Dear Editor:

Thank you for running the article “A Test for Life” in your May 1, 2015 issue.  Educating our community on the silent STD epidemic in our area is critical.

McKinley County had the highest rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea in New Mexico in 2013.  Statewide, 63% of reported chlamydia cases were among persons aged 15-24, and 48% of reported gonorrhea cases were also from the same age range.

One of the most important sentences in your article was “According to the CDC and New Mexico Department of Health, not having sex is the only way to prevent STDs.”  (That includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex.)  Another way to express it is waiting to have sex until you are in...

What I could not of would not see before, I see now. Alcohol will never be banned in our drunk city. I am all-one in publicly advocating for the banning of alcohol in McKinley County and the reservation. Zero incumbents or contenders, Indian or non-Indian are for the banning of alcohol. The overwhelming majority of voters and non-voters, Indian and non-Indian are for keeping alcohol legal. Bring on the money and to hell with death and destruction. I finally throw in the towel. I am beaten.

In 1980, at age 45, after 32 years of drinking, I finally quit cold. Too late. Alcohol cost me my first wife and my children. In my guilt and desire to keep others from suffering from what I still...

To the Gallup McKinley School Board:

It has come to our attention that you have recently made and are making huge changes in staffing some of the schools. We realize that some of these changes may be necessary or for the good of the schools, however we are unable to see the benefits of changes being made at and affecting Roosevelt Elementary.

As parents and grandparents of students at Roosevelt Elementary we are disappointed and very upset with some of the changes you are making. We are a tiny school compared to most in the district and we realize that Roosevelt Elementary will eventually be dissolved in another few years but it is a very family oriented school and we would like to keep...