Gallup Sun

A Gallup man is facing multiple assault charges after he brandished a gun during an argument with his fiancé.

On Feb. 15, around 3 am, Gallup Police Officer Charlie Watkins was dispatched to 1200 E. Aztec Ave. after a woman called saying a man, who was later identified as Buddy Jeffries, was fighting with her son. The woman said Jeffries, 57, had a firearm.

When Watkins arrived at the scene, he met with the woman who had called Metro Dispatch. She led him to the room where the two men were fighting. Watkins found the younger man standing in the room’s doorway and Jeffries on the floor.

The two men handed the firearm over to the police officers, and then Watkins spoke to the...

The New Mexico State Police District 6, in conjunction with the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, executed a successful warrant operation in McKinley County on Feb. 15.

The operation resulted in the arrest of seven individuals.

One of the felony arrests included the apprehension of Samuel Sandoval, 39. While at a residence on Third Street in Gallup, which belonged to a relative of Sandoval, officers and deputies saw a man moving around a pop-up camper on the property. They approached the camper, identified themselves and a tense standoff ensued as Sandoval brandished a firearm and pointed it at law enforcement. Sandoval also claimed to have an explosive device with him inside the...

A Phoenix man is facing multiple charges after a fight with his girlfriend led to property damage at a Gallup motel.

On Feb. 16, around 9:30 pm, Gallup Police Officer Kyle Delgai was dispatched to the Motel 6 at 3306 W. Hwy. 66 after a caller claimed a domestic dispute was taking place.

According to his report, when Delgai arrived at Room 242 at the motel, he noticed a broken window with glass on the floor. The front door had also allegedly been kicked.

Delgai spoke to the victim, who said she’d gotten into an argument with her boyfriend, who was later identified as Tyrell Chee. She said she didn’t want Chee, 25, in the room with her, so she asked him to get some items from her...

Each month, the Sun recognizes a local teacher for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Anyone can nominate a teacher by emailing the Sun at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and providing the teacher’s name, where they teach, and why they should be selected as that month’s winner.

This month’s award went to Makena Wenning, a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary. This is Wenning’s first year teaching, although she is no stranger to the Gallup area or teaching.

ROAD TO TEACHING

She grew up in Gallup, with her mom teaching preschool at Jefferson and her dad teaching at Hozho Academy. Despite growing up surrounded by teachers – her grandparents and...