A Gallup man attempting to cross Historic Highway 66 not long after the evening rush hour was hit and killed by a motorist Nov. 14, officials said.

Lt. Rosanne Morrissette of the Gallup Police Department said Jefford Baker, 54, of Lupton, Ariz., was trying to cross the highway near Exit 16, not far from the Hampton Inn, at around 6:30 pm when he was hit by a car. Baker was reportedly in the company of another unidentified man.

“The driver of the car did not see the two individuals trying to cross the road,” Morrissette said. “That’s how the incident happened.”

Morrisette said Baker was pronounced dead when Gallup police arrived on the scene. She said the two people were...

A Zuni man remains incarcerated at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center as of Nov. 16 after being arrested for a number of charges including: assault upon a peace officer; resisting, evading or obstructing an officer; aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol; possessing an open container of alcohol; failing to stop at an intersection and failing to provide insurance charges, according to a police report. His bond is set at $3,000.

Gallup police officer Dominic Molina initially pulled over Christopher Hannaweeke, 21, on Nov. 3 for speeding on West Aztec Avenue. The stop led to a bizarre set of circumstances whereby Hannaweeke attempted to head-butt Molina and attempted to...

ALBUQUERQUE – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Nov. 16 that a 2nd Judicial District Court jury found Joseph Apodaca guilty of two counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree and one count of tampering with evidence following a two week trial.

“The Office of the Attorney General is focused on combating sexual violence in New Mexico and this verdict would not have been possible without the courage and perseverance of the survivor and her family,” said Attorney General Balderas.

Assistant Attorneys General Greer Rose and Nicholas Gilbert prosecuted the matter on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.

Staff Reports

The only Spanish-based HHA program in the nation announces its class size expansion

ALBUQUERQUE – In recognition of November as National Family caregivers Month, the non-profit organization Encuentro is looking to garner the attention of aspiring Spanish-speaking students looking to get involved in the Home Health Aide field – the second fastest growing career in the state of New Mexico. To that end, Encuentro has launched a PSA to provide the necessary information for enrollment in their program next semester – January ‘17.

Located in the Barelas neighborhood of Albuquerque, Encuentro’s mission is to transform New Mexico into a thriving community for all of its residents. The...