Gallup Sun • July 31, 2020 by gallupsun

E FRE

VOL 6 | ISSUE 279 | JULY 31, 2020

THE RACE CONEJO, HEALTHCARE INTEGRITY FILE SUIT AGAINST RMCHCS IS ON – W SLOWLY By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

SEE PAGE 24

the hospital early in 2020. He said he brought his contract with him to a February meetas it a conspir- ing and said he “had a sense acy? Wrongful that … maybe they wanted to t e r m i n a t i o n ? make a change in who the CEO Inside politics? was.” Lack of communication? At the meeting he said he A complaint fi led against offered a couple of suggestions Rehoboth McKinley Christian to members of the hospital Health Care Services by for- board. mer CEO David Conejo and “You can allow me to fi nish his management company out my contract and pay off the Healthcare Integrity in U. S. balance. Or you can just pay District Court July 23 indicates off the balance and we can it was a mix of these and more. leave on good terms,” he said. Conejo said July 29 that he “But what you cannot do [is to] could feel the shifting winds at just terminate the contract and

expect to not pay me.” Conejo added that he still had 19 months on his contract, and he “didn’t expect to have it short-circuited because somebody decided to make a change.” He also said he was blamed for a lot of things that were not his fault, including the COVID19 pandemic. “They terminated me for my responses and actions during a pandemic. Hospitals everywhere are scrambling for

COMPLAINT | SEE PAGE 4

GMCS | 2020-2021 CALENDAR 4

Independence Day

JULY ‘20 S

JANUARY ‘21

Winter Break

Students Return from Winter Break Martin Luther King Jr. Day

7 14

First Day for Students

Labor Day Parent/Teacher Conference

8 9& 12 12

Indigenous Day

Halloween

11 23- 27 26

Veterans Day Thanksgiving Break Thanksgiving Day

1 8

2 9

3 10

4 11

5 12

6 13

SEPTEMBER ‘20 S

MARCH ‘21

OCTOBER ‘20 S

APRIL ‘21 F

NOVEMBER ‘20 S

28-31

Winter Break

DECEMBER ‘20 Th

JUNE ‘21

12 15- 19

2 4

End of Q3 Spring Break

Good Friday Easter Sunday

Memorial Day

Presidents Day Parent/Teacher Conference

15 8

MAY ‘21

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

End of Semester 1 Winter Break

Christmas Day

FEBRUARY ‘21

18 21-25

End of Q1 Fall Break

AUGUST ‘20

Every Friday is early release days for students. 11 Last Day of School 11

End of Semester 2

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Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;¢ Friday July 31, 2020

LOCAL NEWS

NEWS

COMPLAINT | FROM PAGE 1 supplies, equipment,” he said. “They accused me of not having done my job because we were short of supplies or staff. And that is ridiculous in a pandemic situation. “They drug [sic] my name through the mud,” he continued. “They questioned my competency; at this stage I’m not about to say, just pay me what you owe me and I’ll be on my way ...” Conejo believed he was not given the opportunity to respond to the situation he was facing. So he decided to fi le suit. He hired Luis Robles of Robles, Rael & Anaya, P. C. to defend him and his management company, Healthcare Integrity. Robles put toget her a 61-page complaint calling for a jury trial. The complaint goes back through Conejo’s recent history with the hospital, including issues that arose prior to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Robles told the Sun on July 30, that he fi led the complaint in federal district court rather

than McKinley County District Court because one of the claims is being brought under the Lanham Act, 15 U. S. C. § 1125 (a) (1) (B). He said the Lanham Act in this case refers to social media posts and petitions that reflect negatively on the character of Conejo and HCI. Since Facebook, Change.org and YouTube’s messages travel through interstate commerce, the case was fi led in federal district court. Another reason for fi ling in federal district court, Robles explained, is that the structure of the federal court pushes the process along automatically. Each step in the legal process of the case triggers the next thing that is supposed to happen in the case. For instance, defendants in the case are being served this week. After that takes place they have 20 days to respond, and then a U.S. magistrate judge will put the case on a track for discovery, so parties from both sides can ask questions and fi le motions. Defendants named in the

COMPLAINT | SEE PAGE 31

ARE YOU A Witness?

Second hospital whistleblower wishes to remain anonymous By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

u r moi l conti nues to rock the hospital with a second whistleblower who wishes to remain an anonymous source, came forward to the Gallup Sun on July 29 with claims of structural problems within the physical facility of the Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital. According to the source, areas within the hospital that are designated as sterile environments are not being kept sterile. Some of those areas were documented in pictures shown here. The source explained that in one of these locations, where instruments and equipment are cleaned and sterilized, a clock on the wall hid a large hole and the paint was peeling on a door jamb. The source called these “infractions,” and said their existence in a sterilized space

The Albuquerque law firm of Stiff Keith and Garcia is attempting to locate witnesses to an accident that happened in the parking lot of the Burger King located at 801 US HIGHWAY 491 on May 1, 2017. A female walking in the lot was injured when struck by a vehicle. If you witnessed the accident please call 210-771-2458 and leave your name and a phone number, at which you can be contacted.

Thank you!!

cou ld mea n t he instr uments a nd equipment could be contaminated. In fr ustration when these issues were not addressed in what the source felt was a timely manner, the source wrote a letter of resignation, dated July 10, with a proposed final day of work on July 24. The letter listed t he fol low i ng issues: “Hostile work environment: Surgeons discussing political issues in the department multiple times upsetting surgery staff, surgeons not following protocols set in place before I started, surgeons yelling at myself and other staff in front of other staff and patients. “Unsafe work environment: Air handlers out of compliance for the whole time I have been here causing our temperatures and humidity to be out of safe range a long w ith negative pressure issues not being resolved putting sta ff a nd patients at risk, surgeons continued to do surgery stating it was normal … lack of security in the unit allowing for supplies to be taken and moved without prior authorization and non-necessary staff

in sterile areas without proper attire, lack of communication and being held accountable for other department[‘]s inefficiencies.” The source also made mention of difficulties learning the ropes on the job due to a “lack of onboarding” and a lack of training about basic hospital responsibilities. A nother objection the source made concerned the frequent employee turnover which affected the chain of command and created a hardship in determining how to proceed with orders and work assignments. “I didn’t want to leave Gallup,” the source stated. “It’s a great com mu n it y. Somebody has to say something. Somebody has to do something. It’s not fair to the residents of the community.” The anonymous source is now working at another hospital.

WHAT’S INSIDE … CARES ACT PROPOSAL President Nez lays out plans for funds

SCHOOL LUNCHES Keeping students fed, even while schools are closed

KIT CARSON ELEMENTARY Should the school be renamed?

REENTRY PLAN How N.M. wants to get students, staff back in class safely

14 16 18 22 24 4

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

MOVIE REVIEW Should you watch ‘Muppets Now’ right now?

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County discusses voiding Gross Receipts Tax Bonds By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

he McKinley Cou nt y B o a r d of Commissioners discussed voiding the two oldest Gross Receipts Tax Bonds for the county during their July 14 meeting.

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Office Manager Raenona Harvey Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Photography Knifewing Segura Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover Correspondent/Editorial Asst. Cody Begaye Dominic Aragon On the Cover Left: The 10 contestants of “The Great Grass Race.” Photo courtesy Menace Vision. Right: Former RMCHCS CEO David Conejo. File Photo 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. Office: 102 S. Second St., Gallup, NM 87301 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM. Mailing Address: PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 www.gallupsun.com Phone: (505) 722-8994 Fax: (505) 212-0391 gallupsun@gmail.com Letter to the editor/guest column ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY. State full name and city/town. No pen names. ID required. All submissions subjected to editor’s approval. Guest columnists, email Sun for submission requirements.

The board also discussed g iv i ng Cou nt y Ma nager Anthony Dimas Jr. the authority to take the necessa r y steps to annul the two bonds, totaling over $5.3 million, as well as to amend the budget afterward. This item had been previously discussed at several meetings, Dimas said. “One bond is from 2010 for the complex where the Magistrate Court is, where the outstanding principal is $3.8 million,” he said. “Then there is a 2014 bond for the energy project we did for the buildings to upgrade to new energy and efficiency, where the total is $1.3 million.” The remaining costs in the bond total come from appropriated interest. Dimas said the annulment of the bonds would then be included in the

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Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

fi nal budget. “Once that money is available, we will pay this off sometime in the fi rst week of September,” he said. “That’s going to free up our bonding capacity for our next projects.” Commissioner Bill Lee wanted clarification on the energ y efficiency project. Specifi cally, he asked if the county’s contractor would be able to meet the required standards and savings for the project if the GRT bond is voided. “We’re just paying off the bond amount, but they’re obligated to their agreement with us [for the project],” Dimas said. Wit h no ot her d i scu s sion, the board motioned to approve the item and annul the two oldest county GRT bonds. Lee voiced his enthusiasm to move forward with a “resounding yes.” The item passed with a 3-0 vote.

McKinley County Manager Anthony Dimas, Jr.

NEWS

Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;¢ Friday July 31, 2020

No action taken on school district negotiations with union By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

he Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education held a special meeting July 14 to discuss the collective bargaining strategy for continued negotiations between the district and the McKinley County Federation of United School Employees. The negotiations involved reaching an agreement of terms for the upcoming school calendar and salary schedule, as well as communications with legal counsel regarding the scope of the New Mexico Public Education Department t a k i ng cred it for federa l

CARES pandemic aid funding, and legally challenging the same impact negotiations on the district’s re-entry plan. During the school board’s July 6 meeting, the board said the start of the school year for GMCS will be a hybrid of limited in-person learning and online courses. This is in accordance with the mandates by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Also included in the discussions were issues of potential liability and requirements for bargaining under the state’s Public Employee Bargaining Act, which gives the state board authority over public employee collective bargaining matters in any jurisdiction

that did not have an active local labor board. After a lengthy closed executive session, the board stated its report for the record. “We discussed the litigations fi led against the school, and the options and all that,” Board President Charles Long said. “The report is no action was taken.” Preparations for the distr ict reopening a re ongo ing. The district posted an update where it shows distribution of numerous cleaning supplies to help students and teachers remain safe. The update can be found at https://www.facebook.com/ gallupmckinleycountyschools. In addition to the report

Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board President Charles Long on the litigations, the school board voted to approve a one percent pay raise for

non- collective ba rga ining union staff members at the end of the meeting.

N.M. COVID-19 cases top 20,000 Staff Reports

riven by continued increases in cases in Bernalillo County a nd a det e nt io n

center in Cibola County as part of the second-most COVID-19 cases announced in a single day in the state, the state of New Mexico passed 20,000 total confirmed cases on July 29.

The New Mexico Depa r tment of Hea lth announced 352 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths related to the disease. The department

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Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

has counted 20,136 confi rmed cases of COVID-19 and 632 deaths to date. Bernalillo County, home of Albuquerque and by far the state’s most-populous county, had 87 new cases of COVID19, but the Cibola County Correction Center had 76 new cases, more than any other county outside of Bernalillo on July 29. Three of the six deaths related to COVID-19 occurred with those from Bernalillo County. From DOH: • A female in her 60s from Bernalillo County who was a resident of Spanish Trails R eh a bi l it a t ion Su it e s i n Albuquerque. • A female in her 80s from Bernalillo County who had underlying conditions and was a resident of The Rio at Las Estancias in Albuquerque. • A male in his 90s from Bernalillo County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. The individual was a resident of Avamere Rehabilitation at Fiesta Park in Albuquerque. • A female in her 60s from Chaves County. • A male in his 50s from McKinley County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. The individual was a resident of Bonney Family Home in Gallup. • A male in his 60s from Rio

Arriba County who was hospitalized and had underlying conditions. The department announced that 158 people in New Mexico were hospitalized for COVID-19, a decrease of two from July 28. This number could include outof-state residents who are hospitalized for the disease in New Mexico, but would not include New Mexico residents who are hospitalized out of state. The number of those who are designated as recovered from COVID-19 reached 7,817. Testing details According to the state’s coronavirus information page, the state has processed 544,611 tests as of July 29. The number of COVID-19 cases continued to grow in counties throughout the state. Chaves County in southeastern New Mexico reported another 14 cases of the disease. Including these numbers, nearly 30 percent of the county’s 300 total cases have taken place since July 20. Cibola County, a western county which already had the fourth-most number of cases per capita, reported 11 additional cases. Sandoval County in central New Mexico crossed the 1,000 case threshold earlier in the week and added another 17 cases.

N.M. COVID-19 | SEE PAGE 10 NEWS

NOTICE OF AIR QUALITY PERMIT APPLICATION Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for a technical revision to a major source operating under Air Quality Permit PSD-NM-285-M4R1, for its facility identified as the Prewitt Escalante Generating Station (PEGS). The expected date of the application submittal is July 27, 2020. This is a revised public notice previously published July 24, 2020. This notice is a requirement of the New Mexico air quality regulations. The exact location of PEGS is at latitude 35 deg, 24 min, 57.4 sec west and longitude 108 deg, 4 min, 57.6 sec north. The approximate location is 4 miles north of Prewitt, NM on the west side of County Road 19 in McKinley County. PEGS is a single unit coal-fired electric generating station owned and operated by Tri-State. With this technical revision permit application, Tri-State is permanently shutting down the coal-fired boiler, associated coal and limestone handling equipment, and the cooling tower on or before December 31, 2020. Additionally, Tri-State will be transferring ownership and operation of the existing auxiliary boiler and water treatment plant to McKinley Paper Company’s Prewitt Mill. McKinley Paper Company currently receives all process steam for its facility from Tri-State’s PEGS existing coal-fired boiler or auxiliary boiler. The modification will occur in two phases. Phase 1 includes the shutdown of the coal-fired boiler, associated coal and limestone handling equipment, and the cooling tower on or before December 31, 2020. Phase 2 includes the transfer of the existing auxiliary boiler and water treatment plant to McKinley Paper Company, which will occur after a new 20.2.72 NMAC minor NSR permit has been issued for the Prewitt Mill. The estimated maximum quantities of any regulated air contaminants after Phase 1 of the modification will be:

Present Facility Emissions

Pollutant: PM 10 PM 2.5 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon Monoxide (CO) Startup/Shutdown Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) State Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs) Green House Gas Emissions as Total CO2e

Pounds per hour

Tons per year

104 pph 68 pph 494 pph 1134 pph 182 pph 909 pph 10 pph 7.5 pph <0.5 pph n/a

254 tpy 227 tpy 2165 tpy 4919 tpy 749 tpy 23 tpy 40 tpy 32.0 tpy <0.5 tpy 2,363,891 tpy

Post Facility Emissions Pounds per hour 54 pph 20 pph 0.3 pph 32 pph 28 pph 0 pph 3 pph 0.2 pph <0.1 pph n/a

Change in Emissions

Tons per year

Pounds per hour

Tons per year

35 tpy 12 tpy 0.5 tpy 50 tpy 67 tpy 0 tpy 4 tpy 0.2 tpy <0.1 tpy 87,907 tpy

-50 pph -48 pph -493.7 pph -1102 pph -154 pph -909 pph -7 pph -7.3 pph -0.4 pph n/a

-219 tpy -215 tpy -2164.5 tpy -4869 tpy -682 tpy -23 tpy -36 tpy -31.8 tpy -0.4 tpy -2,275,984 tpy

The hours of operation will remain permitted for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 8760 hours per year. The owner and/or operator of the Facility is:

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association P.O. Box 33695 Denver CO 80233-0695 If you have any comments about the construction or operation of this facility, and you want your comments to be made as part of the permit review process, you must submit your comments in writing to this address: Permit Programs Manager; New Mexico Environment Department; Air Quality Bureau; 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1; Santa Fe, New Mexico; 87505-1816; (505) 476-4300; 1 800 224-7009; https://www.env.nm.gov/aqb/permit/aqb_draft_permits.html. Other comments and questions may be submitted verbally. With your comments, please refer to the company name and facility name, or send a copy of this notice along with your comments. This information is necessary since the Department may have not yet received the permit application. Please include a legible return mailing address. Once the Department has completed its preliminary review of the application and its air quality impacts, the Department’s notice will be published in the legal section of a newspaper circulated near the facility location. Attención Este es un aviso de la Agencia de Calidad de Aire del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Calidad de Aire al teléfono 505-476-5557. Notice of Non-Discrimination NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non- discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kristine Pintado, Non-Discrimination Coordinator, New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 827-2855, nd.coordinator@state.nm.us. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/NMED/EJ/index.html to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

Fire department receives grant, increases expenditures By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

he Ga llup City Council discussed a pair of items related to the Gallup Fire Department’s fi nances during its July 28 meeting. Fire Chief Jesus Morales spoke about the items, starting with a budget adjustment to the city’s Fire Protection Distribution Fund. Back in March, the city was projected to receive about $408,043 from the State Fire Marshal, Morales said, and the city used that amount to budget

N.M. COVID-19 | FROM PAGE 8 The state provided the total number of cases by county, with the numbers of inmates separated by the detention center or prison, not by the county in which they are held. • 87 new cases in Bernalillo County • 14 new cases in Chaves County CORRECTION: The J ULY 31, 2020 issue of the The Gallup Sun is number 279, skipping number 278 because there were two issues assigned the number 242 on Nov, 22, 2019 and on Nov. 29, 2019.

the Fire Fund for FY21. The actual amount received by the city turned out to be $616,698, leading to a budget increase of $208,655 in revenue and expenditures. “We will use part of the actual amount to make the [annual] payment to New Mexico Finance Authority for the loan we have on Fire Station 4 on the west side,” Morales said. “I estimate we have about six or seven years left on this loan.” The city’s payment to NMFA is $142,352, leaving the city with $474,089 to use to continue department operations. Next, Morales announced

the f i re depa r tment wa s selected to receive a Walmart Community Grant in the amount of $2,500 which will be used to purchase two automated external defibrillators. Dist. 4 Councilor Fran Palochak expressed her gratitude for both organizations for this award. “I want to say thank you to Walmart for providing us with this grant and to you, Chuy, [Jesus “Chuy” Morales] for using this grant in an efficient manner,” she said. “[I’m grateful] because I’m getting up there in years and may need that defibrillator someday. So I

• 11 new cases in Cibola County • 16 new cases in Curry County • 38 new cases in Doña Ana County • 3 new cases in Eddy County • 10 new ca ses in Lea County • 9 new cases in Lincoln County • 3 new cases in Luna County • 8 new cases in McKinley County • 2 new cases in Otero County • 4 new cases in Rio Arriba County • 9 new cases in Roosevelt County • 17 new cases in Sandoval County • 18 new cases in San Juan County

• 11 new cases in Santa Fe County • 1 new case in Sierra County • 2 new cases in Taos County • 1 new case in Torrance County • 9 new cases in Valencia County • 76 new ca ses a mong individuals held by federal agencies at the Cibola County Correctional Center • 1 new case among individuals held by federal agencies at the Otero County Prison Facility • 2 new cases among New Mexico Corrections Department inmates at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in Cibola County DOH also provided the total number of cases by county, including the newly announced cases from July 29. • Bernalillo County: 4,627 • Catron County: 4 • Chaves County: 300 • Cibola County: 306 • Colfax County: 13 • Curry County: 426

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Gallup Fire Department Chief Jesus Morales

want to make sure you have good equipment.”

Both items were approved by the council with 5-0 votes.

• Doña Ana County: 2,118 • Eddy County: 236 • Grant County: 65 • Guadalupe County: 31 • Harding County: 1 • Hidalgo County: 85 • Lea County: 581 • Lincoln County: 88 • Los Alamos County: 17 • Luna County: 218 • McKinley County: 3,942 • Mora County: 6 • Otero County: 176 • Quay County: 31 • Rio Arriba County: 285 • Roosevelt County: 131 • Sandoval County: 1,049 • San Juan County: 2,964 • San Miguel County: 40 • Santa Fe County: 535 • Sierra County: 28 • Socorro County: 71 • Taos County: 89 • Torrance County: 59 • Union County: 24 • Valencia County: 342 DOH reported the following numbers of COVID-19 cases among individuals held by federal agencies at the following facilities: •Cibola County Correctional Center: 266

• Otero County Pr ison Facility: 278 • Otero County Processing Center: 159 • Tor ra nce Cou nt y Detention Facility: 43 DOH reported the following numbers of COVID-19 cases among individuals held by the New Mexico Corrections Department at the following facilities: • Cent ra l New Mex ico Correctional Facility in Valencia County: 25 • Lea County Correctional Facility: 2 • Northeast New Mexico Correctional Facility: 1 • Northwest New Mexico Correctional Center in Cibola County: 1 • Otero County Pr ison Facility: 469 • Pen it ent ia r y of New Mexico in Santa Fe County: 1 • Wester n New Mexico Correctional Facility: 3 DOH also reported that they have found at least one positive case in at least 43 acute care or long-term care facilities in the last 28 days.

GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES

Smokey's is open for Patio seating and take out.

Now Hiring for servers, Bartenders and Dishwashers.

District 4 City Councilor Fran Palochak

505N. Hwy 491 Gallup NM, 87301 (505)722-2023

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Effective June 24, 2016, ALL Gallup Sun *archives (past issues) will be mailed. Must provide exact release date and mailing address. Send info. and check or money order for $1.50 to: Gallup Sun PO Box 1212 Gallup, NM 87305 *Based on availability. NEWS

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Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;¢ Friday July 31, 2020

NEWS

PUBLIC SAFETY

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports Brittany Billie July 20, 7:45 pm DWI with a minor in the car McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Franklin Begaye was dispatched to an area near Williams Acres where a woman was passed out in the driver’s seat and there was a young child in the passenger seat with a bloody nose. When he got there he found Brittany Billie, 22, of Gamerco, parked facing northeast in the

westbound right of way fence at mile marker 14 on State Road 118. The car was in gear and running. Begaye said he tried several times to wake Billie up. After the arrival of Fire and Rescue, the driver’s rear window was broken to get the driver’s door open to wake her. After Billie woke up, she was able to put the vehicle into park. Fire and Rescue tended to the child. When asked if she had had anything to drink that day, Billie said had not drank and had not been driving, that an

unspecified male must have left her. She said she got in the driver’s seat to try to back up the vehicle. She said she was “hanging.” She agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests and failed. She was arrested for DWI. She wa s ta ken to the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office in Gallup for a breath test to which she agreed. She posted two samples of .09. She was taken to the county jail and booked while the young boy was taken to a local hospital. Tuff O’Brian Morgan July 17, 1:17 pm Aggravated DWI

Weekly Police Activity Reports Staff Reports KNIFE ATTACK Tse Bonito, July 17 McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Davis said he was dispatched to the area of

#1595 Hwy. 264 in Tse Bonito after reports came in of a man with a knife who stabbed the hood of a vehicle. When he got to the area, he found a man who matched the suspect’s description.

Davis said the suspect, later identified as Raylon Peterson, 33, of Fort Defiance, Ariz., did not respond when he tried to get his attention so he grabbed his arm and escorted him to his patrol vehicle.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ivan Tsethlikai asked for help when he stopped a Chevy Silverado near Hwy 602 a nd m i le ma rker 30 (Park Avenue). Sgt. Tammy Houghtaling said she responded. The tailgate of the truck was dragging on the ground. Tsethlikai said the driver Tuff O’Brian Morgan, 26, of Standing Rock, N.M., appeared to be intoxicated. Houg ht a l i ng t a lked to Morgan, who told her he was on the way to his girlfriend’s to get a letter for the Navajo Nation curfew when his tailgate fell off and he couldn’t fix it. He admitted to having something

to drink. Morgan agreed to do the standard field sobriety tests but failed. Afterward, Houghtaling placed him under arrest for DWI. He agreed to a breath test which was conducted at the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office. He gave two samples of .29 and .29. He wa s t a ken t o t he McKinley County Detention center for booking, after having received a medical clearance from Gallup Indian Medical Center. He was booked on charges of aggravated DWI, open container and expired registration.

Davis said Peterson also showed signs of being intoxicated. A n employee of t he ne a r by KFC told Davis he saw Peterson damage his car and another car. A piece of metal with a sharp edge was found near the damaged vehicle. A black bag was found next to the left front tire of the vehicle. It contained documents and items belonging to Peterson. Davis said he took Peterson to the Gallup Indian Medical Center for a medical clearance. Peterson became uncooperative, saying he had done nothing wrong. As they got to the medical center, he calmed down and agreed to cooperate but as he was escorted to an exam room, he tried to leave. Davis grabbed his arm and as he did so, Peterson fell to the ground

and began yelling. After getting a medical clearance, Davis said Peterson refused to get into his police unit on his own. When Davis stepped in and tried to force him, he fell to the ground and refused to stand up. Davis said he used a taser on Peterson, who still refused to cooperate. Davis was fi nally able to get him in his unit and transport him to the county jail where he was booked on criminal damage to property and negligent use of a deadly weapon. He was released on his own recognizance by a judge. FAMILY DISPUTE Thoreau, July 16 A Thoreau man called the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office to remove his son from his residence after his son reportedly attacked him. Deput y Mig uel Bit tony said he was dispatched to the Smith residence in Thoreau

POLICE ACTIVITY | SEE PAGE 27

State police conducting saturation patrols in August Staff Reports New Mexico State Police will be checking for insurance, registration, driver’s licenses and sobriety in saturation patrols across the state for the month of August. Checkpoints will be located in all New Mexico counties to change attitudes about drinking and driving and to save lives. Media, marketing and advertising will be employed in an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatalities.

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

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Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

NEWS

INDIAN COUNTRY

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez to present CARES Act proposal

INDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez presented a $652 million CARES Act funding proposal to the 24th Navajo Nation Council during a special council session on July 28, including funds for the following: • Over $143 million for water projects. • Over $40 million for power line projects. • Over $94 million for t ele com mu n ic a t ion s a nd broa dba nd development / implementation. • $2 million for the Diné Hataałi Association, Diné Medicine Men Association, and the Native American Church. • $128 million for COVID19 testing kits, isolation sites/ services, emergency medical transportation, mobile medical

units, vaccinations, contact tracing/case managers/data support/callers/epidemiology services, vehicles/equipment for food deliveries for elders. • $60 million for business relief. • Nearly $12 million for chapters. • $40 million for undergraduate college student relief. • $5 million for graduate college student relief. • Over $5 million for Navajo Head Start centers. • Nearly $4 million for teacher development and student support. • Over $3.7 million for technical needs for Department of Diné Education. • $5 million for educational incentives under Department of Diné Education. • $20 million for housing improvement projects.

• Over $15 million for assistance for elders. • $739,000 for Chinle Youth Corrections. • O ver $ 4 m i l l ion for Canoncito health care facility. • Over $22 million for former Bennett Freeze housing and solar projects. • Over $22 million for Nava jo Nat ion Ga m i ng Enterprise. • Over $5 million for Navajo Shopping Centers, Inc. • Over $10 million for the Judicial Branch. • Over $7 million for propane and natural gas winter relief. Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer presented the funding proposals during a recent three-branch chiefs meeting. In June, the 24th Navajo Nation Council approved Resolution CJN-47-20, which states that

the three branch chiefs of the Navajo Nation shall develop and prepare expenditure plans that incorporate the needs of the whole Navajo Nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Navajo people are demanding that our Nation’s leaders work together to put the CARES Act funds to use for the people and our communities – that is what this comprehensive funding proposal seeks to accomplish. The funding requests are similar to those that were included in a previous legislation that was supported by the Navajo people. Unfortunately, when that legislation went before the Council, there were many amendments passed that removed critical funding. Now it’s time to move forward in unity and fund these critical needs,” Nez said.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez On July 4, the Nez-Lizer Administration approved $62 million in CARES Act funding for: • $21 million for special duty pay for frontline workers and other essential personnel for the COVID-19 response. • $10 million for Personal Protective Equipment for frontline workers and other

CARES PROPOSAL | SEE PAGE 18

Navajo Nation makes progress in positive case numbers Staff Reports

he Navajo Department of Health, in coordination w ith the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 41 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and seven more deaths on July 29. The total number of deaths has reached 453. Reports indicate that 6,622 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. In total, 79,583 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 8,968. The total count of Navajo Nation COVID -19 positive

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

cases by Service Unit: Chinle Service Unit: 2,206 • Crownpoint Service Unit: 757 • Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 647 • Gallup Service Unit: 1,468 • Kayenta Ser vice Unit: 1,247 • Shiprock Service Unit: 1,409 • Tuba City Service Unit: 831 • Winslow Service Unit: 400 T he s t a t e of A r i z on a reported 2,339 new cases of COVID-19, while New Mexico reported 352 new cases, and

NAVAJO CASE NUMBERS | SEE PAGE 22 INDIAN COUNTRY

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Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

NEWS

STATE & REGION

State applies for federal restaurant assistance using SNAP Staff Reports

A s si st a nce P rog r a m a nd would grant New Mexico famA N TA F E — T he ilies and individuals who qualNew Mexico Human ify for SNAP greater access Services Department to meals by allowing them has applied for fed- to purchase prepared meals eral approval to implement from participating New Mexico the Restaurant Meals Plan as restaurants. a means of continuing state This may include products assistance to businesses that sold in deli sections at particihave been impacted by the pating grocery stores. economic crisis sparked by the The RMP program would COVID-19 pandemic. typically be available to indiT he Rest au ra nt Mea l s viduals or households that Plan is an addition to the qualify for SNAP and meet S u p p l e m e n t a l Nu t r i t i o n one or more of the following

conditions: Disabled: the person is receiv ing Socia l Secur ity benefits; Railroad Retirement benefits, annuities, or other disability payments. Elderly: the person is 60 years of age or older. Homeless: the person does not have a fixed or regular nighttime residence. “This program would benefit New Mexico’s population of elderly and persons with disabilities who may have difficulty preparing meals for

themselves. It would also provide homeless individuals and families the opportunity to purchase meals if they do not have the means to store and cook food,” Human Services Secretary David Scrase said. “The state continues to actively pursue ways to help support our local businesses and restaurants during the public health emergency,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “In addition to the tens of millions in CARES Act grants the state is making available to small

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham businesses across the state via our local government partners, and in addition to the state relief loan programs that have been activated, this plan would boost the customer base for

RESTAURANT HELP | SEE PAGE 18

Lunch still on school schedule during COVID-19 Staff Reports

ANTA FE — No child will miss a school-prov ided mea l due t o remote learning to fight

the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Mexico Public Education Department reaffi rmed July 29. Since in-person instruction ended March 16, the department has provided almost 9

Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

million meals to New Mexico children through their school districts. That will continue. “We’re going to work as much as we can through whatever obstacles arise to get all

these children fed,” Michael A. Chavez, director of New Mexico’s Nationa l School Lunch Program, said. New Mexico school children are served by two federally-funded nutrition programs: The National School Lunch Program, will provide free and reduced-price meals to qualifying children at their schools. The Seamless Summer Option is another program which provides free meals to all children who seek them, no questions asked. New Mex ico sw itched to the summer program in March, with districts offering grab-and-go-meals in school cafeterias, congregate food drop-off sites, and food deliveries by school bus drivers along remote transportation routes. This summer, every district and charter school in New Mexico was required to submit a school re-entry plan that includes a description of how meals will continue to be provided in various scenarios, including remote learning. Most districts indicated they will continue with the plan that has been in place since March 16. In addition to the school nutrition effort, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department served 5.2 million meals and snacks from the middle of March to the end of May while schools and many child care facilities were closed.

Stock Photo O ver t he s u m mer, E C E C D’s S u m m e r Fo o d Service Program has provided free meals for children across New Mexico, no questions asked. These efforts will continue through the end of August, and the department is seeking a waiver from the federal government that would allow the program to operate into September. I n a dd it ion, SFSP ha s been providing breakfasts and lunches each day to 2,858 children in 15 pueblos and around chapter houses that were closed to the public or observing traveling restrictions during the pandemic. These efforts are ongoing. ECECD will also continue to operate the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which offers free and reduced-price

SCHOOL LUNCH | SEE PAGE 18 STATE & REGION

Spending in New Mexico primary highlights dark money at work By Bryan Metzger | July 16, 2020 New Mexico In Depth

s the Democratic pr i m a r y i n New Mexico’s third congressional district heated up in May, two mysterious groups– Avacy Initiatives and Perise Practical– began

s p e nd i ng a c ombi ne d $300,000 to support Teresa

Leger Fernandez, now the Democratic nominee. The groups ran positive, even glowing advertisements about Leger Fernandez, but didn’t disclose who paid for the ads. Few details could be found about them online. This “dark money” spending drew significant criticism from other candidates, who condemned Leger Fernandez for not calling for removal of the ads. But a rev iew by New Mexico In Depth of Federal Election Commission filings suggests the real goal was to deny another candidate in the race—Valerie Plame— the win by boosting the prospects of the Leger Fernandez campaign. It’s not uncommon for groups to spend money to support one candidate in order to prevent another candidate from winning. But when groups don’t disclose their donors, voters are left in the dark about the motives behind such efforts. “Our voting public is incredibly busy, and doesn’t have time to do research on every single one of the candidates,” said Heather Ferguson, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico. “Dark money is harmful to New Mexico voters because they can’t see who is truly behind those ads.”

Pattern of spending suggests opposition to Plame

In 2017, Valerie Plame–a former covert CIA officer best known for having her identity leaked as part of the “Plame affair” — tweeted an article called “America’s Jews are driving America’s Wars.” In the face of intense backlash, she initially doubled down, tweeting that, “Many neocon hawks ARE Jewish.” Yet a f t er a few d ay s, Plame apologized, explaining she had not thoroughly read the article, which advocated that Jews “recuse themselves when dealing with the Middle East” and called for American Jews to be labeled as such when appearing on television, STATE & REGION

which the article likened to a “warning label on a bottle of rat poison.” “OK folks, look, I messed up,” she said on Twitter. “I skimmed this piece, zeroed in on the neocon criticism, and shared it without seeing and considering the rest.” But her apolog y didn’t stop a deluge of spending against her congressional bid. The Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), an organization focused on shoring up

support for Israel amidst growing skepticism within the Democratic Party, spent almost $100,000 dollars to defeat Plame. “She has made statements about the US-Israel relationship that we were concerned about, and she also had this history of tweeting anti-Semitic and white supremacist websites,” said Mark Mellman, President and CEO of DMFI, in an interview. “We had a number of very strong, progressive, pro-Israel candidates in the race, but Ms. Plame is somebody who doesn’t fit that description.” DMFI is likely not the only pro-Israel group that got involved in the race. While they’ve not disclosed their donors or motivations, spending by Avacy and Perise Practical elsewhere and the background of the person responsible for both groups suggest they too sought to block Plame, by spending to support Leger Fernandez. For instance, only two

House districts in the country saw spending by Avacy

Initiatives: New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district, where the group supported Leger Fernandez, and New York’s 16th congressional district, where they supported House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Eliot Engel, considered by many as staunchly pro-Israel, against challenger Jamaal Bowman. Engel appears to have been defeated by Bowman. In addition to its support for Leger Fernandez, Perise P r a c t ic a l spent al most $170,000 in New York’s 15th district, where a pro-Israel Democrat named Ritchie Tor re s recent ly won t he Democratic primary. Both New York races were notable for the salience of Israel-related issues , and each saw significant outside spend i ng from pro -Israel

Photo of Teresa Leger Fernandez from her campaign site on Facebook. Photo Credit: Courtesy groups, including DMFI. A not her da rk money group, the Alliance to Combat Extremism , created Facebook videos supporting Ritchie Torres in New York’s 15th district. Ian Sugar, the President of ACE, formerly served as the Chief of Staff of the Israel Project, a now-defunct pro-Israel advocacy organization. ACE spent in the New Mexico race as well, dumping almost $36,000 to run a Facebook ad describing Plame as a “white supremacist” and a “disgraced racist millionaire,” drawing national a t t e n t io n a n d p r o m p t ing harsh backlash. Leger Fernandez condemned the ad as “extremely offensive and sexist.” “We were disgusted by that ad, we thought it was horrific. We said so publicly, we said so privately to the person that was involved,” said Mellman about the ACE ad. The name listed on both Avacy and Perise’s federal campaign finance filings is David Brett Krone, once chief of staff to former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. Krone notably lobbied for a controversial executive order on anti-Semitism that was signed by President Trump in December of last year. Ma rk Mel l ma n, whose group also spent in both NM-03, NY-16 and NY-15, said DMFI’s campaign was unrelated to the effort by Krone or Sugar. “I certainly know David K rone, but we were not involved with each other in this particular effort at all,” he said, adding that he also knew Sugar. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to speak to their

motivations.” Both Pla me a nd Leger Fernandez declined to comment for this story.

The dynamics of dark money spending

“ R e p r e s e n t i n g Na t i v e American tribes, she fought for water rights and health clinics,” intoned a narrator over rolling stock footage of Teresa Leger Fernandez. “And when our voting rights were threatened, she fought and she won.” Overwhelmingly positive and notably plain, the 30-sec-

said Ferguson, “You don’t know what entities are underneath that.” Both Avacy and Perise, as well as ACE, appear to be nonprofit groups that, at the federal level, aren’t required to disclose who funds their political spending, making them “dark money” groups. Such groups may spend unlimited amounts of money to influence political campaigns, so long as they don’t coordinate their activities with candidates. Another type of group, the “super PAC,” can spend unlimited amounts independently of candidates as well. “ They’re like electora l strike forces. They’re much more interested in helping to elect individuals that are aligned with their interests,” said Michael Rocca, professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, a bout s uch i ndep endent spending. On the other hand, Rocca said, traditional political action committees that give directly to candidates are looking for access. “They’re asking for a relationship, for a long-term relationship,” he said. A r ev iew of F EC f i lings indicates that Leger Fernandez received direct

ond TV spot from Avacy Initiatives could easily have donations from 26 differbeen mistaken for one of Leger ent PACs , including variFernandez’s own campaign ads. While a Facebook page for Perise Practical lacks any information about the group, a single-page website for Avacy Initiatives simply says, “Working to expand voting rights, build an economy that works for everyone, and a better and healthier world for future generations.” “These entities typically have very misleading names,”

ous groups affiliated with Hispanic causes, NARA L , and a PAC affiliated with

New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Other candidates in the primary received significant PAC contributions as well, including John Blair, Marco Serna, and Joseph Sanchez. Plame, by comparison, didn’t receive

DARK MONEY | SEE PAGE 20

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Suggestion to rename Kit Carson Elementary School REQUEST HIGHLIGHTS CARSON’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST NAVAJO PEOPLE Staff Reports

ANTA FE — Senator Linda M. Lopez, D-Albuquerque, has requested t hat t he name of Kit Carson Elementary School be changed. “Changing the name of Kit Carson and renaming the school to honor a local teacher or community leader is an important part of understanding history in a fuller context and empowering a community to take ownership and recognize one of our own,” Lopez said. In 1863, Carson, on behalf of the federal government, led a scorched-earth campaign against the Navajo people,

CARES PROPOSAL | FROM PAGE 14 essential personnel. • $10 million to ensure that the facilities operated by the Navajo Nation are disinfected and otherwise safe for

burning homes, killing livestock and destroying food supplies. The following year, troops under the command of Carson rounded up thousands of Navajo men, women and children and forced them to march several hundred miles from their homes in Arizona and New Mexico to a reservation at Bosque Redondo in the southeastern part of the state. Thousands of Navajos died along the way and nearly a third of those living there died of disease, exposure and hunger over the course of the following years. While he is remembered as a frontiersman in some versions of history, he is also noted for leading forces to

suppress the Navajo, Mescalero Apache, Kiowa, and Comanche tribes by destroying their food sources.

returning employees and the public seeking governmental services. • $10 million for food, water, and basic necessities care packages and related items. • $2 million for computer

hardware and software for government offices to improve tele -work capabilities for employees to carry services for the Navajo people. • $3.5 million for bathroom additions and upgrades for Navajo residents.

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• $3 million for P.L. 93-638 health care facilities. • $2.5 million for ex penses to facilitate the procurement and/or improvement of the Navajo Nation’s financial system to process Navajo Nation CARES Fund expenditures. “As of now, all tribes have until Dec. 30, 2020 to use the CARES Act funds. We are optimistic that Congress will consider and approve an extension, but until then we are on a strict timeline to expend

and use the funds for COVID19 response efforts. Over the course of several weeks, we have received numerous funding proposals and we’ve done our due diligence to determine what projects and initiatives are shovel-ready and ready to be implemented immediately. We look forward to discussing these funding proposals with the members of the 24th Navajo Nation Council. We have to be prepared for the long-term,” Vice President Myron Lizer said.

RESTAURANT HELP | FROM PAGE 16

purchase meals from restaurants that participate in the program. Restaurants interested in participating in RMP must submit an application for approval; if and when the program is approved, HSD will disseminate information about how and where to apply through the state Income Support Division.

SCHOOL LUNCH | FROM PAGE 16

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community about this request, the historical figure of Kit Carson, the role of historical memory in our modern lives, and the role of school names in the modern context of anti-racist education. A panel for conversation on the topic is in the process of being set up to present to the Kit Carson ES Instructional Council/PTA who can approve or not approve the request. If approved, a petition will be circulated to student families and staff. If the petition receives enough qualified signatures (60 percent of student families and staff), it will go before the school board for final approval.

restaurants amid a trying time. We will continue to find mechanisms to boost businesses across our state that are hurting as a result of the pandemic.” SNA P r e c ipie nt s t h a t meet the outlined conditions, may use their EBT card to

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“This is not about erasing the past, but we should acknowledge the hurt and damage that can be caused by putting historical figures in positions of reverence without regard to the complete story,” Lopez said. “Elementary school-aged students in particular should feel proud to walk the halls of their schools. Imagine what it might feel like for our Native American children to enter the doors of an institution named after the man responsible for the killing of their ancestors.” As the renaming of a school is a community process and conversation, Albuquerque Public Schools will be taki ng steps to educate the

meals to children and adults. Many organizations participate in the program, including Head Start programs, child care centers, before-and after-school care programs, family child care home providers, pre-K programs, emergency housing shelters, hospitals and clinics, schools, preschools and adult

day care facilities. “ T he Ea rly Ch i ld hood Education & Care Department will continue to work closely with PED and the Governor’s Office to ensure that every child in New Mexico has he a lt hy, nut r it iou s fo o d throughout the pandemic and beyond,” Alejandra Rebolledo Rea, director of ECECD’s Early Care, Education & Nutrition Division, said. STATE & REGION

NEWS

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Trump Administration proposes oil, gas regulation updates Staff Reports

ASHINGTON – In suppor t of President Donald J. Trump’s America-First Energy Strategy, the Bureau of Land Management announced proposed revisions to three key regulations governing oversight of oil and gas production and reporting July 29. The proposed regulations are designed to reduce bureaucracy, recordkeeping a nd measurement requirements, while ensuring that taxpayers receive accurate royalties from oil and gas produced on Federal and Tribal lands. “These proposed enhance-

ments streamline regulations to en su re t hat ou r oversight of energy production on America’s public lands is consistent and fair,” Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor said. “We’re continuing our work to ensure safe, abundant, and affordable energy for all Americans,” William Perry Pendley, BLM Deputy Director for Policy a nd Progra ms, said. “The BLM promotes responsible and safe oil and gas development on public lands and is committed to making sure these valuable resources are reported properly and measured accurately.” Federal royalties generated from onshore oil and gas

production on federal lands totaled nearly $4.23 billion in Fiscal Year 2019. In addition, production on Tribal lands generated nearly $1.14 billion. Revenue from production royalties are distributed entirely to Tribes and shared with the states in which those revenues are generated, making the oil and gas industry an indispensable source of revenue for schools, healthcare, infrastructure and other public services across the West. These updates support the Ad m i n istrat ion’s work to relieve burdens adversely impacting investments that generate these royalties. In total, oil and gas development on BLM-ma naged

lands supported more than 300K jobs and contributed $71.5 billion in output to the U.S. economy in fiscal year 2018. These contributions make it critical for the agency to ensure accurate measurement and reporting of production, while reducing requirements to protect jobs and facilitate energy production. Oil and gas measurement performance r e q u i r e me nt s h ave b e e n updated to account for production volumes and risk to mismeasurement. More accurate measurement is required at higher producing leases. Such updates are necessary because vast royalties are generated from smaller, local

operations that were disproportionately impacted by the previous regulations. The proposed rule would rev i se t h ree reg u l at ion s to ensure proper handling of oil and gas production, which is essential for accurate measurement, proper reporting and overall production accountability. Taken together, the proposed new rules would remove or modify requirements, address logistical issues and eliminate inconsistencies. For example, the proposed rule reduces requirements for

OIL, GAS REGULATIONS | SEE PAGE 27

Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World

By Steve Newman

Week ending Friday, July 24, 2020

Heat Hazard

Polar Peril

Global heating has already created such intense heat in some areas of the world that workers are being exposed to conditions that could threaten their lives, especially among those now battling the pandemic. From the medics caring for patients outdoors in the necessary but sweltering layers of personal protective equipment to farm workers and those laboring in steel mills, nearly every year brings conditions closer to the point they and others cannot cope, experts warn. “If this happens day-in, day-out, people become dehydrated, there are cardiovascular issues, kidney stones, heat exhaustion,” said researcher Vidhya Venugopal of the Global Heat Health Information Network.

Climate change is likely to 7.8 wipe out polar bears across the Arctic unless efforts to +123° 123° curb global heating are not Death Valley, accelerated soon, wildlife California biologists warn. Writing in the journal Nature Climate Change, Douglas researchers say dwindling sea ice is removing the surface Chipmunk Antics bears use to hunt seals. A bumper crop of acorns “Polar bears are already last fall in New England has sitting at the top of the world. led to a population explosion If the ice goes, they have no of chipmunks, which are place to go,” Peter Molnar pestering homeowners and of the University of Toronto generally making a nuisance told BBC News. of themselves. Experts warn that cubs With plenty of food to ZLOO EH WKH ÀUVW WR JR EHFDXVH fuel their high jinks after their mothers won’t have emerging this spring, the enough body fat to produce rodents have been digging milk to feed them through the up people’s gardens and ice-free summer season. tunneling beneath lawns.

Earthquakes Coastal residents across southern Alaska scrambled for higher ground after a magnitude 7.8 offshore temblor triggered a brief tsunami alert. • Tremors were also felt in southwestern Iceland, the northern Netherlands, the Italy-Slovenia border area, western India and eastern Papua New Guinea.

But some say they can also be entertaining. “They’re cute. They’re fun to watch in the forest as they duck in and out of the holes and play peekaboo,” small mammal biologist Shevenell Webb, with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, told The Associated Press. The plentiful acorns also fueled a population boom of squirrels, rabbits and various types of mice in the region.

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New research reveals that sharks are disappearing at an alarming rate in a trend that is upsetting the ecological balance across many marine ecosystems. Writing in the journal Nature, -90° scientists say that habitat destruction and South Pole, RYHUÀVKLQJ KDYH FDXVHG VKDUN QXPEHUV WR Antarctica crash in many of the world’s coral reefs. Underwater cameras used in the study revealed that RQH LQ ÀYH RI WKH UHHIV VWXGLHG GXULQJ D IRXU \HDU period had shark numbers so low that the species there could be considered “functionally extinct.” This is causing further stress on reefs that are also under threat from global heating and the ocean DFLGLÀFDWLRQ EURXJKW RQ E\ D FKDQJLQJ FOLPDWH

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Tropical Cyclones Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed over the central Atlantic Ocean and was expected to pass over the Windward Islands and into the Caribbean after EHFRPLQJ WKH VHDVRQ·V ÀUVW Atlantic hurricane. • Hurricane Douglas gained strength between Mexico and Hawaii.

Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

Agencies renew partnership to protect against livestock predators Staff Reports

RAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Department of the Inter ior’s Bu reau of Land Management and t he U. S. Depa r t ment of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceWildlife Services renewed their partnership for alleviating human-wildlife conflicts on BLM-administered public lands July 29. An updated Memorandum of Understanding clarifies respective roles and responsibilities for wildlife da mage ma nagement a nd reducing predation on livestock across more than 245 million acres of public lands, mostly in the West and Alaska. The MOU will remain in effect for five years and replaces the previous agreement, signed in 2012. “Under the Tr u mp Administration, the BLM has increased access to and recreational opportunities on public lands. Reaffirming our partnership with APHISWildlife Services allows us to take steps to protect the safety and the recreational experience of public land visitors and their pets while helping to

DARK MONEY | FROM PAGE 17

ensure abundant wildlife,” BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley said. “We also recognize the livestock community, as well as those with small children and pets in the urbanrural interface areas, must be protected from attacks by dangerous predators.” “APHIS-WS and the BLM are federal partners who have collaborated for decades to protect people, livestock, and natural resources on public lands. This newly signed MOU continues and refines that important tradition,” Janet Bucknall, Deputy Administrator for Wildlife Services, said. “Catron Cou nt y ha s a long-standing working relationship with Wildlife Services which provides essential wildlife damage management to our livestock producers as well as our constituents across the county. We applaud the renewed commitment,” Catron County Commissioner Anita A. Hand said. “Living in a rural county with vast wide open spaces negative predator interactions can be devastating especially for our families with small children. Livestock production is crucial to our economy and the

clarification of the respective roles and responsibilities is vital. “We hope to see this commitment across all public lands throughout our county,” she said. The MOU recognizes the importance of recreational activities on public lands. Both agencies will carefully evaluate the safety and recreation experiences of public land visitors and their pets prior to undertaking wildlife damage management activities in support of other multiple use management objectives. Both agencies are committed to ensuring that any wildlife damage management activity on BLM National Conservation Lands will be consistent with the requirements of designating legislation or proclamations and other applicable laws. The BLM will share relevant information for meeting these requirements during its review of APHIS-WS annual plans and will complete a Minimum Requirements Analysis for any activities APHIS-WS proposes to conduct in Wilderness areas. “With ever increasing predator populations, it is critical that federal land and wildlife management agencies

coordinate along with impacted communities to protect people, private property and wildlife like deer and elk,” New Mexico Federal Lands Council President Don L. (Bebo) Lee said. The BLM and APHIS will continue to coordinate regularly and closely to ensure that wildlife damage management activities are analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act. APHIS-WS will serve as the lead agency in preparing NEPA analysis of damage-management activities and the BLM as a cooperating agency, except in situations where the BLM specifically requests APHIS-WS assistance in managing wildlife damage on public lands it administers. In these instances, the BLM will serve as lead and APHIS-WS as a cooperating agency. The BLM managers will continue to review APHIS-WS wildlife damage management plans annually and provide information so these plans conform with BLM resource management plans. APHIS-WS’s mission is to provide federal leadership and expertise to resolve wildlife confl icts to allow people and wildlife to coexist. APHIS-WS

is the federal agency with recognized expertise and authority under the Act of March 2, 1931, as amended, and the Act of Dec. 22, 1987, for providing WDM services, which establish APHIS-WS as the lead agency for wildlife damage management activities. The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

signiﬁcant amounts of PAC

spenders to get involved in the race. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, EMILY’s List, and Latino Victory spent over $825,000 independently to support Leger Fernandez. VoteVets spent over $65,000 to support Plame. The outside spending on behalf of Leger Fernandez closed the money gap with Plame, who outraised Leger Fernandez in direct contributions by almost $650,000. Outside spending, particularly by dark money groups, can put both voters and candidates in a difficult spot. Lack of disclosure prevents voters from knowing what interests lie behind the political messages attempting to sway their vote. Candidates, while they may benefit from the spending, must also grapple with the appearance they condone unlimited money, sometimes dark, poured into campaigns. “The most common

approach is to be anti-outside spending, anti-big money, but not necessarily attack the groups that a re spending the big money,” said Rocca, referring to the calculation that candidates often make when an outside group begins spending on their behalf. “These outside spending groups unfortunately put candidates in a very tough position because the candidates can’t coordinate with outside groups,” said Ferguson. “They can’t tell them what to do. There’s a very big legal fi rewall in between them.” Indeed, during a candidate for u m sponsored by the LGBTQ Envision Fund Advisory Committee on May 21, Leger Fernandez declined to disavow outside spending by Avacy Initiatives and Perise Practical. “OK, let me say one more time that a candidate cannot communicate, direct or

control a third party — so if EMILY’s List or Women’s Vote wants to spend some money, they can do it,” she said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. “I can say, yes, I don’t like dark money. That’s the way the law is now. They’re asking me to do something that I actually don’t have the power to do.” Ferguson said that polling has shown that New Mexicans would like to see more disclosure than is even constitutionally permissible. But despite consistent efforts at both the state and federal levels to require greater disclosure, reform remains elusive. “There are efforts in the Un it ed St at e s Cong re s s – every single Congress, actually– to require us to pass constitutional requirements to require [greater disclosure],” said Rocca. “But that’s not going to happen any time soon.”

contributions. Pro-Israel interests were not the only outside

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OPINIONS

Republican plan doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet needs of families DOESNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MATCH SCOPE OF UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC CHALLENGES By Sharon Kayne Communications Director, NM Voices for Children

LBUQUERQUEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Republ ica n COV ID -19 rel ief plan unveiled yesterday [July 27] doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet the needs of New Mexico families and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t address our unprecedented state fi scal crisis, which means it will make the recession longer and more painful,Â James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, said in a statement today [July 28].Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nearly 18% of New Mexico

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adults living with children reported that their children are not getting enough to eat because of the public health crisis and recession. This crisis is bigger than any in our lifetime, but the Republican proposal doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet the needs of our state or the moment.Â Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no increase in SNAP benefits to help people buy food for themselves and their families, no funding for homelessness ser vices or additional rental vouchers, and substantially less money for laid-off workers even though Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record

nu mber of COV I D c a s e s mean[s] that many people are unlikely to be able to return to work soon.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;And it does not include nearly enough aid to state and local governments to prevent layoffs of teachers and public workers and could force cuts to schools, Medicaid, or critical public services.Â Â S e n s . Tom Ud a l l a nd Martin Heinrich must keep fi ghting to pass a better relief package, especially for state and local governments and

FAMILY NEEDS | SEE PAGE 27

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State education department discusses school reentry plan By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

he New Mex ico P ubl ic E duc a t ion Depar tment spoke with the press about the state’s modified reentry plan to get students and staff safely back into schools in a July 24 meeting. Cabinet Secretary Ryan St ewa r t repre sent ed t he depa r tment, presented updates to the state’s plan, and answered questions from the audience. The first announcement was that the start of in-person learning at state schools was being moved back until after Labor Day. “First and foremost, we are going to prioritize the health and safety of students, staff and communities,” Stewart said. “We want to put as much distance between the recent surge of virus cases and our students coming back.” Stewart said the PED is monitoring the state’s active COVID-19 case count each day and noted how the past severa l week s have seen sharp increases, especially in teenagers. He added the department is committed to getting kids back for in-person learning

and restoring some sense of normalcy to the classroom, but that everyone in the state would have to do their part to help. “Our kids are counting on it, our educators are counting on it,” Stewart said. “We know our kids have to be back in school because there is no substitute for in-person learning. Stewart then took questions from viewers, pertaining to subjects like payroll, getting children access to electronic learning means and meals, and specific safety measures. “We are allowing significant local control in setting each district’s start date,” Stewart said. “It will be up to the local school boards and governments to do so.” Those districts can also delay the start of in-person learning further as needed, and manage their own payrolls as well. As for students’ internet connectivity, Stewart said recent surveys showed about 23% of students did not have a compatible device or available connections. This is another area where each district can exercise its local control. “The schools use money they receive from the CARES Act to address that gap,” he said. “We are putting [CARES

funds] towards digital devices and internet [service].” Stewart said the department’s current challenge is to get fiber optic internet connections out to rural areas, which will be an expensive, yearslong commitment. “We are working with internet providers to get coverage out to those areas, but we don’t have the right infrastructure there,” he said. Next, Stewar t said the PED worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to secure waivers for the school food program so they can continue to serve meals to their students. To date, about nine million meals have been served. “We are going to continue to work with them so every district has a plan to ensure their kids have access to meals,” he said. Stewart spoke about the challenges of bringing certain groups of students into schools, such as special needs students or elementary students. He said the PED has guidance for when these students return to schools in small groups. As for whether these policies can be enacted safely, Stewart said the department is going to monitor the public

NAVAJO CASE NUMBERS | FROM PAGE 14 Utah reported 339 new cases on July 29. The Nava jo Nation announced it will have another 57-hour weekend lockdown beginning July 31 at 8 pm until Aug. 3 at 5 am. All businesses on the Navajo Nation will remain closed for the duration of the weekend lockdown. “The Navajo people are strong and resilient. A couple months ago, we were at our peak in COVID-19 cases and the media placed a lot of attention on our communities, but we have reversed the trend and now we are consistently

22 Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

health conditions in select reg ion s a cros s t he st ate and make further decisions afterward. “Some regions and districts can [come back in] more quickly than others,” he said. “We want to look at which regions we can move faster with.” Stewart spoke about the rise of education pods, where students gather in a shared space to lear n outside of school. He said there is not enough concrete information on the number of pods that have popped up across the state, but the department would be interested in learning more about using them effectively. The catch is, however,

deciding how to implement education pods while dealing with the disparate effects they have on different socioeconomic and racial groups, which Stewart said is a common concern across the country. “We want to think about how we do it [introduce education pods] in an inclusive way to make sure we don’t segregate our students,” he said. Stewart said the PED is working to get a testing program in place in the event of a potential outbreak in one of the schools. “I n t hat i n st a nce, t he Department of Health will come in and conduct a case investigation and contact tracing,” he said. “They will identify individuals who may have been exposed and have them isolated while we get them tested.” Depending on the severity of the outbreak, the classroom or school may need to close. Stewart said conditions can change, as well as these plans, but the PED will continue to keep the safety of students and staff at the forefront. In the meantime, he urged the public to do its part. “We know if New Mexicans come together and take initiative, we can see our case counts go down,” he said.

flattening the curve here on the Navajo Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “Our health care experts are telling us that there remains substantial risk to our citizens due to the high numbers of cases [in] other parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. “Our health care system on the Navajo Nation has limited capacity, so we cannot afford to have another spike in cases. Please remain diligent by staying home, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and avoiding large crowds,” Nez added. The Department of Health and the Health Command Operations Center is also

preparing for the upcoming winter flu season. They have also created a vaccination group to develop plans securing and distributing a vaccine for COVID-19 once one is proven to be safe and made available. “Stay home, stay safe, save lives. As always, we send a big thank you to our doctors, nurses, EMS personnel, police officers, fi re fighters, and many others who are on the frontline helping our people everyday. Let us help them by making good decisions that keep us healthy and safe. We pray that our Nation keeps getting stronger, so we can fight this virus and save more lives,” Vice President Myron Lizer said.

New Mexico Education Secretary Ryan Stewart

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Torch Run for Special Olympics rolls on

Gallup Bengal Cheerleaders congratulate the winners of the July 24 Torch Run for Special Olympics held at the UNM Gurley Hall parking lot. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura

McKinley County SheriďŹ&#x20AC; OďŹ&#x192;ce participate in the Torch Run for Special Olympics at the UNM Gurley Hall parking lot. From left: Lt. Eric Jim, Judith Goins, and Deputy Christopher Escamilla receive an award for the run July 24. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura

Awards packages that went to winners of the Torch Run for Special Olympics Cameron Cheromiah, Rylee Knight, Shelby Peterson, Cody Shoemaker, and Keidis Peynesta July 24 at the UNM Gurley Hall parking lot. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura

Gallup FireďŹ ghter Sean Begay congratulates winner of the Torch Run for Special Olympics held July 24 at the UNM Gurley Hall parking lot. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura

McKinley County SheriďŹ&#x20AC; OďŹ&#x192;ce and Gallup Bengal Cheerleaders at the Torch Run for Special Olympics July 24 at the UNM Gurley Hall parking lot. Photo Credit: Knifewing Segura

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Gallup Sun â&#x20AC;˘ Friday July 31, 2020

Cruising from coast to coast - at 5 mph ‘THE GREAT GRASS RACE’ PICKS UP STEAM IN NEW MEXICO By Cody Begaye Sun Correspondent

t is roughly 2,450 miles from Los Angeles to New York City. This trip can be as short as a few hours by plane to several days by car. But a ride-on lawnmower? That trip is now looking like several weeks or months. That long trip is the basis for “The Great Grass Race,” an online series where five teams of two people each will race across the country in these lumbering vehicles. “They get no gas, no food, and no shelter from the show,” Jon Sadler, of Menace Vision, the network that hosts the show said. “They have to drive across the country [at about 5 mph] and they have to rely on strangers for things like buying them food, tents, and supplies.” At press time, the convoy of lawnmowers was passing through New Mexico. Sadler said based on the speed of the vehicles as well as the individual challenges each team faced along the way, they are expected to complete the trip by early October. The show has gotten off the ground via word of mouth. “People have really started to contact each other in other cities after fi nding out about a convoy of lawnmowers driving through cities,” Sadler said. “They’re getting their friends in other cities to help the racers out.” THE IDEA FOR THE RACE Denis Oliver, creator of “The Great Grass Race,” said in a release that the lawnmower race is a metaphor for people longing to bridge the tremendous distance they feel between each other during the pandemic. He also cited the 1999 fi lm The Straight Story directed by David Lynch as being an inspiration for the show. That fi lm tells the story of Alvin Straight, a World War II veteran who travels by lawnmower across Iowa and Wisconsin to visit his dying, estranged brother. Oliver said the race is also about the freedom of being on the road. “Once ever y t h i ng wa s closed by the pandemic, it was

Denis Oliver, the creator of “The Great Grass Race,” said the idea of people traveling across the country on lawnmowers was inspired by the ﬁlm ‘The Straight Story.’ He thinks the show will let people come together and help the racers toward a common goal. Photo Credit: Courtesy Menace Vision a struggle to get things into place,” he said July 29. “That was the biggest challenge, but it was also an opportunity for the racers because then they got to meet people who want to carry them onward on the race.” COMING INTO PLACE Oliver said a casting call was put out in Los Angeles and they got a lot of requests for people wanting to take part in this challenge. “We thought it would be for the best for people to support a common goal, about coming together and working towards something,” he said. The studio selected the 10 most capable contestants and paired them into five groups that then decide on their route across the country. Kassie Sisko, of Newkirk, Okla., and Clinton Brand, of Paso Robles, Calif., are two of these contestants. They are both on the Green team. They both spoke with the Sun about what it felt like signing up for the show and how the experience has been so far. “I chose this race because it’s helping me get rid of my fears of being away from my family,” Sisko said. “I’m hoping it’ll also boost my acting and modeling career.” Her career incorporated both acting and modeling while she was taking care of three sons back home. Brand said he chose to sign

24 Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

up for the show because he was tired of living the same routine every day and wanted to make a change. This desire came out of a difficult upbringing in which he spent considerable time in foster care. He also recently experienced homelessness. “I chose this show because I wanted to make a difference in my life,” he said. “I want to better myself as a person and hopefully get some help fi nancially and gain some exposure with my music.” Brand has previously performed as a musician, where his stage name is CB3. He wanted to promote one song titled “On My Own.” A GROUP EFFORT Both contestants felt the experience has been difficult and unlike anything they have ever done in their lives. “But hopefully this race[s] teaches me that asking for help constantly is good for me,” Brand said. “That it teaches me how to communicate with people.” Each of them felt the pressure to quit and back out of the race at some point, but the growing support has been a motivator. “I recently broke down in tears and I had planned on quitting,” Sisko said. “But I got online and saw all the fans are cheering me on for the race. That boosted my spirits and

got me to stay on. “It changed my life, knowing people are rooting for our team. It’s a great feeling,” she said. Brand said if he were to back out now, he’d be going back to the same life he was trying to get away from. “So I’m determined to keep going even though I was terrified at times,” he said. “This race is a challenge, but I can’t quit now.” Brand also shared Sisko’s feelings of learning people are cheering for them. “I’ve seen girls blowing kisses at us, people pulling over and making sure we have everything we need,” he said. “It’s nice to know we have people watching out for us.” A G R O W I N G FOLLOWING Oliver said to date the reception online has been surprising and amazing. “People are now traveling around to find the convoy,” he said. “We have seen everywhere we’ve been that people have heard about us. They want to help us.” The growth in popularity was also unexpected, he said. “We wanted to show there are a lot of good people out there willing to help others,”Oliver said. “The viewers want to be part of it now, which is something really good.” Both Sisko a nd Bra nd wanted to thank the people

One of the contestants in “The Great Grass Race,” is Kassie Sisco of Newkirk, Okla. She said the race has been a great challenge, and seeing the support of the viewers has given her encouragement and motivation to keep going. Photo Credit: Courtesy Menace Vision who’ve helped them along as well. “I want to give a special shoutout to Sara Cohen, from California,” Brand said. “She helped us out tremendously.” Sisko wanted to thank her family in particular. “This shoutout is for my husband Chad, and my three sons at home,” she said. “I’m glad they let me do this, which hopefully gives a boost to my career.” For more infor ma tion on The Great Grass Race, including where to watch and to follow the racers on their trip, visit h t t p s : / / w w w. fa c e b o o k . com / The- Great- Gra ssRace-109652960705905. COMMUNITY

‘Muppets Now’ attempts a new update on the classic By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 22 – 24 MINUTES (PER EPISODE) This Disney+ series will be available for streaming on July 31, beginning with the first episode. A new episode will follow weekly. Back in the mid-1970s, The Muppet Show burst onto the TV scene and became a phenomenon. It was a family-friendly variety show that juggled sketches, musical performances and celebrity interviews, creating iconic moments for families nestled around the television. Over the years, many movies and new shows featuring the characters have been produced. The recent theatrical features were excellent updates, allowing the Muppets to maintain their distinctive humor while taking part in epic, big screen adventures. However, a more adult-oriented 2015 TV-series based around the felt figures missed the mark (at least, it did as far as this reviewer was concer ned) a nd wa s qu ick ly canceled. This week, Kermit, Miss Piggy and the others are back once again with a new Disney+ program called Muppets Now, an attempt to modernize the original formula. Based on the fi rst four episodes, the results are mixed, but there are some funny sketches. The show may need a little more work, but there is potential and one hopes that after a little fi ne tuning, later shows will end up providing great family entertainment. The series is described as being largely improvised, although that may be an exaggeration given the props and scenarios. It’s a web series that features tech exper t Scooter retrieving segment fi les and loading them up for viewing, all the while chatting online with Kermit and other Muppets. Many of the segments are repeated, with the most common being a series of competitive cooking challenges involving the Swedish Chef. There is also a themed scientific experiment clip with Professor Bunsen Honeydew COMMUNITY

RuPaul talks to Miss Piggy and Kermit in the new Disney+ feature, “Muppets Now.” Photo Credit: Disney+

and Beaker, self-help lessons and advice featuring Miss Piggy, as well as a game show hosted by Pepe the King Prawn. Taye Diggs assists Piggy on a few of her scenes and Linda Cardellini also appears in several Zoom chats with the porcine host. Like any sketch show, it’s all a bit hit and miss. The numerous celebrity guests help, surprising viewers and reacting (or trying to keep everyone calm) in amusing ways as chaos and comedy builds. However, there is a tendency for the humor to skew a little young and when episodes are viewed back to back, the segments do feel repetitive. Obviously, it’s a lot more work and expense to build additional sets and involve more Muppets, but the concept could use more variety, including unexpected skits and perhaps even a musical number now and again (there is a distinct lack of performances in this iteration of the program). Still, there are few sharp moments, particularly in the second episode. Specifically in one of the cooking competitions that features the Swedish Chef facing off against actor Danny Trejo. The concept featured involves the cook fi nding it difficult to match up against his adversary, eventually concocting haphazard dishes. The

chef’s take on a molé chicken taco does deliver laughs and when his improvised “dish” begins commenting on itself, the results are hilarious. It’s strange as a critic to comment on the comic timing and expressions of a Muppet, but it’s perfect in this bit. There’s a lso a n a musing science experiment with P rofes sor Honeydew a nd Beaker using heat to determine what substances will catch fi re and which will melt. The jokes

work here, too, although parents should be warned that the sketch may turn children into pyromaniacs. And Joe the Legal Weasel also earns yuks with some terrible and aggressively delivered puns ba sed a round law-related terminology. Par ts of Muppets Now scramble around in search of wackiness and don’t end up amounting to a whole lot. However, ever y once in a while, there’s a sketch or line

that makes you remember why you liked these characters so much in the first place. The results are reasonable, but do show room for improvement. As the series progresses, experimenting a little more, adding in some variety with segments as well as earnestness and heart every now and again (like the old series did), will elevate the program and help it reach its full potential. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

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Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

Blu-ray/DVD Round-up for July 31, 2020 By Glenn Kay For the Sun

t’s time to take another look at some of the Bluray and DVD highlights coming your way. There are plenty of interesting and eccentric features arriving, as well as some great older titles receiving high defi nition upgrades. So, since you likely can’t make it out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try! Big New Releases! A N ACCI DEN TA L STUDIO: Movie enthusiasts will be curious to check out this documentary detailing the history of U K produc tion company HandMade Films. It wa s sta r ted by George Ha r r ison of The Beatles, launching ca reers a nd providing funding for maverick films that no one else would make (including Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Time Bandits, Withnail and I and the Oscar-nominated Mona Lisa). The feature talks to many who made movies with the studio. They discuss how the company began and share their memories, discussing Harrison’s efforts to back their fi lm endeavors. Reviews were very strong

for the non-fiction feature. They wrote that it was a sweet and inspiring look at Harrison, as well as the wonderful art that he helped to finance. Billy Connolly, Helen Mirren, Michael Caine, Richard E. Grant, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin and many others share their stories. DEAD DICKS: In this independent horror/dark comedy fi lm, a young nursing student receives an unsett l i ng ser ie s of messages from her suicidal brother. Panicked, she hurries to get to his place only to fi nd that he has already taken his own life… but has miraculously reappeared. In fact, there are now several dead versions of the man lying around the apartment along with the newest copy of her sibling. The two investigate the scene and try to determine what is happening and why it may be occurring. Critics have been quite positive for this fi lm. In fact, it has been difficult to locate a negative review. Most state that the actors were excellent and the movie dealt with themes like mental illness in an insightful, powerful, and moving manner. It stars Jillian Harris, Heston Horwin and Matt Keyes. END OF SENTENCE: A widower reluctantly decides

26 Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

to fulfill his wife’s final wish of meeting up with his estranged son and disposing of her a she s at a remote lake i n I rela nd. Their son turns out to be an ex-con just out of prison, who isn’t enamored with his late mother’s idea either. The young man agrees to the trip, but only if his father buys him a ticket to California and never speaks to him again. As the two head out, they’re forced to address their personal issues and come to terms with the passing of the family matriarch. The press was very taken with this UK production. One or two complained that the concept wasn’t all that original, that the drama didn’t take fl ight. However, the majority were impressed by the performances and found the fl ick meaningful and inspiring. The cast includes John Hawkes, Logan Lerman, Sarah Bolger and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson. GUNDA L A: Superhero fans looking for an international twist on the genre might be cu r iou s a b ou t t h i s ta le from Indonesia . It follows a poor s ecu r it y g ua rd work i ng i n Jakarta. Suffer ing under a system run by mobsters and corrupt politicians who use assassins to enforce their mandates, the young man is struck by lightning and awakens with super powers. He tries to help the locals by fighting off villainous thugs. This superhero origin story based on a familiar character in the region hasn’t been seen by a lot of reviewers in this part of the world. Still, those who have viewed the picture have been upbeat. They write that while the story is a bit choppy in places, there’s a ton of thrilling, fast-paced action. Additionally, it story addresses deeper themes about the region. Abimana Aryasatya, Tara Basro and Bront Palarae headline the feature. JA MES CA MERON’S STORIES OF SCIENCE FICTION: Technically, this

is a n A MC telev ision mini-series, but it m ay be of interest to genre movie fans. The famous director hosts this program, giving a brief history of the genre and asking various guests and experts about their work creating science-fiction fi lms. They also discuss some of the general concepts being addressed in science-fiction. A nd, of course, Ca meron also shares details about his work on the upcoming Avatar sequels. Generally, the reaction toward this show was positive. There were a few who found it padded and thought the series lacked depth. Still, most found it to be a good introduction to sci-fi and liked hearing the thoughts of fi lmmakers and experts. James Cameron hosts and George Luca s, Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro, Ridley Scott, Christopher Nolan, Zoe Saldana, Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many others share their insights. THE OTHER L A MB: Life in a religious cult is the jumping off point for this eerie effort. A young girl born into an a l l-fema le compound led by a single male guardian fi nds her beliefs tested after enduring some awkward interactions with the man. After seeing how badly he treats those who disobey his orders and hearing a story from an estranged and shamed woman in the group, she begins to realize that this figure isn’t as much of a holy deity as she initially believed him to be. Overall, critics appeared to like this fi lm. About a third thought that the material and ideas were presented in less-than-subtle manner and didn’t buy into the concept. Still, the consensus was that the film was beautifully lensed and effectively showed a teen learning that her superiors might be a negative influence. It features Raffey Cassidy, Michiel Huisman and Denise Gough.

BL A STS F ROM T H E PAST! It’s yet another busy week for older fi lms receiving high defi nition upgrades. The fi rst disc should be of interest to those who enjoy watching corny and very out-ofdate educational shorts from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The AGFA (American Genre Film Archives) are releasing a Bluray called The Scare Film Archiv es Volume 1: Dr ug Stories! The disc includes 2K restorations of several fi lms trying to teach youngsters about the dangers of illicit chemicals. The titles included on this release are Beyond LSD, T h e Bottl e an d th e Throttle, Curious Alice, The Distant Drummer, Drugs, Drinking and Driving, LSD: Insight or Insanity, LSD 25, Narcotics: T he Decision, Goofballs and Tea, None for the Road, The Trip Back … featuring a character named Florrie Fisher (apparently, this fictional entity served as the inspiration for Amy Sedaris’ Strangers With Candy TV-series), as well as Users are Losers. It a l so come s w it h a “full length mixtape” called Narcoti c Nightm are a nd Hallucinogenic Hellrides. You’ll have to pick the disc up for yourself to figure out what those last two bonuses entail. YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! It’s a quiet week for children, but you can expect more titles to arrive in the coming weeks. ON THE TUBE! Here a re some of t he TV-related highlights arriving on disc. American Experience: The Man Who Tried to Feed the World (PBS) Deadwater Fell: Series 1 Hawaii Five-O: The Final Season James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction (AMC TV mini-series) Marijuana: A Chronic History (History Network) NCIS: Season 17 The Outsider: Season 1 Somewhere South: Season 1 (PBS) Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations (PBS) Wo n d e r Wo m a n : T he Complete Collection (‘70s TV series) V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM COMMUNITY

POLICE ACTIVITY | FROM PAGE 12 on July 16. Once at the site, he met Spencer Smith, who explained the situation and said that his wife and granddaughter were locked in a bedroom for safety. Bit tony a nd Deput y Franklin Begaye entered the

OIL, GAS REGULATIONS | FROM PAGE 19 water-draining operations which are duplicative of existing seal requirements. “Our goal is to ensure maximum accountability and efficiency, while making sure that operators are able to develop America’s energy resources on public lands for the benefit of the American people and local communities across

FAMILY NEEDS | FROM PAGE 21 low-income New Mexicans who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic and are facing the greatest fi nancial hurdles,” Jimenez said. New research released last week [week of July 19] by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows the number of people struggling to get enough to eat has increased

FOUNDATIONAL FREEDOMS | FROM PAGE 21 COVID-19. We’ve heard the old saying: “There’s two sides to every story and the truth is somewhere in the middle.” Does th is adage apply to COVID-19? Yes. “As Heritage Foundation resea rcher s have demonstrated throughout the pandemic, the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. has been heavily concentrated in a small number of states—and among a small number of counties within states. Even though the U.S. has seen a rapid rise in cases during the last few weeks, the overall levels of concentration have remained fairly consistent.” Visit www. heritage.org. As of July 14, 10 states accounted for 61 percent of all U.S. cases and 66 percent of all deaths (and 62 percent of the population.). Visit www.worldometers.info. Should the entire country NEWS

house. As they went through the living room, they saw food on the floor as well as an overturned chair. They found Brandon Smith, 28, of Thoreau, hiding behind a shower curtain and took him into custody. Bittony interviewed Jasper Smith, who told him he was sitting when he hea rd a n

angry outburst from his son, who then shoved him and choked him with both hands against the wall. Jasper said he fought back and eventually held Brandon down on the floor. Jasper Smith said his son managed to get up and run to the kitchen where he got a chair and threw it at his

father and hit his left hip. Jasper Smith said he decided that was the time to leave the house. That is when he called for help. Shirley Smith said Brandon had an alcohol problem. Bittony said he smelled alcohol on Brandon. Brandon told Bittony he did not care what happened at the

Smith residence and to take him to jail. He wa s tra nspor ted to Gallup Indian Medical Center for a clea ra nce a nd then booked at McKinley County Adult Detention Center on charges of aggravated battery against a household member and criminal damage to property.

the nation. We will use the feedback and information we receive from the public and stakeholders to further refi ne and improve this proposal before making any fi nal decision,” Pendley said. Through these proposed cha nges, t he BL M w i l l ensure accurate reporting while significantly reducing recordkeeping requirements. Further, the proposals increase grandfathering of

measurement equipment and inspection frequency, where accuracy and performance has already been verified. The rulemaking follows t he BL M’s rev iew of t he 2016 final rules for conformance with Executive Order 13783 P rom otin g En e rgy Independence and Economic G r o wt h, a nd S ecret a r y’s Order 3349 American Energy Independence, which require a gencie s t o en su re t h a t

regulations do not unnecessarily encumber energy production, constrain economic growth, or prevent job creation. Based upon that review, the BLM found that the revisions would streamline regulations for oil and gas operators working on Federal and Indian lands. Publication of the pro posed regulations in the Fede ral Registe r will open a 60-day public comment

period. The BLM will notify the public a nd stakeholder s when the reg u lations publish, as well as publicizing the opening and closing dates of the comment period and instructions on how to comment. Before finalizing any regulations, the BLM will review and respond to substantive public comments and may use any new information gathered to help guide the development of the revisions.

d ra mat ica l ly a nd a huge number of people are falling behind on rent – just as the national moratorium on evictions expires. While tens of millions of people are facing serious financial hardship, Hispanic, Indigenous, Black, and immigrant people have been hit the hardest because of structural racism that creates disparities in education, employment, housing, and health care.

During these negotiations, Congress must prioritize support for people hard-hit by the crisis by making sure they get the help they need and work to prevent states, cities, and towns from making deep budget cuts that will hurt tens of millions. N e w M e x i c o Vo i c e s for Children is calling on Cong res s to i m med iately negotiate a bipartisan agreement that:

Provides additional federal funding for Medicaid programs and direct grants to states, territories, and tribes to protect core public services such as education, health care, and public safety, in addition to aid for local governments; Tempor a r i ly i ncrea se s SNAP benefits and housing assistance so people can get enough to eat and keep a roof over their heads; Temporarily makes the

Child Tax Credit available to the lowest-income children and expands the Earned Income Tax Credit for lowpaid workers not raising kids in their homes; Creates an emergency fund for states to help people who are falling through the cracks and to create subsidized jobs programs when workers can participate safely; and Continues expanded unemployment benefits.

remain on lockdown? I agree w ith Dr. Kev in Pham, medical physician. In a recent commentary for The Daily Signal, he surmised, “When the statewide lockdowns first began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, most A mer ica ns accepted t he s e me a s u r e s i n go o d faith as difficult, but necessary, sacrifices for the benefit of everyone. At the time, the only thing anyone truly understood about the novel coronavirus that causes the disease, was its breathtaking speed and seemingly unstoppable lethality in certain cities. But lockdown measures were meant only to bridge us to a solution for dealing with COVID-19, and it should be the goal of lawmakers to return as much of American life back to normal as possible.” Visit www.dailysignal. com. The National Coronavirus Recover y Com m i s sion, a pr oj e c t of T he He r it a ge

Foundation, has made 265 recommendations to return to business, saying, “This is a plan to save both our lives a nd ou r liveli hoods. It is not about choosing between protecting lives or the economy, but about ach iev ing the prudent balance needed to protect both.” Visit www. coronaviruscommission.com. Reopen our economy. Get Americans back to work. Lift restriction bans. Individuals with medical conditions and compromised immune systems must continue to take precautions. Encourage face coverings, but do not mandate masks. Give information and facts, but do not promote pandemic panic. It is time to return our fou nd a t ion a l f re e dom i n chu rche s, t emple s, sy n a gogues, and places of worship. A return to civil liberties is imperative. And citizens must speak up and voice concern for religious freedoms. Lift restrictions on houses of

worship. Pham asks, “After all, who cares more for the parishioners, the state’s governor or the pastor?” Reopen ou r schools. According to the House of Freedom Caucus, “Doctors and scientists have shown the minimal risk that COVID19 poses to ch i ld ren a nd young adults, and state and local officials are compromising our young people’s (sic) development by keeping schools closed over fear of COVID-19 … Our children should not have to pay for irrational and unprecedented actions to close our schools to in-person instr uction.” Visit the Official Facebook Page of the House Freedom Caucus. Humanity has sur v ived throughout the histor y of diseases. The Black Death hit Europe in 1347, and claimed 200 million lives in four years. The Great Plague of 1665 killed 100,000 Londoners in seven months. The Bubonic

P l a g u e c l a i m e d 15 m i l lion v ictims. In 1980, the World Health Organization announced the eradication of smallpox. Malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, influenza— and humanity is still around. H1N1, Ebola and Zika—and humanity is still around. On March 11, the World Health O r g a n i z a t ion a n nou nce d that the COVID-19 virus was officially a pandemic—and humanity is still around. To whom do we listen? Scientists, epidemiologists, physicians, nurses, researchers, historians, politicians, prophets. We check facts and discern false news. We listen to all, but stay somewhere in the middle. We use our common sense. Republicans vs. Democrat s. Wi l l t he rea l motivates pertaining to the COVID-19 response, please stand up—2020 is a presidential election year. “Give me liberty, or give me death!”—Patrick Henry.

Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

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. LOST & FOUND *ATTENTION* Roy Snyder your Frost family is looking for you! Please call 435-656-1246. PS If you know Roy please call! LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF McKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the Matter of the Estate of EVELYN ALEXIUS, Deceased. No. D-1113-PB-2020-00019 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ALPHONSO ALEXIUS has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of EVELYN ALEXIUS, deceased. All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason & Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico, 87301, attorneys for the Personal Representative, or filed with the District Court of McKinley County, New Mexico. Dated: June 30, 2020 ALPHONSO ALEXIUS Personal Representative

MASON & ISAACSON, P.A. By: James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Representative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463 Published: The Gallup Sun July 17, 2020 July 24, 2020 July 31, 2020 *** ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF McKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the Matter of the Estate of PAUL VIRGIL KOHLMEYER, Deceased. No. D-1113-PB-2020-00021 NOTICE TO CREDITORS ANN L. KONTZ has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of PAUL VIRGIL KOHLMEYER, deceased. All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason & Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico, 87301, attorneys for the Personal Representative, or filed with the District Court of McKinley County, New Mexico. Dated: 07/01/2020 ANN L. KONTZ Personal Representative MASON & ISAACSON, P.A. By: James J. Mason

Attorneys for Personal Representative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463

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*** ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF MCKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the Matter of the Estate of BELLE T. BURR, Deceased

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

President Board of Education Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1

Public notice is hereby given that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools, Gallup New Mexico, desires to purchase the following:

BID ISSUE DATE: July 27, 2020 PUBLICATION DATE: July 31, 2020 (Gallup Sun) August 2, 2020 (Albuquerque Journal)

DIGITAL TWO WAY RADIO MAINTENANCE BID Price Agreement

***

ADVERTISEMENT BIDS

No. D-1113-PB-2020-00023 NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHARLOTTE BURR has been appointed Personal Representatives of the Estate of BELLE T. BURR, deceased. All persons having claims against this estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented either to the Personal Representative at the offices of Mason & Isaacson, P.A., 104 East Aztec Avenue, Gallup, New Mexico, 87301, attorneys for the Personal Representative, or filed with the District Court of Cibola County, New Mexico. Dated: 07/23/2020 CHARLOTTE BURR MASON & ISAACSON, P.A. By James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Representatives 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463 Published Gallup Sun: July 31, 2020 August 7, 2020 August 14, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE No. ITB-2020-03RB COMMODITY CODES: 95944 As more particularly set out in the bid documents, copies of which may be obtained by downloading from the GallupMcKinley County Schools eBidding platform website https://gmcs.bonfirehub.com/ portal Sealed bids for such will be received at the Procurement Office until 2:00 PM (LOCAL TIME) on August 13, 2020. FAX and HARDCOPY PROPOSALS will NOT be accepted. Offerors will not be able to upload proposals or documents after the specified CLOSING date and time. Dated the 27th Day of July, 2020 By:

/S/Charles

Long,

Advertise in the Sun! Call for Great Rates & Ad Specials today. (505) 722-8994 28 Friday July 31, 2020 • Gallup Sun

REQUEST PROPOSALS

FOR

Public Notice is hereby provided that the GallupMcKinley County Schools is accepting competitive sealed proposals for: GAS PIPELINE SAFETY INSPECTION & CATHODIC PROTECTION SERVICES RFP-2021-04MA Commodity Code(s): 94130 & 96191 As more particularly set out in the RFP documents, copies of which may be obtained by downloading from the Gallup-McKinley County Schools eBidding platform website https://gmcs. bonfirehub.com/portal/?tab= openOpportunities Sealed proposals for such will be received until 2:00 P.M. (LOCAL TIME) on, August 11, 2020. FAX and HARDCOPY PROPOSALS will NOT be accepted. Offerors will not be able to upload proposals or documents after the specified CLOSING date and time.

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 29 CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 28 The Gallup-McKinley County School Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive any formalities or minor inconsistencies, and/or cancel this solicitation in its entirety. Dated the 30th Day of July 2020 By: /S/ Charles Long, President Board of Education Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1 RFP ISSUE DATE: July 30, 2020 PUBLICATION DATES: July 31 & August 7, 2020 (Gallup Sun) *** PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the McKinley County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Adhering to the Social Distancing Protocols, issued by the Governor’s Office; and the requirements of the Open Meetings Act allowing members of the public to attend and listen to meetings of the quorum of the governing body, this meeting will be physically closed to the public but open to the public via technology services. Members of the public may view the live stream feeds offered on the approved Facebook account of the McKinley County Office of Emergency Management. Members of the public are welcome to call in with comments about any of the items on the agenda. The comment call in number (505.863.1400) will be monitored beginning at 8:45 am on the day of the meeting; and, it will stop being monitored at 9:10 am on the day of the meeting. Please give your name, and the Agenda Item Number you desire to comment on, and a return phone number. When, at the appropriate time for making comments on the agenda items, (beginning at approximately 8:10 am) the Commission Chair will call you on your return number so you can make your comment. The CLASSIFIEDS

Commission Chair pursuant to state law and county policy can limit the time of comments and reduce common or cumulative comments as needed; comments will be limited to 3 minutes. The members of the County Commission at their option can participate by phone or other technological participation methods. A copy of the agenda will be available 72 hours prior to the meeting in the Manager’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office and can be sent electronically upon request. All interested parties are invited to attend via the live stream mentioned herein. Done this 28th day of July 2020 McKINLEY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS /S/ Billy Moore, Chairperson Publication date: Gallup Sun July 31, 2020 *** NOTICE OF AIR QUALITY PERMIT APPLICATION Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State) announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for a technical revision to a major source operating under Air Quality Permit PSD-NM-285M4R1, for its facility identified as the Prewitt Escalante Generating Station (PEGS). The expected date of the application submittal is July 27, 2020. This is a revised public notice previously published July 24, 2020. This

is at latitude 35 deg, 24 min, 57.4 sec west and longitude 108 deg, 4 min, 57.6 sec north. The approximate location is 4 miles north of Prewitt, NM on the west side of County Road 19 in McKinley County. PEGS is a single unit coal-fired electric generating station owned and operated by TriState. With this technical revision permit application, Tri-State is permanently shutting down the coal-fired boiler, associated coal and limestone handling equipment, and the cooling tower on or before December 31, 2020. Additionally, Tri-State will be transferring ownership and operation of the existing auxiliary boiler and water treatment plant to McKinley Paper Company’s Prewitt Mill. McKinley Paper Company currently receives all process steam for its facility from TriState’s PEGS existing coalfired boiler or auxiliary boiler. The modification will occur in two phases. Phase 1 includes the shutdown of the coal-fired boiler, associated coal and limestone handling equipment, and the cooling tower on or before December 31, 2020. Phase 2 includes the transfer of the existing auxiliary boiler and water treatment plant to McKinley Paper Company, which will occur after a new 20.2.72 NMAC minor NSR permit has been issued for the Prewitt Mill. The estimated maximum quantities of any regulated air contaminants after Phase 1 of the modification will be: Present Facility Emissions Post Facility Emissions Change in Emissions

Pollutant:

the Facility is:

Calidad de Aire al teléfono 505476-5557.

Notice of Non-Discrimination NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non- discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kristine Pintado, NonDiscrimination Coordinator, New Mexico Environment Department, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 8272855, nd.coordinator@state. nm.us. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our website at https://www.env. nm.gov/NMED/EJ/index.html to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination. Published: The Gallup Sun July 31, 2020 ***

Present Facility Emissions Post Facility Emissions Pounds per Tons per year hour

PM 10

104 pph

254 tpy

Pounds per hour 54 pph

Tons per year 35 tpy

Change in Emissions Pounds per hour -50 pph

Tons per year -219 tpy

PM 2.5

68 pph

227 tpy

20 pph

12 tpy

-48 pph

-215 tpy

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

494 pph

2165 tpy

0.3 pph

0.5 tpy

-493.7 pph

-2164.5 tpy

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

1134 pph

4919 tpy

32 pph

50 tpy

-1102 pph

-4869 tpy

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

182 pph

749 tpy

28 pph

67 tpy

-154 pph

-682 tpy

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Startup/Shutdown

909 pph

23 tpy

0 pph

0 tpy

-909 pph

-23 tpy

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

10 pph

40 tpy

3 pph

4 tpy

-7 pph

-36 tpy

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

7.5 pph

32.0 tpy

0.2 pph

0.2 tpy

-7.3 pph

-31.8 tpy

State Toxic Air Pollutants (TAPs)

<0.5 pph

<0.5 tpy

<0.1 pph

<0.1 tpy

-0.4 pph

-0.4 tpy

Green House Gas Emissions as Total CO2e

n/a

2,363,891 tpy

n/a

87,907 tpy

n/a

-2,275,984 tpy

notice is a requirement of the New Mexico air quality regulations. The exact location of PEGS

The hours of operation will remain permitted for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 8760 hours per year. The owner and/or operator of

México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ORDINANCE

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 30

Gallup Sun • Friday July 31, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 29 PASSAGE BY TITLE AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. S2020-7 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the governing body of the City of Gallup, New Mexico, at its regular meeting of July 28, 2020 passed, adopted and approved the following entitled Ordinance: AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LOAN AGREEMENT AND INTERCEPT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO (THE “GOVERNMENTAL UNIT”) AND THE NEW MEXICO FINANCE AUTHORITY (THE “FINANCE AUTHORITY”), EVIDENCING A SPECIAL, LIMITED OBLIGATION OF THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT TO PAY A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF UP TO $7,500,000, TOGETHER WITH INTEREST THEREON, FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COST OF REFUNDING, PAYING AND DISCHARGING THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT’S OUTSTANDING GROSS RECEIPTS TAX IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2010A; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE UNDER THE LOAN AGREEMENT SOLELY FROM THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE REVENUES RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENTAL UNIT PURSUANT TO SECTION 7-16.4, NMSA 1978 (THE “STATESHARED GROSS RECEIPTS

TAX”); PROVIDING FOR THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE REVENUES OF THE STATE-SHARED GROSS RECEIPTS TAX FROM THE STATE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE FINANCE AUTHORITY OR ITS ASSIGNS PURSUANT TO THE INTERCEPT AGREEMENT FOR THE PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST DUE ON THE LOAN AGREEMENT; DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO MAKE CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS CONCERNING THE TERMS OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE INTERCEPT AGREEMENT; RATIFYING ACTIONS HERETOFORE TAKEN; REPEALING ALL ACTION INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT AND THE INTERCEPT AGREEMENT. The purpose and subject matter of the Ordinance is contained in the title. A complete copy of the Ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, Gallup City Hall. CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO By: /s/ Alfred Abeita II, City Clerk PUBLISH: Friday, July 31, 2020

Read online at gallupsun.com BIDS NOTICE TO BIDDERS Public notice is hereby given that the Gallup-McKinley County Schools, Gallup New Mexico, desires to purchase the following: WALK THROUGH INFRARED BODY TEMPERATURE DETECTOR Fixed Price Agreement ITB-2021-05KC NIGP Commodity Code(s): 03569, 22030, 22072

As more particularly set out in the BID documents, copies of which may be obtained by downloading from the GallupMcKinley County Schools Bonfire eBidding website: https://gmcs.bonfirehub.com/ portal/ Sealed bids for such will be received at the Procurement Office until 2:00 PM (MDT, LOCAL TIME) on August 10, 2020. FAX and HARDCOPY PROPOSALS will NOT be accepted. Offerors will not be able to upload proposals or documents after the specified

CLOSING date and time. Public Bid Opening shall be conducted through online meeting software. Dated the 29th Day of July, 2020 By: /S/Charles Long, President Board of Education Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1 BID ISSUE DATE: July 29, 2020 PUBLISH: Friday, July 31, 2020

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR JULY 31 – AUGUST 6, 2020 SATURDAY, August 1

WE READ, WE TALK BOOK CLUB

Register at ofpl.online for a copy of The Library Book by Susan Orlean now through August 7th. Zoom discussions will be held at 6 pm Aug. 20 and 2 pm, Aug. 29. For more information: email bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information. MONDAY, August 3

BIG LIBRARY READ

Samsung Galaxy Tablet from @OverDriveLibs

CREATIVE CORNER

4 pm-5 pm Mon. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library You Tube. Make your own art from materials around your home. Art courses are for the inner creative, geared toward people 15 years old and older. This week we will make Clay Pinch Pots using air-dry clay.

Borrow the featured title ‘The Darwin Affair’ by Tim Mason with no waitlists or holds from our digital collection August 3rd through 17th. The Big Library Read is the world’s largest digital book club and gives us an opportunity to read the same digital title simultaneously. Readers can discuss online at https:// discuss.biglibraryread.com/. Email bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call 505-863-1291 for more information.

9 am-12 pm Members of the public may view the live stream feeds offered on the approved Facebook account of the McKinley County Commission.

*BONUS: Use #BigLibraryRead for a chance to win a

5 pm classes will be available on OFPL’s social media chan-

TUESDAY, August 4

REGULAR COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

nels @galluplibrary. Learn to use free meeting software such as Zoom, GoogleMeet and others programs to host or attend online meetings and classes. THURSDAY, August 6

CRAFTY KIDS

4 pm on Facebook and Youtube @galluplibrary (all ages) for family-friendly crafts and step-by-step tutorials for all skill levels. This week we will engage in pasta crafts. ONGOING

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

9 am-11 am M, W, F @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.)

RMCHCS COVID-19 DRIVE-UP TESTING

WEDNESDAY, August 5

9 am-5 pm M-Sat @ Urgent Care Center (520 NM Hwy 564, north of the New Mexico Cancer Center).

TECH TIME ONLINE: COMMUNITY COMPUTER TRAINING CLASSES

IMAGINE YOUR STORY – YOUTH SUMMER READING

All Day July 25-Sept. 1. Read for four hours and you can select a personal pan pizza or

free round of mini-golf from Pizza Nine. Participants can complete an online reading log found on our website @ octaviafellin.libguides.com/ srp2020 of call the main library for a paper version of the log at (505) 863-1291. Entries must be received by 6 pm Sept 1. For more information: childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

OFPL BOOKMARK DESIGN CONTEST

ALL Day July 25 – August 31, 2020. Compete in OFPL’s bookmark design contest. Entry forms available at ofpl. online/programs/#bookmarkcontest. For more information: jwhitman@gallupnm. gov, or call (505) 863-1291.

SUMMER READING BINGO – ADULTS AND TEENS

All Day July 25 – Sept. 1, 2020. Participants in Imagine Your Story can complete a Book Bingo Card available at octaviafellin.libguides.com/ srp2020. Turn in your card to be intered in a weekly prize drawing. Entries must be in by 6 pm September 1. For

more information: bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

TALKING TUESDAYS

4 pm on Facebook and YouTube @galluplibrary for book, author, movie, tech talks and more.

EARLY LEARNING WITH ANIMALS

11 am-12 pm Wed. and Fri. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library Facebook and You Tube. We are learning about animals through Aesop’s Fables.

VIRTUAL FUN FRIDAYS WITH OFPL

2 pm-3 pm Fri. @ Octavia Fellin Public Library Facebook. Join the OFPL staff and special guests every Friday on Facebook Live for trivia games and more.

To post a nonprofit or civic event in the calendar section, please email: gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

State renews emergency public health order Staff Reports

A N TA F E – G o v. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials announced July 30 the state of New Mexico will extend its emergency public health order and keep existing public health restrictions and guidelines intact while the state continues to combat the spread of COVID-19. T he emergency publ ic health order retains the state’s public health prohibition on mass gatherings and keeps in place temporary indoor occupancy restrictions for certain businesses, particularly indoor “close-contact” businesses such as restaurants and gyms. Also unchanged is the statewide requirement that all individuals wear face coverings in

COMPLAINT | FROM PAGE 4 compla int include Va lor y Wangler, Laura Hammons, Neil Jackson, Felicia Adams, Andrea Walker, Christopher Hoover, Mary Poel, Jaylyn Ellis and John Does 1-10 and Jane Does 1-10. CALENDAR

public and that business operators require customers to wear face coverings upon entrance. The governor will likewise renew her executive order mandating a temporary quarantine for individuals traveling into the state. The statewide rolling 7-day case average continues to press the bounds of its highest point since the outset of the pandemic, having increased 41% since July 1; the 7-day average has been steadily increasing since mid-June. The state’s rate of spread – expressed as an r-effective, signifying the average number of subsequent infections one infection will reproduce – remains above 1, meaning cases will continue to grow. Three of the state’s five public health regions – the nor thwest, southwest

and southeast – have r-effective numbers of 1.6, 1.2 and 1.2, according to the Medical Advisory Team. The metro and northeast regions both had r-effective numbers of 0.9 as of Tuesday. After decreasing from May to mid-June, New Mexico’s repor ted COVID -19 fatalities are once again rising week-over-week – the state Department of Health reported 3 6 COV I D -19 dea t h s t he week ending July 25 and has reported 25 already this week, through July 29. While ventilator usage has remained steady, according to the state Medical Advisory Team, COVID-19 hospitalizations have also risen in aggregate since early July. Rapid responses conducted by the state Environment Department and other state

agencies continue to increase, with 215 rapid responses to places of employment where COVID-19 exposure occurred during the week of July 20-26. The prior week saw 185 rapid responses, a nd the week prior to that saw 175. Almost a quarter of the state’s rapid responses for occupational exposure – 48 the week of July 20-26 – were reported in the food industries (restaurants, grocery stores and food manufacturing facilities). The extended public health order streamlines the categories of business operations. Wineries and distilleries will now be classified alongside other food and drink establishments such as restaurants, meaning they may operate under the same requirements: Outdoor and patio seating is

permitted while indoor seating and service is not and outdoor tables must be separated by six feet of distance, among other COVID-Safe Practices required for restaurants and eateries. T he emergency publ ic health order signed by Health Secretary Kathyleen Kunkel is effective for 30 days through Aug. 28. New Mexicans seeking food, economic or health care help – or personal help in any number of areas – are encouraged to visit www.newmexico. gov/i-need-assistance/. New Mexico small businesses seeking assistance applying for the various programs established by the state may call the state’s information hotline, (833) 551-0518, and select option #2.

Robles explained that John Does 1-10 and Jane Does 1-10 are simply placeholders that will allow him to add the names of other defendants at a later time. In addition to claims of defamation and false light, the complaint addresses issues of “breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith

and fair dealing, [and] civil conspiracy.” The complaint mentions closed door meetings and private communications and says the defendants “conspired and waged a campaign to intentionally and or negligently interfere with HCI’s contract with RMCHCS.”

Conejo and HCI are asking for actual, compensatory, punitive and treble damages, as well as pre-and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred, and any other relief the court deems proper. Treble damages, although not a common legal term,

allows for a court to triple the amount of the actual or compensatory damages to a plaintiff who wins this case. Members of the RMCHCS management team, and their attorney, were contacted multiple times for comment on the lawsuit, but there have been no responses as of press time.

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