road…

Staff Reports Featured DWI May 4, 12:55 pm Aggravated DWI (Second) New Mexico State Police caught up to a vehicle that had reportedly collided with several others before rolling over itself, and they eventually arrested a Church Rock man for his second DWI. Officer Terence Willie was on patrol when Metro Dispatch advised of a black GMC Acadia that had hit several vehicles on the east side of Gallup. The calling party reportedly said the vehicle was unable to maintain its lane as it traveled on Interstate 40 near mile marker 28. The calling party followed the suspect vehicle off…

Staff Reports WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Budget and Finance Committee approved legislation adopting the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Instruction Manual following a detailed report from the Office of the Controller April 30 focused on strengthening data-driven budgeting practices for the Navajo Nation. BFC Chairwoman Shaandiin Parrish said the committee has worked to ensure future budgets are based on verified financial data and long-term fiscal accountability. “This work is about strengthening data-driven budgeting and using real financial data to guide our decisions,” Parrish said. “By grounding our budget in actual spending trends, we are building best practices that improve accountability,…

Staff Reports WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health, through the Navajo Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention Program, is encouraging women across the Navajo Nation to prioritize their health during National Women’s Health Week by participating in upcoming Mobile Mammography Screening events scheduled throughout May. The mobile screening unit will travel to several Navajo communities to provide convenient breast health services and increase access to preventative care for women living in rural and underserved areas. The initiative supports early detection efforts and promotes awareness surrounding breast and cervical cancer prevention. Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosed…

By Joe SchallerGuest Columnist The Sun’s headline in the May 8 issue “Gov. Lujan Grisham’s cleanup collects 60,000 pounds of litter” might more aptly be: “Political virtue signaling costs taxpayers $60/pound for litter pick-up.” We’re supposed to be impressed by 60,000 pounds and 7,000 volunteers? Our governor didn’t mention the $3.6 million cost to taxpayers for the “Breaking Bad Habits” collectivized task. That comes to 8.5 pounds of trash per volunteer, costing $60/pound. I doubt if anybody strained their back. Yet I’m not too proud to toot my own horn and jump on the virtue-signaling wagon as well. For some…