OJO ENCINO, N.M. – Speaker Seth Damon and the 24th Navajo Nation Council offer their condolences to the family of respected Ojo Encino community leader and former Council Delegate Harry J. Willeto.

Willeto was born on Jan. 3, 1942, in the community of Pueblo Alto near Farmington and Bloomfield, N.M.  He is Naakai Dine’é (Mexican Clan) and born for Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan). His beloved wife is Virginia Willeto and they were married for over 57 years.

“Mr. Harry Willeto is a loving father, grandfather, and beloved husband who was revered in his community for his loyalty and kind spirit,” Damon stated in a press release published on April 15. “He leaves behind...

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – On April 20, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., led a community listening session in partnership with Secretary Sonya Smith of the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services regarding the Department of Veterans Affairs’ recommendation to close the Las Vegas Community-Based Outpatient Clinic at New Mexico Highlands University Student Union Ballroom Building.

The senator  heard from Northern New Mexico military veterans and their families on the importance of these clinics and reviewed his advocacy to keep them fully funded, operational, and able to best serve veterans.

Luján has expressed opposition to the recommended closures and written to the President...

SANTA FE – Halyna Hutchins’ family will finally see some form of justice after the New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau released the results of its imagination.

On April 20 OHSB released the results of its investigation into the workplace fatality that occurred on the set of “Rust” on Oct. 21.

The report concludes that Rust Movie Productions, LLC management knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed on set and demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety by failing to review work practices and take corrective action.

Rust Movie Productions, LLC was issued a Willful-Serious citation that includes a civil penalty of...

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Health announced the death of a 4-year-old Santa Fe County girl who was suffering from a flu-related illness April 21.  It’s New Mexico’s first pediatric influenza death of the 2021-2022 season. Since the start of this flu season, DOH has identified 143 pneumonia and flu-related deaths.

“Our love and heartfelt prayers go out to the family during this difficult time,” said Acting Department of Health Secretary, David R. Scrase, M.D. “Children younger than age 5 are at particular risk of flu complications, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that all children ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against the flu.”

Flu...