These stories were chosen, not in a particular order, but in terms of their impact on the community. Since some, such as COVID-19, are already mentioned in the national stories list, they are not included here.

 



REHOBOTH MCKINLEY CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE SERVICES

RMCHCS continued to experience turbulence throughout 2021 as doctors and nurses left the hospital and community members expressed concern about the administration and the hospital’s financial condition. The Wellspring Recovery Center suspended operations on May 14 and the Women’s Clinic was closed for most of October after its last ob-gyn doctor, Dr. Hannah Palm, announced her resignation. A group of doctors...

No direction but up

Gallup Mayor Louis Bonaguidi has waded through a trial by fire, starting his first 18 months in office with a pandemic lockdown of the city. COVID-19 is his main concern these days as he considers Gallup’s future.

“It’s changed everything in our world, period,” he told the Sun, Dec. 27. “We have so many priorities, but our priorities are on hold.”

Bonaguidi mentioned that he was responding to issues on multiple fronts including infrastructure, which he said is in dire trouble. He said the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project is at a standstill. It was to be completed in 2024, but now the Bureau of Reclamation is saying it could be 2029 before it’s...

Deputy Chief Daryl Noon never planned to go into law enforcement, but now he’s headed for the top spot in the Navajo Nation Police Department. Noon started his career as a booking officer with the Farmington Police Department. He set a goal for himself to become a police sergeant. He’s surpassed that. Noon has been Deputy Chief of the Navajo Nation Police Department since January 2019.

“I never really thought that I would be a police chief because I’m more of a behind the scenes kind of guy who likes to do the work with the command staff,” he said. “But as I got into leadership, I really enjoyed developing and leading the police officers.”

After 20 years of working in...

Augustine Benally
Dec. 10, 2:38 am
Aggravated DWI

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Villa was stationed near the 3 Mile Marker of U.S. Highway 491 when he heard a loud bang that sounded like a car collision.

He found a gold Buick Encore parked in the northbound lane of the highway with its hazard lights on. A man was seen getting out of the car. He was identified as Augustine Benally, 32, no address listed.

Villa met Benally and had him wait inside his unit while he went to check for other passengers, finding none. He then spoke with Benally and noticed the smell of alcohol coming from him. Benally said he drank two beers prior to driving and he was coming from Sammy...