Department of Health urges safe celebration for Halloween 2021

Staff Reports

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health continues to caution schools and the general public and provide public health guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections at all times, including the upcoming Halloween weekend.

With the realization that new daily cases continue to fluctuate on the Navajo Nation, and with New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah continuing to report large numbers of new infections, the Navajo Department of Health is suggesting Navajo Nation residents choose virtual events such as virtual costume contests, outdoor trunk-or-treating, and  activities at home with...

Staff Reports



If your local call isn’t going through, try adding the area code. Starting Oct. 24, 10-digit dialing will be the norm in New Mexico.

On and after Oct. 24, local calls dialed with only seven digits may not be completed, and a recording may inform you that your call cannot be completed as dialed. If you get this recording, you must hang up and dial again using the area code with the seven-digit telephone number.

This change is necessary as the Federal Communications Commission has mandated 988 as the new three-digit number to route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Mental Crisis Hotline 1 (800) 273-TALK.  According to the bipartisan National...

By Molly Adamson

Sun Correspondent

City Manager Maryann Ustick told the Gallup Business Improvement District Oct 21, that the newly-installed gates at Second and Third Streets appear to be doing their jobs.

The gates were an idea of City Councilor Linda Garcia, Dist. 1, and members of the neighborhood and business community as a possible solution to squatter encampments on rooftops and vandalism, and garbage in alleyways.

“[We] actually reduced the amount of trash collection we have in there, because people are not dumping anymore,” Ustick said. “So it’s been very successful — no reports of anybody on the roof, and I think the businesses are pleased.”

Ustick spoke about...

The City of Gallup has developed a plan to fully finance the new public safety building.

During the Oct. 12 city council meeting, City Manager Maryann Ustick explained that the city could use Gross Receipts Tax bonds to fund the project. First, however, the council had to decide between two options; one that would give the city $12.8 million now and $5.8 million in FY24, and another that would provide $9 million now and $9.5 million in FY24.

The city will then go on to apply for the money through the New Mexico Finance Authority.

Ustick told the council that not all of the allotted funds would go toward the public safety building and that it would be necessary to designate...