On Sept. 19, the public was invited to a Community Health Fair held in the gymnasium of Chee Dodge Elementary School at 641 U.S. 491 in Yatahey. The event kicked off a full day of health-oriented information on various topics, and coincided with parent-teacher conferences.

“We’re here promoting community health with others, and it’s good because it will be with the parent-teacher conference,” Navajo Health Education Program Gallup Service Unit member Kelly Bitsilly said. “Parents are hard to get a hold of because of work, so this way, we can get the parent engaged, too, rather than just always the student.”

Other health-related vendors were on hand at the event to teach...

‘Bless Me Ultima’ author receives medal from President Obama in White House ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sept. 21, U.S. Senator Tom Udall congratulated celebrated New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya, who was honored with the National Humanities Medal on Sept. 22. Udall attended the ceremony at the White House.

“This is a well-deserved honor for a treasured New Mexico storyteller. Great books captivate our attention and allow us to walk in the shoes of ordinary and extraordinary people, and Rudolfo Anaya’s stories have touched the hearts of New Mexicans — and Americans across the country — for decades,” Udall said in a statement.

“The son of a vaquero, Anaya has...

Martinez proclaims Sept. 22 ‘New Mexico Fall Prevention Awareness Day’

Gov. Susanna Martinez, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Health, New Mexico Adult Fall Prevention Coalition, the Healthy Aging Collaborative, and Aging and Long Term Services Department, are working together to raise awareness that older adult falls are not a normal part of aging and many falls are preventable. Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits, hospitalizations and injury-related deaths for New Mexico residents 65 and older.

Martinez has declared Sept. 22, the first day of fall, as statewide Fall Prevention Awareness Day.

New Mexico residents are urged to support fall...