It took only minutes for Mayor Jackie McKinney to be sworn in as mayor for a second term and for freshman District 4 Councilor Francisca “Fran” Palochak to take the oath of office.

McKinney was moved to tears after taking the oath, thanking his wife and family for their support.

He told the crowd that the agenda is “clear” and that “we don’t need to be driven by an outside agenda.”

The mayor later said that the outside agenda is the media, but didn’t delve into details.

Meanwhile, Palochak said after being sworn in that she would like to hold a weekly meeting in different parts of her district to address concerns and to help educate residents on how the wheels of...

Police busy with a garden variety

of robbery calls

When it comes to raising a family, one thing that most all people have in common is the want to keep them safe and secure. This security becomes threatened when someone breaks into the family home, or steals or destroys something on the property. The multiple burglaries that have struck, not just in the city, but McKinley County as a whole, serve as a reminder for citizens to be vigilant.

Martin Link, a well-known local writer, historian and all around Gallup citizen, just had this happen to him last month. According to the police report filed, Link was given a stack of ceremonial newspapers that he wanted to add to his collection...

ALBUQUERQUE—The University of New Mexico Board of Regents approved an innovative tuition model that offers an incentive for students to graduate in four years and predictability in financial planning for students and the university.

Regents passed a 3 percent tuition increase for next year. They also passed a plan that projects 3 percent increases in the coming years with no tuition charge in a student’s eighth semester if the degree is completed within four years.

The board also unanimously approved a 4.6 percent increase in fees for next academic year to pay for programs and initiatives supported by students. Combined, the overall increase for tuition and fees for next school...

ALBUQUERQUE—The New Mexico Department of Health received an alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding a powdered product called “Bo Ying compound,” which may contain high levels of lead.  The product is labeled in Chinese and English and marketed in retail outlets and online for the treatment of flu, fever, and nasal discharge in infants and children.

Exposure to lead can cause serious harm to the developing brain, kidneys, and other organs. Lead in the body is toxic, especially for children. Ongoing exposure to lead, even at low levels, can result in learning disabilities, reduced IQ, and behavioral problems.

In an effort to prevent lead poisoning and...