IYANBITO – The folks at the Iyanbito Chapter House want the public to know about an upcoming toy drive to take place during the Christmas holidays.

Felisha Adams, an Iyanbito native and a former 2016 candidate for a state senate seat in the New Mexico legislature, said the 6th annual Holiday Dinner and Toy Drive will be Dec. 17 from 4 to 9 pm at the Iyanbito Chapter House in Iyanbito.

“We have made it our tradition by giving back,” Adams said. “Last year we helped put smiles on over 200 kids’ faces in McKinley County. We hope to double it this year with your help.”

Adams said the evening includes dinner, dessert, entertainment, games and a visit from Santa Claus. She said...

Students DAZZLED AS THEY SANG, PLAYED holiday classics

SANDERS, Ariz. — The cafeteria was standing room only as parents, teachers, and community members brought their holiday cheer and supportive smiles to Valley High School’s 2nd Annual Christmas in the Valley Concert Dec. 8.

“We wanted to show the community how hard our students have worked,” Mr. Patrick Baker, high school band teacher, said, “Some students have studied music for the first time and they’ve only been doing it three months. It takes guts to get up here and play.”

The high school band played classics such as, Deck the Halls, Angels We Have Heard On High, Jingle Bell Rock, and “March” from the...

Gallup High hosted their annual Duals varsity wrestling tournament Dec. 3. Piedra Vista took first place, followed by Miyamura for second, and Bloomfield and Grants high schools were tied for third place.

Photo by Ryan Hudgeons

Peter Procopio considered FOUNDING father of Red Rock Balloon Rally

They’re the four locals that won’t be soon forgotten.

Peter Procopio, Lionel McKinney, Michael Siebersma and Karl Lohmann. They are the Gallup residents credited with establishing the annual Red Rock Balloon Rally – which started out small, but emerged as one of Gallup’s most successful annual tourist events.

The 36th annual Red Rock Balloon Rally kicks off this weekend, and is, thanks to its founders, is the second largest such rally in New Mexico – the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the first.

“It started out as a small gathering of balloon enthusiasts who wanted to put on a good...