E FRE
Tic Toc… Time to take the kids to a flick Film Review Page 19 VOL 4 | ISSUE 181 | SEPTEMBER 21, 2018
NURSING HOME NEGLECT? Local care facility comes under fire. Story Page 4
LOCAL CARE | FROM PAGE 4 assistant who worked there i n ot her capacit ies, f rom 2001-11, told the Sun the primary reason for the neglect and abuse at the facility is a lack of nursing assistants on the floor. “Lack of CNAs is the reason pat ient s a ren’t bei ng cared for,” the source, who wished to remain unnamed, told the Sun in a Sept. 18 Facebook chat. “CNA s do [their] best for the residents. I know that for a fact [be] cause I have fr iends that still work there as CNAs; they hurt themselves, physically, emotionally and mentally for [their] patients but the compa ny itself ca n’t get more help for them, it’s been like that since I worked there.” New Mexico Department of Health, Division of Health Improvement, confirmed there were two recently completed health surveys for Red Rocks – one from Jan. 10 and the other from June 21 of this year. “However, the survey has not been added to the website yet because the Survey department has not received a Plan of Correction from
the facility yet,” DOH spokesman David Morgan stated in an email, adding later that as of Sept. 19, there were “no a s sig n ment s pend i ng for an onsite investigation by the survey team. All we have pending for them are self reports that the facility has reported reportable incidents and are submitting their own internal follow up investigation.” According to data compiled from U.S. Centers for Med ica re a nd Med ica id Services, nursing homes in New Mexico are among the grimmest in the nation. Of 74 New Mexico nursing facilities, 38 had serious deficiencies, adding up to over $2.5 million in penalties. U.S. News & World Report states on its website, as of 2016, Red Rocks rated below average in health inspections, nurse staffing and medical quality of care. Data from August 2016 a lone shows that the facility had 12 health violations that year, significantly higher than the 7.3 U.S. average. From 2014-16, Red Rocks paid three fines totaling $25,968 and was denied Medicare or Medicaid payments Oct. 5, 2016
The sign for the entrance to Red Rocks Care Center is located near the east end of Gallup off Church Rock Road. Photographed Sept. 18. Photo Credit: Cayla Nimmo and Oct. 3, 2015. As of press time, Red Rocks Care Center did not return several calls requesting a response on the matter. Mea nwhile, Serena Penaloza began reaching out to
both local and statewide news outlets in mid-September. Her hope is to spread awareness of the treatment her grandmother received and in turn spur families to keep a closer watch on relatives in facilities like Red
Rocks. “She’s safe, but she’s not going to forget what happened to her,” Serena Penaloza said. “My worries are for people who are there, and everywhere else [like it] on the reservation.”
e g n u o L t e k c o The R OPEN
YS A D N SU Starting
October 7th 11 AM to 8 PM
505-722-8972 • 1717 SOUTH 2ND STREET • GALLUP, NM
Check out our FREE access community website!
www.gallupsun.com 12
Friday September 21, 2018 • Gallup Sun
NEWS
OPINIONS Take Heart By Bill Emmerling Pastor-Gallup Christian Church
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV) These are the last words of instruction Jesus gives His disciples before the crucifixion. “…take heart…” could also be translated “Be courageous.”
Jesus is calling for His disciples to go beyond their own comfort, to do that which they might not otherwise, on behalf of Jesus. Yet Jesus goes beyond a call to “Be Courageous,” he tells them why they can be courageous: He has “overcome the world.” All the pain of suffering of sin and death… He has overcome. He has proven victorious over the worst that Satan and the world can offer. Jesus has
provided the needed sacrifice, redemption for our sins, covering us with His righteous blood, that we may go into the very presence of God the Father in prayer.
MADAME G
We are reminded in Romans 8 that God has given us HIS Son, and if God has done that, will he withhold any other good thing from us? NO, He will give us whatever is good, pleasing and acceptable according to His Will. Let us “Be Courageous” in sharing our hearts and concerns with our Heavenly Father. Jesus has just shared chapters 13-16 of John with His disciples in order “…that in me you may have peace.” He has shared these things ahead of time, that the disciples might know that Jesus was truly God in the flesh, The
Incarnation of God. He shared them that that might find peace in knowing Jesus is God, and knowing the instructions He has given are true, and provide peace if we follow His words. Throughout Biblical history, God (Jesus) has given encouragement to His people as they sought to walk in His way. To Jacob, He said, “Behold, I am with you [Jacob] and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I
TAKE HEART | SEE PAGE 14
GUIDE TO THE STARS WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24
On Sept. 24, prepare for the Full Harvest Moon. Traditionally, the Harvest Moon allowed farmers to work by the light of the moon. For us modern people, the Harvest Moon marks the beginning of fall. Madame G recommends you reflect on your past accomplishments and failures. What would you like to improve in the coming year? How can you help others?
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct.22)
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You have a generous heart, open mind and outstanding physical prowess. You’re talented. But you have a tendency to give so much you burn out. Before you implode from working too much, take a moment to appreciate what you’ve accomplished. You’re amazing! You should be proud of what you’ve done. Give yourself a little break from the negative talk. Keep calm and carry on.
You’re hopeful for the future. And you should be. Your life is good. Continue to be honest and share what you know to be the truth in a thoughtful conscientious way. No one likes a dictator. They may listen to you out of fear or annoyance, but they won’t respect your opinion. They certainly won’t follow you into the jungle or into war. Do you want ‘yes men’ or friends?
You might think life is a lonely road, and it can be. But that doesn’t mean that is the only story. There are many roads with twists and turns. Though we enter and leave this world alone, we travel throughout this world together and that makes all the difference. Keep an open mind and an open heart. Every chapter has a beginning and an end. It’s exciting. Enjoy!
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Your life is an open book except for the parts that aren’t open to anyone. Instead of hiding away the best parts for yourself, consider how it looks to others. If you come across as cold and conceited, people will work for you, but they won’t be loyal. Try opening up to others and let them help you. No man (or woman is an island). Success is accomplished together.
The heart is a lonely hunter. That’s the beautiful title to Carson McCullers book. She was 23 when it was published. If you’re afraid life will pass you by or that you haven’t accomplished enough. Stop! You’re doing the best you can. We are all living a journey that we don’t fully understand. We are in this together, but we need to give ourselves a break. Be kind.
What’s in your heart? You have good news to share and victories to announce. You must push forward and embrace the day. It’s a wonderful world we live in, but we have to do more than wish for the best. You need a community to rely on. It’s not enough to pursue your dreams alone. You need friends to help you when you’re feeling run down. Do your best along the way.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) What’s on your mind Gemini? If you’ve been focused on a certain topic or question for some time, allow yourself the time to try out new avenues of thought. You might just find the answer while enjoying a wine and painting event, attending an art opening, watching a movie or talking with friends. You never know what you’ll find until you get out there and try it. Go! OPINIONS
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You’re doing what you need to for you. Don’t let others dictate what is best — only you know, if your life aligns with your values. Keep in mind that all human beings can change and make better and worse decisions. There is always an option to try a different path. But you must take the road you believe will serve you best throughout your life. Good luck!
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) It is a high-emotion time right now, Scorpio, but that does not have to become negative. Embrace the things that give you the energy to live, allow yourself to become who you need to be. Those who are around you adore you, give them your time as you see fit.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Your heart is an open book with faded and sometimes blank pages. This doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but you may need to focus on those blank pages, if you want to see them filled. The question is: what do you want on them? You must see your vision and set out to complete it. Your friends and family will help, but you must reach out and ask. Help them out, too.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Where the heart is, that is where your mind is. Your passion is the key. You don’t have to keep looking for the only way forward. You can find the answer in your heart. Look deeply into your mind’s eye and don’t be afraid of the answer. Keep moving forward and do your best. You’ll find the answer if you ask it honestly and keep your word to yourself.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Be honest with yourself, do you really want to change? Maybe you think you want to change, but you really don’t. In order to make a change, you might need to change your environment. In order to make that kind of change, you need to be brave and push forward. The only change you’ll ever get is the one you decide to make and keep the promises you make.
Gallup Sun • Friday September 21, 2018
13