37 findings reveal unreliable financials, theft

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller released the most recent annual audit of Northern New Mexico College April 3.

The audit, conducted by an independent audit firm for fiscal year 2016, found an environment susceptible to fraud, waste and abuse. The audit resulted in 37 findings, including the probable theft of $200,000 by the former Director of Financial Services. The audit received a “disclaimer of opinion” meaning that the auditor was not able to confirm the reliability of the College’s financial statements.

“Addressing the problems identified in the audit is critical to keeping the College’s limited resources with...

Three people recently arrested as part of an undercover drug sting, were later released from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on their own recognizance, records show.

Sarah Clauschee, George Warren and Micah Six, were taken into custody March 24 and released from the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on March 28. Each was part of an undercover drug operation conducted by the Region 1 Narcotics Task Force.

According to a police report, Clauschee, 38, of Gallup, aided undercover agents in the purchase of several grams of methamphetamine. Warren, 39, and Six, 31, of Houck, Ariz., were the people who supplied the drugs to Clauschee, although Six served more as an...

Two known Gallup druggies with past criminal records remained behind bars April 6 in connection to a routine traffic stop. Officers with the Region 1 Task Force with the Gallup Police Department and McKinley County Sheriff’s Office stopped a 2002 Chevrolet pickup truck on March 28 at about 7:20 pm that was driven by an unknown female, and in which the two aforementioned males were passengers.

Michael Garcia, 60, and David Grijalva, 65, were passengers in the vehicle that was registered to Garcia. Garcia possessed an outstanding warrant for possession of heroin. He was immediately placed in handcuffs and jailed, according to a police report on the matter.

It was discovered that...

Award winning author, C.B. McKenzie, is set to open the 3rd Annual Authors Festival at the Octavia Fellin Public Library at 6 pm April 7.

McKenzie is an international nomad who brings a unique voice to his characters and a diverse perspective to his audience. McKenzie’s Bad Country won the 2014 Hillerman Prize for best mystery novel set in the Southwest.

This crime novel interweaves the tension between tradition and modernity while exploring the “rez” culture of southern Arizona. Burn What Will Burn, McKenzie’s second novel released in the summer of 2016, brought the author equally high acclaim. Please join us for a spectacular evening of prose and mystery.

Due to illness...