Gallup Sun • December 11, 2020

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VOL 6 | ISSUE 298 | DECEMBER 11, 2020

COVID SUPPLIES

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FEEDING THE HUNGRY

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MONEY IN COMMON STARTING A BUSINESS

SHELTER RENOVATIONS

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Services for Exceptional Students

When: December 18, 2020 Where:

This is an online Parent Academy Visit our website: https://ses.gmcs.k12.nm.us/ The virtual link will be posted the day of.

TOPIC: Identifying & Responding to Trauma Presenter: Michelle Dutto-Osbourn, GMCS Behavior Intervention Coach Objectives: ◦Define trauma and understand its prevalence ◦Recognize the probable signs of trauma ◦Understand the impacts on behavior, executive functioning, and adaptive skills ◦Identify and establish social and emotional safety in the home

Announcement: The Services for Exceptional Students is changing locations. Beginning January 4, 2021, the SES Department will be located at 345 Basillio Drive (Formerly Rocky View Elementary School). Offices will be open from 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM Monday through Friday. Please follow all Covid - 19 protocols when visiting our new space.

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(505) 721-1800 www.gmcs.org Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

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Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

County budget revised for Coronavirus relief By Kevin Opsahl Sun Correspondent

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he McKinley Cou nt y B oa rd of Commissioners recent ly voted to increase the county’s budget by more than $4 million, using revenue from the CARES Act, the economic relief bill signed into law during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioners Bill Lee, Tom my Nelson a nd Bi l ly Moore approved a motion on the matter during their Dec. 8 meeting with little fanfare. But Cou nt y Ma nager Anthony Dimas, Jr., who spoke with the Gallup Sun afterward, stressed the importance of the funds, saying they are much needed in a place like McKinley County, which has experienced its share of coronavirus cases compared to other parts of the state. â€œIt’s giving us (the ability) to be able to get PPE [personal protective equipment] and all the sanitizing, cleaning equipment and supplies to help protect the community and protect the staff,â€? Dimas, Jr. said. “So it is huge for us.â€? So far, the CARES Act has allowed McKinley County to purchase personal protective equipment — including gloves, masks, gowns — as well as things like hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and thermometers, the county

manager said. Dimas, Jr. said the commission’s actions this past week allowed for the $4 million to be disbursed into McKinley’s budget generally, and it will be determined at a later time how the money will be spent. He noted that the money disbursed to the budget he oversees includes several nonprofits and other nongovernmental entities, but not the school district. “We’re putting out there what we can,â€? he said. According to McK inley County attorney Doug Decker, the CARES Act funds can be used to reimburse the county for any COVID-19-related purchase between March and June — when the new budget was approved — future expenses from September to Dec. 31. It cannot be used for any expenses beyond the new year. Decker explained that, when CARES legislation was signed into law back in March, the funds went to the states, which then “built the criteriaâ€? for counties to apply for CARES Act funding. Since those federal dollars were not built into the county’s budget, the commission approved the budget in June not knowing it would receive federal coronavirus relief. â€œNow that we’ve got this chunk of money coming in, we have to amend our budget

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— to increase our budget — saying, ‘this is what it’s budgeted for and we can spend it,’â€? Decker said, referring to the motion made on Dec. 8. “So, we can continue on and have enough — I’m going to use the word ‘stuff’ — to go through COVID-19 for the duration of our needs.â€? The $4 million added this week is only a fraction of the $16.1 million total in CARES Ac t money for McK i n ley County. But that amount is not something the county has on hand, so the federal funding is being utilized in the form of a reimbursable grant, according to Dimas. “We ‌ bor rowed from ourselves, put it up front,â€? he said. “Then, we started doing expenditures and sent those expenditures to the state for reimbursement. Once those came back in, it was just that revenue, and we started again.â€? “So we’re rotating that

From top left, clockwise: McKinley County Manager Anthony Dimas, Jr., Commissioner Billy Moore, Eduardo Arizpe of McKinley Paper Company, and Commissioner Bill Lee discuss county budget revisions during a Zoom meeting Dec. 8.

money and as it gets paid, we’ll put it back into the budget — cash — to expend [on] the next projects,â€? Dimas continued. He was hopeful CARES money would be available in 2021. â€œWe’re talking to our state legislators, our federal legislators and advocating that we need more funding ‌ in the future,â€? Dimas, Jr. said. But it’s not a dire situation

if McKinley County doesn’t receive more CARES funds by January. That’s because CARES has allowed for the county to get enough things for it to “stockpileâ€? to “combat coronavirus into the future. “We’re going to have PPE, gloves, masks, gowns, sanitizer ‌ at least we still have a little bit to get us through the next few months,â€? Dimas, Jr. said.Â

Waterline break By Beth Blakeman Associate Editor

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waterline break at Aztec and S. Ford D r ive i n Ga l lup Dec. 8 did not disrupt water ser vice for area customers, but did create a void at the southwest corner of the intersection. Dennis Romero, Gallup executive director of water a nd sa n itation ex pla i ned t hat a void i s somet h i ng hidden underground. “When you have a waterline leak like this,� he told the Sun, “the pressure crea t e s a hole u nder ne a t h . It d o e s n’ t a f fe c t w h a t ’s above.�

A waterline break at Aztec and S. Ford Dr. resulted in ooding Dec. 8. Photo Credit: Ryan Hudgeons RAH Photography

Because the break did not impact ser vice, it was deter m i ned t hat t he l i ne would be repaired Dec. 9. at which time Romero said,

“We’re having to repair the sewer line as well.� “We can do that without affecting any customer service,� Romero said.

WHAT’S INSIDE ‌

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CATCHING COVID Native hospital executive becomes a patient

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PANDA EXPRESS Shooting leaves one man dead

Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

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VACCINE ANTICIPATION Navajo Nation gets ready for delivery

12 17 TRIBUTES TO TOM Udall makes farewell address

WOLFWALKERS Do you know of any?

NEWS

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Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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12/9/20 4:10 PM

‘No boundaries’ HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVE SHARES HER COVID-19 STORY, STRATEGIES FOR VIRUS By Kevin Opsahl Sun Correspondent

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onya Or t i z-L ou is knows what it’s like to be on both sides of the COVID-19 equation — the health care provider on the frontlines helping stricken

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher/Editor Babette Herrmann Accounts Representative Sherry Kauzlarich Associate Editor Beth Blakeman Circulation Manager Mandy Marks Editorial Asst./ Correspondent Kevin Opsahl Correspondent Dominic Aragon Photography Knifewing Segura Ana Hudgeons Ryan Hudgeons Cable Hoover 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: 1983 State Rd. 602 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.

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patients and becoming one herself. “I’m very grateful that I am alive today, considering the significant and life-threatening symptoms that I was experiencing,” Ortiz-Louis told the Gallup Sun Dec. 7. “This entire experience really reminded me that COVID-19 has no boundaries — it doesn’t matter how young or old you are; whether you think you have a good immune system or you don’t have any underlying health care conditions.” The executive director of Pueblo of Acoma Health and Human Services who said in her 40 years of life her only trip to the hospital was to deliver her children, suddenly found herself in the ER after suffering

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Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

from coronavirus symptoms during a hike with her daughter, who had COVID-19. In her position in the pueblo, Ortiz-Louis serves more than 2,000 Native American residents and continues to promote the strategies she has implemented to combat COVID19 in the Pueblo of Acoma, which is located between Albuquerque and Gallup. Ortiz-Louis published an online article this past fall claiming that at one point the Acoma Pueblo saw a decreasing number of cases compared to Cibola County. She attributed the trend to the pueblo’s response and “ willingness to innovate our health systems.” Lately, however, the case and death count in both places continues to rise. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, OrtizLouis said the pueblo has been experiencing a higher number of confirmed COVID cases. “Much like many tribal communities nationally, we

Tonya Ortiz-Louis, executive director of Pueblo of Acoma Health and Human Services caught COVID-19 while on a hike with her daughter. Photo credit: Courtesy of Pueblo of Acoma have been impacted very significantly,” Ortiz-Louis said. “Our tribal health and human services infrastructure [was] not necessarily ... well prepared for the long-term impacts of COVID-19.” Pueblo of Acoma Health and Human Services provides behavioral health, social service, and wellness care. It also includes a senior center and a

food distribution program. Acoma Health and Human Services provides basic information about COVID-19 on its website, including a regular updated ticker on case counts and deaths. ACOMA AND COVID-19 Ortiz-Louis said as of Dec. 7,

NO BOUNDARIES | SEE PAGE 18

NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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PUBLIC SAFETY

NEWS

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports

had a front passenger not wearing a seat belt when the vehicle approached a stop sign at an intersection. The driver, Leora Billie, 41, Ganado, Ariz., was reported to have “bloodshot watery eyes” and could not locate a driver’s license or proof of insurance when asked. Willie also found two passengers in the backseat of the vehicle passed out, with one of

Leora Billie Nov. 22, 2:44 pm DWI O n N o v. 22, Deput y Terence Willie pulled over a black Dodge Avenger, which the officer observed

them holding vodka in his hand. A few minutes later, the deputy found three closed pints of Importer’s vodka on the driver’s side floorboard. Billie later told the deputy how much alcohol she drank. Billie could not tell the officer correctly where she was going. She initially said she had not consumed alcohol, but asked a second time, she answered, “yes.” Billie did not find her license after being asked by Willie to step out of the car, but did report some information about herself,

which the deputy relayed to authorities. Willie per for med f ield sobriety tests on Billie and she failed. Billie was arrested and transported to the Sheriff’s office, where she completed breath tests, which successfully provided two samples of .12/.13. She was transported to the hospital for medical clearance before being booked into the McKinley County Detention Center on DWI, safety belt use required, no registration, no insurance and open container.

After that, Willie said he found narcotics on Billie and booked them in as evidence. Billie was released on her own recognizance by a judge. Sherwin Woody Nov. 20, 2:19 pm DWI Officer Monty Yazzie made contact with two other deputies on Nov. 20, just after 2:30 pm, on Highway 602, south of Blue Medicine Well Road, where a White Chevy Tahoe had been

DWI REPORT | SEE PAGE 20

Speeding driver eludes police Staff Reports

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he McKinley County S h e r i f f ’s O f f i c e issued an arrest affidav it for a Gallup man accused of evading law enforcement at a traffic stop before dangerously speeding through intersections and

parts of the city. Michael Charley managed to avoid seeing officers again on the night of Nov. 26, after they conducted a traffic stop and advised him he would receive a warning citation for speeding on Highway 602. Sti l l, usi ng t he identification card Charley had

provided authorities, Deputy Terence Willie was able to submit the affidavit for numerous charges, including: aggravated f leeing a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, no registration, no insurance, failure to stop at a red light intersection and driving on a suspended license.

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Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Initially, Willie had stopped both Charley a nd a black Dodge Challenger, which was in front of him, at Highway 602 in the evening hours. After Willie spoke with the occupants of the Challenger and gave them the all-clear, Charley sped off in his silver Nissan Sentra. Traveling northbound on Highway 602, Charley was clocked at speeds of over 100 mph, according to the police r e p or t . O n non - h i g hw ay

streets, the vehicle passed other cars using a median, failed to halt at stop signs or red lights and continued through the downtown Gallup area, the report stated. Willie alerted other officers of the pursuit, but later asked them to cease their efforts when it became clear Charley could not be caught. Willie noted at the conclusion of his report no people, or vehicles suffered injuries as a result of this incident.

Northside shooting leaves one man dead Staff Reports

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allup’s northside was rocked, when a cold, quiet evening turned violent next to the Panda Express at 508 N. U.S. Highway 491, Dec. 9 Gallup Police responded to calls of shots fi red shortly after 6 pm. When they arrived on scene, they found a man shot dead. The victim has been identified as Adam Chee, 37, of Gallup. At the scene, detectives questioned Jonathan Wright, 27, of Gallup. From there, Wright was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and retaining stolen property, in this case a firearm. Both charges are felonies. As of press time, Pablo did not say whether Wright will

Jonathan Wright be charged with the murder of Chee. She said that she could not confirm at this time what actually transpired at the scene. “There are a lot of people in that area [near Panda Express]. We’re trying to reach out for more interviews,” she told the Sun Dec. 10 More details will be released as they become available. PUBLIC SAFETY

NEWS

INDIAN COUNTRY

Navajo Nation gets ready for COVID-19 vaccines THREE PHASE PLAN DRAFT EXPLAINED Staff Reports

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INDOW ROCK , Ariz. — A near-final coronavirus vaccine pla n was shared with the Health, Educ at ion, a nd Hu m a n Services Committee of the 24th Navajo Nation Council Nov. 25 by the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. The plan, presented by NAIHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christiansen, will coordinate the delivery of vaccine doses across the Indian Health Service system once the Federal Drug Administration approves one or multiple vaccines. The pla n covers three phases in the development and distribution of accepted vaccines for Covid-19. Phase One calls for the shipment of a limited number of vaccine doses across the IHS system and to tribal partners. Phase Two is projected to begin in March or April and will include a massive delivery of millions of doses. Phase 3, possibly further into springtime, will begin when doses of the vaccines are widely available. The IHS proposed an estimated 2,056,300 people to be vaccinated throughout the IHS system. This includes more than 43,000 healthcare personnel, approximately 120,600 essential workers, over 76,000 patients in tribal long-term care facilities, over 374,000 elders and at least 894,000 patients with high-risk factors for Covid-19 illness. The remaining nearly 547,000 members of the population include young healthy adults. The draft plan also outlines the parameters for prioritizing who receives the initial doses of the vaccine. Christiansen said the plan’s Tier 1 priority listing includes those directly involved in COVID-19 care, first responders, elders in congregate settings, essential INDIAN COUNTRY

personnel and people with two or more specified medical conditions. Those conditions include cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, pulmonary disease, organ transplant, obesity, heart conditions and diabetes. Tier 2 includes healthcare personnel with direct nonCOVID-19 contact, teachers, school staff, child care workers, frontline critical infrastructure, people with one comorbid conditions, those living or working in an unsheltered domicile, incarcerated people, substance abuse or mental illness patients, other congregate settings and older adults over 65 years of age without comorbidities. T ier 3 i ncludes you ng adults, children, workers in non-essential businesses and Tier 4 consists of all other patients. To prepare for any eventual COVID-19 vaccine, the IHS is telling the public to get vaccinated for the flu virus as soon as possible. Christiansen stated people should keep the flu vaccine from overlapping with the COVID-19 vaccine by at least two weeks. Christiansen stated an initial COVID-19 vaccine would need to be followed with a second dose at 21 or 28 days after the fi rst dose. IHS is coordinating with suppliers to ensure the second doses are held in cold storage and shipped at the appropriate time to avoid spoilage. IHS is currently administering four treatments for COVID-19 symptoms: remdesivir, dexamethasone, bamlanivimab and a combined treatment of ca si r iv i mab and imdev imab known as Regeneron. These treatments require consent from patients since they are FDA-approved t h r o u g h e m e r ge n c y u s e authorization. Christiansen said the IHS will use the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System to closely track the safety of vaccines administered across the system. Additionally, the

IHS will utilize the Vaccine Tracking System through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for coordinated vaccine ordering. T he ongoi ng st ud ies involv ing a potential vaccine developed by Pfi zer currently underway at the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Center, Gallup Indian Medical Center and Northern Navajo Medical Center, will provide researchers data specific to the Navajo and Native American populations, Christiansen said. In response to delegates regarding a timeline of a potential vaccine, Christiansen said the decision to accept a vaccine for distribution comes from the federal government. The earliest possibility for distribution could be from

m id-to -late -December for Phase 1. She indicated Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, projected April 2021 for widesprea d ava i labi l it y for a COVID-19 vaccine. NAIHS is currently working to expand the number of volunteer medical staff and response teams that come to the Navajo Nation to assist. She explained that the task is made more difficult, by the holiday season and greater restrictions placed on leaving volunteers’ regular positions, due to uncontrolled spread across the country. The HEHSC accepted the report with a vote of 4 in favor and 0 opposed. NAIHS Director Roselyn Tso stated the NAIHS w i l l cont i nue suppor t i ng

Dr. Loretta Christiansen, chief medical officer of Navajo Area Indian Health Service presented COVID-19 vaccine plan to 24th Navajo Nation Council Dec. 2 in Window Rock, Ariz. Photo Credit: doximity.org planning activities relating to the distribution and administration of a potential COVID-19 vaccine, which includes vaccine training currently underway at the agency.

Four Corners Detox

Coming Soon NEW DETOX PROGRAM IN GALLUP Learn more at our website:

fourcornersdetox.org (505) 490-7270 - or (505) 471-4985

For job opportunities, visit the careers page on our website. Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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NEWS

STATE & REGION

Public Meeting on Northeast Churchrock Mine Cleanup By Leona Morgan For the Sun

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here are 523 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo Nation that have been identified for cleanup through the joint federal and Navajo Nation multi-agency five-year plans which started in 2008. This does not include the totality of legacy contamination, such as places where contaminated materials were moved offsite either purposefully or accidentally. One area that is a priority for cleanup is north of Churchrock, N. M., known as the Red Water Pond Road community where two companies Kerr McGee and United Nuclear Corporation operated. UNC, now owned by General Electric, mined uranium at the Northeast Churchrock Mine

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and processed the ore at their nearby uranium mill. The mill is the site where the 1979 uranium spill originated. UNC/GE is proposing to clean up the NECR site by moving one million cubic yards of mine waste atop the mill waste, which requires an amendment to their Source Material License (SUA-1475) under the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. T he more r a d ioa c t ive wastes would be moved to another facility. The White Mesa Mill in southeast Utah, which is located three miles north of the indigenous community of the Ute Mountain Ute Nation, is one site under consideration. There, the waste would be processed through the White Mesa Mill and the resulting waste stored onsite indefinitely. The NRC scheduled two public meetings on Dec. 2 and Dec.

Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Image from page 56 of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Disposal of Mine Waste at UNC Mill Site in McKinley County. Image Credit: NRC 9, on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the

Disposal of Mine Waste at the United Nuclear Corporation Mill Site in McKinley County, N. M. NRC’s announcement states: “Public participation is actively sought for this meeting to fully engage the public in a discussion of regulatory issues,” and “The NRC invites members of the public to attend the public meeting webinar and to present oral comments on the draft EIS.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NRC is hosting these meetings virtually with slides viewable online and audio communication via teleconference. The fi rst meeting, held on Dec. 2, started with a Diné prayer and introductions by U.S. NRC and the NNEPA Superfund staff with a translation from English to Navajo. The slide presentation was followed by public comments. The NRC presentation had 20 slides: seven explaining the NRC role and process; two slides on the proposal with a map; eight slides to summarize: the fi ndings of the scoping process, Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Action and Alternatives, and Environmental Review; and three slides on where to fi nd more i n for mat ion on l i ne and how to submit public comments. The Environmental Review evaluated the following criteria

on a scale of small, moderate, or large: Noise-moderate; Historic and Cultural-small to large; Visual and Scenicmoderate; Socioeconomicsmall; Environmental Justice-dispropor tionately high and adverse environmental impacts; Public and Occupational Health-small, and Waste Management-small. Regarding Environmental J u s t i c e , N R C ’s I m p a c t Eva luation cites that the “human health and environmental impacts” will affect “low-income and minority populations”... “including all of McKinley County;” and the “closest communities to site are primarily Navajo, who may be impacted by: traffic, dust, noise.” Without any further details on the 1979 UNC uranium spill, NRC also lists the “historic mill operations,” “dam failure,” and “groundwater contamination” with an “ongoing corrective action plan” as part of the EJ impact evaluation. Under the Historic and Cultural Resources evaluation, NRC recognizes “5 sites recommended as eligible for the National Register [of] Historic Places,” with four at the mine site and one at the mill site. For which, NRC also notes

CHURCHROCK MINE | SEE PAGE 19 STATE & REGION

Food banks get money from New Mexico $5 MILLION SPREAD THROUGH FIVE AREAS Staff Reports

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A N TA F E — T he New Mexico Human Services Department can expect to receive $5 million from House Bill 1, appropriated during the second special session of the New Mexico Legislature last month to support and supplement emergency feeding operations at food banks across the state. The funds are being distributed to the fi ve major

food banks that support all 33 counties and tribal communities through an existing hunger relief network. The food banks are: • The Community Pantry in Gallup • ECHO Inc. in Farmington • Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque • The Food Depot in Santa Fe • Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis T h e Hu m a n S e r v ic e s

D epa r t ment a d m i n i s t er s the USDA’S The Emergency Food Assistance Program that distributes food to low income New Mexicans statewide in all counties, and will use poverty data by county to divide the $5 million between the food banks and the counties they serve. The funds will be used to purchase food to supplement the USDA TEFAP program and other donated food that is distributed through a network of 600 food pantries in New

Contents from a TEFAP box are a mix of perishable and non-perishable foods. Photo Credit: Roadrunner Food Bank Mexico. “Many New Mexicans continue to struggle with food

FOOD BANKS | SEE PAGE 18

State begins wastewater surveillance at CYFD, correctional facilities MONITORING SEWAGE MAY OFFER EARLY DETECTION, HELP WITH TESTING Staff Reports

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ew Mexico began its initial phase of the New Mexico Wastewater Su r veilla nce System, a COVID-19 wastewater monitoring program at congregate settings, in the southwest

region of New Mexico the week of Dec.7. This approach led by the New Mexico Env ironment Depa r t ment a nd done i n cooperat ion w it h ot her state agencies and local governments, allows for early d e t e c t i o n o f C OV I D -1 9 in congregate facilities and

help s pr ior it i z e t he u s e of individual-based testing resources (e.g. nasal swab testing). I ncluded i n t he i n it ia l effort are several federal, state and local correctional and Children, Youth and Families Department facilities. “My administration

will continue to use every resource at our disposal to track and stop this virus, to prevent outbreaks and illness and to save New Mexican lives,” Gov. Michelle Lu jan Grisham said. “And we will innovate and create our own new resources and programs to execute that mission, as

well.” “The Environment Department is on the cutting edge of using science and innovation to improve public health outcomes for New Mexicans,”

WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE | SEE PAGE 15

Chart that depicts how wastewater surveillance could promote early COVID-19 detection. Image Credit: viterbischool.usc.edu

STATE & REGION

Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

NEWS

Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World Week ending Friday, December 4, 2020 Record Heat The U.N. weather agency predicts that 2020 will come in as almost the hottest year on record, just behind the current recordholder, 2016. Global weather data now put this year as the second-warmest ever, with its heat waves, devastating tropical cyclones and fi restorms. United Nations Secretar yGeneral António Guterres told an audience at New York’s Columbia University that manmade greenhouse gas emissions are to blame, and that world leaders have yet to adequately confront the climate crisis. “To put it simply, the state of the planet is broken,” said Guterres. “Humanity is waging war on nature. This is suicidal.”

Earthquakes Neva da’s most powerful quake since 1954 was felt widely from Las Vegas and Reno westward to central California. • Earth movements were a lso felt in south- centra l Kansas, the Alaska Peninsula, northeastern Taiwan, the central Philippines, southeastern Turkey and around the Greek capital of Athens.

Frayed Edges The world’s biggest iceberg, which threatens to blockade

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Giraffes are the world’s tallest mammals and are designated a vulnerable species, with an estimated global population of 68,293.

By Steve Newman -46° Seymchan, Siberia

5.1

COVID Companions

2.6 4.5

5.0

5.1 4.8

wildlife on Britain’s South Atlantic island of Sout h Georg ia , is showing signs of disintegrating under the influence of the warmer waters it is encountering. The British Antarctic Survey says that Iceberg A68a is now riddled with cracks as it is battered by waves, shedding countless tiny icebergs around its edges. Images from SkySats orbiting spacecraft, which can reveal details as small as 20 inches across, show that the iceberg is now in the shape of a hand with an outstretched index fi nger. A68a broke off from Antarctica in 2017. It has surprised scientists by managing to stay intact for so long.

Burevi +116° Bourke, NSW

u nprecedented hur r ica ne season had an undeniable link to the deepening global climate crisis. • Far southern India and neighboring Sri Lanka were raked by new tropical stormforce Cyclone Burevi.

Tagged Giraffe The world’s only known white giraffe is now sporting a GPS tracking device so Kenyan

pa rk ra ngers ca n receive hourly updates of its location to protect it from poachers. The juvenile has a rare genetic condition called leucism, which causes it to lose skin pigmentation. Since it is believed to be the last of its kind, wildlife officials fear it could be poached like its relatives, a female and her 7-month-old calf with a similar condition. They were found dead in the same region of eastern Kenya where the white calf currently lives alone.

Eruptions Falling ash and sulphur killed livestock and blanketed severa l v illages around Java’s Mount Semeru following a powerful blast. • It came two days after Mount Ili Lewotolok shot out columns of hot clouds high above the island of Lembata, in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province. Dist. by: Andrews McMeel Syndication ©MMXX Earth Environment Service

Tropical Cyclones The 2020 Atlantic hur r ica ne season ended with a record-breaking 30 named storms and the second-highest number of hurricanes ever observed. Among them were the greatest number of storms to make landfall in the continental United States. Climate scientists say that the

Researchers say that pets have truly been lifesavers during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing much-needed comfort to their human companions through hugs, cuddles and their physical presence. Writing in The Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, a team from the University of South Australia documents how pets have played a crucial role while typical human-to-human interactions sometimes proved to be life-threatening. “Touch is an understudied sense, but existing evidence indicates it is crucial for growth, development and health, as well as reducing the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body,” the researchers write.

White giraffes were first spotted in Kenya in 2016, about two months after a sighting in Tanzania. Photo Credit: Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy

Tall in the saddle: Tributes to Sen. Tom Udall for his years of service HONORED FOR HIS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORTS, SUPPORT FOR THE NAVAJO NATION Staff Reports

S

enator Martin Heinrich, D -N.M . h a s ser ved alongside Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M. in the U.S. Senate since 2013 and in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation since 2009. When he thanked him for his service in prepared remarks made Dec. 8, the day Udall made his farewell

12

speech, Heinrich painted a picture of a man who sat tall in the saddle: “One of the first times I ever spent any serious time with Tom Udall was actually on horseback. Tom was serving at that time as the Congressman for northern New Mexico’s 3rd District, while I was leading the Coalition for New Mexico

Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Wilderness. Together, we rode into the rugged mesas and canyons east of Las Vegas, N. M. that we both hoped could soon be designated as the Sabinoso Wilderness. It was clear right away that he shared my sense of wonder in wild places and a strong commitment to protect precious landscapes for future

generations. And despite his day job walking the halls of Congress, he was pretty comfortable on that horse of his. More than a decade later, Tom and I would repeat that horseback ride in the Sabinoso alongside President Trump’s then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. We were bot h ser v i ng

Senator Martin Heinrich, D-N.M. together in the Senate by this point.

UDALL | SEE PAGE 13

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

UDALL | FROM PAGE 12 And we had successfully worked together to estab lish not just the Sabinoso W i lder ne s s, but a l s o t he Ojito, the Columbine-Hondo, the Valles Caldera National P re s er ve, a nd t he O r ga n Mou nt a i n s - D e s e r t Pe a k s a nd Rio Gra nde del Nor te National Monuments. Now we were tr y ing to conv ince Zinke — someone I might descr ibe a s a w ilder ne s s skept ic — t o sig n off on the Bureau of La nd Management’s acceptance of a generous land donation by the Wilderness Land Trust,” Heinrich explained. This land donation would finally open up public access to the spectacu la r oppor t u n it ie s i n t he Sabinoso—which was then totally landlocked by private lands, and it would substant i a l ly g row t he S a bi no so Wilderness Area. A couple hours of both of u s r id i ng i nt o Ca nyon Largo alongside Zinke, local

s p or t s me n , pu bl ic l a nd s advocates, and community leaders accomplished what mont h s of t e st y cong re s sional hear ings a nd office meetings here in Washington could not. Just days after his visit, Secretary Zinke announced that his reser vations over accepting new w ilder ness were assuaged and that he wou ld approve t he don a tion,” Heinrich said. Hei n r ich wa s joi ned i n his praise for New Mexico’s Senior Senator by members of the Navajo Nation, including Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “Senator Udall has been a champion for the Nava jo people and Indian Countr y on many critical issues over the years including land conser vation a nd restoration, u ra n iu m m i n i ng clea n-up a nd he a lt h i mpa c t s , a nd with the COVID-19 pandemic on the Navajo Nation. I cannot tha nk him enough for his great leadership and for always advocating and suppor ting the Navajo people.

As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian A f f a i r s , he c o nt i nue s t o suppor t and address many issues for all tribal nations. I w ish him a nd his fa mily the ver y best as they move forward,” Nez said. For his pa r t, Udall told some stories that day. “As I talk about my love of the land, I cannot neglect to acknowledge how much I have learned from the origina l stewa rds of this la nd – Native A mer ica ns. I got my sta r t in politics working with my father, fighting a longside the Nava jo u ranium miners who had been hurt by this nation’s nuclear weapons program. My work as Vice Chair of the Indian Affairs Committee has been the honor of a lifetime. The federal government’s obligation to uphold its trust and treaty obligations is sacred. “ S ome of my proude s t achievements have been the result of working with tribal leaders to adva nce India n Countr y’s priorities and to suppor t New Mex ico’s 2 3 Tribes,” Udall said. To view Sen. Udall’s farewell speech, plea se

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M. vi sit: ht t ps: // www.you tube.com / watch?v= B -

FkbhTeBHzM&feature=youtu.be

Sabinoso Wilderness, one of the locations (near Las Vegas, N.M.) Sen. Tom Udall, D- N.M. successfully championed for Wilderness Area designation during his term in the Senate. Photo Credit: BLM Bob Wick

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Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

13

OPINIONS

Child advocates respond to revenue estimates By James Jimenez New Mexico Voices for Children “New Mexico Voices for Children is cautiously optimistic about the revenue estimates released today [Dec. 8]. Given that 70 percent of the estimated decline in revenue for the current fi scal year can be attributed to the drop in oil and gas prices, it is clear that New Mexico needs to stabilize its revenue streams. “While the revenue estimates tell us how much money is expected to be available,

they do not tell us how much money is needed for New Mexico to prosper – money to boost our economy, provide rocket fuel for our K-12 moonshot, keep the promise of Opportunity Scholarships for higher education, finally achieve universal early care and education, and shore up our health care system during this pandemic. That will be up to legislators. When they convene in January, they have two choices: go back to the stingy budgets that hampered our recovery from the last recession, or reform our tax system

in a way that helps drive our economy, diversifies our revenue streams, and speeds our recovery. “New Mexico’s state and local tax systems are backwards – those who earn the least now pay the largest share of their income in taxes, while those at the top pay the lowest share of their income in taxes. We call on the Legislature to repeal failed trickle-down tax cuts of the past in order to raise the revenue needed to educate our children, keep our roads and bridges in good repair, and make the other investments

that form the basis of a thriving economy. Lawmakers also need to redirect some of that revenue into tax credits and rebates for hard-working New Mexicans who struggle to get by. Not only are these kinds of tax breaks known to improve outcomes for children and families, they also move our economy forward because families spend that money quickly and locally, which supports jobs and businesses. These kinds of tax credits will also help bridge the big economic racial disparities this pandemic has exposed.”

James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children.

The flavor of success LOCAL RESOURCES PREPARE SALSA MAKER FOR GROWTH By Holly Bradshaw-Eakes and Sandy Nelson Finance New Mexico project

C

arla Gallegos-Ortega’s homemade salsas were a hit with family and friends for as long as she can remember. In 2017, she

entered the Salsa Festival in Albuquerque’s Old Town and enlisted her daughter and a few friends to help her produce 16 gallons of salsa in an outdoor tent.

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Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

Carla Gallegos-Ortega at her booth promoting her salsa business during a competition and food fair. Photo Credit: Courtesy FinanceNM She left that festival with an award and the ambition to become a food entrepreneur. Later that same year, she discovered The Mixing Bowl, a commercial kitchen that offers a food-business incubation program and hourly kitchen rental. By June 2018, Gallegos-Ortega had a license for her business, New Mexico Sabor; a health department permit; training in best practices; and membership at the commercial kitchen. She started selling her traditional salsa at local festivals, and today her four-product line is available online and at select grocers, and awards keep coming: Her original Traditional Medium Salsa and specialty Chipotle Honey Salsa each won

awards from the 2020 Scovie Awards Competition sponsored by Fiery Foods and Barbecue Central. Even though she also has a full-time job, 2020 was the year Gallegos-Ortega was ready to expand New Mexico Sabor. She applied to the New Mex ico Sma l l Bu si nes s Assistance program, which helps businesses facing technical challenges obtain expert advice from two of the state’s national laboratories. Technical assistance from New Mexico Ma nufactur ing Ex tension Partnership and several New

FLAVOR OF SUCCESS | SEE PAGE 15 OPINIONS

FLAVOR OF SUCCESS | SEE PAGE 15 Mexico universities is offered through cooperative agreements with the labs. GallegosOrtega’s business won a grant to work with New Mexico MEP on improving control of her inventory and designing a facility of her own to make production less complicated. New Mexico MEP I n novat ion Di rector Jef f Abrams began by observing Gallegos-Ortega at work in her rented kitchen, so he could help her develop an inventory control plan and visualize the layout of her own commercial

kitchen. His observations led to immediate changes in production processes. In the past, canned ingredients were handled multiple times. After ingredients were added to the kettle, cans were set aside to be cleaned for recycling. “Jeff said, ‘No, no, no, we should only be touching those cans once’,� Gallegos-Ortega said. Abrams also showed her how to eliminate the multiple steps involved with transferring salsa from the kettle to individual jars before being

OPINIONS

production, so they’re ready to go and streamlining cleanup by hand-washing large containers instead of repeatedly running them through the kitchen’s dishwasher. “There’s little things that we didn’t have to do a lot of training on,� she said. And that training will pay off when she fi nds a space of her own. “He showed me that it is a possibility for me to get my own place,� she said. “I didn’t know how much space I would need, but it’s only 900 to 1,000 square feet. He showed me this

is doable.� For more information about New Mexico MEP and the NMSBA program, visit https://newmexicomep.org/ and https://www.nmsbaprogram.org/. New Mexico Sabor salsa can be found at https://www.newmexicosabor.com/. The Finance New Mexico project connects individuals and businesses with skills and funding resources for their business or idea. To learn more, go to www. FinanceNewMexico.org.

Dine Local Restaurant Guide Please Support Local Businesses

WASTEWATER SURVEILLANCE | FROM PAGE 11 NMED Cabinet Secreta r y James Kenney said. â€œThe pandemic has called for unprecedented levels of collaboration a mong gover n ment agencies, and we appreciate the cooperation of state a nd local agencies to aid in protecting vulnerable populations during our fight against COVID.â€? â€œInformation provided by this testing will help CYFD strea mline our own decision-making so we can put our testing resources where we need t hem mo st a nd provide the safest possible environment in our facilities,â€? CYFD Cabinet Secretary Brian Blalock said. NMED and its contractor ERG, will collect samples twice a week from these facilities. The samples will be analyzed for concentrations of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness. Since the virus is excreted in bodily fluids before an infected person experiences symptoms, this data can be used as an early indicator of spread in the facility and a trigger to initiate testing of individuals at the facility. Wastewater sur veilla nce a lso detects when t he v i r u s i s shed by asymptomatic individuals.  T he sout hwe s t reg ion was selected for this initial phase due to its high positivity rates and lower-than-average rates of testing. The prog r a m m ay ex pa nd t o other areas of the state and other types of facilities as resources allow.Â

placed in boxes. “We have less repetition; the first time we put it into practice, we probably cut off an hour of time,� she said. “It cut [costs] in three areas: employee time, kitchen time and equipment rental.� Abrams created a simple spreadsheet to track inventory used by each of the business’s recipes that minimizes the cash needed for inventory and storage space at the kitchen. Little changes in other parts of the process have also saved kitchen time: defrosting frozen ingredients the night before

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Domestic violence shelter on track to make facility improvements By Kevin Opsahl Sun Correspondent

T

he McKinley County Domestic Violence Shelter for Battered Families received a much-needed financial boost to make improvements to its facilities, which have not had any substantial upgrades in many years. On Dec. 8, county commissioners approved the ability to administrate $90,000 in funds made possible by the Legislature earlier this year. Since Battered Families is a nonprofit organization, its executive director, Emily Ellison, said it needed a government agency to act as a fiscal agent so that it could utilize the money. A motion by the commission on the matter was approved unanimously. “Battered Families is an incredible organization. It’s

done some good work and I hope that it will continue to do good work,â€? Ellison said. “It needs help in the areas of buildings; our buildings are old and antiquated.â€?  Asked when the improvements would be completed, Ellison did not give a date, saying a company would first need to be approved to do the work. According to Ellison, the problems her facilities face are vast. The administrative building has mold, necessitating abatement and a roof replacement. The shelter itself is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and water and electrical infrastructure need improvements, too. These are all issues previous Battered Families executive directors have been seeking improvements for over the last 15 years, according to Ellison. Ellison suggested that the shelter might be able to make

the needed improvements for $90,000. “We advocated for this,â€? she said, noting the funds came together during the most recent legislative session by working with the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Linda Siegle, government relations for NMCADM, praised the commission’s approval, noting she visited the shelter several years ago. “It needed work then. It’s good that they’re fixing it,â€? Siegle said. “Gallup has a definite need for an expanded shelter.â€? Despite less-than-ideal conditions on site, Ellison’s nonprofit has been able to fulfill its duties as a domestic violence shelter since March, when the pandemic began to rage. The 16 employees that work for Battered Families have followed CDC guidelines, including frequent hand sanitizing,

The Battered Families Services shelter at 207 S. Strong Dr., Gallup has been asking for renovations for 15 years. File Photo wearing personal protective equipment and maintaining social distancing. Desks are separated by plexiglass because of COVID-19 protocols and staff stagger their shifts due to the facility’s mold issues. Ellison said the shelter does not have enough rooms for Battered Families to follow CDC guidelines, so families have been put up in nearby lodges that can accommodate health and safety needs. She noted how Battered Families has been limiting new clients since the nonprofit organization identified mold. Improvements made possible by the funds would “allow us to go back to normal capacity, operating as if it was a safe building to work out of,â€? Ellison said. Ellison also touted providing other services, such as legal advocacy, during the pandemic. She talked about how one family was granted a protective

order, child custody and support — all via teleconferencing within the court system. Siegle said COVID-19 has “really exacerbated domestic violenceâ€? in part because survivors feel the typical avenues for relief — including shelters — are not safe from the coronavirus. Ellison agreed. â€œA lot of our clients are single mothers, and so, with the stress that they’ve been through .... they’re needing a lot more support, whether it comes from their family or the Battered Families counselors,â€? she said, noting the nonprofit is working to help clients provide for the cost of food, rent, and mortgages. “The stress that they face is a multitude and we work to help them take each of those obstacles step by step, so they’re able to understand what’s in their control and what’s not.â€?Â

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Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

COMMUNITY

‘Wolfwalkers’ is one of the best animated fi lms of the year By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 103 MINUTES This film is available for streaming on AppleTV+ beginning Dec. 11. For decades now, Pixar and Disney have been winning award after award for their impressively produced animated films. But they aren’t the only team of talented fi lmmakers and artists out there providing family entertainment. The Irish company Cartoon Saloon has also had its fair share of successes, including titles like The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and The Breadwinner, each of which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Their latest is called Wolfwalkers, and it’s every bit as impressive as their other features. In fact, it may be their best picture yet. A clever E n g l i sh g i rl named Robyn Goodfellowe (Honor Kneafsey) is taken to Ireland by her hunter father Bill (Sean Bean) in order to serve a walled-in city under the control of Oliver Cromwell (Simon McBurney). The girl is

told to stay out indoors while her dad wipes out a wolf pack causing trouble for locals clearing trees from the surrounding woods. However, Robyn ventures outside the walls and befriends an almost feral youngster, Mebh Óg MacTíre (Eva Whittaker). The protagonist soon learns that the odd girl is a Wolfwalker, essentially a human being who can transform into a wolf. Robyn soon learns more about the origins of these fantastic creatures as well as their struggle. The lead decides to protect her new friend from t he ex t remely da ngerous Cromwell, as well as her own father. Naturally, there is more going on within the stor y than just what appears in the synopsis. Yes, this is a modern fairy tale steeped in Irish myth and lore. However, it is also a coming-of-age story that addresses a young woman testing boundaries of the conservative society around her, while she attempts to fi nd her own morals to live by and her place in the world. In fact, the protagonist fi nds herself being welcomed into the fold as a Wolfwalker and must determine whether or not her newfound magical abilities are something she wants to embrace. While the plot itself doesn’t offer a great many story

Robyn Goodfellow (voiced by Honor Kneafsey) meets a new wolf with whom she will become friends in “Wolfwalkers.” Image Credit: AppleTV+ surprises, the voice cast is excellent and sells the youngster’s inner struggle about her shifting loyalties and confl icting feelings with remarkable ease. The various films from this production company have their own distinct look involving hand-drawn characters, backed by vibrant colors and environments. This title is no exception and is filled with stunning imagery from beginning to end. At times, the backdrops almost appear to pop off of the screen. The city depicted early in the film is impressively stylized, but as the story progresses deeper into the forest, the visuals become even more remarkable.

Josie J Paiz

The transformations from human to wolf are clever, at times shifting to a low point of view with the camera moving around. Some shots provide the animals seeing individual scents visibly trailing off those around them. It is unique and fun to watch. Even the city environments set at night are colorful and filled with deep red hues that make an impression. The story is also tightly constructed and ties everything up quite nicely by the close. And for parents worried about the fi lm’s PG rating, there are a few intense bits and some violence at the close, but nothing that should result in any nightmares for children. In the end, this a striking movie with a distinctive style that is different from typical big studio

family features. The movie’s wonderful visuals, coming-ofage story, and subtle ecological themes also add layers of depth that help it stand out. Simply put, like all the other titles from this production house, Wolfwalkers is a winner. In fact, it is seemingly guaranteed to earn itself a Best Animated Feature nomination at this year’s Academy Awards. And for this particular reviewer, it certainly tops anything else out there. Yet regardless of whether it wins an Oscar or is denied a victory at the ceremony, it’s a unique, ageless family feature that will stand the test of time with anyone looking for quality animated entertainment for the entire family. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

John P. Paiz

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17

NO BOUNDARIES | FROM PAGE 6 there are approximately 2,650 tribal members in the Pueblo of Acoma. Throughout the pandemic, there have been a total of 406 positive coronavirus cases there and 16 deaths. The health care services executive noted that many of those who died from COVID19 were elderly. â€œFor us, being more of a tight-knit community, I will say that one death of an elder is very significant,â€? Ortiz-Louis said. Commenting on the conf i r med ca ses, she sa id, “Considering that we have very limited resources within

FOOD BANKS | FROM PAGE 11 insecurity during these diffi cult times. Thanks to the New Mexico Legislature’s allocation these funds will help families keep food on the table,� Angela Medrano, deputy secretary for the Human Services Department said. Roadrunner Food Bank

the community and a small community health program, this has taken quite the toll on what resources we have.â€? Or tiz-Louis hopes that safety protocols among the pueblo population will continue “until we are certain that a vaccine is well into treatmentâ€? and her community starts to see a decline in cases. â€œThis will really remain in an unforeseeable future, which is why we are wanting to ensure that we have a plan in place that we can reassess along the way,â€? she said when asked about her outlook on the coronavirus pandemic in her community. In her article, Ortiz-Louis says Acoma Health and Human

Services took swift measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including limiting travel by visitors, testing, and the implementation of masks and social distancing. She explained that the pueblo provides “a level of care that is conducive of this new way of living,â€? including working to ensure that its patients in the pueblo receive care via telehealth. This will allow “us to provide non-face-to-face monitoring engagement for patients.â€? “That’s very conducive to being located in a rural tribal community,â€? Ortiz-Louis said. This telehealth method includes a “solution suiteâ€? called Zoeticx ProVizion, which

allows for the provider to continuously collect and analyze patient information, using remote monitoring. â€œLiving in a rural community often means we have to travel a distance to emergency room services,â€? she said. “This would then allow for that communication between a provider and patient, prior to any serious emergencies happening along the way.â€? EXPERIENCING COVID-19 Ortiz-Louis wears many hats. She is on the frontlines visiting and monitoring positive COVID patients delivering food and PPE. She did all of that until she got COVID-19 herself.

After that, she experienced a “downward spiralâ€? and ended up in the hospital. After being released, OrtizLouis has had some time to reflect on her illness as well as the importance of safety protocols, including hand-washing and wearing a mask. “Those are practices being put in place ‌ to save lives,â€? Ortiz-Louis said. Getting COVID-19 was a professional “lesson for me.â€? â€œIt allowed me to recognize the gaps in services that exist,â€? Ortiz-Louis said, “and to identify areas that I can make improvements within the Pueblo that allow for us, again, to lead this way to wellness.â€?

estimates the $5 million will provide approximately 4.3 million pounds of food or 3.6 million meals for the state of New Mexico. One of the benefits of partnering with food banks is their purchasing power through their network of partners at highly discounted rates. Recent research released by the food bank’s national orga nization Feeding

A mer ica shows that hunger during the pandemic is expected to increase. In their latest brief, The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020, released in October, their initial projections of how food insecurity may increase in 2020, were revised using updated assumptions about projected unemployment and

poverty rates. New Mexico ranks seventh among the states with the 10 highest rates of projected food insecurity and third highest for projected child food insecurity for 2020. Accord ing to the study in 2018, nearly 316,000 people in New Mexico, includi ng 114,0 0 0 ch i ld ren, d id not have adequate access

to nutritious food to live a healthy life. The updated projections in the study predict this number is likely to increase to more than 76,000, including over 33,000 children with approximately 392,000 or 18.7 percent of New Mexicans (1 in 5) experiencing food insecurity this year, including over 147,000 children (1 in 3).

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Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

NEWS

CHURCHROCK MINE | FROM PAGE 10 it is “Developing a programmatic agreement in coordination with EPA, Navajo Nation, and the New Mexico Historic Preservation Office.” The visual portion of the meeting requires participants to download the Webex app to see the slides and some of the NRC staff who have their cameras on, but does not allow participants to see the facilitator or other members of the public. The way NRC uses Webex only allows members of the public to see the names of some staff and the participant’s own name. The public has no way of knowing how many are in attendance unless the facilitator announces the total number. It is also impossible to know who is online or on the phone, unless they make comments. An inquiry to NRC staff Ashley Waldron confi rmed that nine NRC representatives, twelve Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency staff, and about 85 members of the public were in attendance. Seventeen speakers submitted public comments, with some making subsequent comments. Two community members, Larry King and Teracita Keyanna, were on the call and voiced concerns about the plan and the slow process. Keyanna expressed her personal connection to the area and that she had opted to be temporarily moved to nearby Gallup during

the cleanup. She stated her own personal health impacts in her testimony and how she and her family long to return home. Other comments regarded the cleanup plan as a future accident in the making, similar to the 1979 uranium spill, as the existing mill site is in a flood plain that feeds into the Puerco River. For mer Nava jo Nation Council Delegate Jonathan Per r y commented on the lack of internet and phone access, especially for the most impacted Red Water Pond Road community. He also outlined the current inability for the residents to travel and access public wifi or to get cell phone service as the Nation is on lockdown due to the current international Covid-19 health crisis. Several NNEPA Superfund staff members also made comments, including E nv i r o n me nt a l P r o g r a m Manager Dariel Yazzie who spoke about the “eighty years of impacts that need to be addressed” from the “disharmony created by uranium mining to Diné people” In a subsequent interview with Yazzie, he speaks first from a community perspective and then elaborates more from his professional capacity. Coming from the Monument Valley community, his family lived less than a quarter mile from a uranium mine and mill. His paternal grandparents, Luke Yazzie Sr. and June Yazzie, both died from cancer. His

father Daniel Yazzie was also impacted by heart disease and lung disease, which he attributes to working at both the mine and the mill. F rom h i s per s pec t ive a s the Nava jo Super fund E nv i r o n me nt a l P r o g r a m Manager, Yazzie explains that

the proposal and process is “not in line with U.S. EPA CERCLA,” which is the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund; and it goes “against Navajo CERLA, which is based on Navajo Fundamental Law

The view looking east across the Nuclear Regulatory Commission-licensed mill tailings impoundment (the central portion of the proposed disposal site) covered by the reclaimed vegetative community. Photo Credit: A. Minor there needs to be more dialogue with the NRC, that there is an urgency to “haul away all of the waste,” not just moving it from the UNC mine to the mill. He alludes to a more comprehensive cleanup plan that involves more discussion with Navajo Nation and the community, not just the NRC dictating to the community a decision that has already been made. According to Yazzie,

which requires respectful discussion” between the involved parties. Yazzie states, “Today, there are some young Navajos with the education who can play a vital role in these issues.” Yazzie continues with an emphasis on the work needed to address the uranium legacy, “It’s very personal to all of us.” The deadline for comments has been extended from Dec.

28, 2020 to Feb. 26, 2021. One more virtual public meeting will be held in early 2021 (not scheduled yet). The public may submit written comments via standard mail or email and oral comments during public meetings or via voicemail. Comments should include: Docket ID NRC2019-0026. All comments will be considered public record and posted on NRC’s website. NRC advises not to provide information that should not be made publicly available, such as personal contact info. T h e pu bl ic c a n m a i l com ment s t o: O f f ice of Administration, Mail Stop: TWFN-7-A60M, U.S. Nuclear R eg u l a t or y Com m i s sion, Washington, DC 20555-0001, ATTN: Program Management, Announcements and Editing Staff; email comments to: UNCChurchRockEIS.resource@nrc. gov; or leave a voicemail at: 888-672-3425. Information about the NRC License Amendment process and meeting information can be found online at: https: //www.nrc. gov / info - f in d er /d e c om missioning/uranium / united-nuclear-corporation-unc-public-mtgs.html

''A Tradition'' • A Gallup tradition with over 100 years of dedicated service. Now under new ownership, the Rollie legacy continues; providing the facilities and conveniences that serve families best with dignity, integrity and understanding. • Rollie Mortuary offers package pricing, accepts Navajo Nation Social Service packages and can assist families with pre-need planning and set up. • Rollie Mortuary offers a genuine desire to be of assistance to you and your family in this time of need.

401 E. Nizhoni Blvd. Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 863-4452 NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for December 11, 2020 By Glenn Kay For the Sun

W

elcome to another look at some of the new Blu-rays and DVDs coming your way. This edition features plenty of interesting titles both old and new to keep viewers entertained. So, since you can’t or likely shouldn’t head out to the movies this week, be sure to give one of these titles a try! BIG NEW RELEASES! COMFORT FARMS: In this documentary, an Army Ra nger wa r veteran sets out to create a new form of therapy. He starts his own farm to keep those at high risk for suicide busy and working in a calm environment. Helped by a unique group of veterans, farmers and animal-loving butchers, the film captures their efforts and development of the project. So far reviews for this feature have been decent. A couple of w r ite -ups thought that the movie was a surface-level examination of trauma and its subject and wasn’t particularly enlightening. They also didn’t care for some of the practices the group was employing as therapy. However, more commented that while aspects of the film were tough to watch, it was an intriguing and unique picture. FAITH UNDER FIRE: Speaking of faith-based films, this title actually qualifies as one

DWI REPORT | FROM PAGE 8 pulled over. He was informed that they had been in pursuit of the vehicle for traveling 63 mph in a 55 mph zone. Yazzie took over the investigation and made contact with the offender, Sherwin Woody, 47, Kirtland, N.M., who was “uncooperative and disorderly,” the officer wrote in his report. When Yazzie asked Woody to step out of Etsitty’s vehicle, he noticed that Woody smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Yazzie removed Woody’s handcuffs and the offender responded he

of those features that the previous title is poking fun at. It follows a heroic fireman. A f t er m a ny years rescuing people and saving lives on the job, his wife tragically passes away from cancer, leaving him feeling despondent and helpless. When his daughter is also diagnosed with the disease, he becomes even more fearful and frustrated. However, one of his friends challenges him to face grief and adversity with faith. This picture debuted on streaming platforms a couple of weeks ago and is now arriving on disc. There haven’t been many reviews for it available, but one can imagine exactly what they’re in for if they check the flick out. The cast includes Dean Cain, Kevin Sorbo, Nick Vlassopoulos and Tenley. BL ASTS FROM THE PAST! Kino is also delivering several noteworthy new Blu-rays. T he f i r st is Fellini’s Casanova (19 76 ) i n w h i c h Feder ico Fellini (La Dolce Vita, 8½) tells the story of the life of the famous womanizer. Disc features include a 4K restoration of the movie, both the feature’s English and Italian audio

could not do a test for sobriety, telling the officer he had “15 sleeves since 8 o’clock” and “eight sleeves since Red Rock by Thoreau.” Yazzie placed Woody under arrest for driving while intoxicated, but not before noticing open containers of alcohol in the Tahoe. At the Sheriff’s Office, Yazzie read Woody the New Mexico Implied Consent Act and Woody agreed to take a breathalyzer test. The results were .20. Woody wa s t a ken t o Gallup Indian Medical Center for medical clearance, after which he was booked into the Crownpoint Jail.

20 Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

tracks, a film critic commentary and a movie scholar essay. The distributor also has Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Two Takes by William Greaves on Blu-ray, which contains the movies Symbiopsychotaxiplasm T a k e O n e (1 9 6 8 ) a n d Symbiopsychotaxiplasm Take 2½ (2005). These are documentary/fiction hybrid films in which the director gathers a crew and assigns them to make a movie on t he spot , then captures their a r tistic process as they tr y to create something on the f ly. Both films are given high-definition digital transfers and come with a documentary on the director, interviews with participants in the projects and other extras. If you’re looking for Japanese cinema, Arrow also has the Bluray box set, Survivor Ballads:

T hree Films by Shohei Imamura. It contains three flicks from the Japanese New Wave move ment of t he ‘80s by Imamura, including The Ballad of Narayama (1983), Zegen (1987) and Black Rain (1989). The discs include fi lm historian audio commentaries on all of the titles, in-depth appreciations of the features, an alternate color ending to Black Rain, archival interviews with crew members, multiple trailers and image galleries, press kits for the titles and a lengthy booklet giving more background information about these movies. YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! Here are some new titles that might appeal to youngsters. Bobbleheads: The Movie Curious George: Fun with Animals / Great Outdoors Little Penguin Pororo’s Dinosaur Island Adventure

ON THE TUBE! And if you’re looking to catch up some TV programs, here are the latest releases. American Masters: Keith Haring - Street Art Boy (PBS) Death in Paradise: Season 9 Father Brown: Season 8 Hallmark 2-Movie Collection: Winter Weekend & One Winter Proposal H a w a i i F i v e - O : T he Complete Series Instinct: Season 2 NOVA: Secret Mind of Slime (PBS) The Other One: Series 1 Ransom: The Complete Series Secrets of Royal Travel (PBS) The Secrets She Keeps (Sundance Series) The Sommerdahl Murders: Series 1 True Detective: The Complete Seasons 1 – 3 Winter Castle (Hallmark Movie) Yellowstone: Season 3 V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

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.

Hybrid Priced at $25,525 Will Match up to $800 on your Down Payment!

AUTO SALES Gurley Motor Company

2018 Ford Explorer XLT 65633 miles Sirius XM Radio, Bluetooth, 3rd Row Priced At $26,800

For Sale Steel Shipping Container 20 ft. x 8 ft. x 8 ft. Big enough to store a car. It is water and critter proof. $2500 call Brent 505-387-2572 HELP WANTED

2017 Ford Fusion SEL Loaded! With Leather Trimmed Power Seats, Sunroof and Sirius XM Satellite Radio Only 33K Miles Priced at $23,950 Gurley Motor Co. 701 W. Coal Ave, Gallup, NM (505) 722-6621 www.gurleymotorford.com *** For Sale 1999 Toyota Camry No accidents, have service records 192K miles. $2500 Call Brent 505-387-2572

2020 Toyota Prius Only 600 miles!

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2 Paid-Internships Community Outreach & Research Assistants The McKinley Community Health Alliance is seeking two community members to apply to be paid-assistants/interns ($12/hour for ~200 hours) in either a community outreach or research capacity role. Each assistant will work with HIA team leads and a team of community members to help facilitate, with the community, a Health Impact Assessment of Housing within the City of Gallup. Interest in community involvement, community or public health topics,

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 21 COMMUNITY/CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 20 willingness to learn and to pass on that knowledge are a great start; • Outreach work requires basic online/social media/ public speaking skills. • Research work requires communication and time management skills. Proficient skills in Microsoft Word & Excel also preferred. • Both positions require basic email/internet & phone communication capabilities. • Indigneous/Native American community members preferred. TO APPLY: Email letter or statement of interest (along with any supporting documents) to chrisbhudson15@gmail.com by Jan. 1st, 2021. For more information on the positions &/or the HIA being facilitated call 505-862-9329. LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF McKINLEY STATE OF NEW MEXICO In the Matter of the Estate of JOSE ELIAS ESTEBAN VELARDE, Deceased. No. D-1113-PB-2020-00035 NOTICE TO CREDITORS MONICA CLARISSA ESPINO has been appointed Personal Representative of the Estate of JOSE ELIAS ESTEBAN VELARDE, 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 McKinley County, New Mexico. MONICA CLARISSA ESPINO MASON & ISAACSON, P.A. By: James J. Mason Attorneys for Personal Representative 104 East Aztec Avenue Gallup, New Mexico 87301 (505) 722-4463 Publication Date: Gallup Sun December 4, 2020 December 11, 2020 December 18, 2020 *** LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that The Gallup Housing Authority will conduct its monthly Board of Commissioners meeting to be held on Friday, December 18th, 2020 at 9:00 am MST, at the Gallup Housing Authority board room, 203 Debra Drive, Gallup, New Mexico 87301. A copy of the agenda and/ or specific agenda items may be obtained at the Gallup Housing Authority office. This is a public meeting except for items to be considered in closed session. A general public comment period is allowed at the end of the business portion of the meeting.

Any citizen or person may make public comments to the Board on matters involving Gallup Housing Authority operations. They will be allowed 2 to 3 minutes to make such comments. Note: Grievances by tenants or against employees must be processed through appropriate board approved policies and procedures and will not be heard directly by the board under the public comment period. If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of a reader, amplifier, qualified sign language interpreter, or any other form of auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in the hearing or meeting, please contact the Gallup Housing Authority at (505) 722-4388, at least (1) week prior to the meeting or as soon as possible. Public documents, including the agenda and minutes, can be provided in various accessible formats. Please contact the Gallup Housing Authority, if a summary or other type of accessible format is needed Gallup Housing Authority Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico By:/S/ Alfred Abeita, Chairman of the Board PUBLISH DATE: Gallup Sun December 11, 2020 ***

Please be advised the Gallup Housing Authority will comply with all Federal and State COVID-19 protocols, including groups of no more than five [5] people in any given area, social distancing amongst attendee’s, and not allowing anyone who is sick or exhibiting signs of COVID -19 into the public meeting area. Documents are available in various accessible formats and interested parties may also participate by

We believe in ideas. We believe in passion. We believe in dreams. We believe in you.

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phone.

INVITATION FOR BID INSTALL RESIDENTIAL RAIN-GUTTERS SKYCITY & ROMERO SITES

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

26-50 WORDS: $10 51-75: WORDS: $20 76-100 WORDS: $30 $10 FOR EACH ADD’L 25 WORDS

EXTRAS – $5 PER WEEK, PER ITEM: TEXT BOX, HIGHLIGHT, ALL CAPS, BOLD, AND/OR PIC/LOGO Free classifi ed: Limit one free ad per customer only. Second ad starts at $10, per 25 words.

EMAIL: GALLUPSUNLEGALS@GMAIL.COM DUE: TUESDAYS 5 PM to make an appointment if you wish to see the housing units and site. Site review is required. Your BID must arrive no later than 3:00 PM, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020, at the Gallup Housing Authority, Main Office, or emailed to Mike. Burnside@galluphousing. com. BIDs received after this date and time will not be accepted. A Pre-Bid Meeting will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM, in the GHA Conference Room. The Gallup Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all BIDs or any part thereof and to waive any informality in any BID not deemed in the best interest of the Housing Authority. Please refer any questions regarding this Invitation for Bid in writing (via e-mail) to: Mike.Burnside@ galluphousing.com PUBLISH DATE: Gallup Sun December 11, 2020 December 18, 2020 ***

STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF McKINLEY ELEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF SAVANNAH SHACK, FOR CHANGE OF NAME No. D-1113-CV-2020-512-V *TELEPHONIC/VIDEO* NOTICE OF PETITION TO CHANGE NAME NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that SAVANNAH SHACK, a resident of the City of Gallup, County of McKinley, State of New Mexico, and over the age of fourteen years, has filed a Petition to Change Name in the District Court, McKinley County, New Mexico, wherein he/she seeks to change his/ her name from SAVANNAH SHACK to SAVANNAH MEJIA and that this Petition will be heard before the Honorable R. David Pederson, District

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 22

GALLUP HOUSING AUTHORITY December 7, 2020 The Gallup Housing Authority is requesting qualified licensed Contractors to provide a written BID for Install Residential RainGutters as described in the package. You are invited to submit a delivered or emailed BID to be received by Mike Burnside, Project Coordinator, for the Gallup Housing Authority. The Housing Authority Main office is located at 203 Debra Drive, Gallup, NM 87301, phone number (505) 722-4388. Contact Mike Burnside to receive a Bid Package and

Honor Your Loved One ... in the Gallup Sun 'SFF PCJUVBSZ X IFBETIPU JO OFXTQBQFS BOE POMJOF %PXOMPBE GPSN BU XXX HBMMVQTVO DPN o BU UPQ PG QBHF JO 0CJUVBSJFT #FBVUJGVM DVTUPN USJCVUFT BWBJMBCMF BU SFBTPOBCMF QSJDFT (BMMVQ 4VO 0óDF 4UBUF 3E (BMMVQ /. 1IPOF t 'BY &NBJM HBMMVQTVO!HNBJM DPN Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 21 Judge, Div. V, on the 4TH day of JANUARY, 2021, at the hour of 9:15 A.M., at the McKinley County Courthouse, 207 W. Hill Ave., Room 200, Gallup, New Mexico. Weldon J. Neff Clerk of the District Court By: Valarie Baretinicich Deputy Clerk PUBLISH DATE: Gallup Sun December 11, 2020 Gallup Sun December 18, 2020 *** LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ORDINANCE PASSAGE BY TITLE AND SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. C2020-3 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the governing body of the City of Gallup, New Mexico, at its regular meeting of December 8, 2020 passed, adopted and approved the following entitled Ordinance: An ordinance relating to collective bargaining for the city of gallup, new mexico, providing for: the continued existence of the city of gallup labor management relations board; the authority, responsibilities, and conditions of continued existence of the board; the transfer of authority upon termination of the board; the rights and obligations of the city and labor organizations;

and providing for an effective date. 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, City Hall. CITY OF GALLUP, NEW MEXICO By: /s/ Alfred Abeita II, City Clerk PUBLISH DATE: Gallup Sun Friday, December 11, 2020 *** MCKINLEY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2020DEC-006 Notice is hereby given of the title and of a general summary of the subject matter contained in an ordinance (the “Ordinance”) duly adopted and approved by the Board of County Commissioners of McKinley County, New Mexico, on December 8, 2020, relating to the formation of the McKinley County Electric Generating Facility Economic District and the creation of the McKinley County Electric Generating Facility Economic District Authority. Complete copies of the Ordinance are available for public inspection during the normal and regular business hours of the County Clerk, whose office is located at 207 West Hill Ave., Gallup, New Mexico 87301.

The Title of the Ordinance is: MCKINLEY COUNTY, NEW MEXICO BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ORDINANCE NO. 2020DEC-006 AN ORDINANCE FORMING THE MCKINLEY COUNTY ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY ECONOMIC DISTRICT (THE “DISTRICT”); CREATING THE MCKINLEY COUNTY ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY ECONOMIC DISTRICT AUTHORITY (THE “AUTHORITY”) TO GOVERN THE DISTRICT; MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS AND DETERMINATIONS RELATING TO THE INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY; APPOINTING THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY; ESTABLISHING THE COMPENSATION TO BE PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY; ESTABLISHING THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY MUST RESIGN FROM THEIR POSITION; DECLARING THAT MEMBERS AND

AND TO APPOINT FOUR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO THE AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR THE OPTIONAL REPEAL OF THE ORDINANCE IN THE EVENT NO OTHER COUNTY JOINS THE DISTRICT OR FAILS TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE AUTHORITY AND DISSOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT; RATIFYING CERTAIN ACTIONS HERETOFORE TAKEN; REPEALING ALL ACTIONS INCONSISTENT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; TAKING OTHER ACTIONS RELATED TO THE FORMATION OF THE DISTRICT AND THE CREATION OF THE AUTHORITY; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. A General summary of the Ordinance is contained in its title. DATED this 8th day of December, 2020. /s/ Harriett K. Becenti Harriett K. Becenti County Clerk PUBLISH DATE: Gallup Sun December 11, 2020

CALENDAR COMMUNITY CALENDAR DECEMBER 11 – DECEMBER 17 17, 2020 FRIDAY, December 11

DRAWCEMBER ART CHALLENGE

Dec. 6-12 OFPL challenges you to sketch the provided weekly themes. This week’s theme will be gingerbread (Landscape gingerbread housing or gingerbread family portrait. Ideas are endless, as long as you incorporate gingerbread into your sketch).Send your weekly artwork through our social media @galluplibrary or use our special hashtag #OFPLsketchchallenge to win prizes.

TRADITIONAL NAVAJO FOOD AT HOME

4 pm @ OFPL’s Facebook LIVE stream, @galluplibrary. Join Jennifer Wheeler for a traditional Navajo cooking class presented in Diné. For more information: email libtrain@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291

VIRTUAL FUN FRIDAYS

4 pm Live on Facebook @ galluplibrary for Navajo Food and Culture Demon-

22 Friday December 11, 2020 • Gallup Sun

EMPLOYEES OF THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENTAL CONDUCT ACT AND ESTABLISHING PROHIBITED CONDUCT FOR AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS; SETTING FORTH THE METHOD BY WHICH MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE AUTHORITY; DECLARING THAT THE DISTRICT AND THE AUTHORITY POSSESS THE AUTHORITY, POWERS AND DUTIES CONFERRED UPON THEM BY, AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF, THE ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITY ECONOMIC DISTRICT ACT AND THIS ORDINANCE; IMPOSING CERTAIN LIMITATIONS ON THE DISTRICT; REQUIRING QUARTERLY REPORTING; CALLING FOR A MEETING OF THE AUTHORITY PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2020 TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN COUNTIES TO BECOME PART OF THE AUTHORITY

stration.

OFPL NEW MEXICO TRADITIONS SERIES

11 am - Visit You Tube @galluplibrary to view episodes of the series featuring winter traditions of the diverse peoples of New Mexico. Videos are posted Wednesdays and Fridays. Biscochitos are today’s focus.

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org SATURDAY, December 12

SELF-CARE SATURDAY

1 pm on Facebook@galluplibrary. to make your DIY cosmetics from items around your home. Each ingredient list will be available on our website of-l.online. All SelfCare episodes are available after the livestream. Visit YouTube, @galluplibrary. This week we will focus on aromatherapy candles.

5THANNUAL MEMBER ARTIST

GROUP SHOW

3 pm @GALLUParts Facebook and Instagram pages. See the ART123 Gallery Virtual Show Opening for the 5th Annual Member Artist Group Show.

UNM-GALLUP HOLIDAY STEP CHALLENGE

Individual challenge with prizes. Goal is 420,000 steps. The challenge is six weeks or 42 days long. For more information: mchenry25@ unm.edu ; (505) 862-9389. SUNDAY December 13

DRAWCEMBER ART CHALLENGE

Dec. 13-19 OFPL challenges you to sketch the provided weekly themes. This week’s theme will Fire or Ice. (Create a sketch of toasty warmth or frigid cold.) Send your weekly artwork through our social media @ galluplibrary or use our special hashtag #OFPLsketchchallenge to win prizes.

STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOOK FAIR

CALENDAR | SEE PAGE 23 CLASSIFIEDS/CALENDAR

CALENDAR | FROM PAGE 22 through Dec. 13 online. Support your school and help your child discover new books and favorite characters. Choose from the interactive gooklist and enjoy free shipping on book-only purchases over $25. MONDAY, December 14

CREATIVE CORNER

4 pm @ ofpl.online/programs/#makerspace. The focus will be on Clay Pinch Pots (Air-dry clay).

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg. nmhealth.org NM Dept of Health 1919 College Drive

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

1 pm-2 pm @ Student Support Center (SSC) Board Room, (640 S. Boardman).

KEEPING DOWNTOWN GALLUP SAFE CTY MEETING

3 pm-4 pm a virtual discussion with local officials and leaders presented by Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/82180482446?pwd=RTgzMEVyUWNCNTIHQWhqVE1YUHpVdz09; Meeting ID:821 8048 2446; Passcode: 717739; To join by phone +1 346 248 7799 U.S. (Houston): +1 669 900 9128 U.S. (San Jose). TUESDAY, December 15

TECH SHORT TUESDAYS

5 pm live on Facebook, @ galluplibrary for “How to” tech shorts. This month we will focus on building and making. For more information please email libtrain@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

COVID TESTING

11 am-1 pm in Grants @ Grants Public Health Office (700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 100)

EVERYBODY IS TALKING TUESDAYS! – CELEBRATIONS AND DIY IDEAS

4 pm YouTube, @galluplibrary on Tuesdays. Join the creative genius of the Octavia Fellin Public Library and our unusually talented neighbors for book-talks, author-talks, movie-talks, pop-talks, food-talks, maker-talks, tech-talks. WEDNESDAY, December 16

FLU VACCINE EVENT

11 am-2 pm @ Lake Valley Chapter House (drive-thru)

TWITTER BASICS

4 pm –Twitter offers many opportunities to communicate with others and have

CALENDAR

conversations online. Learn the basics of how to use this social emdia platform and get started today.

OFPL NEW TRADITIONS SERIES

11 am - Visit You Tube @galluplibrary to view episodes of the series featuring winter traditions of the diverse peoples of New Mexico. Videos are posted Wednesdays and Fridays. Hopi Soyal is today’s focus.

DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING

1:30 pm-2:30 pm @ UNM Gallup Lions Hall parking lot (705 Gurley Ave.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required at cvtestreg.nmhealth.org

DRIVE-UP FLU VACCINATION

11 am-2 pm @ Lake Valley Chapter House. For more information call Crownpoint Division of Public Health (505) 786-6294; (505) 7866240 THURSDAY, December 17

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 create our own No-Sew Sock Snowmen.

COVID TESTING

2 pm-4 pm in Grants @ Grants Public Health Office (700 E. Roosevelt Ave., Ste. 100).

NAVAJO AREA COVID TESTING EVENT

9am -11am @ Church Rock Chapter

MCHA HOUSING HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT

7 pm on ZOOM: https://bit. ly/3pgbnCn or call +1-669900-9128; Meeting ID 824 3950 2001; Passcode 12345. If you need more help call (505) 862-9329. ONGOING

MCKINLEY COUNTY IMMUNIZATION CLINICS, FLU SHOTS

8:30 am – 4 pm Mon., Wed., Fri. continues through December by appointment. @ McKinley Public Health Office, (1919 College Dr.) Call (505) 722-4391 to schedule an appointment. Vaccines provided at no cost for children through 18 years of age. Bring your child’s shot record.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

Gallup Wreaths Across America is working to place a Christmas wreath on every veteran’s grave in Gallup on Dec. 19. Due to COVID restrictions, the honor guard and wreath-laying ceremony will be virtual, with the City of Gallup filming and posting it online. Volunteers who wish to participate the laying of the wreaths at Gal-

lup’s four cemeteries will meet in the open air, wearing masks and practice social distancing. Three-hundred wreaths have been sponsored so far. There are 1,300 veteran’s graves in Gallup. For more information, contact Janice Bradley at janiceb43@me.com

WE READ, WE TALK BOOK CLUB REGISTRATION

We will be reading Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse for our January session. Request your copy and preferred meeting times on our Online Registration Form at ofpl.online/ programs Deadline Dec. 21. Registration is limited to 30 participants, but a waiting list is available. Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

COMMUNITY MITTEN TREE

Help us deck the halls! Pick up a paper mitten curbside to decorate and return for our community mitten tree window display. Request your mitten on our Online Registration Form at ofpl. online. Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 8631291 for more information.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for more mentors to make a difference in the life of a young person. Mentors and mentees can meet for socially distance friendly interactions or hangout virtually playing games, cooking, reading, etc. via Facetime, Zoom, or other platforms. For more information call 505-726-4285 or go to .bbbsmountainregion.org/volunteer to sign up today.

RMCHCS FLU VACCINES (ADULTS ONLY)

Urgent Care Clinic (520 Hwy. 564). Walk-ins 5 pm- 9 pm, Sat., 9 am - 9 pm and 12 pm-5 pm Sun. Please bring insurance information. For those with no health insurance there will be a $25 fee. Pre-registration can be done during hours of operation, 9 am-9 pm. For more information: (505) 863-2273.

RMCHCS COVID-19 DRIVE-UP TESTING

9 am-5 pm Mon.-Fri. @ Urgent Care Center (520 NM Hwy 564, north of the New Mexico Cancer Center). Closed on Sundays. Rapid testing is not available.

VIRTUAL TUTORING AND HOMEWORK HELP

The Boys & Girls Club of Gallup has been offering virtual tutoring and homework help with trained mentors using Zoom calls. Club members with a 2020 membership can attend for free after they fill out a virtual permission form on the club website. To get a 2020 membership, fill out

an online application and permission form. It’s free. The help will be available until Dec. 31. For more information: bgcgallup.com; (505) 488-2378; Facebook@ BoysandGirlsClubGallup

DIAL-A-STORY

Storytime anytime, call (505) 862-9177 to hear a story any time of the day or night. Stories will change daily, at the end feel free to leave us a message to let us know what stories you want to hear. For more information: childlib@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291.

LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATION ONLINE

Today’s libraries have programs and resources that go far beyond books. From virtual story times, family game nights and art classes, to opportunities to borrow audiobooks and stream movies, there’s something for everyone at the library. To explore all that the library has to offer, visit your library at ofpl.online to register for a free library card. For more information: bmartin@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

CURBSIDE CHECKOUT SERVICES

OFPL staff continues to provide essential services to our community by offering curbside checkout, virtual classes, workshops, and public education through our social media platforms. Visit ofpl.online for the online request form. • DVD/ CD check out limit is 10 - 30 library items total. OFPL Staff is on-site Monday through Friday from 9 am-6 pm. and will assist with curbside checkout. Free Comic Book to keep with your curbside order while supplies last. Call (505)863-1291 for all inquiries including reference services.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REGISTRATION

hensive Health Care Facility (Sun.-Sat.) 8:30 am-4:30 pm @ Piñon Health Center (M, T, W, F) 1:15 pm-4:30 pm @ Piñon Health Center (Th) 8:30 am-4 pm @ Tsaile Health Center (M,W,F) 1 pm-4 pm @ Tsaile Health Center (Th) 9 am-1 pm @ Rock Point Clinic (T) 8:30 am-12 pm @Crownpoint Healthcare Facility (M.T,Th,F) 12:45 pm-3:45 pm Drive-Up @Crownpoint Healthcare Facility 9am-3:30 pm Walk In Clinic @Pueblo Pintado Clinic (M-Th) 9 am-12pm Drive Up @ Thoreau Clinic (M, F) 9 am-4 pm @Gallup Indian Medical Center (M-F) 9 am-2 pm Car-based testing located on Government Circle Dr. (Next to Emergency Dept.) @Gallup Indian Medical Center (Sat., Sun.) 8 am-3:30 pm Drive-Thru @ Tohatchi Health Center (M, T, Th, F) 12 pm-3:30 pm Drive-Thru @ Tohatchi Health Center (Wed.) 8:30 am-4 pm @Kayenta Health Center (Sun.-Sat.) 8:30 am-4 pm @ Inscription House Health Center (M-F)

NAVAJO IHS FLU VACCINE SCHEDULE

8 am-11 am @Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (M, T, W, F) 11:30 am-5 pm Drive-Thru @Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (M, T, W, F) 1 pm-5 pm Drive-Thru @ Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (Th) 8:30 am-4:30 pm Drive-Thru @ Piñon Health Center (M, T, W, F) 1:15 pm-4:30 pm Drive-Thru @ Piñon Health Center (Th) 8:30 am-4 pm Drive-Thru @ Tsaile Health Center (M,W,F) 1 pm-4 pm Drive-Thru @ Tsaile Health Center (Th) 9 am-1 pm @ Rock Point Clinic (T)

OFPL is recruiting new members for our Friends of the Library Group. The OFPL Friends’ support library programs, services, and collections through a variety of in-kind activi9 am-4:30 pm @UNM-Gallup ties. If you are passionate (Gymnasium parking lot on about helping our commuCalvin Hall Dr.) (M-F) nity grow stronger, join 8 am-3:30 pm Appointments the Octavia Fellin Public only @ Tohatchi Health CenLibrary Friends’ Group ter (M-F) and get involved in event planning, local and State 8 am-4 pm @Kayenta Health advocacy, fundraising and Center (M-F) philanthropy. To join please visit https://ofpl.online/part- 8 am-4 pm @ Inscription House Health Center (M-F) ners-of-ofpl/#friends and our Friends’ Coordinator will contact you with more information. For more infor- To post a nonprofit or mation: childlib@gallupnm. civic event in the calendar gov or call (505) 863-1291. section, please email:

NAVAJO IHS COVID-19 TESTING SCHEDULE

7 am-7 pm @Chinle Compre-

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

Gallup Sun • Friday December 11, 2020

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