Polar Flashes

Scientists say they are alarmed at the sudden and rapid increase in lightning strikes across the high Arctic during the past few years. Once very rare, the 7,278 lightning bolts north of 80 degrees latitude during 2021 were nearly double the number in the previous nine years combined. The trend was highlighted by the Finnish scientific instrument manufacturer Vaisala, which issues an annual report on global lightning. The more frequent lightning bolts are being caused by disappearing sea ice, which means more water is able to evaporate, and the greater atmospheric instability caused by Arctic warming that is occurring at four times the global...

Gallup Police Detective Chavo Chischilly is looking for a local teen who was last seen earlier this week.

Fifteen-year-old Sheniyah Shorty was last seen Jan. 23 around 7:45 am on Refuge Rock Road at her cousin's house, possibly with a male named "Niron."

Shorty is described as having long brown hair that is currently colored dark green and black. She was wearing all black at the time and stands five-feet-two-inches-tall, weighing 160 pounds.

Niron is thought to be in the Piñon Hills area, because of a snapchat post seen at 8:40 pm on Jan. 24. But he was not seen in person. A report from the Police Department said Niron could also be a student, but no last name was given.

Information...

A 17-year-old girl has been reported missing from the Gallup area. Desiree Martinez is five-feet-four-inches tall and weighs 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen on the evening of Jan. 20 at her grandmother's home. She left the house between 10 pm and 8 am Jan. 21.

It is unknown what she was wearing.

The teen has a scar on her left eyebrow and may be in the company of Jared Gonzales and Katie Chavez.

Information about Desiree's whearabouts can be directed to Metro Dispatch at (505) 722-2231 or to Det. Chavo Chischilly at (505) 863-1321 or at (505) 979-0168.

Steinhaus expected to act to attract teachers, expand broadband in 2022

With the new year comes a new legislative session. The Gallup-McKinley County Schools board meeting focused on the new horizon at its Jan. 10 gathering.

Two lobbyists set forth some of the issues they believe will affect the district.

Lobbyists Jim Smith and Mark Fleisher told the board how the beginning of the Second Session of  New Mexico’s 55th Legislature was proceeding and how the issues discussed could affect the school district. A significant focus of their presentation concerned New Mexico Secretary of Education Dr. Kurt Steinhaus’ priorities for the session and his FY23 public school support...