Gallup Sun • March 20, 2020

E FRE

VOL 6 | ISSUE 259 | MARCH 20, 2020

LIFE…

DISR UPTED COVID-19 stories…Pages 4, 5, 9, 11, 16, 18

2

Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

NO SCHOOL

We all protected each other!

NO MOVIES

Thank you for keeping me safe!

I am happy to be healthy!

At GMCS we care about our students, staff and community.

Resources and information will be continually updated on our homepage, as well as our Facebook and Instagram pages.

NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

3

LOCAL NEWS

NEWS

County commissioners declare health emergency MORE SCREENINGS, LIMITING STAFF, SENDING PEOPLE HOME

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

A

fter both the United States and the State of New Mex ico d e c l a r e d h e a lt h emergencies over the growing pandemic of COVID-19, McKinley County has followed suit.

Dur ing their Ma rch 17 meeting, the McKinley County Boa rd of Com m is sioner s moved to declare a health emergency for the county.

County Ma nager A nthony Dimas Jr. said the county will be eligible for funding that may come from the federal government or state government after the declaration.

The declaration also gives the county manager’s office authority to delegate work schedules and hours to get through the emergency, Dimas said.

Cou nt y Attor ney Doug Decker said part of the catalyst for the declaration was gaining the ability to tap into federal monies. The decision was also based on the directive issued March 15 to all state offices by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to limit their staff in the office and push for an increase in telecommunication.

The move to reduce the number of people inside buildings and to keep adequate space between staff members is part of a general strategy called “fl attening the curve,” where the goal is to lower the peak number of positive cases of COVID-19 to minimize the strain an influx of patients could place on local hospitals.

The floor was opened to public comment, and a number of county department managers spoke about what is being done to reduce the number of staff in the office while still

The McKinley County Board of Commissioners held an emergency meeting March 17 to declare a health emergency against the growing spread of COVID-19. Several county department managers described their plans to minimize the risks to members of their staff. Photo Credit: Cody Begaye maintaining essential services for the community.

“Metro Dispatch and 911 has limited access to their building,” Metro Dispatch Director Georgene Dimas said. “Staff will go to the door and call in before they are allowed in, which will reduce the contact in the building.”

Georgene Dimas suggested giving county employees the ability to send documents electronically, which could cut down on employees having to move between offices.

“I have to go back into my facility and make contact [to deliver documents],” she said.

“If we could eliminate that, I think it would reduce the [risk of] exposure to staff.”

She also said if Metro Dispatch staff either test positive for the virus or come into contact with a known carrier, the department plan is to have more administrative staff work from home when part of

the department has the ability to perform their duties from home.

James Maiorano, undersheriff for McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, said their crews have been meeting over the past week to strategize because new information is constantly coming in.

“We’ve outfitted our guys with Purell and disinfectant wipes to clean out the back of their units and transports,” Maiorano said.

Maiorano also said since school is out, the sheriff’s office expects calls for service will increase, as will property crimes. He also said the number of confi rmed COVID19 cases will increase, and the numbers will depend on whether McKinley County residents can follow the safety guidelines to stay home if they are feeling unwell.

“We understand [cases will increase], we’re prepared for

it,” Maiorano said. “We’re also prepared to lose one-quarter of our force, which will leave us with three people per shift.”

Services like fingerprinting will continue with regular contact because there is no other way to do it, Maiorano explained, while services like background checks and reports can be done without direct contact. This means the department will be able to limit the administrative staff they have working at one time.

Tony Boyd, warden for McK i n ley C ou nt y Adu lt Detention Center, said since inmates are more susceptible to the virus because of the confined spaces in the facility, the detention has stopped all non-contact visits for inmates and limited attorney visits to non-contact or phone conversations.

Boyd also said the county is looking into video conferencing for arraignments, which would reduce the need to transport

inmates from the court to the detention center.

“We do have to allow some people in,” Boyd said. “We’re looking to change our shift schedule and we’re sending home anyone who shows any signs of illness.”

Cleanliness in the facility is also an issue, Boyd mentioned.

This includes wiping down door handles and sanitizing areas where people will meet.

This area also showed the detention center is suffering from the same problem a lot of urgent shoppers have encountered in the past week.

“We have no toilet paper,” Boyd said. “There is none available right now. You can’t find any hand sanitizer anywhere. For sanitation wipes, unless you can get to places like Walmart when they stock it, you’re out of luck.”

Boyd said if their supplier is unable to provide what they need, the department can make the trip to Albuquerque to buy directly from a manufacturer.

As part of a contingency plan, if inmates start showing symptoms, one of three areas in the detention center will be used as an isolation center, Boyd said. They are also planning to have testing kits available to inmates, so they do not have to be transported to local hospitals to be tested.

Commissioner Bill Lee reiterated advice that is being given from nearly every major news outlet and medical professional to minimize the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

“As much as you can, I would encourage everyone, and I mean everyone, not just employees, to limit the amount of travel they take,” Lee said. “If you don’t have to travel outside our area, don’t do it. It’s that simple.”

WHAT’S INSIDE …

YAZZIE/MARTINEZ What’s next for the landmark lawsuit?

SUNSHINE WEEK A call for support for open government

BATTERED FAMILIES Nearly bankrupt, now reversing its fortunes

MOVIE REVIEW Offerings are slim, but you can ‘Blow the Man Down’

13 14 15 17 20 4

Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP The winners no one got to watch

NEWS

City Council discusses response to COVID-19 FACILITY CLOSURES, UPDATED STATS, PREPAREDNESS DRILLS

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

T

he Gallup City Council held a special meeting March 16 to discuss the fallout from the rise of COVID-19, specifically how numerous city facilities have been affected.

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Office Manager Raenona Harvey Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Photography Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover Knifewing Segura Mike Esquibel Correspondent/Editorial Asst.

Cody Begaye On the Cover The spread of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on state and local governments and area residents in the past several weeks.

The Gallup Sun, published Fridays, is not responsible or liable for any claims or offerings, nor responsible for availability of products advertised. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The Gallup Sun distributes newspapers in McKinley, Cibola and Apache counties.

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NEWS

City Attorney Curtis Hayes reiterated an order from March 12 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to restrict what had been classified as mass gatherings, or where groups of more than 50 people assemble. The order has since called on state restaurants and bars to either close completely or offer just takeout or delivery orders.

Hayes also mentioned the city facilities that would be closed until further notice: El Morro Theatre and Events Center, Red Rock Park Convention Center, Aquatic Center, Gallup Senior Center, Cecil Garcia Fitness Center, Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center, Harold Runnels Athletic Complex, Octavia Fellin Public Library and Children’s Library, Gallup

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Veteran’s Center, and the Boys and Girls Club.

All upcoming events at these city facilities will be canceled as well.

“Things are changing rapidly,” Hayes said. “It wouldn’t be surprising with all the information coming in the past four days to see the restrictions become even more restrictive.”

After three presumptive positive cases on March 11, the number of positive tests for New Mexico has risen to 28 as of March 18.

“We’re going to have to keep monitoring what the Department of Health is telling us to do, adjust city practices as needed, and get word out to the public as far as what guidelines are for businesses,” Hayes added.

Hayes also reiterated seniors will be able to pick up lunches in a drive-thru capacity at the Senior Center, and home meal delivery and medical transportation services will still be available.

The new restrictions will also affect the runoff mayoral

McKinley County Fire Chief Jesus Morales, left, addresses the Gallup City Council during their March 16 special meeting. The City Council discussed the closure of numerous city facilities and the plans to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. Photo Credit: Cody Begaye election slated for March 31.

Hayes said there is a statute in the Election Code which will restrict the people who attend the tally of the election results.

Specifically, the statute says the city can restrict the attendance to candidates and one additional person, plus the media and everyone else who is required by law to be present, Hayes said.

Fire Chief Jesus Morales was

present to give an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, in the U.S., there are 3,774 confirmed positive cases with 60 deaths, Morales said. These stats were as of the morning of March 16.

At the same time, there are 17 positive cases in New Mexico identified in over 580 tests. This

CITY COUNCIL | SEE PAGE 8

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

5

PUBLIC SAFETY

NEWS

Weekly Police Activity Reports Staff Reports PARKING LOT FIGHT Gallup, March 9 Gallup Police Officer Jared Albert was dispatched to help another officer who was investigating a fight about 2:24 pm.

He raced to Dana Quintero, who said she was in the front of the car near 802 Hwy. 66 and her boyfriend, Labardo Ray Lucero, 23, of Gallup, was in the backseat being belligerent.

She said they got into an argument and Lucero opened the back seat door and looked like he was preparing to jump out even though the car was going 30 miles an hour. Lucero was screaming and yelling and Quintero said she couldn’t understand a word he was

saying.

At this point, they noticed a police car in front of them and Quintero said she told Lucero to calm down. Instead, she said, he reached and grabbed her hair as she was driving and kept pulling it until she went into a nearby parking lot where they both got out of the car and continued arguing until police arrived.

Another woman who was in the car confirmed Quintero’s accou nt a nd Lucero wa s arrested for battery on a household member. As he was being booked, it was discovered that Lucero had two outstanding warrants for his arrest.

CASINO BUST Gallup, March 3 A domestic violence incident at Fire Rock Navajo Casino on March 3 led to the arrest of Martin J. Lopez on drug charges.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Nocona Clark was

d ispatched to the casino about 12:40 pm to check out the incident, but when he got there, he was told that the two females involved in the dispute had already gone. Clark was told that the man involved was at the stop sign at the end of the casino parking lot.

Clark went to talk to Lopez, 34, no address listed. After he told Clark his name, however, Clark was told Lopez had an outstanding bench warrant, so he was arrested and taken to the county jail.

As he was being transported to jail, Lopez was observed taking something out of his pocket and putting it in the sleeve on the door of the police unit.

Another officer observed him removing a glass pipe used for smoking narcotics.

It turned out he had placed three bags in the sleeve pocket.

When asked, he said only one bag was his. The other two belonged to a friend still inside the casino.

Inside the bag Lopez said belonged to him, was more drug paraphernalia and a small baggie containing a white crystal-like substance.

Lopez was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as the outstanding bench warrant.

ROCK THROWER Gallup, March 7 McK i n ley C o u n t y Sheriff’s D e p u t y T e r e n c e Willie wa s dispatched to the 76 Gas Station, 671 U.S. Hwy. 491, about 7:22 pm in reference to an intoxicated

male throwing rocks and bothering customers.

The male, Ashford Samuel Rodriguez, no age or address listed, had left the store shortly before Willie arrived. Willie began heading north on U.S. Highway 491 when he spotted a male running across the road near the five-and-a-half mile marker.

Willie called into Metro Dispatch and deputies arrived to help Willie detain Ashford.

A f t er c a l l i n g b a ck i nt o Dispatch, Willie was informed that Ashford had seven active bench warrants.

Ashford was transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked on the existing warrants.

SNEAKING IT IN Gallup, March 6 McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Nocona Clark was

POLICE ACTIVITY | SEE PAGE 23

Respond your way to the 2020 Census.

By April 1, 2020, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. You will have three options for responding.

All of them are easy!

Online

information, visit:

By Phone

By Mail

The 2020 Census marks the first time you can respond online—even on your mobile device. The online form is available in many different languages. Visit 2020CENSUS.GOV for more information about responding online.

Census data impacts funding for things like: Education programs and grants Public transportation Medicare and Medicaid

For more information, visit:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Libraries Community centers

School meal programs Parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities

2020CENSUS.GOV 6

Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports Jeremy Jensen Feb. 29, 10:32 pm Aggravated DWI Ga l lup Pol ice O f f icer Brandon Salazar said he was on patrol on South Second Street when he noticed two males staggering as they went to their vehicle.

He decided to conduct a welfare stop as Jeremy Jensen, 40, of Gallup, started to drive away. W hen he ta lked to Jensen, he said he saw signs of intoxication. Jensen admitted he drank four beers during a two hour period.

Jensen agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests and failed. He was arrested for DWI. He then agreed to take a breath alcohol test, but upon arrival at the police station, Jensen became verbally abusive and refused to take the test because there was not a second officer present.

Kimberly Barber Feb. 28, 2:13 am Aggravated DWI Gallup Police Officer Dominic Molina said he was dispa t c he d t o we st A z t ec A v e n u e because of a report of a drunk driver.

He found the vehicle on west Highway 66 and started following it. As he did, he noticed it swerve to the right over the solid line. He also saw it being driven 10 miles below the posted speed limit.

He conducted a traffic stop and began talking to Kimberly Barber, 36, of Gallup. As he did, he said he could smell liquor inside the vehicle. Barber said she had not been drinking and

pointed to the passenger in the vehicle who was intoxicated.

Molina noticed, however, that Barber was slurring her words and had red, bloodshot eyes. When she got out of the vehicle, she began stumbling.

Molina asked her to agree to take the standard field sobriety tests and she refused. He then asked her to take a breath alcohol test and she refused that, as well. She was then arrested and transported to the county jail.

The male passenger was taken to Gallup Detox.

Gary Anderson Feb. 28, 12:01 am Aggravated DWI Gallup Police Officer Brandon S a l a z a r said he was instr ucted

by Metro Dispatch to lo ok for a drunk driver.

He found the vehicle near Ford Drive and East Highway 66 in a parking lot. He went to talk with Gary Anderson, 52, of Gallup. When he asked him to step out of the vehicle, Salazar said Anderson smelled of alcohol.

He asked him how much he had had to drink and Anderson said, “too much.”

Salazar said he also noticed several open cans of beer in the car.

Anderson agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but swayed during the first test and then stood still during the second. He was arrested for DWI. He then agreed to take the breath alcohol test and posted samples of .31 and .30.

Robert Henry Warren Feb. 24, 10:18 pm Aggravated DWI

Gallup Police Officer Julio Yazzie said he was on patrol on Highway 66 when he noticed a vehicle speeding.

He made a traffic stop. He noticed that Robert Warren, 21, of Gallup, showed signs of being intoxicated. When he got out of the vehicle Warren told Yazzie he was drunk. He then repeated it again. When he was asked how much he had to drink, he didn’t say anything.

Warren did agree to take the standard field sobriety tests, but halfway through the fi rst test, he stopped and refused to go any further, saying again he was drunk. He was arrested for DWI. He agreed to take a breath alcohol test, but upon arriving at the police station, he refused to take it.

Amanda Baldonado Feb. 23, 2:32 am DWI Gallup Police Officer Julio Yazzie said he was d i s pa t c he d to East Mesa Av e n u e i n con nection with a domestic dispute.

When he got to the scene, he met Amanda Baldonado, 30, of Gallup, who said she was in a domestic disturbance with her boyfriend, Erik Bentley, in the complex’s parking lot.

She said that he pulled behind her and wouldn’t let her leave. She drove around him and left the parking lot.

But as she drove away, she said he rammed her car several times.

Yazzie said as he talked

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with her, he noticed signs she might be intoxicated. After she admitted having three beers before driving, Yazzie asked her to take the standard field sobriety tests. She agreed and failed and was arrested for DWI. She then agreed to take a breath alcohol test and posted two samples of .14.

Yazzie then talked with

Bentley, who said when he tried to stop her from driving because she was intoxicated, she rammed his car and drove over his chest and legs. Yazzie said he saw tire tracks on his shirt and pants.

Besides DWI, Baldonado wa s cha rged w ith batt er y a ga i n st a hou sehold member.

Help us Strengthen STEM in New Mexico Tell your favorite teacher or nonprofit to apply for a $2500 STEM grant before April 17:

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In 1980, 1980 on a former sod farm with just 25 employees, Intel began manufacturing in Rio Rancho.

This year, as we celebrate four decades of investment in the Land of Enchantment, we are developing and manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced technology, right here in New Mexico.

We are proud to call New Mexico home and we’re committed to creating a better tomorrow for our community.

www.intel.com/NewMexico Copyright © 2020 Intel Corporation. All rights reserved. Intel and the Intel logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

7

Man brings rie across Arizona state line FBI ARRESTS HIM IN GALLUP Staff Reports

C

arlton Craig Sandoval, 38, of Window Rock, A r i z ., h a s b e e n cha rged federa lly with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Â The FBI arrested Sandoval in Gallup March 16.

Sandoval is accused of having a firearm in a vehicle in Navajo, N.M., on Jan. 1.

Special Agent Jonathan Labuhn explained in the complaint filed on Feb. 20 that Sandoval is prohibited from

CITY COUNCIL | FROM PAGE 5 figure includes two cases in Socorro County, ten in Bernalillo County, two in Sandoval County, and three in Roswell County.

All 17 cases were the result of traveling to areas with infected people, Morales said. “Right now, by isolating and following the governor’s directive, it puts us ahead of the

possessing a firearm or ammunition based on a 2015 charge for possession of drug paraphernalia in Maricopa County, Ariz. and a 2010 charge of aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, also in Maricopa County.

He was also sentenced to three years probation in 2006 for endangerment in Maricopa County Superior Court.

When law enforcement approached him on Jan. 1, an alcoholic beverage container and a brown long rifle with a

scope swerve on the front passenger seat of the red Dodge car he was in. He was asked to exit and refused.

A backpack was located on the back seat on the driver side of the vehicle. A search was conducted. The following ammunition was seized from

the back pack: (1) .223 caliber round with a brass casing, (7) .223 caliber rounds with steel casings, (4) .40 caliber rounds, (l) .223 caliber steel casing and (1) 12 gauge shotgun shell.

Labuhn concluded that there was probable cause to believe that the rifle was transported in

interstate commerce in order to be present in the state of New Mexico.

Sandoval had an initial appearance via teleconference in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque March 18, with a preliminary/detention hearing set for March 20.

T he Nava jo Pol ice Department Window Rock District assisted with the investigation.

The public is reminded all defendants are considered innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

curve,� Morales said. “By shutting down these mass gatherings, it could help to curb any mass outbreak.�

These tactics are part of a large movement to “flatten the curve,� wherein people are being encouraged to stay home and avoid large gatherings and unnecessary travel whenever possible to minimize the odds of getting infected, or risk infecting others if they have contracted

the virus.

Morales said the risk to Americans is still relatively low, but the biggest risk is still to the elderly, especially those with existing health problems.

To that end, the city is staying up to date with all official information, which is then shared with the public and other communities. “We’re continuing to monitor information daily from the

Center[s] for Disease Control and the New Mexico Department of Health,� Morales said.

Morales also described a drill that occurred March 12 where local Community Service Aides were given the challenge of identifying a patient who was exhibiting symptoms common with COVID-19 to determine how the county would respond to a presumptive positive case. “It went really well,� he said. “Our fire department personnel were impressed with the CSAs. They were asking the right questions and they determined the patient was a suspected COVID19 case and the right arrangements were made.�

Morales said the fire department will continue to work with both Gallup Indian Medical Center and Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services to increase the county’s preparedness to respond to the virus.

City Manager Mar yann

Ustick described what the city is doing to follow the governor’s directive to close down large public gatherings.

Ustick said the city departments will identify what employees can work from home, and be given directions to not have faceto-face meetings.

All employees working from home will be on call as needed, she added. Employees will be paid for their normal hours since their salaries have been budgeted.

Mayor Jackie McKinney said the city’s essential services like trash pickup will continue. The city will keep its commitment to provide services like water and electricity to residents, he added.

McKinney closed the meeting by saying emergency services will be ready, and people have been given directions on what to do at this point. “We’ll be fine. We will be fine,� he said. “I wish you all well.�

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IMPORTANT NOTICE in Response to COVID-19

Students | Faculty and Staff | Community

Stay tuned to our website: www.dinecollege.edu/coronavirus-faq/ www.dinecollege.edu

8

Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

STATE & REGION

NEWS

The latest COVID-19 numbers NONE LOCATED IN MCKINLEY COUNTY New Mexico Department of Health

S

ANTA FE - New Mexico state health officials announced additional p o s it i ve t e s t s for COVID-19 on March 19.

Per the state Department of Health, some of the most recent cases are: A woman in Bernalillo

County in her 80s; A woman in Bernalillo County in her 40s; the state Department of Health is investigating community spread in this case as this individual had no known exposure; A woma n i n Sa nt a Fe County in her 30s; A woma n i n Sa ndova l County in her teens; A woma n i n Sa ndova l

County in her 50s.

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 35 positive tests for COVID-19. They are located in: Bernalillo County: 20 Sandoval County: 4 San Miguel County: 1 Santa Fe County: 7 Socorro County: 2 Taos County: 1

When a sneeze is just a sneeze IT COULD BE AN ALLERGY

By NMDOH Public Health Division

I

t i s cr it ica l t hat a l l New Mex ica ns k now that those without symptoms of COVID-19 infection which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath and/or muscle cramping, do not necessarily need testing for COVID19. We are currently in allergy season, and having allergy symptoms such as sneezing, and itchy eyes, nose or throat is not an indication for testing.

As we work to increase the state’s capacity for COVID-19 testing, the test needs to be

prioritized for those with symptoms of COVID-19 infection: fever, cough or shortness of breath. Please trust New Mexico medical professionals to protect and treat the public and only get tested if you are currently exhibiting actual COVID-19 symptoms.

Workplaces should not mandate that employees get tested for COVID-19 unless employees are displaying symptoms: fever, cough or shortness of breath.

When entering medical facilities It is critical that those who  have sy mptoms of COVID-19 do not enter medical

Drive-thru testing now available USE YOUR CAR TO STOP THE SPREAD William Madaras For the Sun

R

ehoboth McKinley Ch r ist ia n Hea lt h Care Services in now offering drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the hospital’s ER entrance. This will help speed up the process of identifying those who believe they are infected and want to be tested. Any residents who believe they have symptoms are urged to make an appointment by calling (505) 236-1074.

As of this time, no cases NEWS

h a v e b e e n r e p o r t e d by RMCHCS and no cases have been reported in Gallup or McKinley County. The hospital is also closely coordinating its plans with the New Mexico Department of Health, the Gallup Indian Medical CenterIndian Health Service and the Center for Disease Control. “Our efforts are primarily focused on five specific areas,� RMCHCS CEO David Conejo said. “Testing anyone

DRIVE-THRU | SEE PAGE 12

facilities without first contacting them, especially emergency departments.

There is no specific treatment for COVID-19 and most cases will resolve on their own. In fact, 80% of cases are mild. Unless you have serious, emergent symptoms, you should not enter

The New Mexico Department of Health has active investigations into each of the positive patients, which includes contact-tracing and swabs of symptomatic individuals who have had contact with the positive cases.

State officials have vigorously encouraged all New Mexicans to practice social distancing procedures:Â stay home, particularly if you are sick.

Every New Mexican must work to stem the spread of COVID-19.

New Mexicans who report s y m p t o m s of C OV I D -19

infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider or the NMDOH COVID-19 hotline immediately (855) 600-3453.

New Mexicans who have non-health-related questions or concerns can also call (833) 551-0518 or visit newmexico. gov, which is being updated and finalized as a one-stop source for information.

The state Department of Health will update its dedicated COVID-19 webpage with additional tests as the state lab provides results.

emergency departments. Entering medical facilities unnecessarily puts others at risk, increasing the potential to both infect others in the facility who would be more susceptible and reduce the facility’s ability to care for other patients.

Reasons to seek emergency attention with COVID-19 are no different than reasons for going to an emergency department for other medical conditions: if you are having trouble breathing or significant shortness of breath,

please seek medical attention.

In order to mitigate the widespread community transmission of COVID-19, the New Mexico Department of Health asks all persons traveling into New Mexico from outside the state to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor themselves for any symptoms. If the individual has or develops any respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) or fever, they need to call (855) 6003453 and press option 2.

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Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

9

Mike Hyatt, Superintendent mhyatt@gmcs.org Assistant Superintendent Tim Bond Jvanna Hanks Gerald Horacek Pauletta White, Ed. D

Student Meals during Two Week Closure March 14, 2020 Gallup-McKinley County Schools will provide the opportunity for families to pick up breakfast and lunch meals for their children as follows: Dates Monday March 23, 2020- Friday March 27, 2020 Monday March 30, 2020- Friday April 3, 2020 Meal Times Breakfast Lunch

8:30am-9:30am 11:00am–1:00pm

Meal Location Sites Catherine A. Miller Elementary Chee Dodge Elementary Chief Manuelito Mid Crownpoint Elementary David Skeet Elementary Del Norte Elementary Gallup Central High Gallup Mid Gallup High Indian Hills Elementary Jefferson Elementary John F. Kennedy Mid

Lincoln Elementary Miyamura High Navajo Elementary Ramah Elementary Red Rock Elementary Rocky View Elementary Stagecoach Elementary Thoreau Elementary Tobe Turpen Elementary Tohatchi Elementary Tse Yi Gai High Twin Lakes Elementary

Please Note: x Meals will be free of charge for all children between the ages of 1 and 18 x Student MUST BE PRESENT to claim their Meal x Pick Up site does not need to be the child’s home school; they can select the most convenient site x Adult meals will not be available for purchase Information will be updated if circumstances change.

Please visit www.gmcs.org for the most up to date information.

640 S. BOARDMAN, GALLUP, NM 87301

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Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

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505-721-1000

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GMCS.ORG

NEWS

INDIAN COUNTRY

NEWS

Navajo Nation teleconference addresses COVID-19 SAFETY ADVICE FROM TRIBE’S RESPONSE TEAM

By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

N

avajo Nation President Jonathan Ne z a nd Na v a j o Nation Vice President Myron Lizer held a teleconference March 18 to address the growing spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus.

The conference was held after the Navajo Nation confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19 in a statement March 17. Both cases were located in the Chilchinbito area, south of Kayenta, Ariz. The two patients have been transported to a hospital in Phoenix for treatment and are in stable condition as of March 18.

Nez said these are uncertain times where information is changing by the minute,

hour, and daily. He said a lot of Navajos would want to hear one of their leaders update people and the media on what the Navajo Nation is doing to quell the growing number of positive cases.

On March 13, Nez declared a health emergency for the Navajo Nation, following both the state and federal governments making similar declarations. The declaration was paired with an executive order to reduce the traffic in Window Rock by reducing the number of nonessential services and staff commuting to work.

“Many of the [nonessential] employees are sent home with work they can perform there,” Nez said. “We thank you for all that you do and continuing to keep the government open and running.”

Nez then discussed the two confirmed cases in Chilchinbito, saying the two patients’ cconditions were the result of travelling off the reservation. As such, Nez said an order was issued to limit the number of visitors and tourists to the Navajo Nation.

Numerous tribal casinos, tourist spots, and points of interest across the Navajo Nation have now been closed for a minimum of three weeks.

The tribe will also be setting up billboards across the reservation stating those destinations are closed while also giving contact information for viewers to reach if they have questions about COVID-19.

Lizer said the teleconference, which was streamed on Facebook and YouTube, was an opportunity for the administration to quell the concern in the

Public Notice

March 30th Meeting Postponed

land, and mentioned that it is an administration that embraces prayer and different faiths.

“We are going to do everything we can, but we must also leave it in the hands of our creator,” Lizer said. “As First Nations people, our prayers are powerful. All of our nation, and all of the globe, we are not alone in this.”

First Lady Phefelia Nez gave viewers advice that has been commonplace in the past week: clean your hands thoroughly with soap at regular intervals, avoid touching your face, and cover any coughs.

This is in addition to not leaving the house unless it is absolutely necessary, like for work, or for groceries and medicine.

If you share a household with someone who is sick, give them their own room to isolate and minimize contact between them and other family members to reduce the risk of spreading the illness.

The First Lady also urged viewers to use the time they are isolating or quarantining at home to spend with family, and perhaps teach their children

about the Navajo language and culture.

“Get plenty of rest, eat good food. Don’t try to scare your children. Try to continue on as adults and as a family,” she said.

“If we keep doing these practices every day, we’ll be fine.”

Other members of the administration or local health organizations spoke to what is being done to prepare for and reduce an influx of cases.

Navajo Nation Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne said there is currently limited public access to the courts, and they are allowing employees who can work from home to do so. Everyone who does come to one of the courts is encouraged to clean their hands and follow the precautions in place.

Jill Jim, executive director for the Navajo Department of Health, reiterated the advice given by the First Lady to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and added to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people and conduct self-care through

TELECONFERENCE | SEE PAGE 12

Due to public safety concerns over the spread of COVID 19 virus, City of Gallup has closed El Morro Event Center to gatherings until further notice.

When the Event Center has reopened, Gallup BID will reschedule this meeting and announce the new date.

Meeting Postponed NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

11

Uranium public hearings postponed Rick Abasta Communications Director The 24th Navajo Nation Council

W

INDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Naabik’íyåti Committee of the

DRIVE-THRU | FROM PAGE 9 showing symptoms, providing adequate care for infected residents, preparing hospital staff with infection control related practices, updating the community through our website and sharing information with local and state medical officials.�

Pl a n s by t he ho s pit a l include weekly meetings to ensure adherence to state a nd n a t ion a l g u idel i ne s ,

TELECONFERENCE | FROM PAGE 11 a 14-day isolation period. “The virus is very new, but we have the skills to combat

24th Navajo Nation Council announced March 12 that the March 13 and 14 Ura nium Public Hearings planned for Chinle and Tuba City are postponed until further notice. “The postponements come in the wake of declarations of emergencies by Arizona, New

Mexico, and the Navajo Nation over the spread of COVID19. The responses have been made after COVID-19 cases in all southwestern states were confi rmed. “As a preemptive measure, the Navajo Nation Council is postponing the uranium

public hearings to reduce the potential for unintentional transmission,� 24th Navajo Nation Council Speaker Seth Damon said.

The Legislative Bra nch i n s t it ut e d t r avel r e s t r ic tions on March 12 that went into effect immediately for

all program employees and council delegates. The Office of the Speaker also directed branch programs to begin for mu lat i ng remote work plans for continuing essential ser v ices should office buildings be closed to reduce exposure.

monitoring of supplies such as personal protective equipment, respiratory equipment and masks for medical staff a nd patients suspected to have the v ir us, sa nitation supplies for hand washing and normal hospital disinfectant solutions. There are a lso fou r respi rator y a i rborne precaution isolation rooms at RMCH for people who contract COVID-19 to pr e v e n t t he i r i n fe c t io n s from spreading through the hospital.

The hospital Emergency D e p a r t me nt w i l l r e m a i n open 24/7 and will not close at a ny time. The entra nce will be staffed by a screener who will ask brief COVID19 screening questions of all patients, staff and v isitors enter ing the facility.

RMCHCS will only allow two adults over age 14 who have been screened by the hospital to visit patients. Those who are sick or have a weakened immune system are not allowed to enter the hospital.Â

No visitors are allowed for adults in isolation. For children in isolation, one parent may remain with their child.

The hospital has also created a dedicated waiting area for those with respirator y symptoms in the emergency department and in its satellite clinics Red Rock, Urgent Care and College Clinic. The hospit a l u rges t hose who believe they have COVID-19 to call ahead so it can plan a safe entrance that minimizes the exposure to others.

Dr. Christopher Gonzaga M D, FACP, a n I n fec t iou s Disea se Specia list, is the coordinator for the COVID19 at RMCHCS. He says, “The abundance of caution being taken by the ca ncellation of conferences, travel serv ices a nd public events is necessary in areas hit hardest by the v irus.� He also notes that, “Currently, in the Gallup area, you shouldn’t curtail your everyday activities unless instructed by government or health officials.�

it,� Jim said. “It is up to the individual communities to keep the virus from spreading.�

Loretta Christensen, chief medical officer for Indian Health Services, said a strain

on resources is limiting the number of COVID-19 tests they can perform, but they are partnering with additional labs to increase testing across the reservation, which will

be done on a priority basis, allowing the patients with the most severe symptoms to get tested fi rst.

Christensen also said IHS is going to discontinue a number of non-urgent services to get more people to stay home. She said IHS facilities have a total of about 170 beds, 13 ICU beds, 52 isolation rooms, and 28 ventilators. Whether this capacity will be enough will depend on how the virus escalates, she added.

I n t he mea nt i me, she urges people to take care of themselves. “You can take walks, you can be outside your home, but

we’d like to keep healthy people away from the facilities and away from possible exposure,� she said.

President Nez said every Thursday at 6 pm, he will be live on KTNN, AM 660, to give updates and public service announcements in both English and Navajo, and they would encourage other local stations to do the same. He said the administration will try to be as transparent as it can with information.

He urged viewers to be cautious. “Take care of yourself, pray for our nation. We’ll get through this,� Nez said.

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NEWS

State seeks to dismiss Yazzie/Martinez lawsuit AT THE SAME TIME IT ADMITS STUDENTS LACK A SUFFICIENT EDUCATION Staff Reports

A

L BUQU ERQU E In a motion asking the First Judicial District Court to dismiss the Yazzie/Martinez v.

State of New Mexico lawsuit on March 13, the state acknowledged it continues to violate students’ rights to a sufficient education. Legal counsel for the Yazzie plaintiff families pledge to continue litigation to hold the state accountable to comply with the court’s landmark ruling.  T he fol low i ng c a n be attributed to Gail Evans, lead counsel for the Yazzie plaintiffs in the Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico lawsuit. “The state knows it must make comprehensive changes

to fi x the education system for our students, but over a year and a half since the ruling, little to nothing has changed for the students at the heart of the case - low-income, English language learners, Native American, and students with disabilities, who account for about 80% of New Mexico’s student population. “In asking the judge to dismiss the case, the state does not argue that it has fi xed our schools,� Evans said. “The state simply can’t refute the stark fact that it has a very long way to go to provide our students with a sufficient education. Despite two legislative sessions since the court ruled, the state has not come close to adequately addressing long running problems.� “We cannot expect that the

OBITUARY A private funeral service will be held for Judy A. Taira, 60, March 21. She passed away on March 12, 2020 in Gallup. She was born on July 8, 1959 in Gallup.

Judy is survived by husband, Kevin Taira and children, Sean Taira, Jennifer Taira and Ryan Taira, all of Gallup. She was preceded in death by father, Candido Gutierrez, mother, Helen Baldonado Gutierrez and brother, Frank Gutierrez.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gallup Humane Society, P.O.

Attorney Gail Evans, lead counsel for the Yazzie/Martinez case, during the Improving Public Education in New Mexico forum at the Gallup McKinley County Schools Student Support Building in Gallup Jan. 15. File Photo political system will simply shift course and do right by our students. The court has to intervene when politics fail, and politics have clearly failed New Mexico’s children for decades,� she added. “As long as the state does not provide children the educational opportunities they need, the Yazzie plaintiffs will continue to fight for our students.�

There will be a hearing on the Yazzie plaintiffs’ motion to hold the state in compliance with the court’s order and develop a plan on March 27 before Judge Matthew Wilson.

The Yazzie plaintiff’s reply brief in Yazzie/Martinez v.

State of New Mexico can be found at: nmpovertylaw.org/ yazzie-plaintiffs-reply-compliance-motion-2020-01-31/

The fi nal ruling in the lawsuit can be found at: nmpove r t y l a w.o r g / w p - c o n t e n t / uploads/2019/02/D-101-CV-201400793-Final-Judgment-and-Order-NCJ-1.pdf A report by economist Steve Barro on public education funding trends in New Mexico can be found at:Â nmpovertylaw.org/report-nm-edu-funding-trends-barro-2020-01-30/

Judy Taira Box 10, Gallup, 87305.

A public celebration of Judy’s life will be announced at a later date.

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Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;˘ Friday March 20, 2020

13

OPINIONS

NMFOG celebrates Sunshine Week

By Melanie J. Majors Executive Director New Mexico Foundation for Open Government

D

emocracy depends on a transparent government, yet despite t he New Mex ico Inspection of Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act - laws ensuring the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right to learn about their government through access to public records and public meetings - some government officials still regularly ignore the law.

As the nation celebrates Sunshine Week, a national initiative to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of secrecy, the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government wants every New Mexican to remember that open, accountable government is the cornerstone of our democracy.

The Sunshine Week celebration coincides with the birthday of James Madison, fourth president of the United States and a father of the U.S. Constitution.

Madison was a key proponent of the Bill of Rights and the five rights the First Amendment protects - speech, press, assembly, religion and petition of our government.

One of the most important ideas that underpin the First Amendment is the ability to criticize the government and our public officials. How can we criticize or evaluate government actions if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

have access to meetings or records? In the Legislative session that just ended, one of the most vital pieces of business [that] was enacted, mostly occurred behind closed doors - the creation of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget - the taxpayerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s money.

To quote the senate and house joint rules book, â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no more important task for the legislature than to devise a budget and allocate the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resources.â&#x20AC;?

Yet historically many of those budgetary meetings have occurred behind closed doors, shutting out not only the public, but even legislators from the process. One representative pointed out that influential and

top-secret meetings sometimes even exclude other finance committee members.

This is just one example of secrecy. Why is it necessary? Lawmakers and elected officials should be eager, not afraid, to have their constituents view the hard choices that need to be made among competing interests. Openness may breed disappointment about the fi nal decision, but it also breeds trust in government and the democratic process.

Tax dollars fund government a nd New Mex ic a n s have the right to see what city, county, school, village, and state officials see. Public documents are the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business - from court files

to police reports to lists of those who apply for fishing licenses. And, New Mexicans have the right to attend public meetings, even the ones classified as workshops or retreats.

This Sunshine Week pledge [is] to commit to letting the sun in and remind public officials to be respectful of IPRA and OMA. Keep pushing for more access to records, meetings and legislative committees.

Consider joining FOG in our mission of protecting your right to know. Help us address your issues or questions when trying to access information from a governmental entity. Let us know if you have concerns about government and join us

Melanie J. Majors, executive director, NMFOG in making sure everyone follows our stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transparency laws, among the strongest in the nation.

Catch some sunlight this week and together, we can bring 365 days of sunshine to New Mexico. Open government is good government.

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Tues â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sat 10:30 AM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7:30 PM (505) 863-6761 600 W. Hill, Gallup, NM 87301 Sun/Mon Closed OPINIONS

COMMUNITY

From $0.34 to $16K BATTERED FAMILIES SERVICES THRIVING ONCE AGAIN

provided at the shelter, Ellison says BFS offers community services such as free therapy, basic legal services – all aspects of custody issues and

By Dee Velasco For the Sun

T

hese words from the opening of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of T wo Citie s, aptly ex pre s s t he sit u at ion at Battered Family Services of Gallup, which, despite rumors of shutting down, facing opposition from past employees, and antagonizing criticism from other media outlets, is holding its own.

BFS is open. It responds to a pressing need. . Three law enforcement agencies – the Gallup Police Department, the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police in Gallup - documented 717 domestic violence incidents in 2018. (This doesn’t include any numbers from the Navajo Nation or Zuni Police.) The 717 reported incidents represent nearly two reported incidents of domestic violence each day of the year. . Battered Family Services of Ga llup Statew ide, law enforcement agencies reported 45% of domestic violence incidents in 2018 involved injury to the victim. . In McKinley County, law enforcement agencies reported a higher injury rate of 54%.

When she came aboard at Battered Family Services in April 2019, Emily Ellison discovered the non-profits’ coffers had dwindled from $77,022.33 to $0.34. This amount was documented in a fi nancial statement dated Feb. 23 - March 29, 2019 provided by Edward Jones.

Ellison described it as a “beautiful disaster.” “The situation at the time was a lot of stress making payroll, looking for where they were going to get the funds to make the payroll, because we couldn’t default on that,” she said.

“Basically, I search[ed] everything out as best as I possibly could, and the alternative was to be completely transparent with our funders and that’s exactly what we did.”

Accord i n g t o El l i son, funders gave BFS advance funding totaling well over $35K COMMUNITY

Wayne Wilcken, licensed therapist at Battered Family Services, going over case notes of those affected by domestic violence. Photo Credit: Dee Velasco to make the payroll and cover outstanding payments. The current balance shown in the statement dated Feb. 1 - Feb. 28, 2020, stands at $16,363.14.

Ellison has been working on rebuilding BFS investment accounts, including a $90,000 allocation from Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D McKinley, San Juan, Dist. 4 City Councilor Fran Palochak, and the Northwest Council of Governments.

BFS continues to receive grants from the Victims of Crime Act. This year that grant amounted to $116,000 for people in domestic violence situations. Services include informing and helping eligible crime victims with the New Mexico’s Statewide Automated V ic t i m I n for m a t io n a nd Notification Services. VINE accesses information about particular offenders using the phone, internet or email. It tracks particular state and/or county inmates in reference to: release, transfer, or escape from participating agencies.

Other services are available through the New Mexico State Automated Victim Information Notification System, which prov ide s i n for m a t ion t o crime victims and any interested members of the public with case status and hearing

Battered Family Services, a Gallup non-profit which offers services to those seeking refuge from domestic violence. Photo Credit: Dee Velasco notifications on criminal court cases in the State of New Mexico. The SAVIN service is free of charge.

Washington Federal Bank announced a $5K grant would be given to BFS to help the shelter gain better data. My Sister’s Place is a shelter where victims along with their children are placed to help them get their lives in order by establishing goals, finding employment, counseling, getting medical check-ups, a nd pa renting classes. Currently, BFS has 14 employees helping out with different aspects of this process.

I n a dd it ion to t hat is

their Batterer Intervention Program.

Michael Williams, who coordinates BIP, says it’s all a collaboration of working with other entities to do what is best for the community.

The New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence points out, “Violence increases when there is a lack of criminal justice system coordination and limited accountability for offenders. Programs serving offenders report fewer court referrals to treatment and little or no monitoring for offender compliance with court orders, including orders to attend a

domestic violence offender treatment program.”

Williams wants to change that by rigorously working with local law agencies.

“We’re trying to rebuild an efficient BIP program for male domestic v iolence offenders. We are working with Magistrate Court, Law Offices of Public Defenders, and other entities,” he said.

In cases where victims drop charges against their offenders, prosecutors’ hands are tied.

Wayne Wilcken, licensed therapist of BFS, says when a victim is traumatized and rational thinking is displaced, the person is often afraid to proceed any further. Wilcken says the services offered at BFS are vital to helping victims overcome their situations.

“I think it’s vital because a traumatized mind can’t sit and reflect on things. You’re full of trauma all the time. It’s vital, because we save lives and besides saving lives it’s a good idea to de-traumatize them, help them to want to live.”

Despite all that, BFS faces daily challenges like the current condition of the BFS building which requires replacement of the roof. Robert Griego, Board Member of BFS says the organization has made tremendous leaps and overcome many hurdles.

Griego said that although BFS hasn’t had a steady cash f low in a long time, he is amazed at how things have progressed to where it’s at now. He thanks the community, organizations, and especially Ellison.

Monica Trujillo, President of Ladies of Charity of Gallup, who often comes in to volunteer by sorting through donated clothes, praised BFS for the work they do.

“This is a great organization, because those people who have been battered really feel the worth of this place. They gain back their self-esteem, regain back (to) who they are and their identity,” she said.

The charity recently gave BFS $250 after a fundraiser.

“BFS really needs it. They have a good mission to help the women, men, and families.

Most of us have families. So we know the importance of family and being together and caring for [one] another.”

For more information: batteredfamilies.com or (505) 722-7483.

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

15

Sandia shakes, rattles, rolls for Gallup students STUDENTS STEP INTO A NEW WORLD Staff Reports

A

bout 45 Ga l lup high school juniors and seniors took in a little shake, rat tle a nd roll at Sa nd ia Labsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Env ironmental Test & Evaluation Complex in Albuquerque during a special STEM Day held just for them on March 4.

After a morning of high-imp a c t e x p e r ie nc e s s howca si ng a r ms cont rol a nd terrorism monitoring equipment at Sandiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Training and Technology Demonstration Area, an animated cluster of students filed into the testing complex to witness how

Sandiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Michael Arviso is demonstrating a simulated model aircraft frame used to capture resonances, shapes and damping. Photo Credit: Randy Montoya, Sandia National Laboratories materials perform in a vibration lab, a shock lab, a climate

lab and more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;STEM Day at the Labs

introduces high school students to the work at Sandia as they consider career paths,â&#x20AC;?

M a n a ge r of C o m mu n i t y Involvement at Sandia Amy Tapia says. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Th is u n ique partnership between Sandia Com mu n it y I nvolvement , recruiting and our American Indian Outreach Committee did more than â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; them with demonstrations. Our employees at every level from engineer to technician related personal stories of how they became a part of Sandia.â&#x20AC;?

Carrie Lovato, director of College and Career Readiness for Gallup-McKinley County School District, described the day as impactful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids got

to see and hear about an exciting variety of STEM jobs at the labs, including many that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require an engineering degree,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most think a job at Sandia is out of reach. They learned today (March 4) firsthand that people just like them from communities just like theirs have great careers at the labs.â&#x20AC;?

Mariana Vega, a senior at Gallup High School, has been accepted to NMSU and hopes to become a civil engineer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everything weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing today at the labs is really fascinating,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my dream job? Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why today has been so great for me.

I feel one step closer to knowing what I really want to do.â&#x20AC;?

Community Pantry makes changes to accommodate needs in COVID-19 times Staff Reports

T

o address the COVID19 d i s a s t e r, T h e Community Pantry in Gallup and Grants will be adjusting their distribution practices for the next three weeks, beginning March 16.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be performing mobile distribution outside. Clients will have to stay in their vehicles. In Gallup the food distribution hours will be 9 am to 12 pm only, Tuesday through Friday. In Grants, the food

distribution hours will be 9:30 am to 2:30 pm only, Tuesday through Thursday. We will not be taking community service workers from out of state and no senior volunteers at this time, due to that age group being the vulnerable population.

We are also not accepting donated plastic bags and no client updates at this time.

This temporary change will allow us to continue serving our community members without exposing them or the staff to the threat of the COVID-19

virus. We will also be recruiting the assistance of various members of the Gallup Lions Club who have generously volunteered to work with us through the next few weeks, along with volunteers who work with the public schools and still want to serve.

We are limiting our volunteers to what is needed on a daily basis in order to avoid a crowd. If a person has been out of state in the past 14 days, has a cough or cold of any kind, or respiratory weaknesses, we ask them to not volunteer at

this time. We will be closing the public entrance i nto T he Com mu n it y Pantries until restrictions are lifted.

The Community Pa nt r ies a re act ively implementing and suppor t i ng rel ief ef for t s related to COVID-19. If you are healthy and able, please consider volunteering. Donations will be happily accepted, but please know that your dollar will stretch further Sign for pickup at the Community Pantry in Gallup. into the communities that Photo Credit: Community Pantry we serve.

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COMMUNITY

‘Blow the Man Down’ features great performances, plenty of atmosphere

By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 92 MINUTES The following feature fi lm debuts on Amazon Prime on March 20.

Well, this week marked the delay of, well, just about every movie slated to come to theaters over the next two months. While that isn’t the best of news for anyone looking forward to seeing A Quiet Place Part II, Mulan, The New Mutants, The Lovebirds, No Time to Die, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, Antlers, Black Widow, Spiral, The Personal History of David Copperfi eld, F9 (Fast and the Furious) and many others, it does open the door for a few smaller films to earn some attention. One such example is Blow the Man Down, a little mystery flick that is being released on Amazon Prime March 20.

Set in a port town in Maine, the film tells the story of sisters Priscilla (Sophie Lowe) and Mary Beth (Morgan Saylor), who have recently lost their mother.

The older sibling, Priscilla, is the level-headed and reliable one struggling to make ends meet as a fishmonger, while Mary Beth is more of a wild child yearning to leave their home. After the two get into an argument at their mother’s wake, the younger girl heads out to get drunk, leading to a horrific event. Priscilla is called in to try and help her sister out.

Their actions set a series of events in motion. A friendly Officer Brennan (Will Brittain) becomes suspicious of them, and over the course of the fi lm

secrets about the town and c itizens are revealed. Some of the locals involved include a friend of the sisters’ late mother named Enid (Margot Mar tindale) and a trio of seniors Susie, Doreen and Gail (June Squibb, Marceline Hugot, Annette O’Toole).

The end result feels like an interesting mix of eccentric characters with the cadence you might see in a film like Manchester by the Sea placed together in a murder-mystery plot, and backed by a chorus of fishermen who appear at intervals to croon some of the film’s themes. Surprisingly, these elements fit together very snugly.

This movie excels at creating a very specific sense of atmosphere. The nor thea ster n docks, stores, homes and shanties with cracking paint and peeling wallpaper are almost a character in themselves.

These backdrops greatly assist in creating an appropriate mood and physically project the frayed, ragged, decaying edges that many of the townspeople are covering up.

While the crime and plot itself may not be anything revolutionary, the eccentricities on display are thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Characters who try too hard to be quirky can be grating, but all of the performers in this feature do it with ease and are exceptional in their parts. As they come into contact with one another, confl icts do arise and plenty of tension is generated. Early on, there are wince-inducing moments as the sisters begin to panic and try to cover their tracks in order not to become suspects in an investigation.

Of course, they can’t help but make mistakes along the way. And while some of the seniors don’t explicitly pressure or threaten others for

Mary Beth Connolly (Morgan Saylor) in the red cap and her sister Priscilla Connolly (Sophie Lowe) are struggling with a cooler on the rocks in a fishing town in Maine, which is home to a murder mystery in “Blow the Man Down.” Photo Credit: Amazon Studios much of the running time, they most certainly make their own plays as events unfold, subtly exuding menace.

The feature also moves at a zippy pace and never lags as past relationships fi nally come to light and the town’s most powerful forces exert

their influence. Blow the Man Down boasts intriguing ideas, some great performances and plenty of ambience. It’s an entertaining little independent fi lm that should certainly please anyone who enjoys watching crime or murder/ myster y pictures. A nd it’s

nice to know that while many enter tainment options are being limited, there are still some wor thwhile features coming around that will provide movie enthusiasts with something new.

V i s i t : w w w .

CinemaStance.com

''A Tradition'' • A Gallup tradition with over 100 years of dedicated service.

Now under new ownership, the Rollie legacy continues; providing the facilities and conveniences that serve families best with dignity, integrity and understanding.

• Rollie Mortuary offers package pricing, accepts Navajo Nation Social Service packages and can assist families with pre-need planning and set up.

• Rollie Mortuary offers a genuine desire to be of assistance to you and your family in this time of need.

401 E. Nizhoni Blvd.

Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 863-4452 COMMUNITY

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

17

All public masses in the Diocese of Gallup to be canceled

By Suzanne Hammons Director of Communications Diocese of Gallup

A

t this time, the geographic region of the Diocese of Gallup has one reported case of COVID-19. However, surrounding regions have experienced new cases over the past several days. In response to the increasing prevalence of the disease, the civil governments

of both states (N.M., Ariz.), have placed restrictions on the size of meetings a nd schools have been canceled.

The Federal Government of the United States urges no meetings of more than 10 persons.

The surrounding dioceses have all dramatically curtailed most activity of the Church in their area of authority.

Current Directives A fter consultation a nd prayer, Bishop James Wall hereby issues the following

diocesan directives, effective immediately and indefi nitely, pending further directions: The faithful of the Diocese of Gallup and those visiting are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation.

Churches and chapels may remain open for private prayer and exercises of devotion according to schedules set by pastors and parish administrators. The bishop encourages the faithful to intensify their

prayers and pious practices.

Protocols for social distancing must be observed, such as practices of maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet between persons or families. The limit of 10 persons within a confined space should be maintained.

All public Masses are suspended until further notice, i nc lud i n g S u nd ay, d a i ly Masses and all Holy Week liturgies. Other liturgical services and public devotions are also canceled. This includes

Confi rmations.

All priests of the diocese are expected to continue daily celebration of the Holy Mass in private with prayers for the comfort and protection of the faithful and their communities.

All Catholic schools will remain closed until public schools resume classes.

All adult and children’s religion classes are suspended.

DIOCESE | SEE PAGE 23

Dept. of Workforce Solutions looks to activate Disaster Unemployment Assistance SENDS REQUEST TO WHITE HOUSE

A

LBUQUERQUE - The New Mexico Depa r tment of Workforce Solutions

Cabi net Secreta r y Bill McCamley has sent a formal request to President Donald J. Trump to activate the Disaster

Unemployment Assistance program that would allow for self-employed New Mexicans to have access to Unemployment

N.M. Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Bill McCamley. Photo Credit: N.M. Workforce Solutions Insurance.

The NMDWS Economic Research & Analysis Bureau estimates New Mexico has 62,000 self-employed workers who are not eligible for traditional UI benefits.

“The DUA program will help the thousands of New Mexicans without an income who need help paying their bills until this emergency pa s se s,” McCa m ley s a id.

“Many workers in New Mexico are independent contractors or business owners who are also in need of benefit assistance. Our department, alongside Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, is working hard to do everything we can to help those affected get through this tough time together.”

The Rober t T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1974 authorizes the President to provide

18

Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster and who are not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits.

NMDWS urges the President to take action expeditiously and allow the U.S. Department of Labor, who oversees the DUA program, and the Federal E me r ge nc y M a n a ge me nt Agency, to provide the funds for New Mexico to implement payment of DUA benefits.

For more information: Employers and workers affected by COVID-19 can contact dws.state.nm.us/ COVID -19 -Info. For the latest announcements and updates, follow NMDWS on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

COMMUNITY

Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for March 20, 2020

W

e l l , i t ’s b e e n an unusual week, hasn’t it?

Enter ta in ment options in public spaces will be considerably slimmer (or nonexistent) for the next little while, but at least it gives us all a chance to catch up at home on fi lms and programs that we may have missed. There are also plenty of new releases arriving on Blu-ray and DVD, and the highlights are right here. So, if you can’t (or, more likely, are unable and don’t want to) make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try!

Big New Releases!

Abigail - A massive epidemic seals off a small t ow n f r om the rest of t he world and results i n nu merous citizens being mysteriously taken away by government authorities. Some years later, a young girl who has lost her father in the process sets out to fi nd him. She soon learns that her city was targeted because it is full of magic, and she decides to begin using fantastic powers to accomplish her goal. There haven’t been all that many reviews for this English-language Russian production and the ones that have appeared aren’t spectacular.

Most say that while the fi lm utilizes some nifty special effects on a modest budget, the story and characters are poorly written. It features Tinatin Dalakishvili, Eddie Marsan and Rinal Mukhametov.

B a k e r m an - Loosely inspired by fi lms like Falling Down, this Danish foreign-language effort fol low s a n i nt rover ted ba ker who su f fer s a break-in and ends up killi ng one of t he i nvading thugs in the fracas. This experience pushes him over the edge of sanity and changes him, causing the man to go on a rampage as a vigilante and take COMMUNITY

down anyone in his past who has irked him. This feature was shot a few years ago and is only now making its way to this part of the world. It played in fi lm festivals across Europe (and one or two in the U.S.) and word was positive, it even won prizes at a few shows.

Still, most critics haven’t seen it yet, so curious viewers will have to go in cold. The cast includes Mikkel Vadsholt, Brian Hjulmann and Siir Tilif.

Black Christmas - The original Black Christmas came out in 1974 and is considered a cult classic. A 2006 remake wasn’t nearly as successful critically or commerc i a l l y, b u t it seems t hat ha sn’t stopped producers from trying to resurrect the property once again.

The latest reimagining involves another group of female students who are stalked and murdered by an unknown stranger over their Christmas break.

The ladies decide to fight back and identify their pursuer.

Notices weren’t as terrible this time around, although they weren’t great either.

A small group admired the movie’s attempts to empower the students and thought it was an updated slasher movie. Far more commented that there were serious issues in execution. Some even noted that the original had already subtly emasculated its male characters, and stated that while this movie’s intentions were noble, it didn’t offer any insight or deliver any scares. The movie stars Imogen Poots, Aleyse Sha n non, Lily Donoghue, Brittany O’Grady and Cary Elwes.

A Hidden Life - Filmmaker Terrence Malick is known for a number of wel l - r e ga rded a r thouse films including Ba d l an d s, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line and The Tree of Life (among many others). His latest tells the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who became a conscientious objector when

Nazi forces took over his country and tried to force him to serve in their army. The man and his entire family are forced to deal with death threats and fallout after he refuses to fight. Overall, the press greatly admired the work, although those who appreciate the fi lmmaker will also know that those who dislike his pictures…really dislike them.

A minority couldn’t get on its wavelength and found it slow and tedious. However, most thought it was one of Malick’s best, calling it gorgeously photographed, moving and emotional as it detailed one man’s inner struggle and personal sacrifice. It stars August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Maria Simon, Matthias Schoenaerts, Franz Rogowski and Michael Nyqvist.

Blasts from the Past!

Universal is releasing and re-releasing a great number of old catalog movies. They include the fi lms About Time (2013), Couples Retreat (2009), Dumb and Dumber To (2014), Get on Up (2014), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Nightcrawler (2014), Pillow Talk (1959), Silent House (2011), Sudden

Death (1995) and Unfriended (2014). If I were to offer some recommendations, About Time is a really effective British romcom involving time travel from writer/director Richard Curtis (he was writer/director on Love Actually, and also wrote Yesterday, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Four Weddings and a Funeral). The father and son relationship featured may even bring a tear to the eye.

Moonrise Kingdom from Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Rushmore) is also a lot of quirky fun, and Nightcrawler is a very disturbing and incredibly effective piece about a broken mind at tempti ng to ma ke a c a r e er for h i m sel f i n the world of news broadca st i ng. I f y o u e nj o y goofy action pics, Sudden Death is an amusingly over-thetop Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle about an ex-fireman who not only saves the president from terrorists during the

fi nal game of the Stanley Cup playoffs, but also ends up on the ice trying to help his team win the big trophy.

Finally, Warner Archive has Blu-rays of the Gregory Peck western, T he Stalking Moon (1968) and the cartoon Tom & Je r r y: G o l d e n Collection Vo l u m e 1 (1940 - 2005).

You Know, For Kids!

He r e a r e s ome t it le s that might keep the kids entertained.

Jumanji: The Next Level Tom & Je r r y: Gol d e n Collection Volume 1 (1940 - 2005) Ultraman Geed: The Movie (2018) Ultraman Orb: The Movie (2017) On the Tube!

It ’s a s low we ek for TV-themed releases, but here’s what you can pick up.

Crashing: Season 3

Stop by Gallup TA to sleep, shop, fuel up or dine!

Country Pride Restaurant

I-40 & Hwy 66, Exit 16 3404 W. Highway 66, Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 863-6801 www.ta-petro.com

Any 2 nights $64

Monday thru Thursday $119

Weekly Rate $205

30 Days $599

24 Hour Convenience Store Game Room, Laundry Room & Hot Showers

24 Hour Truck Service Shop

TA Motel



By Glenn Kay For the Sun

Free continental breakfast, must have ad – Good only at TA in Gallup, NM.

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

19

Gallup’s Golden Gloves boxing champion

NMAA basketball championships continue GAMES WITHOUT FANS

By Mitch Stephens MaxPreps.com

W

ith the guidance from its political leaders and health and education agencies, the New Mexico Activities Association will continue to play its basketball championships.

T he player s just won’t have fans in the stands.

Accord i ng to a N M A A relea se sent out Ma rch 12, Gover nor Michelle Lu ja n Gr isha m a nd t he Departments of Health and E duc a t ion re com mende d t hat on ly tea m member s,

officials and essential facility and tournament workers be allowed at both Dreamstyle Arena and the Santa Ana Star Center.

E ven mem b er s of t he media will not be allowed entrance to either facility.

The state is encouraging all to watch the semifinal and finals on the NFHS Network at nfhsnetwork.com.

A s of Ma rch 14, seven teams were crowned champion s, i nclud i n g a l l f ive divisions of the girls. Those champions were Hobbs (5A), Los Lunas (4A), Navajo Prep (3A), Mescalero Apache (2A) a nd Melrose (A). The two

boys champions were Bosque Chap (3A) and Pecos (2A).

“The NMAA staff will also provide frequent updates via its various social media platforms throughout each contest,” the release states. “Fans who pu rcha sed adva nced tickets through the University of New Mexico for games held March 12-14 should contact the Lobo ticket office on for a full refund. “ S p e c t a t o r s w ho pu rc h a s e d A l l -To u r n a m e n t Pa s ses d i rect ly f rom t he NMAA office should contact the New Mexico Activities Association on to discuss refund options.” information

CLASSIFIEDS GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES Need a past issue? $2.00 per copy. Note issue date and send check or M.O. to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305. Subject to availability.

AUTOMOTIVE

Middleweight Golden Gloves 2020 winner Brandon Garcia at the Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center in Albuquerque, March 8. Photo Credit: Gallup Boxing Club Staff Reports

A

Gallup boxer won the first Golden Gloves State Championship in the Middleweight Division the first weekend in March at the Raymond G. Sanchez C om n mu n it y C e nt er i n Albuquerque.

Brandon Garcia’s USA boxing coach, Jesus Chamberlain, called it a technical fi ght in which Garcia delivered a concrete straight left in the third round on March 7, resulting in a Technical Knockout.

The next day, Garcia delivered an upper-cut and hook,

knocking his opposition into the ropes, and causing the referee to stop the fi ght in the first minute of the second round, when Garcia was awarded the Technical Knockout victory.

The Gallup Boxing Club serves the McKinley County and New Mexico community by giving youth a place to spend time off the streets after school hours.

USA Box i ng i s t he national governing body for Olympic-style amateur boxing and is overseen by the U. S. Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Association.

20 Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

In search of vehicles and vehicle parts from 1920 to 1980 domestic and foreign (Nissan, Datsun, Toyota, Land Cruiser, Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, Pontiac, Buick, etc.)

Text pictures to Phil @ 505409-1651. Will pay cash. Motorcycles, foreign and domestic 1920 -1980.

HELP WANTED A C C O U N T REPRESENTATIVE Are you outgoing, selfmotivated, organized and honest? We’re looking for someone to join our team to help our business grow!

If your willing to help build relationships with valued local businesses and have sales/ customer service experience, email your cover letter and resume to gallupsun@ gmail.com or stop in at 102

South Second and fill out an application. *** March 9, 2020 McKinley County is now accepting applications for the following positions: POSITION: Heavy Equipment Operator DEPARTMENT: McKinley County Department

Roads

FOR BEST CONSIDERATION DATE: March 24, 2020 Applications and additional information regarding positions can be found on the County web site www. co.mckinley.nm.us Dezirie Gomez CPO Human Resource Director

HOMES FOR RENT House for Rent 627 McKee Dr. 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Living/ Dining Area, Family Room, Garage, Backyard $1,200 a month Call 505-870-6852 for

HOMES FOR SALE PLACE YOUR REAL ESTATE AD HERE! FIRST 25 WORDS FREE. LOGO and/or PHOTO $5 EACH. APPEARS ON GALLUPSUN.COM FOR FREE! EMAIL: gallupsunlegals@ gmail.com CALL: (505) 722-8994 PETS Did you lose a pet? Advertise your lost baby for FREE. Send pic and text. Deadline for submission Tuesday 5 pm.

Email: gallupsun@gmail.com LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES REQUEST FOR BIDS The Southwest Indian Foundation is requesting bid for the following: HOME CONSTRUCTION BUILDING MATERIALS For four (4) houses for “OPERATION FOOTPRINT” Funded by Native American Housing Assistance And Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) Bid specifications construction material

and list

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 21 CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 20

1708 South Second Street, Gallup, New Mexico.

can be obtained from the Project Office of Southwest Indian Foundation located at 218 E. Historic Highway 66.

Telephone: (505) 863-9568

Unit Number: 113 Name and Last Known Address of Occupant: Colleen High PO Box 73 Tohatchi, NM 87325 Description of Personal Property: Dresser, plastic 3-drawer storage chest, couch, washing machine, bed frame, numerous mattresses, end tables, vacuum, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s toys, dining chairs, and numerous totes, bags and boxes of items unknown.

Deadline for bids: 5:00 PM April 3,2020 Daylight Savings Time Native American preference is applicable. Bidders claiming preference must submit evidence of the certification with their bid.

Bids will not be opened publicly and Southwest Indian Foundation reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

All firms submitting bids under this solicitation must comply with all qualification requirements referenced in the solicitation documents in order for their bid to be considered.

Publication Date: Gallup Sun March 13 & 20, 2020 *** NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, Pursuant to the Self-Storage Lien Act of the State of New Mexico, Section 48-11-7, that the following personal property will be sold or otherwise disposed of in order to satisfy a lien for delinquent rent and other related charges. The personal property is located at ADOBE SELF-STORAGE,

Unit Number: 121 Name and Last Known Address of Occupant: Elmer Naswood PO Box 4697 Page, AZ 86040 Description of Personal Property: Photo Printer, couch and chair, microwave, room air filter, six end tables, flat screen TV, two medical walkers, rug, camping coolers, vacuum, luggage, lamp, boom box, shovels, rake, three desk chairs, and numerous totes, bags and boxes of items unknown.

Unit Number: 224 Name and Last Known Address of Occupant: Moira Roanhorse PO Box 3891 Gallup, NM 87305 Description of Personal Property: Three shelving units, dining table and chairs, entertainment table, mirror, dresser, satellite TV dish, suitcase, and numerous totes, bags and boxes of items

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unknown.

Unit Number: 453 Name and Last Known Address of Occupant: Gayle Benally PO Box 6221 Gallup, NM 87305 Description of Personal Property: Portable air conditioner, upholstered chair, end table, car ramps, floor lamp, four bottles antifreeze, table lamp, Pendleton tote bag, and numerous totes, bags and boxes of items unknown.

The sale or disposition of the above property will be held on Tuesday, the 31st day of March 2020, at the hour of 10:00 a.m., at Adobe Self-Storage, 1708 South Second Street, Gallup, New Mexico.

The property can be viewed at 9:00 a.m. the day of the sale.

The property is subject to the Occupant redeeming the lien prior to the sale.

This Notice is being published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks.

1st Publication - Friday, March 13, 2020 2nd Publication - Friday, March 20, 2020 *** STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF MCKINLEY ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT NASHAT T. KHALAF Plaintiff, vs.

MICHAEL P. MATAYA, MICHAEL P. MATAYA REVOCABLE TRUST DATED JULY 24, 1992, INDIAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTING, INC., CRAIG H. DILL CHAPTER 11 TRUSTEE, BRAD HALL & ASSOCIATES, INC., DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY â&#x20AC;&#x201C; INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES, CHARLES B. POLICH, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, and LISA C. NUNEZ. Defendants.

No. CV-2009-00646-7

D-1113-

Notice is hereby given that on April 29, 2020 at the hour of 10:00 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock a.m., the undersigned Special Master, or his designee, will, at the front entrance of 104 E. Aztec Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico 87301, sell all of the rights, title and interest of the abovenamed Defendants, in and to the hereinafter described real estate to the highest bidder for cash. The property to be sold is located at 2900 W. Historic 66, Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico, (if there is a conflict between the legal description and the street address, the legal description shall control) and is more particularly described as follows: Exhibit 1 Parcel One (1): That certain parcel of land situated within the southwest quarter (SW Âź ) of Section Twenty-Four (24), Township Fifteen (15) North, Range Nineteen (19) West, N.M.P.M., McKinley County, New Mexico and lying north U.S. Highway 66 bearings are referred to New Mexico State Highway Department Construction Plans for U.S. Highway 66.

Beginning at the most southerly southwest corner of the parcel herein described said southwest corner being a point on the northerly right of the way line of U.S. Highway 66 whence: -(1) Highway right of way marker â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tâ&#x20AC;? rail in place (being Highway Station 930 00) bears South 77° 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? West 282.80 feet distance, and -(2) The quarter corner (2 ½ inch iron pipe in place) common the Sections TwentyFive (25) and Twenty-Six (26), Township Fifteen (15) North, Range Nineteen (19) West, N.M.P.M., McKinley County, New Mexico bears South 14° 04â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 03â&#x20AC;? West 3,826.30 feet distance; Thence North 12° 21â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;?

West 348.64 feet distance to a 1â&#x20AC;? iron pin at the northwest corner of the parcel herein described; Thence North 82° 00â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;?

East 200.75 feet distance to a 1â&#x20AC;? iron pin at the northeast corner of the parcel herein described;

NOTICE OF SALE Thence South 12° 21â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? East

CLASSIFIEDS

229.04 feet distance to a 1â&#x20AC;? iron pin at the most northerly southeast corner of the parcel herein described said southeast corner being also the northeast corner of a tract of land conveyed by Texaco, Inc., to M. & D. Enterprise, a partnership composed of Mike Mataya, Jr., and I. H. Danoff by the deed dated January 10, 1977; Thence South 77° 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;?

East 161.00 feet to a 1â&#x20AC;? iron pin said point being the northwest corner of the tract of land conveyed by Texaco, Inc., to M. & D. Enterprises; Thence South 12° 21â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? East along the west boundary line of the tract of land conveyed to M. & D. Enterprise 104.00 feet to an iron pin at its southwest corner on said northerly right of way of U.S. Highway 66 said point also being the most southerly southeast corner of the tract of land herein conveyed; Thence South 77° 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? West along said northerly right of way a distance of 39.00 feet to the Place of Beginning.

Parcel Two (2): The certain parcel of land situated within the southwest quarter (SW Âź) of Section Twenty-Four (24), Township Fifteen (15) North, Range Nineteen (19) West, N.M.P.M, lying north of U.S. Highway 66. Bearings are referred to New Mexico State Highway Department Construction Plans for U.S. Highway 66.

Beginning at the southwest corner of the parcel herein described said southwest corner being a point on the northerly right of way line of U.S. Highway 66 whence: -(1) Highway right of way marker â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tâ&#x20AC;? rail in place (being Highway Station 930 00) bears South 77° 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? West 321.80 feet distance and -(2) Highway right of way marker â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tâ&#x20AC;? rail in place (being Highway Station 940 00) bears North 77° 39â&#x20AC;&#x2122; 00â&#x20AC;? East 678.79 feet distance and -(3) The quarter corner (2 ½ â&#x20AC;&#x153; iron pipe in place) common to Sections Twenty-Five (25) and Twenty-Six (26), Township Fifteen (15) North,

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 22

Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;˘ Friday March 20, 2020

21

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 21 Range Nineteen (19) West, N.M.P.M., McKinley County, New Mexico bears South 77° 39’ 00” West 39 feet distance and Thence South 14° 04’ 03” West 3,826.30 feet distance; Thence North 12° 21’ 00” West 104 feet distance to the northwest corner of the parcel herein described; Thence North 77° 39’ 00” East 161 feet distance to the northeast corner of the parcel herein described; Thence South 12° 21’ 00” East 104 feet distance to the southeast corner of the parcel herein described said southeast corner being a point on said northerly right of way of U.S. Highway 66; Thence South 77° 39’ 00” West 161 feet distance along said northerly right of way to the point and place of beginning. including any improvements, fixtures, and attachments, such as, but not limited to mobile homes. Subject to all taxes, utility liens and other restrictions and easements of record, and subject to a one (1) month redemption by the Defendants, the foregoing sale will be made to satisfy a foreclosure judgement lien on the above-entitled and numbered cause, being an action to foreclose a judgement lien on the above-described property.

The Plaintiff’s

judgement is Six Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Two and 04/100 ($698,972.04) Dollars, and the same bears interest at 10% per annum, which accrues at the rate of Fifty-Three and 05/100 ($53.05) Dollars per diem, commencing on March 3, 2020. The Plaintiff has the right to bid at such sale all of its judgement amount and submit its bid verbally or in writing. The Plaintiff may apply all or any part of its judgement to the purchase price in lieu of cash. The sale may be postponed and rescheduled at the discretion of the Special Master.

additional costs and attorney’s fees, costs of advertisement and publication, a reasonable receiver and Special Master’s fee to be fixed by the Court. The total amount of judgement plus interest due is Six Hundred Ninety-Eight Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Two and 04/100 ($698,972.04) Dollars, plus interest, attorney’s fees and costs to and including date of sale. Sale is subject to the entry of an order of the Court approving the terms and conditions of this sale.

The Court’s decree, having duly appointed Fran Pawlowski, as its Special Master to advertise and immediately offer for sale the subject real estate and to apply the proceeds of sale, first to the costs of sale and the Special Master’s Fees, then to pay the above-described judgement, interest, and costs of sale, and to pay unto the registry of the Court any balance remaining to satisfy future adjudication of priority mortgage holders;

/s/ Fran Pawlowski Fran Pawlowski, Special Master 104 E. Aztec Ave. Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-5871

Witness my hand this 9th day of March, 2020.

Published: The Gallup Sun March 13, 2020 March 20, 2020 March 27, 2020 April 3, 2020 *** Public Notice

NOW, THEREFORE, notice is hereby given that in the event that said property is not sooner redeemed, the undersigned will as set forth above, offer for sale and sell to the highest bidder cash or equivalent, the lands and improvements described above for the purpose of satisfying, in the adjudged order of priorities, the judgement described herein and decree of foreclosure together with any

Public Notice is hearby given that Gallup Business Improvement District’s yearly informational Open House meeting scheduled to be held at the El Morro Event Center on Monday, March

CLASSIFIEDS WEEKLY RATES FIRST 25 WORDS: FREE! (4 consecutive weeks max.)

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EMAIL: GALLUPSUNLEGALS@GMAIL.COM DUE: TUESDAYS 5 PM

30, 2020 from Noon - 2 PM has been cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak. The Event Center will be closed until the virus situation changes.

Published: The Gallup Sun March 20, 2020 March 27, 2020 *** LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Gallup Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the following action at its regular meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020.

Item One will go before the City Council for final approval at its regular meeting to be held on April 28th, 2020. Both

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meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall located on the corner of South Second Street and West Aztec Avenue.

ITEM ONE: CASE # 2001000003: Request by Matthew & Geri Hughbanks, property owners, for the City of Gallup to vacate a 10’ wide, 98.07’ long public utility and drainage easement along the northern property line in order to allow for the construction of an accessory structure. The property is located at 3735 Maya Drive; more particularly described as Lot 10, Doug Alan Development Subdivision.

ITEM TWO: CASE # 2000600002: Request by Red Rock Self Storage, Inc./Joseph Sanchez, property owner, for the Rezoning of 1.9307 acres M/L FROM Rural Holding Zone (RHZ) Zone District TO Heavy Commercial (HC) Zone District. The properties are generally located northwest of Nizhoni Boulevard and Mesquite Drive; more particularly described as Lots 12 through 17, Block 1 and Lots 30 through 37, Block 2, Cedar Pine Addition Unit 1.

*Gallup metro area only

Name: ___________________________________

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Phone: (505) 722-8994 Fax: (505) 212-0391 Email: gallupsun@gmail.com

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All interested parties invited to attend.

are

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22 Friday March 20, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Auxiliary aides for the disabled are available upon request. Please contact C.B. Strain at (505) 863-1244, at least one (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible in advance of the meeting to make any necessary arrangements.

City of Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico By: /S/ Alfred Abeita, City Clerk PUBLISH: 20 March 2020 CLASSIFIEDS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR MARCH 20 – MARCH 26, 2020 Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the effort to “flatten the curve” to help stem its spread, most events on the Gallup Sun Community Calendar have been canceled.

Octavia Fellin Public Library (115 W. Hill Ave.) and the Children’s Library (200 W. Aztec Ave., have shut down and all of their events have been canceled.

The library is providing a form with a QR code to request items for check-out.

Cibola General Hospital and Cibola Family Health Center, will postpone all events until further notice for the safety of the community.

Through April 5 the Gallup Small Business Development Center office at UNM Gallup is closed. Staff will be available by email: cjarvison@unm. edu and jlee04@unm.edu Gallup Solar which usually hosts free community classes and presentations about all things solar on Wednesdays from 6 pm to 8 pm at 113 E. Logan will not hold a meeting March 25.

All Rockin J Reawakenings

DIOCESE | FROM PAGE 18 Special upcoming events are either canceled or postponed, including: Priests’ Day of Sanctification (April 2, 2020): Bishop Wall will celebrate the Christmas Mass privately and the holy oils will be distributed to each parish.

The Diaconate Ordination scheduled for March 28th is postponed: This will be rescheduled when restrictions are lifted.

Deacons’ Day on March 28th is canceled.

All diocesan and parish related events, meetings and gatherings are hereby suspended. This includes: Rout i ne meet i ngs of

POLICE ACTIVITY | FROM PAGE 6 dispatched to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center after a corrections officer located narcotics on an inmate.

CALENDAR

CALENDAR

public events are canceled through April 5. They are still available by email/phone/etc for VSO assistance, and Canine Compadres support. In person support, if necessary, may be arranged. You may contact them at: reawakeningsinc@gmail.com

ommended appointments.

Call (505)722‐4740 for more information.

City of Gallup March 26 Community Providers meeting is canceled. The April 30 meeting may also be canceled (updates forthcoming).

· Larry Brian Mitchell Recreation Center

There is no school at GMCS between March 13 and April 3. The Student Support Center will be closed due to the Emergency Declaration from Governor Lujan Grisham.

All sites will receive extensive cleaning on April 2-3, so facilities are ready to re-open on April 6.

The following facilities are closed until further notice.

Facility staff are on‐call: · El Morro Theatre and Events Center · Red Rock Park Convention Center

· Cecil Garcia Fitness Center (March rates will be prorated and all future billing is suspended until the facility reopens.)

· Harold Runnels Athletic Complex The City of Gallup Customer Care area at 110 W Aztec will be closed to the public. No in-person payment will be accepted at this site. You may pay your utility payments in the following ways: 1. Drop money orders or checks in our outside drop box at 110 W. Aztec 2. Call the automated billing line at (505) 726‐4218 3. Access your account online for new customer applications and bill payment at utilities.gallupnm.gov

the security desk at 110 W. Aztec Avenue.

responses to COVID‐19 visit www.gallupnm.gov

Guests will be required to use hand sanitizer upon arrival and security will contact the appropriate department. If the department is available, security personnel will escort you to that department.

· For further information about the State of New Mexico Health Department’s response and actions, visit cv.nmhealth.org.

OPEN The following facilities will remain open until further notice but all organized events, league play, and tournaments are postponed until further notice: · Ford Canyon Fields · Sports Complex · Tony Dorsett Football Field · Fox Run Golf Course (All tee times, range ball purchases, and golf cart reservations must be reserved through foxrunnm.com or by calling (505) 863‐9224.) The Pro Shop is closed until further notice.) · Rehoboth McKinley Medical Center’s hotline is (505) 236‐1074.

· For information from CDC on the national and international outbreak, preventative measures and more visit www.cdc.gov · The Office of the Governor has set up a coronavirus hotline and is encouraging individuals who are sick to call it for a pre‐assessment prior to heading to their healthcare provider. That number is (855) 600‐3453. To read the governor’s Public Health Order, visit https://nmhealth.org/ publication/view/help/5668/ The City would also like to remind citizens to share information with individuals who do not use the internet. · Please call (505) 863‐1254 for more information about available City services.

· Gallup Senior Center (Meals are available on drive‐thru or delivery capacity. Transportation is limited to doctor-rec-

4. Mail payments to City of Gallup Utilities, PO Box 1400, Gallup NM 87305 For the safety and security of all employees, all guests to City Hall and the Gallup Joint Utilities facilities must visit

organizations, apostolates, and study groups - suspended.

Bingo and public meals: suspended.

Other meetings: Only essential meetings for business purposes should be conducted.

Social distancing and open meeting space is strongly recommended. No more than 10 persons.

Celebration of marriage or Masses of Christian burial may be done in private, but with no more than 10 people in attendance. The diocese recommends scheduling a public memorial Mass and Rosary after the crisis has passed.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation /Confession will continue to be offered in the following way: The bishop

exhorts all priests of the diocese to make available the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often and as liberally as possible. Confessional booths are not to be used until further notice. The ideal setting for the Sacrament of Reconciliation should be outdoors or in a large room, and one that doesn’t require the faithful to be closer than six feet from each other while waiting. Confessions may be heard anonymously or face to face. Bishop Wall exhorts the faithful to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on an ongoing basis.

Given the urgency of the novel coronavirus crisis, and in keeping with movement guidelines, these directives are mandatory, effective immediately.

Pastors and Administrators will post large signs on the doors of each church or chapel d i splay i ng t he fol low i ng information: Bishop Wall has dispensed all the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days of obligation until further notice.

The faithful are not dispensed from the Universal Church’s discipline of abstaining from meat on Fridays of Lent and fasting on Good Friday. See the diocesan website for guidelines.

Bishop Wall exhorts all Catholics to make a Spiritual Communion with the Lord Jesus through prayer and various spiritual exercises, such as reading Holy Scripture,

fasting and Stations of the Cross in private. He encourages the faithful to pray the Rosary every day, especially as families.

The Diocese of Gallup will live-stream the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and other liturgies at dioceseofgallup.org.

Another option for our parishioners who would like to virtually participate in daily Mass would be watching the Mass celebrated on RelevantRadio.com (also available live on the free Relevant Radio app).

The work of the Church continues, even in the midst of the novel coronavirus, especially our service to the poor and those hardest hit by the pandemic.

C l a r k spoke with C o r r e c t io n Officer Tisha Garnenez, who said while female

inmates were being moved from admissions to the H Pod, one of the medical officers saw Sabrina Dickenson, 30, no address listed, hand an unknown item to another inmate.

After Garnenez asked the

inmate about the items, two pieces of a black substance wrapped in clear plastic, the inmate said the items were given to her by Dickenson.

Garnenez and Corrections Officer Sherry Charley spoke

with Dickenson, who admitted the black substance was hers.

Through training and experience, Clark determined the black substance was black tar heroin, so Dickenson was charged with bringing contraband into a jail.

· Aquatic Center

To post a nonprofit or

· Gallup Indian Medical Cencivic event in the calendar ter’s hotline is: (505) 726-5897. section, please email: · For additional information on the City of Gallup’s

gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

Gallup Sun • Friday March 20, 2020

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24 Friday March 20, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ Gallup Sun

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