Gallup Sun • March 5, 2021 by gallupsun

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VOL 7 | ISSUE 310 | MARCH 5, 2021

SELF-DRIVING CARS PAGE 7

SIGN EXCITEMENT ! GALLUP BUSINESSES MAKE THEMSELVES SEEN, AT A BARGAIN By Kevin Opsahl Sun Correspondent

alk around downtown Gallup these days and you might notice some signs of change. Signs —as in what typically appear on business storefronts. American Bar has a neon sign that’s hard to miss, with its name embossed in red cursive and uppercase print that juts out from a partially blue-painted facade. Above it is another sign (with a front and back) depicting the American flag. City Electric Shoe Shop tells people it sells boots, belts and moccasins with a long, colorful mural that includes illustrations of a cowboy and Indian on the side of its building on south Third Street. Tandy’s Auto Repair and Exhaust boasts a sign standing tall over U. S. Highway 66. Just below it is an LED display showing a black hot rod doing a pop-a-wheelie. These examples — and more — were all made possible by the Gallup Business Improvement District. BID uses a small fee property owners within the district have agreed to pay, along with a match from the City of Gallup, to create a general fund. The fund is used for economic development projects supported by the BID.

Its director, Francis Bee, said BID has had substantially less money to help businesses ever since the city council met mid-2020 and made emergency reductions in spending. But one program that has remained — and stayed popular — is the sign program, in which BID agrees to pay 75 percent of the cost of a new sign, up to a cap of $5,000. He explained how the program works, saying any new sign is born out of an agreement between the business owner and the owner of the building. Once a new sign idea is sketched out and a cost proposal is made, the BID is contacted. Ultimately, the BID board must review the grant request form, invoice, and photos of the sign to agree to give grant funding to any business that wants to utilize the program. BID does not do audience research to gauge the effectiveness of the new signs, Bee said, and he’s not sure how much impact they have on people during the pandemic. But he does believe businesses with more attractive signs will get more attention and be more likely to prosper. “During normal times, the signs made tourists, visitors and residents aware of

SIGNS | SEE PAGE 19

& '6 2021

*0&6 Words from the AssistantSuperintendent By Jvanna Hanks GMCS Assistant Superintendent

Vaccines for GMCS Employees The Gallup-McKinley County Schools wishes to thank all of the local health care facilities that have been working so hard to deliver the COVID-19 Vaccine in McKinley County. The Indian Health Services Centers in Crownpoint, Gallup, Pine Hill, Tohatchi, and Thoreau as well as Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) and other local pharmacies have been invaluable resources during these difficult times. We sincerely appreciate the hard working staff of these facilities as they work long hours, in less than ideal conditions, to ensure the safety of our communities. A recent voluntary survey of GMCS employees shows that about 74 percent of the 1,335 employees who responded have received their first dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine. Many of these individuals have received the second dose and the others are scheduled soon based upon the waiting period required between the two shot vaccines. The District will continue to work with employees who are seeking a COVID-19 Vaccine as we reach out to the medical services in our area for support. We hope to continue to see a higher number of vaccinations in New Mexico as the State will be receiving an additional 17,200 COVID-19 Vaccines with the release of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine this week. COVID-19 Vaccine Resources Have you signed up with the NM DOH? If not, you can follow this link: https://cvvaccine.nmhealth.org/ What will happen when you sign up? You will provide information related to your personal health demographics and insurance information (there are still options without insurance). Once you sign up, you will receive a confirmation code. This code, along with your birthdate, will be your information to access your profile. If you qualify for the COVID-19 Vaccine and the COVID-19 Vaccine is available in your area, you will receive an event code. It is important to respond to the event code message as soon as possible, events fill up very quickly. You will need to enter your provider, scroll to the area that says, “I have an event code” and enter that code to schedule an appointment. If you need assistance with the State’s NM DOH Registration, call the COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 1-855-600-3453.

March is National Reading Month Each year at the beginning of March, school children kick off National Reading Month by celebrating the birthday of the beloved Dr. Seuss. Teachers will design contests and family literacy events to encourage kids nationwide to read.

Top teachers recognized at board meeting Mr. Hyatt asked the Principals “To pick a teacher this year in your school who has exemplified and possesses a combination of the following – a positive attitude, has kept kids first in the performance of their duties, has been outstanding and innovative in their teaching and who has worked well as a team player in the school.” Here are the picks for each school.

1. Catherine Miller Elementary Monique Martinez 2. Central High Doug MacPherson 3. Chee Dodge Elementary Zia Redulla-Managaytay 4. Chief Manuelito Mid Sue Robbert-Garza 5. Crownpoint Elementary Christine Smith 6. Crownpoint High Tracie Benally 7. Crownpoint Mid Trina Perry 8. David Skeet Elementary Jennifer Flores 9. Del Norte Elementary Thedeous Tah 10. Gallup High Chris Trujillo

11. Gallup Mid Jennifer Hernandez 12. Indian Hills Elementary Amy DeGroat 13. Jefferson Elementary Tara Mou 14. Kennedy Mid Seth Cohen 15. Lincoln Elementary Denise Swatzell 16. McKinley Academy Phil Frederiksen 17. Miyamura High Kelley Fitzmaurice 18. Navajo Elementary Charmayne Hunt-Nez 19. Navajo Mid Jovelyn Viado 20. Navajo Pine High Maria Rojo 21. Ramah Elementary GayLynn Clawson 22. Ramah High Melissa Bond 23. Red Rock Elementary Krysten Beard 24. Stagecoach Elementar Christopher Smith 25. Thoreau Elementary Yi-Ling Lin 26. Thoreau High Mavis Yazzie 27. Thoreau Mid Melissa Novenario 28. Tohatchi Elementary Lorinda Scott 29. Tohatchi High John Brooks 30. Tohatchi Mid Joy Castaneda 31. Tse Yi Gai High Rachel Anjao 32. Turpen Elementary Richenda Sandoval John 33. Twin Lakes Elementary Verrica Livingston

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

83&20,1* (9(176 Month of March Reading Month March 6 Football games, ƐŽĐĐĞƌ ĐŽŵƉĞƟƟŽŶ begins. March 12 End of Quarter 3 March 15-19 Spring Break (No School) March 22 A Twin Lakes students votes for a name for the school’s UVD robot during an election at Twin Lakes Elementary School. Students were allowed to vote for their favorite name for their school’s robot, which will provide a clean and safe environment for students and staff.

School Board meeting

www.gmcs.org At GMCS…Education Matters

NEWS

ATTENTION PUBLIC NOTICE The Gallup Housing Authority is CLOSED to the Public until further Notice Tenants: To make payments complete money orders and place in the payment drop box to the left of the main entry. If you want a receipt mailed to you make sure to include a current mailing address. [see picture >>>] Submission of Other Docs: All forms typically utilized by Tenants are in plastic containers located to the left of the entry door. Examples: Interim Change forms, Late Payment Request forms, Work Order Request forms, etc. For submission of these documents use the Document Drop Box pictured right >>> If you have questions: please call (505) 722-4388 during office hours or send an email to: gha.main@galluphousing.com NEWS

Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

LOCAL NEWS

NEWS

Pro-business, pro-labor, or pro-employee CAN THE 2021 NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE SUPPORT ALL SIDES? By Beth Blakeman Managing Editor

hambers of commerce across the state are making telephones and Zoom cameras buzz as they confront some of the issues state legislators are considering. Bill Lee, the CEO of the Greater Gallup Chamber of Commerce and Terri Cole, the president and CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber

of Commerce have joined forces to consider some of the details in about a dozen bills now under consideration in Santa Fe. “Our chambers of commerce are united in their stance to be pro-business,” Lee told the Gallup Sun March 1. “There is not an ‘R’ or a ‘D’ before my name or after my name, but there is a ‘b’ and that means business,” Lee stated emphatically. In considering some of the

Greater Gallup Chamber of Commerce CEO Bill Lee. Photo Credit: Bill Lee

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Terri Cole, CEO of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Photo Credit: Courtesy Bill Lee legislation being discussed at the Roundhouse, Lee and Cole have indicated unease. Cole said two personalities appear to be rearing their heads in the 2021 session, one is pro-business and one is pro-labor. Cole concedes that there have been some very positive efforts bringing shortterm COVID relief to small businesses with grants and loans and badly needed help for hospitality and restaurant businesses. But she expressed concern about as many as 11 bills that she believes will create a longterm burden on New Mexico establishments. “COVID has created a horrible reality for small businesses. We’ve lost many of them in both cities [Albuquerque and Gallup],” Cole said. “We have told the legislature we can leave this session with an ability to thrive and be hospitable or we can become high cost, over-legislated and extremely litigious.” Lee and Cole take issue with eight bills in particular • HB 20 Healthy Workplaces Act • HB 38 Paid Family & Medical Leave Act

Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Dist. 43. Photo Credit: nmlegis.gov • HB 110 Phased Minimum Wage Increase • HB 122 Health Insurance Premium Surtax • HB 248 Insurance Fee Changes • HB 148 Unemployment Contribution Rate Change • SB 211 Corporate Income Tax Rates They also indicated they had some issues with SB 56 [New Personal Income Tax Bracket], SB 89 [Amend Personal Income Tax Brackets], and HB 291 [Tax Changes], because they say those bills would create higher personal and corporate income taxes. Lee also mentioned HB 268 [Coronavirus & Workers’ Comp]. He elaborated. “If an employee tests positive for COVID, this bill automatically assumes they got it at the workplace – so you’re entitled to workers’ comp, unless the employer can prove that it didn’t come from there,” he said. “We think that is onerous and completely burdensome on our community. “How is a small business owner supposed to prove that [the disease didn’t come from

PRO-BUSINESS | SEE PAGE 13

WHAT’S INSIDE …

5 4

A NEW LIBRARY FOR GALLUP Could be on the horizon

STATEWIDE BROADBAND Bill passes the House

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

PIGS PLAY VIDEO GAMES Move the cursors with their snouts

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Gov. signs business bill

10 11 16

FOREIGN FILM COMPANY Hired to produce movie about ugly U. S. story

NEWS

Gallup tries again to build a new library By Beth Blakeman Managing Editor

n undeveloped lot owned by the City of Ga llup, south of Maxwell Street between Second and Third Streets, could become the new location for the Octavia Fellin Public Library. T he l ibra r y is considered one of the city’s most

Gallup Sun Publishing, LLC Publisher Babette Herrmann Office Manager Mandy Marks Managing Editor Beth Blakeman Design Vladimir Lotysh Contributing Editor Cody Begaye Correspondents Molly Adamson Kevin Opsahl Dee Velasco Photography Cable Hoover Ryan Hudgeons Knifewing Segura On the Cover Silver Dust Trading Company had its BID sign placed on an outside wall. Photo Courtesy F. Bee

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.

NEWS

significant cultural institutions and a crucial element of developing a vibrant arts and cultural district. Out of 27 redevelopment projects in a collaborative vision of the City of Gallup, members of the community, Gallup Main Street, and the Gallup Business Improvement District voted it as the most important project. The Gallup City Council addressed the subject of a new library at its Feb. 9 meeting and considered several of the issues that have kept it in the planning stages for the past 15 years. In her presentation, Tammi Moe, director of the library, said the current library needs space, more meeting rooms, expanded services for youth, conference and group study rooms, more staff, and parking. District 3 Councilor Yogash Kumar expressed concerns that the city-owned location

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Tammi Moe, director of the Octavia Fellin Public Library. Photo Credit: Tammi Moe

at Maxwell Street might fail to draw many people, and that the people who visited would be the same people time and again. He said he had envisioned seeing the city use that property for another purpose, a conference or a convention center. District 4 Councilor Fran Palochak was reluctant to spend taxpayer money for a second conceptual design at a cost of $32,840, when the fi rst design in 2013 had a price tag of $45,000. Moe said the cost of the programming and concept design

City of Gallup-owned properties include a site now being considered for a new regional library. Site number 1 on this map is located between Second and Third Streets. Image Credit: City of Gallup is listed in the library’s capital outlay request for the 2021-22 fiscal year budget. Some discussion at the council meeting centered around making the library a regional facility designed to meet the needs of the county, as well as the city. “There’s not a library within about 150 miles every way,” Palochak said. “There’s no place for them [users] to go,

but here.” The council and the mayor approved the site selection pending a conceptual plan. Moe said the vote gave her the go-ahead to pursue funding for the new library outside the city for what she called “one of the busiest libraries I’ve ever been in.”

LIBRARY | SEE PAGE 20

Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

Navajo Nation Supreme Court Associate Justice succumbs to COVID Staff Reports

INDOW ROCK , Ariz. — Leaders of t he Nav a jo Nation expressed condolences on the passing of retired Navajo Nation Supreme C ou r t A s s o c i a t e Ju s t ice Lorene B. Ferguson, who died March 1 from complications from COVID-19. “ T he Nava jo Nation mourns the loss of a loving mother and one of the first women justices to serve on the Navajo Nation Supreme Court … As we recognize National Women’s History Month, we take this opportunity to honor and remember all of Justice Ferguson’s contributions to the Navajo people. There is no doubt that she helped and empowered many throughout her lifetime.” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said. According to the Judicial

Branch, Ferguson was nominated to serve as Associate Justice by former President Kelsey Begaye in 2001 and later confi rmed by the Navajo Nation Council. She served as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 20012007 and was appointed to serve as Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 2004-2005. Prior to her appointment as Supreme Court Justice, she served as the Navajo Nation Circuit Court Judge starting in 2000, working out of the Kayenta District Court, and as a Navajo Tribal Court Judge, from 1992 to 2000, assigned at d i f ferent ti mes to t he Shiprock, Tohajiilee, Ramah and Alamo Courts. She came to the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch after having served as a Staff Attorney at the Navajo Nation Department of Justice for eight years. While

our utmost respect for our nat’áaanii as someone who exemplified the best of our Navajo people,” Chief Justice JoAnn B. Jayne said in a statement from the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch. “She was a role model for her serious thinking on complex issues and the responsibility she took in being a Supreme Court justice. She was also well-known across Indian Country for her work in the legal field.” Jayne said. Ferguson graduated from Fort Lewis College in 1965, majoring in English Literature with a minor in Psychology. She worked in the areas of community development, welfare rights and as a Head Start teacher and Indian Education training technician, before attending the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she graduated in 1983. She ser ved as a mentor

Lorene B. Ferguson, retired Navajo Nation Supreme Court Associate Justice died March 1 from COVID-19 complications. Photo Credit: OPVP at the Department of Justice, she drafted the first Navajo Election Code and Navajo scholarship policy for the Depar tment of Education, according to a statement by her family. “The Judicial Branch sends condolences to a pivotal member of the Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation. We pay

to countless law clerks and Navajo attorneys throughout her career. She was a strong advocate for education and traditional law. To her family, her most important and meaningful accomplishments were as wife, mother, grandmother, and matriarch for her family. Her family said that Justice Ferguson would want to encourage every Navajo citizen to stay safe and get vaccinated. “Our Nation lost a humble, strong, and loving person, but her work for others and the joy that she brought to her family will always be cherished,” Vice President Myron Lizer said. “My heart goes out to her family, friends, and all of our colleagues within the Judicial Branch. Her contributions will be memorialized in her accomplishments and all that she did to move our Nation forward.” Lizer concluded.

Statewide broadband bill passes House Staff Reports

ANTA FE – Statewide broadband internet in New Mexico is one step closer to reality with House Bill 10: the Connect New Mexico Act, which institutes a centralized plan for

the state to build, manage and deliver broadband internet access to communities across the state. It i ncludes th ree ma i n components: Establishing a centralized Office of Broadba nd within the

Department of Information Technolog y to coordinate s t a t e, loc a l, a nd feder a l resources to build new infrastructure and connect every community in New Mexico. Creating a comprehe n s i ve pl a n t h a t m a p s out New Mexico’s current

broadband infrastructure and assesses what it will take to finish the job and connect New Mexico. Set t i ng a h ig h ba r for the quality of internet service New Mexicans deserve and ensuring our communities have the knowledge

and technical expertise they need to leverage their internet resources to benefit their local communities. “The Connect New Mexico Act presents a three-year,

BROADBAND | SEE PAGE 15

Construction Resumes March 8, 2021 on Roadway Improvements East of Gallup Crews will resume work on Phase 3 of roadway improvements on I-40 east of Gallup beginning Monday, March 8, 2021. Phase 3 stretches from milepost 37.7 to milepost 40.3. The week of March 8-15, 2021, crews will set out traffic barricades and establish traffic control.

Phase 1-A, March 15-21, 2021

LEGEND

Exit 39

Phase 1-C, March 22, 2021

Exit 39

Closed Traffic

I-40

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I-40

LEGEND Closed Traffic

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From about March 15-21, 2021, crews will build temporary median crossovers and drainage improvements in the median. During Phase 1-A, the left lanes of I-40 eastbound and I-40 westbound will be closed, with one lane open in each direction.

Beginning about March 22, 2021, crews will switch to Phase 1-C, which includes building the eastbound I-40 outside shoulder. During this phase, I-40 eastbound will be reduced to one lane in the construction zone.

This project is being built in four (4) phases. Regular work hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5 p.m. this spring and 6 a.m-6 p.m. this summer, although the contractor may work longer hours or on weekends if needed. Construction on Phase 3 is expected to be completed in fall 2021. All construction is weather permitting and is subject to change without notice.

About the Project Phase 3 of roadway improvements east of Gallup includes the following benefits: • Reconstruction of westbound I-40 lanes • Reconstruction of eastbound I-40 lanes • Building of new guard rail and reconstruction of the median • New permanent striping and signage

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

Get updated traffic information at

For More Information: Delane Baros, Public Information Officer, NMDOT District 6 (505) 240-1392, Delane.Baros@state.nm.us

NMRoads.com Travel Information

Patti Watson, (505) 245-3134, (505) 269-9691 or 1-800-687-3417, pattiw@cwastrategic.com CN 6100904

NEWS

Self-driving cars could Autonomous vehicle bring Gallup jobs legislation brought GALLUP MUNICIPAL AIRPORT COULD to City Council REOPEN AS A VEHICLE TESTING HUB By Molly Adamson Sun Correspondent

el f- d r iv i ng ca r s may soon be comi n g t o G a l lu p. Autonomous cars were on the agenda for the March 2 McKinley County Commission meeting. Michael Sage, the dep-

when companies want to get involved, they would know what to expect. “There’s a real necessity to diversify the local economy, so by embracing our strategic location, our assets, building on those assets to create a new industry, it is our hope that by this legislation,

Self-driving cars are now viewed as an important business opportunity for Gallup. Photo Credit: Courtesy uty director of the Gallup Economic Development Corporation, made a presentation about autonomous cars. He talked about self-driving vehicles being tested in Gallup. He also mentioned the possibility of reopening the Gallup Municipal Airport to air passenger service and using it as a mobility hub for autonomous vehicle testing. Tesla ca me to t he EDC in 2013 thinking that Gallup would be a great strateg ic location for testing autonomous cars, because of its proximity to the railroad and I-40. The company, the EDC, and the City of Gallup developed the idea of a mobility hub — a center for the testing to happen. Sage said the hub would be located at the Gallup Municipal Airport. T he EDC suppor t s t h i s recom mend at ion because it could lead to manufacturing jobs and a boost to the local economy, Sage explained. The proposed bill would give the autonomous vehicle industr y structure, so NEWS

we would then position the City of Gallup to be an area where we can have research and testing,” Sage said.

had passenger service. He ment ioned t hat many health care workers a nd patients who had COVID-19 often had to drive long distances, and that wouldn’t be happening if the airport was open. “We see the retur n of air passengers as our response to COVID-19 to build community, to bring in health care professionals, and to get our most vulnerable populations to the healthcare they need,” Sage said. “But also, like I said, it supports economic development.” Sage’s presentation mentioned job opportunities that these two resolutions could bring to the area. Commissioner Robert Baca ex pressed some doubts about the reality of how many jobs would actually be added to the economy and when that would happen.

Overhead view of Gallup Municipal Airport, which could become an important part of testing autonomous vehicles. Photo Credit: gallupnm.gov “Once we get research and testing, that means investment, that means new opportunities, and also down the road, that brings the possibility of manufacturing.” Sage t hen moved on t o t he E conom ic D e v e l o p m e n t Administration planning grant that the EDC wants to use to repurpose the Gallup Municipal Airport and bring back air passenger service. It has been a decade since the airport

He said that he’d been told that these jobs would take five years to come to Gallup, but that it has already been three since he had this conversation with the EDC. “I say if the commissioners vote to approve this, we … hold their feet to the fi re, because at this point right now, these are words I’ve heard over and

COUNTY COMMISSION | SEE PAGE 20

‘WE HAVE TO BE READY OR THEY’LL PASS US BY’ By Molly Adamson Sun Correspondent

ut o no mou s c a r s a r e becoming more popular tha nks to people like Elon Musk and Tesla and the other car companies that will soon be competing with him in the fi eld. In order to prepare for this future, more states are creating legislation addressing the subject of self-driving vehicles. Michael Sage, the deputy director of the Economic Development Corporation, has been a leading force on this front in McKinley County. On March 2 he presented two bills – New Mexico House Bill 270 and New Mexico Senate Bill 133 - that would bring legislation to bring autonomous vehicles to Gallup in a special city council meeting on March 2. He also presented to the board of commissioners earlier that day. City Manager Maryann Ustick helped Sage present the bills to the city council. Starting with Bill 270, Ustick and Sage explained that the bill would get New Mexico in line with other states when it comes to autonomous cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has placed guidelines for state and local government policies regarding the new technology. “I think the major concern is that if you have different laws in every state that aren’t consistent, that would not allow autonomous vehicles to travel between states, which is important,” Ustick said. She also expressed concern about the vehicles not being able to be sold in every state. She went on to explain that either the New Mexico Department of Transportation or the state police would have to work with the private companies like Tesla that make the vehicles. They would need access to data in case of a crash, for example. The public sector would need to be aware of where these vehicles are during the testing and after. Sage shared a NMDOT study done a few years ago showing that Gallup was a good location for autonomous vehicle testing. He said it was a good location because

of its proximity to Silicon Valley, because of its transportation networks, and because of its abundant amount of sunshine. C ou nc i lor F r a n Pa lo c h a k , Dist. 4, who was stepping in for Mayor Louis Bonagiudi as mayor pro tempore, had one comment. “Autonomous vehicles are here, and we either have to step up and be ready or they’re going to pass Gallup by,” she said. Before Sage went into detail about the second bill, the city council voted unanimously to pass the resolution to endorse Bill 270. New Mexico Senate Bill 133 creates a new aviation grant program within the NMDOT to support air service to rural parts of the state. The program awards grants to municipal or county governments to be used to provide air service operators a minimum revenue guarantee for new air service routes. The revenue will subsidize air carriers and be available for counties that have an existing airport or are building a new one. Gallup would be eligible for a 10 percent grant match because of the airport closure a decade ago. The city could get as much as $1.75 million in grant money. Dist. 3 Councilor Yogash Kumar asked Ustick and Sage where the city would get the money for the grant match. Ustick said they could possibly use the lodgers’ tax, which is a tax that is paid by anyone using commercial lodging accommodations. That funding source has declined due to COVID-19, Ustick noted. “What [SB33] does is provide other funds. This is a $9 million allocation proposed by this bill that would provide general fund money from the state to actually subsidize air carriers,” Ustick said. “So it would enable us to not use [the] lodgers’ tax.” Sage and Ustick both suggested the airport project could be a big boost for the economy and redevelopment for the west side of Gallup. Sage said he sees both bills as tools to diversify Gallup’s economy by putting a focus on manufacturing. The council unanimously voted to approve the resolution to endorse the new program.

Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

NEWS

PUBLIC SAFETY

KGCB talks future plans By Molly Adamson Sun Correspondent

he Keep Gallup Clean and Beautiful Board met Feb. 16 to brainstorm ways to motivate and inspire Gallupians to beautify the city. Board member Kara Smith envisioned a day when there would be less litter in Gallup. “Ultimately the way I see that happening is step-by-step and one thing that we need to continue doing as an organization with our strategic

Kara Smith

KGCB | SEE PAGE 20

Compliance program updated for Jail Authority Board Staff Reports

he Ja i l Aut hor it y Board reviewed the McK i n le y C o u n t y Adult Detention Center’s intakes at its Feb. 23 meeting. Ch r i s t opher Sice, t he

misdemeanor compliance program manager for McKinley County, guided the board through the compliance report. He reported that $4,419 had been collected for the DWI

JAB | SEE PAGE 20

Obituary Arthur Steven Loretto of Santa Fe, N.M. died Feb. 21, 2021 in Santa Fe. He was 52. He was born May 7, 1968 in Zuni. He graduated from Twin Buttes High School in 1987. He lived in Albuquerque for the majority of his adult life, working for The Storehouse which works to fight food insecurity. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and live concert aficionado. He is sur v ived by his daughter Alicia Loretto of Albuquerque, brothers Larry Loretto of Zuni, Gabr iel Senteney of Indianapolis, sisters Carrie Loretto of Zuni, Paula Loretto of Santa Fe, Joy Gutierrez of Albuquerque, and Jennifer Hernandez of Las Cruces, 3 grandchildren, several aunts and countless cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

Arthur Steven Loretto Arthur was preceded in death by his parents Paul Loretto and Gloria Kanteena, maternal grandparents Jane and Nathaniel Nasheboo, Dempsey Kanteena, paternal grandparents Louis and Carrie Loretto, and brother Louis Loretto. Memorials can be sent to The Storehouse P.O. Box 94810 Albuquerque NM 87199 or to the Facebook Fundraiser Justice for Arthur Loretto Reward Fund. PUBLIC SAFETY

Navajo man charged with sexually abusing a child Staff Reports

LBUQUERQUE — M a n i s o n L a r go, 41, of Chu rch Rock, N.M., and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, made an appearance on March 1 in federal court where he is charged with sexually abusing a child younger than 16. Pending trial, Largo will be released to a halfway house when space is available. According to a criminal complaint, Largo allegedly sexually abused the victim on multiple occasions, beginning in approximately 2017. The victim is also an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. During the course of the alleged abuse, which occurred at Largo’s residence in Church Rock, on

t h e Na v a j o Na t ion , t he v ic t i m w a s under 12 years old. T he v ictim was able to borrow a p h o n e a n d Manison Largo called 911 to report the abuse on or about Feb. 2. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Largo faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison. The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Alexander F. Flores is prosecuting the case.

This table represents a 7-day period of Gallup Police Dept. incident calls. FEB. 24- MAR 2 INCIDENT TYPE

WEEKLY DWI REPORT Staff Reports Truman Taylor Begay Feb. 27, 5:04 pm DWI A f ter Metro Dispatch received a call of a possible dr unk driver traveling north on U.S. Highway 4 91 i n a wh it e SU V, McKinley County Deputy Terence Willie said he would watch for it since he was parked near the four mile marker. Willie began to search for the vehicle and spotted it traveling at a high rate of speed northbound near the seven mile marker. The SUV merged onto State Highway 264 and Willie began following it. It exceeded 63 mph in a 55 mph zone. Willie pulled the SUV over near the five-and-a-half mile marker. He conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Truman Begay, 28,

of Piñon, Ariz. As he spoke with the driver, Willie noted Begay smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot eyes. Begay told Willie he was traveling home from Gallup, and admitted drinking 25 oz. of Four Loco earlier in the day. Begay agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed. He was transported to the sheriff’s office for a breath test, where he posted two samples of .13. After receiving medical clearance from Gallup Indian Medical Center, Begay was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for DWI and speed regulations. He was released on his own recognizance on March 1. Ronda Lewis Feb. 22, 9:51 pm Aggravated DWI McKinley County Deputy Terence Willie was parked facing south on U.S. Highway 491 when he saw a black Nissan Juke traveling north with its head lights and tail lights off.

Willie turned to fol low it a nd conducted a traffic stop near the six-anda -ha l f m i le marker. Willie approached the vehicle from the passenger side and made contact with the driver, Ronda Lewis, 46, of Tohatchi. He noted Lewis had bloodshot eyes and saw two open 12 oz. cans of Coors Light in the front center console. Lewis told Willie she was traveling from Gallup back home and admitted to drinking four alcoholic beverages earlier in the day. Lewis agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but failed. Willie placed her under arrest at 9:50 pm and transported her to the sheriff’s office for the breath test. She posted two samples of .17. She was then taken to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, tail lamps required, and open containers. She was released on her own recognizance Feb. 23.

DWI | SEE PAGE 20

NUMBER OF CALLS

Intoxicated Person

206

Welfare Check

173

Traffic -related

107

Police Request

Domestic

Alarm

Law

Disorderly Subject

Accident

Attempt to Locate

All other calls including shots fired, disputes, burglary, assault, vandalism, etc.

213

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Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

NEWS

HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

Earthweek: Diary of a Changing World Week ending Friday, February 26, 2021

By Steve Newman

Open Arctic Global heating has melted so much of the thick multi-year ice off the coast of Siberia that Russia has for the first time been able to navigate a cargo ship from Asia to a home port on the Arctic Ocean in winter. By using the newly opened Northern Sea Route instead of the traditional path around Asia and the Middle East, through the Suez Canal and around Europe, the Sovcomflot shipping company saved millions of dollars and days of travel time. Traffic through the NSR has exploded during summer in recent years but has remained closed from November until July. Russia now has plans to use its expanding fleet of civilian nuclear-powered icebreakers to make the path available year-round.

Earthquakes Iceland’s capital of Reykjavik was jolted by a strong quake and several sharp aftershocks. • Earth movements were also felt in northeastern New Zealand, central Costa Rica and along the Kansas-Oklahoma border.

Porcine Gamers Researchers have found that pigs can be trained to play video games, using only their snouts to manipulate

the species, which do not have spots on their legs, roam freely in the wild. The Soysambu Conservancy currently hosts about 125 giraffes.

5.6 4.2

Meltdown Legacy

-71° Vostok, Antarctica a joystick in front of a computer monitor. Scientists at Pennsylvania State University tested two Yorkshire pigs named Hamlet and Omelette, and two Panepinto micro pigs, Ebony and Ivory. They found that the highly intelligent swine plowed through levels of difficulty to excel at the game. But Hamlet and Omelette were forced to retire after 12 weeks because “they had grown too large to stand long enough to complete sessions.” The Penn State team plans to expand its research by using touchscreens and other technology to test the pigs’ abilities.

+109° Rivadavia, Salta, Argentina

4.3

Power Line Hazard matter currently generating energy to fuel the city’s water purification plants. It’s hoped that the metha ne put out by the fermenting fruit can also generate enough surplus energy to be put into the power grid, powering about 73,000 homes. “We hope that soon we will be able to recycle all the city’s oranges,” Benigno López of the Seville water utility said.

The electrocution of 11 giraffes from low-hanging transmission lines in a Kenyan conservation area has the country’s power company promising to raise the cables and check its entire network for safety. Conservationists demanded immediate action after three rare Rothschild’s giraffes were killed in the Soysambu Conservancy within three days. Only about 1,600 of

Orange ‘Juice’ Seville is launching a project to generate elect r icit y from the thousands of bitter oranges that frequently litter the Spanish city’s streets. The Guardian reports that about 35 tons of the fruit will be added to the other organic

S cient i st s h ave discovered more and different highly radioactive particles were released into the environment around Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant when meltdowns occurred after the March 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami. While it was known that particles containing radioactive cesium were widely distributed at the time, reaching as far away as Tokyo, larger such particles from the hydrogen explosion of reactor unit 1 were deposited within a narrow zone. Little is known about the environmental and human health impacts of these particles. But an international team of scientists says that because of their large size, they are likely to mainly pose a threat when they come in sustained contact with skin.

Pacaya Eruption

Pigs quickly learned how to use the joystick to control the cursor and play a video game. Photo Credit: Erston Martz/Pennsylvania State University

Guatema la’s Pacaya volcano continued its latest eruptive phase with blasts that sent ash soaring high into the sky south of the capital and blanketing nearby villages. Dist. by: Andrews McMeel Syndication ©MMXXI Earth Environment Service

Judge overturns Trump’s removal of protections for greater sage grouse Staff Reports

he g r e a t e r s a g e grouse is a bird that needs its space. The grouse relies on large expanses of intact sagebr ush a nd is loya l to specific areas. Sage grouse are ver y sensitive to habitat disturbance. As oil and ga s ex t r a ct ion, l ive st ock grazing, roads, and power l i nes have dest royed a nd

fragmented their native habitat, their populations have plummeted. A federal court deter mined the Tr ump Ad m i n i st rat ion’s remova l of protections from 10 million acres across the West to allow mining in vital grouse habitat was unlawful on Feb. 11. T h i s de c i s io n fol low s an earlier ruling stemming f rom a 2016 lawsu it f i led

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

by the Center for Biological Diversity and its allies. The Center for Biological Diver sit y ex pressed g rati t u d e o v e r t h e c o u r t ’s decision. “Now t he new i nter ior s e c r e t a r y c a n e s t a bl i s h a ppr opr i a t e h a bit a t pr o tections based on science, not favor itism to the mining industry,” Michael Saul senior attorney for the Public Lands program, said.

The greater sage grouse relies on expanses of sagebrush and is very sensitive to habitat disturbance. The removal of protections for the grouse by the Trump administration, was overturned Feb. 11. Photo Credit: Endangered Earth HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

NEWS

STATE & REGION

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Gov. Lujan Grisham signs House Bill 11, delivering $200M to N.M. businesses Staff Reports

STATE & REGION

Vernon Hamilton Construction Company, LLC announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for an air quality permit to construct under a General Construction Permit, “GCP-2-XXXX (Quarrying, Crushing and Screening Facility)”. The name of this facility is the Tampico Pit. The expected date of the submittal of our application for an air quality permit to the Air Quality Bureau is March 5, 2021. This notice is a requirement according to New Mexico air quality regulations. The exact location of the facility is UTM Zone 12, UTM Easting 724,800 m E, UTM Northing 3,914,825 m N. Proceed south on state road 400 from Ft Wingate for 6.75 miles (approx.), then turn right and go 0.22 miles and turn left, go approximately 2 miles to the Tampico Pit. The approximate location of this site is 7.9 miles SSE of Ft. Wingate in McKinley county. Air emissions of any regulated air contaminant will be less than or equal to: Tons per year (TPY) 1. Total Suspended Particulates 95 2. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 95 3. Carbon Monoxide (CO) 95 4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) 95 5. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 50 6. Any one (1) Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) 8 7. Sum of all Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) 23

A N TA F E – G o v. Michelle Lu jan Grisham signed House Bill 11 into law on Feb. 26, delivering $200 million in grants to support New Mexico businesses to ease the hiring or rehiring of employees. “New Mexico will continue to get meaningful financial assistance out the door to businesses all across the state,” Lujan Grisham said. “Our economy will bounce back. And businesses will get back on their feet.” “ We a r e g r a t e f u l t o Gover nor Lu ja n Gr isha m for her suppor t on HB 11, and for all of her leadership throughout this challenging year,” Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe said. “We convened the 2021 session knowing that getting economic relief into local econom ies wa s t he most critical action that we would take as lawmakers. Now we are continuing our work on subsequent bills. Help is on the way.” “I’m encouraged knowing that this funding is out t he do or. New Mex ico’s small businesses have been shaken by the pandemic and they need our support,” Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos said. “Direct funding to help pay for rent, equipment, and other operating costs will help businesses in my district and across the state keep their doors open and payroll going.” The applications and payments for the grants provided for in HB 11 – sponsored by Egolf and Chandler – will be managed by the New Mexico Finance Authority at nmfinance.com. A formal announcement will be made when the application portal is open for HB

NOTICE

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham 11 grants. Each business may qualify for up to $100,000 to be distributed in four quarterly payments. Among the guidelines: • Bu s i ne s s e s mu s t be operating in New Mexico with fewer than 75 employees per location; • Businesses must demonstrate a loss of revenue for at least one quarter between 2019 and 2020; • Funding must be u s e d for r ei m bu r s ement of rent, mortgage, or lease obligations; • T he g ra nt mu st be accompanied by job creation for each quarter prior to one of the quarterly payments; and • The grants will be paid out in quarterly installments. F u n d i n g i s a l lo c a t e d through the Econom ic Development Department’s Local Economic Development Act job-creation fund, requiring business ow ners who accept assistance to rehire workers or hire new employees. Bench ma rk s for t he hiring will be agreed to in advance and monitored by the Economic Development Department as is required for all other LEDA investments. Businesses can use the funding to make current or back

The standard operating schedule of this facility will be during daylight hours only. The owner and/or operator of the Plant is: Vernon Hamilton Construction Company, LLC, PO Box 1110, Gallup, NM 87305. If you have any questions or comments about construction or operation of above facility, and want your comments to be made as a part of the permit review process, you must submit your comments in writing to the address below: Permits Programs Manager New Mexico Environment Department Air Quality Bureau 525 Camino de los Marquez, Suite 1 Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505 (505) 476-4300 Other comments and questions may be submitted verbally. Please refer to the company name and site name, as used in this notice or send a copy of this notice along with your comments, since the Department may not have received the permit application at the time of this notice. Este es un aviso de la Agencia de Calidad de Aire del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Calidad de Aire al teléfono 505-476-5557. Notice of Non-Discrimination NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning non-discrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, or if you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact: Kathryn Becker, Non-Discrimination Coordinator, NMED, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 827-2855, nd.coordinator@state.nm.us. You may also visit our website at https://www.env.nm.gov/non-employee-discrimination-complaint-page/ to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

LUJAN GRISHAM | SEE PAGE 13 Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

Lujan Grisham signs Senate Bill 10 into law A VICTORY FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Staff Reports

A N TA F E – G o v. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 10 into law on Feb. 26, repealing a 1969 state statute that criminalized abortion. “A woman has the right to make decisions about her own body,” Lu jan Grisham sa id. “A nyone who seek s to violate bodily integrity, or to cr imina lize woma nhood, is in the business of dehumanization. “New Mexico is not in that business – not any more. Our state statutes now ref lect this inviolable recognition of humanity and dignity. I am incredibly grateful to the tireless advocates and legislators who fought through relentless misin for mation and fear-mongering to make this day a reality. Equality for all, equal justice and equal treatment – that’s the standard. And I’m proud to lead a state that today moved one step closer to that standard.” “The time has finally come

Women march for reproductive rights. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 10 into law on Feb. 26, repealing a state statute that criminalized abortion. Photo Credit: reproductiverights.org to get this outdated abortion law off the books and ensure that we keep abortion accessible, safe and legal in New Mexico,” Sen. Linda Lopez, D- Albuquerque, lead sponsor of Senate Bill 10 stated. “Thank you to Governor Lu jan Grisham for signing this legislation, thank you to ever y one of my fellow bill sponsors and community

advocates, a nd tha nk you to all of the voters of New Mex ico who made you r voices heard in the last election.,” Lopez said. “Abortion is a per sona l hea lt h ca re decision. We can hold our own moral values on abort ion a nd s t i l l t r u s t i nd ividuals to make their own reproduc t ive hea lt h c a re decisions.”

“New Mex ico is a st ate where we re spec t women a nd pr o t e c t t he i r a u t o n omy,” Speaker of the House B r i a n E gol f , D - S a n t a Fe sa id. “I a m g la d t h at t h i s f i g h t fo r s a fe a c c e s s t o a b o r t io n i n New Me x ic o has been won a nd look forw a r d t o f u r t her ex p a nd i ng acces s to a l l for m s of healthcare.” “Today feels very different than two years ago when the votes in the senate didn’t ref lect the opinions of over 76 percent of New Mexico voters,” Rep. Joanne Ferrary, D- Las Cruces, said. “Now we have signed legislation, repealing antiquated sections of law in order to ensure that women’s access to the full spectrum of health ca re opt ion s, i nclud i ng

abor tion, will continue if Roe v. Wade’s protections are undermined at the national level,” Ferrary said. “Women in New Mexico and around the nation fought for generations to secure the reproductive rights that we have today,” Rep. Deborah Armstrong, D-Albuquerque, said. “Today’s bill signing ensu res that we never go backward.” “ W h e n wo m e n d o n o t have sa fe a nd legal access to health care, it puts families, healthcare providers, a nd entire communities at risk,” Rep. Georgene Louis, D - A lbuquerque sa id. “My deep gratitude goes out to every New Mexican who has shared their voice and their stor ies to help repea l this outdated ban.”

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STATE & REGION

PRO-BUSINESS | FROM PAGE 4 the workplace] with rights of privacy [in place]? It becomes untenable for the businesses to try and prove otherwise.” In addition to the disagreement with some of the bills, Lee and Cole said they are facing another obstacle: Getting their voices heard. Both chamber CEOs say that this year’s session with its virtual meetings, sometimes taking place simultaneously, can be difficult to attend, making it hard to insert opposing viewpoints. “There has been a reluctance to include our ideas into these bills,” Cole said. Nevertheless, Lee highlighted the support business has received from Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, Rep. Harry Garcia, D-Grants, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson D-Rehoboth,

LUJAN GRISHAM | FROM PAGE 11 payments for rent, lease and mortgages. “ T housa nds of New Mexico businesses will be able to receive assistance through this grant program so they can hire or rehire e m p l o y e e s ,” E c o n o m i c Development Cabinet Secreta r y A licia J. Keyes sa id. “Bu i ld i ng t h i s new capacity to create jobs is a cornerstone of the state’s recovery plan.” There will be two primary application periods – the first before June 30, 2021 and the second by Dec. 31, 2021; a later application deadline will be set up for any businesses that are not yet eligible to open and apply by these deadlines, and funding will be set aside for these businesses. HB 11 also amends certain definitions in the LEDA, such as language restricting the kind of businesses eligible for the grant relief, opening the grants to restaurants, hospitality and retailers. A second section of the original legislation, which wou ld ma ke New Mex ico more competitive by changing how LEDA can be utilized for large job-producing developments, will now be part of Senate Bill 5, an economic reform bill sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup. NEWS

and Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup. “Gallup and Albuquerque have come together to try to be champions for small business in New Mexico.” Cole said. “Fifty-four percent of employment in New Mexico comes from small business. “New Mexico is the ninth most dependent state on small business for employment,” she stated. “We feel that the interim sessions are the place to examine these things,” Lee said. “We know that the intent for the bill is for good things. “But there are unintended con s e q uence s [f rom t he things] put into these bills. We would be willing to sit down and talk,” he said. Cole noted some positive things about Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham; in particular, about her comments that some of the bills

Cole opposes are premature. But Cole and Lee are hoping to be allowed more input into the legislation. Because of the virtual platforms put in place to keep safe while the session proceeds, the two are working strategically to get their views out, to attend different sessions, and to collaborate with the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association, which represents about 30 chambers across the state. Even while the 2021 legislative session keeps people from communicating one-toone, Cole remains committed to working on statewide policy “that is reasonable. We don’t have a no, never attitude,” she said. “The last thing we want to do is surprise our constituents with a session with help on one hand and long-term costs on the other end,” Lee

said. “We want to keep them apprised of everything and let them know that we’re fighting for them.” But a sponsor for at least two of those bills gave the Sun her perspective on possible divisions in this year’s legislature. Representative Christine Chandler, D-Dist. 43, talked about HB 20, the Hea lthy Work places Act, saying it would require a ll pr ivate employers to offer up to 64 hours of earned sick leave, also known as paid sick leave per year and it doesn’t carry over from year to year. She is also a sponsor of HB 38, the Paid Family & Medical Leave Act. “I can’t think of anyone who cares about workers being in opposition of the bill,” she said. “How is it not beneficial to a small business to ensure that someone who is sick

[does] not come to work?” “Doesn’t that also benefit the co-workers?” she asked. “What about members of the public who might be coming into these businesses? “I think it’s short-sighted … It ensures that people are not coming into work sick,” Chandler said. Although it was not mentioned by Lee or Cole, Chandler brought up another bill she is sponsoring, HB 11, the Grant & Permanent Fund for LEDA [Local Economic Development Act] Projects. She empha sized that HB 11 provides up to $200 million in grants for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. We are not pro-labor or anti-small business she said. “We are pro-employee.” These three people are passionate about at least two different points of view.

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Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

OPINIONS

Pass the Medical Debt Protection Act! By Anna Rondon Chi Chil Tah, McKinley County

couldn’t breathe. My chest felt like it was on fire. I thought I was having a heart attack. And I was terrified. Alone in my car, on my way home to my kids after work, all I could do was react. I instinctively drove the two miles to Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital. They admitted me right away. It wasn’t a heart attack; it was gallstones, but the hospital didn’t have the right equipment to treat me. I needed to be transported to Albuquerque. After receiving pain medication, I wasn’t coherent. I was scared and still in so much pain. The billing people came in to see me. All I remember is them saying to sign here and sign there. I did. Then I was rushed more

than 100 miles by ambulance to Presbyterian Hospital. I had insurance, so I never thought about the cost of the care I needed. I just focused on getting better so that I could go home to my kids. The doctors at Presbyterian treated me immediately and I stayed overnight at the hospital before traveling by ambulance back to Gallup to recover. Fortunately, my aunt was able to stay with my children. It took some time, but I recovered fully, and went back to my job with the Navajo Nation and being a mom. Two months later, though, I again felt like I couldn’t breathe: I received a bill from Rehoboth for an $800 copay and one from the ambulance company for $1,200. My insurance didn’t cover these costs. That was 1996. At that point in my life I was looking for coins in the couch and buying ramen noodles. Even working full time there was no way I

could pay those bills. But the Rehoboth collections people kept harassing me. The letters and the calls kept coming. They published in the liens section of the Gallup Independent that I owed them money. There were no forgiveness plans or ways to help patients like me with payment plans. It was humiliating. I was never able to pay those bills and it impacted my credit for years. I couldn’t get a better vehicle because the interest rates that I could get with my credit score were way too high. I couldn’t afford a car. For years I had to take my kids to school in a car that we were always afraid would break down— which it often did. Having this medical debt on my credit record impacted our safety. There is a ripple effect, but collections agencies and the hospitals don’t think about that. They only focus on the money.

instead of letting debt collectors prey on low-income people. Right now what we have is a chain-reaction of oppression and those chains bind us to medical debt. Then we are criminalized. I needed emergency care all those years ago, and I am grateful to the doctors and nurses who helped me. But no one should survive emergency surgery only to be hurt by medical debt. I urge the New Mexico Legislature to pass the Medical Debt Protection Act, and for the governor to sign it into law. Medical debt is the worst thing I’ve ever had to recover from.

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All these years later, I am still working to fi x my credit. The Rehoboth bill really hurt. What hurt even more, though, was the way I was treated when I couldn’t pay those bills. The healthcare industrial complex doesn’t take into account that we’re not dollar bills, we’re human beings. That is why I am supporting SB 71, the Medical Debt Protection Act. This bill will prevent hospitals and other healthcare providers in New Mexico from sending people who earn 200 percent or less of the poverty level to collections. Instead of ruining a patient’s credit for years, providers will need to work with patients to help them pay their bills. Plus, hospitals won’t be able to charge uninsured people higher prices and will have to post all procedure costs online. We need more policies that protect families like mine with an equitable process,

ew Mexico residents are encou ra ged to reg ister for the Cor nov ir us Va cci ne. It ’s a n ea s y pro c e s s , a t f i r s t . Pe r t i n e n t i n fo r m a t io n i s g a t he r e d , a nd a decision is made about not i f icat ion: phone, tex t or ema il. But then, dep end i n g upon how you con nect to the i nter net, a test must be pa ssed. It ’s c a l le d a “CA P T CH A .” P r e s u m a b l y, m o s t p a s s t he CA P T CH A , a s u n l i m it e d ret a ke s a re a l lowe d . But t here a re t ho se, such a s mysel f, who fa i l repeated ly. For u s, on l i ne reg i s t ration is a n i mpos sibi l it y. T h i s a nger s me. Moreover, for those who browse the inter net by way of a V PN or t he T OR net wo rk , I s u s p e c t t h a t t h e ba r for pa ssing is elevated. F o r t u n a t e l y, t h o u g h , the New Mexico

Depar tment of Health a l lows reg istration by p h o ne a s a n a lt e r n a t i v e . It ’s a s s i m pl e a s d i a l i n g t h e i r p h o n e nu m b e r a n d pr e s s i n g t he a ppr opr i a t e opt ion s. A l ive oper ator i s eventua l ly hea rd, who may a t f i r s t pu s h r e c o n s id e ra t ion of t he on l i ne a ppl icat ion proce s s. ( I t old my operator t hat I f lu n ked my CA P T C H A a nd d id n’ t w a nt t o a p pl y o n l i ne .) A l i s t of q ue s t ion s fol low s , and a “Confirmation Nu mber” conclude s t he conver sat ion. So, my adv ice is to at tempt t he CA P TCH A . For the ma jor it y who pa ss, good; t hey’re on t he wa iti ng l ist. But for t hose who f lu n k, t here’s no need for de s pa i r. B ec au s e, t here’s no such t h i ng a s a tele phone CA P TCH A . Doug Kemp Los Alamos, N.M. OPINIONS

House Bill 92 ensures safe drinking water remains a priority in New Mexico By Ramon Lucero Rural Community Assistance Corporation

n New Mexico, approximately 1.9 million people rely on public water systems to provide a safe and reliable supply of drinking water to our homes and businesses. But how do we know if our community drinking water supply is safe to drink? The simple answer is that our drinking water supply is tested regularly to ensure that it complies with state and federal regulatory standards. Without regular testing, local drinking water utilities would not learn of a known or potential health risk in a timely manner. Water analysis at certified laboratories can often cost several thousand dollars per year for one small community water system. In 1993, the New

BROADBAND | FROM PAGE 6 centralized plan to connect ever y com mu n it y i n New Mexico with the high-speed, affordable, broadband internet that’s essential to modern life,” sponsor Rep. Natalie F ig ueroa , D -A lbuquerque said. “ T he C OV I D -19 c r i s i s has made broadband access even more critical to New Mexico’s hardworking fami l ie s ,” s pon s or R ep. Joy Garratt, D-Albuquerque said. “Broadband helps all New Mexicans advance their education, access telemedicine,

Mexico Legislature enacted a law that created a fund to cover costs of required drinking water testing. Revenue to the fund comes from public water systems that pay a monthly fee of $0.03 per 1,000 gallons of water that they produce. The fund is then used to pay for the costly sampling and laboratory analysis of our drinking water supply in New Mexico communities large and small, rural and urban. This fee has not changed in over 27 years even though the cost of sa fe dr inking water testing has gone up year after year due to infl ation and increased sampling requirements that reflect the best available science and treatment technologies. Costs today significantly outweigh revenue for the fi fth year in a row, putting the fund on a clear path to insolvency unless

the state takes action. In order to ensure longterm solvency of this important fund, the New Mexico Env i ron ment Depa r tment worked with sponsors Rep. Doreen Ga llegos, D -Doña Ana and Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo to introduce HB 92 during the 2021 Legislative Session. This bill protects the fund, and the public health s er v ice s it s uppor t s, by increasing fees for the Safe Drinking Water Testing Fund from $0.03 per 1,000 gallons of water produced to $0.05 per 1,000 gallons of water produced. This equates to about $0.40 per household per month and would provide the needed revenue to ensure that New Mexico communities and families have access to safe drinking water without passing the full fi nancial burden of water testing to some of our state’s

smallest water systems. By enacting this important legislation, NMED will be equipped to continue drinking water sampling and testing for over 90 contaminants at more than 1,000 public water systems throughout our state. In addition, HB 92 will ensure that the fund can support new testing requirements for lead and copper and other emerging contaminants in coming years. For an increase that amounts to less than $5.00 per household per year, we can ensure that local water systems continue to benefit from this vital program. Without this bill, NMED will be forced to reduce the number of contaminants that can be sampled, which shifts more of the water testing burden to the public water systems themselves, including very small systems with

limited revenue. This is the primary reason why there is such widespread support for the bill, particularly from the communities that pay the fee. E n s u r i n g s ol v e n c y of t he S a fe D r i n k i n g Wa t er Testing Fund will allow for the costs of these samples to be spread across all of our public water systems, which reduces the financial burden for small and rural drinking water supplies. Please join Rural Com mu n it y A ssista nce Corporation, the New Mexico Municipal League, the New Mex ico A ssociation of Counties, the New Mexico Rural Water Association, and the New Mexico Environment Department in support of HB 92 to ensure safe drinking water for children, families and communities remains a priority in our state.

participate in remote work, and strengthen social ties.” “ To deliver high- speed broadband in the necessary time frame, having a centralized entity like the Office of Broadband ensures efficiency in buildout, and also efficiency in supporting our communities to take advantage of broadband’s opportunities,” sponsor Rep. Susan Herrera, D-Embudo said. “The Connect New Mexico Act helps all New Mexicans,” sponsor Rep. Candie Sweetser, D-Deming added. “Whether it’s for your education, business, job, ranch, or farm. We all need access to the high-speed,

affordable, broadband internet necessary for life today.” “Right now, New Mexicans don’t have the freedom to live, learn, and work as they choose because they lack access to high-speed broadband internet that’s so essential to modern life,” Rep. Christine Chandler, D- Los Alamos, another sponsor of the bill, said. “The Connect New Mexico Act works to connect every New Mexico community with reliable internet access to help them stay connected and advance their education and business pursuits.” Already passed through t he House a re t wo ot her

pieces of legislation that work in tandem with House Bill 10 to clear the way for statewide broadband internet. These a re House Joint Resolution 9: Public Assistance for Infrastructure Development, and House Bill 141: Education Infrastructure Technology Defi nition. Together, these three measures will allow a new Office of Broadband to apply for grants to help build the state’s broadband infrastructure. Members of the public

can track legislation on the New Mexico Legislature website, access committee meetings and House floor sessions via the Webcasts tab, or participate by Zoom to provide public comment on committee hearings. During the 2021 Legislative Sessi on , th e Hou se of Representatives is focused on passing critical legislation while protecting the health and safety of the public, the staff, and the legislators.

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‘The Mauritanian’ recounts a horrifying ordeal By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 129 MINUTES T h is feat u re f rom STXfilms is currently available On Demand everywhere. Based on a true story, the new drama The Mauritanian involves an African man who was arrested in his hometown, passed to United States officials and detained in Guantanamo Bay for more than 14 years. All of this occurred without a criminal charge ever being levied against him. Admittedly, some of this earnest drama’s courtroom procedurals don’t offer new or dynamic cinematic storytelling techniques. However, the numerous hardships this person was forced to endure without justification make this a tale worth telling. Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim) is the Mauritanian, a man who disappears after being removed from a family celebration. Taken by local police for questioning in the attacks on September 11th, Slahi fi nds himself being given to Jordanian authorities and then to U.S. interrogators. It is soon alleged that he was member of Al Qaeda and took part

in coordinating the attacks. The protagonist is secretly moved to Guantanamo Bay to be tortured by captors. Years later, Slahi manages to write a letter to U.S. attorneys Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley). After they look into the case, they decide to fight for his release. Concerned, the U.S. government assigns prosecutor Stuart Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch) to convict Slahi. This stern lawyer is unflinching in his desire to win, but even he is troubled by disturbing anomalies and falsified evidence in the case files. The screenplay focuses a large portion of its time with attorneys Hollander and Duncan and their gradual disclosure of events, which makes sense as a technique to slowly unveil Slahi’s story to viewers. All of the actors are very strong and the material itself is decent. However, there is an unavoidable formality to some of the legal proceedings, with the narrative playing out in a familiar manner. It also takes the audience away from Slahi himself and his awful ordeal. At least one of the story’s interesting tangents is the character of Couch, a military man who lost a close friend in the September 11th attacks. His character slowly pivots as he becomes confused by superiors

Mohamedou Ould Slahi (Tahar Rahim) and Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) sit across a table discussing the charges against him and possibilities for future justice in “The Mauritanian.” Photo Credit: STXﬁlms hiding details from him. It is interesting to see the attorney change from a conservative prosecutor determined to put the defendant away, to a man doubting the validity of his own charges. Obviously, it’s Rahim who is the film’s standout. Slahi is taken out of the blue and, over the course of more than a decade, viewers see some of the indignities forced upon him. As time progresses, we witness the toll this abuse takes on his sanity and how being in such a mental state can drain any prisoner of hope. When the fi lmmakers focus specifically on the prisoner, the fi lm is at its most effective. Viewers empathize with his plight and the terror of not knowing what is happening or

whom he can trust. The role requires an incredible range and the performer expertly handles the job. On a technical level, the Guantanamo Bay sets are also impressive. Despite being surrounded by the beach and ocean, the facility, fences and military officials lend a foreboding feeling to the proceedings. Additionally, the sterile and blank interiors emphasize the unpleasantness of the prison and display just how isolated and locked off the building is from the rest of the world. It is truly ominous and helps audiences to experience the horror of Slahi’s circumstance. So, while there aren’t a great

many surprises in the story itself, the performances are excellent, particularly from the detainee, as he fi nds himself in a seemingly unending ordeal. The message is also important, reminding one that while hundreds of detainees are still incarcerated at this site, few have ever been charged with committing any kind of crime. In the end, it makes an effective case for shutting down these barbarous techniques and the location itself. As a result, The Mauritanian is a sometimes stiff, but admirable drama for its attempts to bring a deplorable situation to light. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

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Predictable story, beautiful visuals in new Disney release VISIT KUMANDRA IN ‘RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON’ By Glenn Kay For the Sun

RATING:  OUT OF  RUNNING TIME: 108 MINUTES This feature debuts March 5 at open cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access. The two most recent features from Walt Disney Animation Studios were the sequels Frozen II and Ralph Breaks the Internet. It’s nice to see that their latest production, Raya and the Last Dragon, is an original and not another follow-up. It’s a beautifully animated fable that will most certainly entertain kids. Still, despite the fact that it is well-produced and isn’t a direct by-product of an earlier production, adult viewers may feel slightly less enamored with the predictable story. This tale is set in the magical world of Kumandra and follows Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a warrior princess from the kingdom of Heart Land. She explains that long ago, dragons and humans used to live in harmony, but that the serpents sacrificed themselves to save the world from a sinister, smoke-like force called Druun. These dragons created a gem with special powers to stop the threat, leaving it in Heart Land. Hundreds of years later, humans from various kingdoms have yearned for the gem’s power. When Raya is tricked by visiting Fang Land princess Na ma a r i (Gem ma Cha n), the k ingdom is suddenly attacked. The precious stone is broken into pieces, Druun is

resurrected and the world falls into decay. Years later, an older Raya and her pet Tuk Tuk (Alan Tudyk) set out to find the mythical dragon Sisu (Awkwafi na) and collect all the gem pieces in the hopes of returning the world to normal. As mentioned, the visuals on display are remarkable, particularly when the characters venture out into the various kingdoms during their journey. There are impressive deserts, picturesque villages on the riverbanks and green forests that look greatly inspired by gorgeous regions in Southeast Asia. Everything about the feature’s appearance is striking and the movie also features some impressive shots of Raya racing through the desert on Tuk Tuk and fending off the Druun and villains out to collect gem fragments for themselves. As a magical travelogue, it’s all first-rate. The protagonist’s travels should offer thrills and laughs and it does to a degree, although much of the humor is hit-andmiss. When Sisu the dragon appears, she is revealed to be a goofy serpent who isn’t as quick-witted as expected. This character trait does add humor to the proceedings, although it does become tiring to see the figure repeat the same errors again and again. As Raya comes into contact with various lands and their people, others join her quest. Unfortunately, some of these supporting roles, including an infant thief, a child cook and a muscle-headed warrior, don’t have the opportunity to stand out or generate many laughs. And, as with many Disney flicks, the movie introduces an animal

Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) faces the dragon Sisu (Awkwaﬁna) she has been pursuing, to discover Sisu is rather a goofy character in “Raya and the Last Dragon.” Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures pet designed to look cute, serve a simple function, and otherwise have little to no impact on the story. Another minor issue is Raya herself. Despite living in a world on the brink of destruction, she is a good-natured lead who never seems bothered by the various trials forced upon her. This results in action scenes that don’t feel particularly dangerous or tense. In general, things seem a little too easy for

the warrior princess. The movie does eventually try to rectify the problem by adding a character flaw late in the story when Raya is forced to accept and deal with feelings of mistrust and bitterness toward Namaari. Unfortunately, this element is only introduced during the fi nal act. It would have added more drama and anxiety to the entire film had it been introduced much earlier. In the end, Raya and the

Last Dragon could certainly have incorporated more conflict and excitement into its story. Still, the movie’s heart is certainly in the right place, it looks gorgeous and most children won’t be troubled by these story problems. As such, parents looking for new entertainment for the kids should find the movie to be a diverting and enjoyable animated adventure. V ISIT: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

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Blu-ray/DVD Roundup for March 5, 2021 By Glenn Kay For the Sun

elcome ba ck t o anot her busy week r u n n ing th roug h a ll of t he h ig h l ig ht s com i ng out on Blu -r ay a nd DV D. T h i s ed it ion i ncludes severa l big stud io pictu res a nd i ndependent fea t u re s. S o, s i n c e yo u c a n’ t o r l i ke l y shou ld n’t , be goi ng out t o t he mov ie s t h i s we ek , b e s u r e t o g ive one of t he s e t it le s a t r y! BIG NEW RELEASES! A FTER THE REIGN: A social media prankster is the protagonist of this dark comedy. The narrative follows the character’s rise to prominence pulling increasingly edgy stunts and hoaxes that eventually land him in lega l trouble. A f ter bei ng arrested a nd incarcerated for his gags, his online following explodes. The protagonist becomes a popular ha rdcore rapper upon his release, taking on the stage name, Lil Tito. Unfortunately, his obsession with ma inta ining the attention of the public leads him down a dark path when his fans turn on him. This feature is premiering on disc, so as of right now there are no notices available for it. It features Rene Rosado, Lisa Rouma in, Tiffa ny Da niels and Scotty Tovar. A R AG N E : S I G N O F V ERMILLION: A nime enthusiasts may be curious about this 2018 effort from Japan that is finally being released in North America. The stor y involves a young woma n liv ing in a n apar tment frightened by news of a series of murders occurr ing in her neighborhood. She begins seeing disturbing visions of worms, moths and beetles and tries to figure out how these images and the crimes she’s hearing about are inter twined. Despite its limited release, the movie has received a few

screenings at places like the Fantasia International Film Festival. Most of those who have seen it descr ibed the film as visually interesting and i nt r ig u i ng, a lt houg h t hey did warn that the story eventually r uns out of gas and that the ending was a little disappointing. FATALE: In this thriller, a successfu l spor ts agent makes the mistake of cheating on his wife with a woman he meets in a bar. After their one-night stand, he learns that she is a police detect ive work i ng a c a se t h at he h a s now embroiled himself in. A s he t r ie s to sa lvage his personal relationships a nd f igure o u t w h a t ’s going on, he begins to suspect that he is actually being used and manipulated by the sinister cop. Reviewers were lukewar m on this feature, with the majority of writeups being negative. Those who gave it a pass c a l le d t he mov ie che e s y fun a nd a guilty plea sure. Yet the overa ll consensus was that the picture was a tedious, eye -rolling effor t that didn’t even provide the B-movie thrills it promised. T he c a st i nclude s H i la r y Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Danny Pino and Tyrin Turner. PINOCCHIO: The tale of a wooden puppet that comes to life is retold in this Italian production. The protagonist, who wants to be a real boy, travels a nd gets mixed up with bandits and other nefarious t y pe s a s he attempts to turn his d r e a m s into realit y. In 2002, Roberto Benigni starred in another Italian adaptation as the title character. The movie was well regarded in its homeland, but its North A merican release suffered from atrocious English dubbing and flopped.

Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

This time out, the actor plays puppeteer Geppetto a n d t h e d i s t r i bu t o r h a s avoided tr ying to rerecord the dialogue into English. Notices were quite strong for the film. A few couldn’t con nect w it h t he wooden prot agon ist . However, a l l others sa id that despite a few bumps in the road, the movie was compelling, beautifully shot and managed to tell the familiar story in an original manner. It also features Federico Ielapi, Rocco Papa leo, M a s si mo Ceccher i n i a nd Marine Vacth. SCARE ME: Two stranger s i n t he Cat sk i l l s t a ke refuge in a cabin during a power outage. To pass the time, they each begin telling scary stories and attempt to out-f r ig hten one another. However, a s t he v a r iou s tales are relayed, t he line between rea lit y a nd fantasy become blurred and t he cha ra cter s soon fa ce their own darkest fears. This lit tle independent hor ror/ comedy earned a lot of good press. The few rev iewers who didn’t like it suggested that t h is a nt holog y event ua l ly ra n out of gas, suggesting that the running time was far too long for its own good. However, the vast majority was pleased by the performances and the mood generated, calling the picture a s m a l l ge m t h a t wou ld impress indie horror enthusia st s. T he ca st i nclude s Josh Ruben, Aya Cash, Chris Redd, Rebecca Drysdale and Lauren Sick. ZAPPA: The late Frank Zappa wa s a legenda r y si nger/song w r iter a nd musician who created incredible ex per imental works and satirized American c u lt u re. F ilm maker Alex Winter (perhaps best known as Bill from the Bill & Ted mov ies) has gained

complete access to Zappa’s fa mily, a s well a s the a r tist’s per sona l vau lt f i l led w it h u n seen foot a ge a nd new work s. He u se s new interviews and the recently uncovered material to present a fuller and more complete picture of the man. The press was ver y taken with the movie. There were only one or two reviewers who did not care for the film. It seems that those who weren’t big fans of the artist said that the movie couldn’t pull them in to Zappa’s world. Everyone else was impressed by this character study and appreciated seeing the wide range of surreal art and ideas presented in the movie. BL A STS FROM TH E PAST! If you’re looking for some older flicks, there are plenty of titles hitting high-definition. Kino has a trio of Bob Hope pictures a r r iv ing on Blu-ray. The first is the Bob Hope/Dorothy Lamour comedy, Caught in th e D raft (1941). Hope plays a movie s t a r w it h a fe a r of loud noi s e s, who a ccident a l ly joins the army in the hopes of wooing a lady. The movie has been given a 4K restoration and includes a film historian commentary, a special with the comedian enter ta ining troops, some p er for m a nce s f r om 19 4 4 and 1945, a Hollywood newsreel about the picture and a trailer. The second feature being relea sed on Blu-ray is My Favorite Blonde (1942). This one is about a per for mer meeting a spy on a train and getting wrapped up in adventure. This feature has been restored in 2K and arrives with a cr itic commenta r y. Nothing but the Truth (1941) tea ms Hope with Paulette Goddard. He plays a man who bets that he can tell the truth for 24 hours, leading him into u ncom for t able sit uat ion s as other wagerers attempt to force him into a lie. This picture has also received a 2K restoration and similar ex t r a s a s t he prev iou sly mentioned title. D a r k To w e r (19 8 9)

follows a woman who witnesses a worker fa ll from a Ba rcelona high-r ise a nd be come s conv i nce d t h a t a monster is responsible for the death. It sta rs Jenny Agutter and Michael Mor ia r t y. T h is mov ie ha s also been restored in 2K for its worldwide Blu-ray debut a nd includes a n inter v iew with the man who created t he specia l ef fect s a nd a promotional stills galler y. Satan’s Blood (1978) follows the horrific acts of a sinister cult. The movie has been newly scanned and restored in 4K for its Blu-ray release. This disc includes the English and Spanish language tracks, a documentary on the production, a film historian commentary, and a still gallery. Fa milies w ill be happy to see Disney is relea sing a ser ies of double feature Blu-rays containing some of their most successful titles. Ma ny of the discs include the a nimated a nd live -action versions of these hits. You can now purchase the Aladdin: 2-Movie Collection (1992 and 2019) and Beauty a n d t h e B e a s t : 2 - Mo v i e Collection (1991 and 2017), as well as the Cinderella: 2-Mov i e Col l ecti o n (1950 a nd 2015). They a lso have T h e In c redibl e s: 2-Movie Collection (2004 and 2018) and The Lion King: 2-Movie Collection (1994 and 2019). A d d it io n a l l y, you c a n pick up a Sleeping Beauty a n d Ma l e f i c e n t 2 - Mo v i e Collection (1959 and 2014). A s i f t hat wa sn’t enoug h, Disney is presenting the Toy Story: 4-Movie Collection, which contains every single movie in the series. There are other big studios putting together Blu-ray combo packages. Universal ha s the Eve r yd ay He roe s 4 - M o v i e Collection, wh ich conta ins Apol l o 13 (19 9 5), Backdraft (1991), Er in Brockovich (2 0 0 0) a nd L o n e S u r v i v o r ( 2 01 3 ) .

BLU-RAY/DVD | SEE PAGE 23 COMMUNITY

SIGNS | FROM PAGE 1 the existence of a business, as is the case with any sign anywhere,” he wrote in an email. “Signing is a branding exercise and invitation to visit the business. No invitation usually means fewer visitors to the establishment. A compelling sign will increase foot traffic.” Years before the pandemic, City Electric Shoe Shop and Silver Dust Trading Company were recipients of the BID sign program — except neither chose something traditional. Instead, longtime Gallup artist Ric Sarracino painted murals on the sides of their respective buildings. Silver Dust’s mural is varied, depicting a train on a railroad, scenes from a Native American village and a cowboy journey via horse-drawn carriage. It all came about two years ago, when Donovan Ferrari, owner of Silver Dust Trading Company, saw new signs going up around town and wondered what was going on. Then, Bee told him about the sign program and how it worked. “I thought it would help with the aesthetics of downtown to help my building stand

out more,” he said. “It’s right here on the corner of Second and [U. S. Highway] 66, which is probably one of the busiest intersections in Gallup. … It has attracted a lot of business.” Not only that, the mural has prevented graffiti from taking over the side of the building — and there hasn’t been any in two years, according to Ferrari. The idea that the sign could be a deterrent from vandalism is one of the reasons he chose to have a new sign in another form, as opposed to hardware. “It’s an eye-catcher,” Ferrari said. “I see people taking pictures all the time next to it, especially tourists.” Silver Dust Trading Company’s new sign sends a message that the store has respect for downtown and is working to create a better one, he said. Ga l lup Mayor Lou is Bonaguidi said the shoe shop — the third oldest business in the city — had the original mural repainted before he became mayor and utilized funds from the sign program. The old mural was covered up by a metal facade some years after Bonaguidi’s father opened the shoe shop in 1924. “We had a n electronic sign that was up on the wall,”

The new sign for City Electric Shoe Shop, 230 W Coal Ave., added some color to Gallup with its new sign with the help of the city’s Business Improvement District program. Photo Credit: Francis Bee Bonaguidi said. “Our winds in the spring are pretty strong and basically knocked the sign down. That’s when we decided rather than have the same situation, let’s try a painted sign. That’s a big wall, so you want to utilize it as much as you can.” He said the business got back about $600 thanks to the BID sign program. Bonaguidi offered thoughts on h i s ho p e s for ot her

businesses that get funds from the sign program. “We try to encourage the other businesses ... to put more

money into their building[s], because it makes the community look that much better,” he said.

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LIBRARY | FROM PAGE 5 She has since formed a new Friends of the Library group to fundraise, and announced that she will fi ll at least three seats with members from McKinley County. In addition to her plans to approach philanthropic donors, Moe said she will seek funding for historic preservation, specifically for the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Collection. At the Library Advisory

COUNTY COMMISSION | FROM PAGE 7 over again [but I haven’t seen any results yet],” Baca said. D i s t . 2 Com m i s sioner Genevieve Jackson agreed with Baca when it came to the unkept promise of incoming

DWI | FROM PAGE 9 Kimberly Kirk Feb. 19, 11:56 pm Aggravated DWI A vehicle crash resulted in McKinley County Deputy Dewayne Holder being dispatched to State Highway 118 and Crestview Road in Mentmore. He responded to

KGCB | FROM PAGE 8 planning process, is building out a phase[d] work plan,” Smith said.

Board meeting Feb. 18, Moe suggested consideration be given to a multi-use building that could encompass a performing arts center, exhibition space, a railroad history room with an obser vation deck, and outdoor spaces for programming. PAST EFFORTS In 2013, 21 potential sites were evaluated for a new library, but only three of them were considered viable by consultants. None were inside the city’s central business district and capital costs to acquire the

property and build went above $20.47 million at the time of the study. The concept design study performed by Huitt-Zollars, determined that the site at Second Street a nd A ztec Avenue, would have to be built vertically as a three-story building with a basement, in order to remain downtown while matching the space requirements. The study found that the current 26,665 square feet met less than three-quarters of the need for library space and that the need would grow to 47,960 square

feet in 12 years. That study deter mined that it would take 4.4 acres for an adequate footprint and code-mandated parking. Programming and concept development created for the previously approved site at Second and Aztec required modifications which would increase the price of building, maintaining, and staffi ng the structure. The price tag on the 2013 design came to more than $18 million. Moe sa id t he cost to

taxpayers for the newly-proposed site is not yet known. She also told the Sun that the company slated to create the design concept has not yet been named. “The first step was the approval of the site by the city council and mayor,” she said in an email. “The next step is seeking the approval of funding to pursue the design concept. “This will be decided during the city’s strategic planning and budget hearings taking place in March and April.” Molly Adamson contributed to this report.

jobs, and she had some advice for Sage. “Don’t say we’ll have jobs. Say instead that we’re bringing jobs, and give us the time frame,” she stated. “Otherwise, we walk away with high expectations, and if it doesn’t come to fruition, we’re disappointed.” In response to the

commissioners’ criticisms, Sage suggested that maybe his upbeat outlook confused them. “As a certified economic developer, I’m in the trenches every day, so if I come across as optimistic, or if I’m sounding too joyous, then maybe that’s on me,” Sage said. “But for me, I see the glass

as half full. I don’t see the glass as half empty. When I look at Gallup, I see opportunities,” he said. In regard to jobs, Sage tried to reassure the commissioners that they were coming, but he didn’t give any specific numbers. “The jobs may not be in great number[s], but the jobs

are being saved, and we’re creating that infrastructure that is going to create more opportunity.” The board passed both of Sage’s resolutions, stipulating that the EDC would be required to provide updates. Jackson specifically asked for a timeline.

a Code 3 from Deputy Miguel Bittony, who was responding to a call of a crash from Ceda r Ridge trailer park. Bittony made contact with the vehicle, a silver Chevy Malibu, and the driver, Kimberly Kirk, 30, of

Prewitt. She had been traveling north on Crestview Road, but did not stop at the intersection of State Highway 118 and hit a chain link fence and telephone junction box north of the road. When Holder arrived on the scene, Bittony told him Kirk admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving. Holder met with Kirk, observing she

was ver y intoxicated, had bloodshot eyes, and smelled of alcohol. She also slurred her speech and stumbled as she walked. Kirk initially agreed to take the standard field sobriety tests, but eventually stopped and refused to continue. She was placed under arrest early on Feb. 20 and refused to give a breath test.

After receiving a medical clearance from Gallup Indian Medical Center, Kirk was transported to McKinley County Adult Detention Center and booked for aggravated DWI, stop sign violation, and duty upon striking fixtures or other proper ty upon a highway. She was released on her own recognizance Feb. 22.

When the board discussed how they might achieve their goals of ending littering and making Gallup beautiful, Smith said “That could involve everything from PSAs [public service

announcements], … to innovative campaigns — that could be billboards, that could be murals – that spread the messaging of what we’re doing and build camaraderie and pride in our community, because I think that’s one of the parts of our mission.” She also suggested making coloring books for kids that would promote reducing waste and not littering. S m it h s u g ge s t e d t h a t

businesses could become some of the organization’s biggest advocates. She said she could imagine business owners and employees volunteering to do cleanup work. At this time, the New Mexico Department of Health currently prevents formal group clean-up events because of COVID-19. Elizabeth Barriga emailed designs for KGCB t-shirts to board members before the

meeting. She asked them to vote on the designs promptly so she could place orders as soon as possible. KGCB Vice-chairperson Cory Lebeck asked board members to use the KGCB Facebook page to participate in the effort by posting their ideas, or to email her with content ideas for the page. The next KGCB meeting is scheduled for March 16 at 4 pm.

JAB | FROM PAGE 8

and 23 percent did not have a treatment program ordered. A f t er a l l t he updat ed

reports were given, the board toured the Adult Detention Center over Zoom.

A ention Medicare Beneficiaries Did your Medicare plan change this year? Call us now to make sure you are in the right plan. We also help beneficiaries who are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, such as new to Medicare, Medicare with Medicaid, Medicare with Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help), and those with Medicare who just moved into the area. You can also visit us online at www.ourmedicarestore.com or call 505-609-8226 to see if you qualify for extra benefits such as DENTAL, VISION, HEARING, FITNESS, TRANSPORTATION, AND OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS at li le or no cost to you!

20 Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

program, and that $5,676.17 had been collected for the compliance program, for a total of $10,095.17. In telling the board about supervised probation defendants, Sice said 13 percent of them had completed a treatment program, 11 percent were still attending one, 52 percent did not attend one, 1 percent did not complete a program,

Check out our FREE access community website!

www.gallupsun.com NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

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

GALLUP SUN ARCHIVES

HELP WANTED

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.

HIRING Gallup Office Positions: Office/Admin Assistant Human Resources/Compliance Officer Billing Specialist Kayenta Area Position: Field Liaison/Case Worker – Navajo speaking preferred Application deadline March 5, 2021 5 p.m. Please call (505) 905-2890 for more info or email info@ specialcareathomeinc.com

AUTO SALES Gurley Motor Company

2017 Ford Fusion SE FWD 28,147 miles Equipped with SiriusXM Radio Priced at $18,450

Ford C-Max Hybrid Only 13,000 miles! Like New!! Comes with SiriusXM Radio Priced at $17,725

*** CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE The Gallup Sun seeks a part-time customer service representative. Position is 25 hours per week with the opportunity to expand into a full-time position. Previous customer service and/or sales experience preferred. Looking for a positive, outgoing, and hard-working team player. Must own a reliable vehicle. Background and drug screening required for chosen candidate. Pay DOE. Send resume and cover letter to: gallupsun@gmail.com ***

2018 Ford Explorer XLT FWD 65,600 miles SiriusXM Radio and Power Seats Priced at $26,800 Gurley Motor Co. 701 W. Coal Ave, Gallup, NM (505) 722-6621 www.gurleymotorford.com

The Gallup Sun is hiring an independent contractor delivery driver. You must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, registration, and insurance. Email resume or work history to gallupsuncirculation@ gmail.com LEGAL/PUBLIC NOTICES Legal Notice Invitation To Bid

Public Notice is hereby provided that the GallupMcKinley County Schools is accepting competitive sealed bids for: HVAC MERV-13 FILTERS Price Agreement ITB-2021-32MA Commodity Code(s): 03145 As more particularly set out in the BID documents, copies of which may be obtained by downloading from the GallupMcKinley County Schools eBidding platform website https://gmcs.bonfirehub.com Sealed bids for such will be received until 2:00 P.M. (LOCAL TIME) on, March 11, 2021. EMAIL, FAX and HARDCOPY PROPOSALS will NOT be accepted. Bidders will not be able to upload proposals or documents after the specified CLOSING date and time. The Gallup-McKinley County School Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive any formalities or minor inconsistencies, and/or cancel this solicitation in its entirety. Dated the 22nd Day of February 2021 By: /S/ Charles Long, President Board of Education Gallup-McKinley County School District No. 1 BID ISSUE DATE: February 22, 2021 PUBLICATION DATES: February 26, 2021 & March 5, 2021 (Gallup Sun) ***

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 Publish: Gallup Sun March 5, 2021

Tons per year (TPY) 1. Total Suspended Particulates

2. Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

3. Carbon Monoxide (CO)

4. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

5. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

6. Any one (1) Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP)

7. Sum of all Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

*** NOTICE Vernon Hamilton Construction Company, LLC announces its intent to apply to the New Mexico Environment Department for an air quality permit to construct under a General Construction Permit, “GCP-2XXXX (Quarrying, Crushing and Screening Facility)”. The name of this facility is the Tampico Pit. The expected date of the submittal of our application for an air quality permit to the Air Quality Bureau is March 5, 2021. This notice is a requirement according to New Mexico air quality regulations.

Public Notice

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

www.nmhu.edu CLASSIFIEDS

Public Notice is hereby given that Gallup Business Improvement District, Inc. will conduct its regular monthly Board of Directors Meeting to be held virtually on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 3 PM. The agenda and log-in information will be available 72 hours prior to the meeting from francis@ gallupbid.com and on City of Gallup website.

Air emissions of any regulated air contaminant will be less than or equal to:

The exact location of the facility is UTM Zone 12, UTM Easting 724,800 m E, UTM Northing 3,914,825 m N. Proceed south on state road 400 from Ft Wingate for 6.75 miles (approx.), then turn right and go 0.22 miles and turn left, go approximately 2 miles to the Tampico Pit. The approximate location of this site is 7.9 miles SSE of Ft. Wingate in McKinley county.

CLASSIFIEDS | SEE PAGE 22

Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS | FROM PAGE 21

application at the time of this notice.

Other comments and questions may be submitted verbally.

Este es un aviso de la Agencia de Calidad de Aire del Departamento de Medio Ambiente de Nuevo México, acerca de las emisiones producidas por un establecimiento en esta área. Si usted desea información en español, por favor de comunicarse con la oficina de Calidad de Aire al teléfono

Please refer to the company name and site name, as used in this notice or send a copy of this notice along with your comments, since the Department may not have received the permit

505-476-5557.

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

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. NMED is responsible for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination requirements implemented by 40 C.F.R. Part 7, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. If you have any questions about this notice or any of NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, or if you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact: Kathryn Becker, NonDiscrimination Coordinator,

COMMUNITY CALENDAR MARCH 5 – MARCH 11, 2021 FRIDAY, March 5

SPRING INTO STEM

4 pm on Facebook LIVE, @ galluplibrary. Unleash your inner scientist with all the supplies you need for 12 different STEM activity kits available at OFPL using the Supply Request Form at ofpl.online all month long. We will be demonstrating the water wheel activity included in the kit.

ON THE BOOKS: WOMEN’S HERSTORY MONTH

11 am on Facebook LIVE @ galluplibrary, or YouTube at Octavia Fellin Public Library. to view episodes of On the Books: Women’s Herstory Month where we’re exploring Women’s History through authors and works in our collection. This week our focus is on Shirley Chisholm. SATURDAY, March 6

SELF-CARE SATURDAY

1 pm on Facebook LIVE @ galluplibrary make your DIY cosmetics from items around your home. Each ingredient list will be avail-

SUBSCRIBE TO THE

Notice of Non-Discrimination

able on our website ofpl. online. All Self-Care episodes are available after the livestream. Visit YouTube, @galluplibrary. This week we will make natural deodorant. For more information: jwhitman@gallupnm. gov; (505) 863-1291.

9 am-4 pm COVID-19 vaccinations @ UNM-Gallup (705 Gurley Ave.). Second dose only for those who received their first dose on Jan. 30. Please have your medical record number available. For more information (505) 722-1753 MONDAY, March 8

TUESDAY, March 9

SELF-CARE MONDAYS

12 pm on OFPL’s Facebook or YouTube @galluplibrary to make DIY silf-care products. This week we will create all natural mascara. Ingredient lists for each product are available at ofpl.online. Email jwhitman@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

CREATIVE CORNER

4 pm @ YouTube @gallup library. Create your own art using materials found

22 Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

Three Convenient Delivery Options Snail Mail: __ 1 yr. $62.95 __ 6 mo. $32.95

*Home Delivery: __ 1 yr. $45 __ 6 mo. $25

Digital (Email): __ 1 yr. $35 __ 6 mo. $20

*Gallup metro area only

Name: ___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ City/State/Zip: ____________________________ Phone: ________________ (for billing purposes only) Mail Check to: Gallup Sun, PO Box 1212, Gallup, NM 87305 • Fax: (505) 212-0391 • Email: gallupsun@gmail.com Credit Card #: _________________ Exp: _______ 3-4 digit code: _________ Billing zip: _________ Pay By Phone: (505) 722-8994 The Gallup Sun is distributed weekly, on Fridays. Forms received after Wednesday, the subscription will start the following Friday.

NMED, 1190 St. Francis Dr., Suite N4050, P.O. Box 5469, Santa Fe, NM 87502, (505) 827-2855, nd.coordinator@ state.nm.us. You may also visit our website at https://

www.env.nm.gov/nonemployee-discriminationcomplaint-page/ to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.

CALENDAR

around your home! Courses are geared towards individuals approximately 15-years of age and older. Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, firstserved basis. This week we will focus on Pop Art. Learn more about the Pop Art movement of the 1950s with influential artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Create your own inspired Pop Art on a canvas panel. Creative Corner Episodes are available for viewing after the premiere event on YouTube, @galluplibrary. For more information: jwhitman@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291.

COVID VACCINATIONS – SECOND DOSE

GALLUP SUN!

EVERYBODY IS TALKING TUESDAYS!

4 pm YouTube, @galluplibrary. In honor of Women’s History Month, we are talking about the amazing women in our lives. Submit a 3 - 5 minute video about the influential women in your lives and join the creative genius of OFPL. Watch out for talks about books, authors, movies, food, making, and technology from our talented neighbors. Join us on

YouTube, @galluplibrary. Submissions can be sent to libtrain@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

11 am Visit You Tube, @ gallup library to view episodes of OFPL’s Every Child Ready to Read where we focus on the five practices of early literacy: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing. This week we will focus on letters.

TECH SHORT TUESDAYS

5 pm @galluplibrary. for “How to” tech shorts. It is tax season and the perfect time to learn where to get forms and tips for getting tax help. For more information: libtrain@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291.

THURSDAY, March 11

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

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

WEDNESDAY, March 10

TECH TIME ONLINE: BUILD A TABLE IN EXCEL

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY BRANCH WEEKLY EVENTS OFPL EVERY CHILD READY 2 READ

CRAFTY KIDS

4 pm on Facebook LIVE, @ galluplibrary or YouTube at Octavia Fellin Public Library for free computer classes. If you want to build your Excel skills, join us to learn how to create and make the most of tables. This is a unique feature of Excel.

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 focus on Shamrock Sun catchers craft.

CALENDAR | SEE PAGE 23

CLASSIFIEDS / CALENDAR

CALENDAR | FROM PAGE 22 ONGOING

COLLABORATIVE ART MURAL

Create with other community members to make a beautiful hanging mural for OFPL. All of March receive one six-inch square Mandala coloring page. Return your coloring page by April 9 at 5 pm and watch a time-lapse video of our collaborative art mural being pieced together. Supply kits are available at OFPL on a first-come, first-served basis using the Supply Request Form at ofpl.online while supplies last. For more information email jwhitman@gallupnm. gov; (505) 863-1291.

SPRING INTO STEM BINGO

Unleash your inner scientist with all the supplies you need for 12 different STEM activity kits available at OFPL using the Supply Request Form at ofpl.online. Complete and return the bingo card to the Main Library by April 30 at 5 pm for a prize! For more information email childlib@ gallupnm.gov; (505) 8631291.

WE READ, WE TALK BOOK CLUB

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones is the topic. The story follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Zoom discussions will be held March 18 at 6 pm and March 27 at 3 pm. Email bmartin@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

VIRTUAL ESCAPE ROOM 2

All Day. The time for another virtual escape room is here! Access our digital escape room collection on our website http://ofpl. online or through social media @galluplibrary. Escape Room 2 will be posted beginning Jan. 2. Registration is not required, play anytime at home. For more

BLU-RAY/DVD | FROM PAGE 18 Per s on a l ly, I ’m not s u r e how t he a st ron aut s f rom the f i r st mov ie fa ll u nder this category, but those are t he t it le s bei ng i ncluded. You can also purchase the Fearless Females 4-Movie Collection. Finally, Paramount is presenting a 15th Anniversary 4 K S t e el b o ok e d i t io n of Steven Spielberg’s update of the H.G. Wells science-fict ion c l a s s ic , Wa r of t h e CALENDAR

information: libtrain@gallupnm.gov; (505) 863-1291 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 distanced friendly interactions or hang out virtually playing games, cooking, reading, etc. via Face time, 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.

RMCHCS COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION

Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services is making appointments for individuals in Phase 1B of the vaccine distribution plan. For detailed information call (505) 488-2684; https://bit.ly/2M0n2bV

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 leave us a message to let us know what stories you want to hear.

BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK

The Library is celebrating Valentine’s Day by playing matchmaker! You shouldn’t always judge a book by its

Worlds (2005). This version sta rs Tom Cr uise, Dakota Fanning and Tim Robbins. YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS! It look s l i ke Di sney i s tak ing the lead this week with their various animated/ live -action double feature Blu-ray sets. 44 Cats: Meet the Cats Aladdin: 2-Movie Collection (1992 and 2019) Disney Beauty an d th e Bea st: 2 -Mo v i e Col l e cti o n (19 91

cover. Put your trust in fate and choose a book without knowing the title. Requests for blind dates can be made using the Supply Request Form at ofpl.online. Maybe you will fall in love! Place a request for a blind date with a book starting Feb. 1 and then rate it by filling out the “Rate the Date” card included with each book. Return the card to the book drop by March 15 and be entered in a drawing to win a prize. Post a picture with your blind date on our Facebook or Instagram pages @galluplibrary for a second entry into the drawing. Email bmartin@gallupnm. gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information.

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 11 am-5 pm. and will offer curbside pick-ups only from 12 pm - 4 pm. Saturday pick-ups must be scheduled in advance. There will be Saturday curbside pick-ups only from 12 pm-4 pm and must be scheduled in advance. New requests will not be processed on Saturdays. Please allow 48

and 2017) Disney Cinderella: 2-Movie Collection (1950 and 2015) Disney The Incredibles: 2-Movie Collection (2004 and 2018) Disney The Lion King: 2-Movie Collection (1994 and 2019) Disney Rainbow Rangers: Wild for Wildlife (Nick Jr.) Sleeping Beauty / Maleficent 2-Movie Collection (1959 and 2014) Disney Toy St or y: 4 -Mov ie

hours for the fulfillment of all library requests. Call (505) 863-1291 to schedule a Saturday pick-up and for reference services.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REGISTRATION

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 activities. If you are passionate about helping our community grow stronger, join the Octavia Fellin Public Library Friends’ Group and get involved in event planning, local and State advocacy, fundraising, and philanthropy. To join please visit https://ofpl.online/ partners-of-ofpl/#friends and our Friends’ Coordinator will contact you with more information. Email childlib@gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information. VIRTUAL ZUMBA CLASS 6 pm on OFPL’s YouTube channel @galluplibrary weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays at 6:00 p.m. for an evening workout with OFPL’s own Zumba Fitness instructor. Bring down your house with salsa flavors, booty shaking, and heart racing songs. Email jwhitman@ gallupnm.gov or call (505) 863-1291 for more information. NAVAJO IHS COVID-19 VACCINE SCHEDULE 8:30 am-4:30 pm @ Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (Mon.-Fri.) Drive-thru first and second doses of Moderna vaccine; Pfizer second doses. Ages 16 and over. 8:30 am-4:30 pm @ Piñon Health Center (Mon.- Fri.) Drive through; First/second doses of Moderna vaccine, ages 18 and over; Second doses of Pfizer vaccines, ages 16 and over. 8:30 am-4:30 pm @ Tsaile

Collection (1995, 1999, 2010, 2019) Disney Vi ct o r a n d Va l e ntin o: F o l k A r t F o e s (C a r t o o n Network) ON THE TUBE! A nd here a re a ll of the TV-themed releases. 44 Cats: Meet the Cats The Best of Cher - 5-Disc C o l l e cti o n ( T i me -L i fe relea se featur ing Cher T V appearances, etc.) C h r i st m a s Un d e r t h e Stars (Hallmark Channel)

Health Center (Mon.-Fri.) By appointment only – (928) 724-3639 8:30 am-3:45 pm @Crownpoint Healthcare Facility (T, W, Th) Elders and high risk – By appointment only – (505) 786-6270. 9 am-3 pm @Crownpoint Healthcare Facility. Second doses of Pfizer vaccine (200 doses) or until doses are depleted. For individuals who received first doses on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17. (March 9) 9 am-3 pm @Crownpoint Healthcare Facility. First doses of Pfizer vaccine. For 16 and older (or until doses are depleted). (March 10) 10am-3 pm @Pueblo Pintado Clinic (M-Th) Elders and high risk – By appointment only – (505) 655-3254 10 am-3 pm @ Thoreau Clinic (M-F) Elders and high risk – By appointment only – (505) 862-8761 8 am-4 pm @Gallup Indian Medical Center Internal Medicine Clinic (M-F) Ages 65 and over and ages 16 and over with chronic medical conditions – By appointment only. 9 am-4 pm Fire Rock Casino. First doses ages 16 and over (March 6) 8 am-5 pm Kayenta Health Center. Drive thru for second doses of Moderna vaccine. (March 6) 9 am-5 pm Inscription House Health Center. Second doses of Moderna vaccine – by appointment/ invitation only (March 6) To post a nonprofit or civic event in the calendar section, please email: gallupsunevents@gmail.com or fax: (505) 212-0391. Deadline: Monday at 5 pm.

C r os s w o r d My st e r i e s: 3-Movie Collection (Hallmark Channel) Doctor W ho: Revolution of the Daleks (aka Season 12) (BBC) Imma Tataranni: Season 1 (MHz Choice Channel) The Mallorca Files (BBC) The Reagans (Showtime) R i c k a n d M o r t y : T he Complete Seasons 1 - 4 Vi ct o r a n d Va l e ntin o: F o l k A r t F o e s (C a r t o o n Network) V ISI T: W W W. CINEMASTANCE.COM

Gallup Sun • Friday March 5, 2021

24 Friday March 5, 2021 • Gallup Sun

COMMUNITY