Not showing up



Vern Lee, former pardon coordinator for Peter MacDonald, left, gets word from Wanda MacDonald that the former chairman was too tired to attend the homecoming event in Farmington.

 

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New Salvation Army opens thrift shop, worship center

Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent

GALLUP — There's a new flag flying in the skies over Gallup. It's a flag that was born 150 years ago in the slums of London, and it has now come to the streets of Gallup.

Salvation Army Envoy Eulie WiseOwl and his wife Penney are working to prepare the organization's new thrift store and worship center for a grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 3. The Salvation Army center is located on Gallup's east side, at 3100 E. Aztec, behind the Muslim mosque.

In an interview recently, WiseOwl discussed the couple's hopes for the new center. They plan to offer a spiritual message with social programs, he said, following the Salvation Army tradition.

The Salvation Army was founded in the 1800s in England by William Booth, a Christian evangelist who was shocked by the massive numbers of people living in impoverished conditions in the wake of the Industrial Revolution. Poverty, unemployment, homelessness and hunger were common, as were alcoholism, violence, child labor abuses and prostitution. Booth became known for melding a social reform message with his Christianity.

Gallup, with its high rates of alcoholism, drug addiction and poverty, seemed like a good location for a Salvation Army center, WiseOwl said.

Col. Olin Hogan, the organization's southwest divisional commander in Phoenix, began talking about a Gallup center about three years ago, he said.

WiseOwl, who said he ran a "cross-cultural recovery church, with an emphasis on young people" in Alaska, hopes to run a similar kind of center in Gallup.

"Our doors are open to everybody," he said. "It doesn't matter what your background is and your spirituality."

Recovery does not necessarily have to be concerned with an addiction. He believes everyone has recovery issues, from grieving losses and dealing with loneliness to letting go of anger and bitterness.

The Salvation Army, he explained, is a door for people to come through, receive help and get back on their feet. It works, he said, to help people get back on the right road of leading productive lives.

As the Gallup Salvation Army office becomes more organized, WiseOwl would like to see it become a community drop-in center with a number of programs for children and women. It will not become a soup kitchen, he said, but he does plan to have coffee and a pot of soup on hand daily.

Volunteers are welcome, he added, to help implement plans for educational programs aimed at the center's clientele. A flyer posted around town lists a need for teachers, leaders, musicians, drivers and thrift store volunteers. WiseOwl said he would appreciate assistance from local civic groups as well.

WiseOwl said the Gallup Salvation Army will try to work with other local social service organizations to coordinate services. The center will offer counseling to people with drug and alcohol addictions, but it will also refer clients to 12 Step groups in the community and to treatment centers. The Salvation Army has a six-month treatment program in Albuquerque for people who need a longer recovery program.

The couple is setting up a thrift store in the back of the center, and Penney WiseOwl will be the store manager. Wal-Mart and Factory 2-U have already made donations, and the WiseOwls would welcome more donations from the community, particularly furniture. Donated items should be clean and in working order; the center cannot accept items that need repair.

WiseOwl emphasized that the Salvation Army approaches social programs with a spiritual foundation. The center holds three worship services weekly, with a 7 p.m. Saturday service and two services on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Singer Julia Redhouse and Raymond Perry of Creator Connection Ministries of Albuquerque are scheduled guests for the March 3 grand opening celebration. The public is invited.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the Drop-In Center hours being 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eulie and Penney WiseOwl can be contacted at 863-0667 or FAX (505) 863-2212 or e-mail at salarmygallup@aol.com.

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MacDonald fans: Take your time
Ex-leader a no-show, but crowd understands

Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer

FARMINGTON — Some well-wishers who came Saturday morning to see and hear former Navajo tribal Chairman Peter
MacDonald actually appeared relieved when told he could not make the trip to the Farmington Civic Center.

"I think I'm glad he didn't make it," said Victor Dee, vice president of the Red Mesa, Ariz., chapter. "What it comes down to is his health is more of a concern than we are."

About 300 Navajos and a handful of non-Navajos turned out for what was supposed to be MacDonald's first public appearance since former President Bill Clinton commuted his 14-year federal prison sentence on Jan. 20.

Two men spoke for the MacDonald family: first, event organizer Vern Lee, who coordinated a 10:30 a.m. press conference, then former tribal Chairman Thomas Atcitty.

Each had spoken Saturday morning with Peter MacDonald's wife, Wanda. About 20 minutes before the press conference, she said that her husband was too tired to attend his own event because he had come home very late Friday night. The trip apparently related to physical testing the 72-year-old MacDonald is undergoing in preparation for hip replacement surgery.

"As much as he wanted to be here, he is limited," said Lee, who for years has operated a "Free MacDonald" Web site from his home in Waterflow, between Shiprock and Farmington.

Lee said MacDonald's focus during what was to have been a very brief talk and question-and-answer period was about "forgiveness, reconciliation and compassion."

"People have said, 'It's never going to happen,'" Lee said, referring to efforts to bring MacDonald home. "'Forget it, get on with your life.' Regardless, we went on with it. Now we've seen the fruits of faith."

Between time spent in federal prison and tribal incarceration, MacDonald spent eight years, two months and six days in captivity. MacDonald began serving his federal sentence in April 1993 for bribery and conspiracy convictions.

Before Atcitty addressed the media in the Civic Center auditorium, letters supporting MacDonald's return home were read by representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Sen. Jeff Bingaman. A letter was also read on behalf of N.M. Sen. Pete Domenici.

Support from current Navajo Nation Council delegates was conspicuous by its absence Saturday. Just two delegates attended, one being Mark Maryboy (Mexican Water/Red Mesa/Aneth chapters).

Atcitty hasn't seen MacDonald in person yet, but has heard of the physical condition of his friend, who spends considerable time in a wheelchair.

"He (MacDonald) has to have a lot of assistance to get in the car ... he can stand and walk short distances," said Atcitty, who added that MacDonald has at least one doctor in the Tucson, Ariz., area, and is looking toward hip replacement surgery by mid-March.

MacDonald is apparently living in either the Flagstaff area, where one of his three daughters lives, or in his own home in Tuba City, or at both locations. Atcitty said his friend has been adjusting to an understandable "culture shock" since being released from the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The status of coming MacDonald events this Saturday at Smith Lake Elementary School and March 3 in Tuba City is
undetermined, Lee said.

Health comes first

MacDonald supporters were hardly angry or upset that the man some drove hundreds of miles to see was a no-show. His absence gave them a chance to reflect on his accomplishments as chairman, converse with old friends, and discuss the current state of the Navajo Nation's central government in Window Rock.

"We're just happy that we're all together," said Bess Yellowhair, a Steamboat Chapter resident and member of the all-but-deposed Navajo Board of Election Supervisors. "There's so much support of Chairman MacDonald, whether he's here or not. I know he's resting."

"He ought to take care of himself first before he makes any public appearances," said Gilbert Badoni of Shiprock, president of the Navajo Nation Dependents of Uranium Workers Committee.

Those who made the trip to Farmington spanned from Page, Ariz., to Crownpoint. One MacDonald well-wisher who made an exceptionally long drive was Cameron's Seymour Tso.

"I'm glad he didn't come," Tso said. "His health has got to be first. The doctor has to upgrade his morale for a couple of months."

Retired Professor Emeritus Roger Axford of Arizona State University drove nearly all day Friday from Tempe with his wife,
Geri, to see MacDonald. A self-described "peacenik" who spent two years, three months and 27 days in prison during World War II due to his status as a conscientious objector, Axford was one of MacDonald's first professors.

Axford taught MacDonald when the future tribal chairman was a college freshman in 1950-51 at Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla. MacDonald learned the fine points of drama and the English language from Axford, who stayed in touch with MacDonald during the tribal leader's incarceration.

Axford was even arrested at Arizona State University for circulating a petition that called for his former student's release from prison.

Waving his cap in the air during the press conference, Axford said, "Here's a tribute to Clinton for releasing him."

No government for the people

MacDonald well-wishers were asked if they are better off today as Navajo Nation citizens than they were when MacDonald was chairman. Most said they have fared no better in those 12 years, with some calling their current status worse off. Many said the current Navajo Nation Council has become so powerful that the people have, just as MacDonald was, become imprisoned by their own form of government.

The Navajo Nation's current form of government, with codes and no Constitution, has never been approved by the Navajo people, several MacDonald supporters said.

"It probably was a little better when the presidency had some control," said Red Mesa, Ariz., chapter Vice President Victor Dee.
"I'd like to stay out of the tribal politics, but there are too many wrongs. More people should become involved in how their government is working."

"We're no better off than we were 10 years ago," Dee added. "MacDonald could have made things happen for the people quicker."

"I wish these people that run for the council at least have some type of degree," said Cheryl Lopez of Teec Nos Pos, Ariz. "They don't have any business knowledge or anything. When they get money, all they do is spend it."

One MacDonald supporter mentioned that council delegates lament about how a "brain drain" is seeing the tribal government lose intelligent, well-educated young Navajos to a more attractive work force elsewhere. Yet, with the level of corruption on the legislative side, in tandem with the unchecked power the council holds, there is no way any young, upwardly mobile Navajo can
work in such an environment, the onlooker said.

Badoni noted how Title 2 amendments have seen Navajos lose their voting power, such as rules that make it nearly impossible to reduce the council's size. He said the real power in Window Rock is held by Chief Legislative Counsel Steven Boos.

"He's the president of the Navajo Nation," Badoni said facetiously of Boos. "And you can print that. We ought to vote for him."

"Over in the council, their heads are not together," said Seymour Tso of Cameron. "It's the Anglos that control the plan, those
lawyers that do all the talking."

Wilbur Smith of Shiprock, who has run for a council seat, said the U.S. government imposed a government on the Navajo people by creating the tribal council. An imposed government is much different than what the U.S. population has, which is a
Constitution created by and for the people, he said.

Though the federal government created the Navajo government, it "looks the other way" when Navajos complain about their
leaders, calling it "a Navajo problem," Smith said. The federal government actually embraces a Navajo people disenfranchised by
their own tribal government, he said. This lends itself to Native American people leaving their reservations and becoming further
assimilated by the dominant society.

The bottom line, Smith said, is that tribal leaders, in this case Navajo council delegates, have an authoritarian system somewhere
between "communism and socialism." They have far too much power over the people.

"This is not working," Smith said. "Something has got to change. There is abuse of power all over."

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Murder victim leaves void
Milan family still grieves

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — When the Vallejos family visits the cemetery on Christmas Eve, there will be one more grave to pause at.

Anthony Vallejos, 33, was buried in the Cubero Cemetery after a service Friday at Our Lady of the Light Church. Vallejos, who lived in Milan, was shot to death last Monday evening by his neighbor, Arcy Martinez.

Martinez is being held on a count of murder and will appear before the grand jury Wednesday.

Germain Vallejos, the deceased's sister, said Anthony was buried next to his mother and grandmother in the village cemetery. At Christmas the large family places a lighted Christmas tree and luminarias near the graves. They bring tamales and their mother's favorite, Coca-Cola, to the graves. Vallejos said you can look up at the cemetery and see the lights.

Vallejos lived in Milan with his partner Sara Garcia, their 8-year-old daughter Santana, his stepson Ricky Garcia, and his stepdaughter Benisha Garcia. His father Daniel Martinez lives in Albuquerque.

At Christmas, Vallejos said her brother portrayed Santa Claus. Sometimes he would bring two carloads of presents for all of the nieces and nephews. She said everyone loved her brother because he was a comedian who was always clowning around, making people laugh. He was open and would talk to anyone.

Two weeks before his death, Vallejos said her brother told his sister Elizabeth, "I won't be singing with you this year." At the time the family thought he just meant he was not going with them to the graves.

Vallejos said her brother generally came by once a week to help her out and spend time with her. Last Monday morning, he helped her chop a wheelbarrow full of wood. When they were done they sat for a while talking and joking.

Because her brother was so open, Vallejos said, he had told them how he wanted to be buried. A painter by profession, he had worked on the McDonald's restaurant and had helped build Denny's. He wanted to be buried in the white shirt and pants that painters wear.

One of his sisters bought him a new white shirt. Vallejos said they found a red heart patch and decorated it with a ribbon that said, "Santana, I love you por siempre." She said he wanted a pearly paintbrush to be buried with him and his family bought one
and placed it in his hand saying, "Now, go paint heaven."

The large church was packed with people for the funeral. Vallejos said they will miss Anthony and they love him dearly. "It was
a senseless death and my brother didn't deserve that. They were friends and next-door neighbors for years. Arcy used to tell
Anthony he was like a son to him."

Martinez admits shooting

Vallejos died around 5:15 p.m. Monday on Martinez's living room floor. The death certificate said the cause of death was
gunshot wounds to the chest and left leg. Vallejos and his friend Ralph Gonzales, 44, of Milan, had been visiting Martinez.

Milan Police Sgt. Jerry Stephens said his preliminary investigation indicates the three friends had been drinking, but it is unclear how much.

Officer Salvadore Corral said in a report that he received a call to go to 621 San Jose Dr. in Milan. When he arrived he found Ralph Gonzales lying face down in front of the porch in the front yard. "He shot me," Gonzales said, pointing to the house.

At that moment, Martinez came out of the house, looked at Corral, and said, "He's lying down in here." Martinez pointed to the house and Corral entered the living room while Officer Adrian Archuleta took care of Gonzales.

As he entered the room, Corral saw Vallejos lying face down on the floor with blood around his head. According to the report Martinez said, "I shot him. He came at me with a weapon. I was defending myself."

Corral said he asked Martinez for the weapon. Martinez told him it was a .22 caliber rifle and that he had put it back in the closet. Corral handcuffed Martinez and placed him in the patrol car while he began to process the crime scene.

Later, the report says Martinez was taken to the Milan Police Station and read his Miranda rights. During the interview, Martinez admitted shooting Vallejos.

Martinez was taken to the Cibola County Corrections Center and booked on one open count of murder in the death of Vallejos and one count of aggravated battery with the intent to commit great bodily harm for shooting Gonzales.

On Wednesday, Martinez appeared before Magistrate Judge Jackie Fisher and was ordered held without bond. The crimes are
punishable by no less than 54 years and no more than 60 years in the state penitentiary or a fine not to exceed $50,000 or both.
He is scheduled to appear before the grand jury Wednesday.

Gonzales was taken to Cibola General Hospital where he underwent surgery and is listed in stable condition at this time.

Milan Police Chief Alfonso Martinez said this is the first homicide in Milan in 22 years.

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Bengal boys back to losing ways

Abelita Rose Freeland
Staff Sports Writers

GALLUP — The Gallup Bengal boys fell short of their second District 1AAAAA win against the visiting Rio Rancho Rams, losing 55-49, on Saturday night at Gallup High School.

"I thought we played well for the most part and we had some individuals do some good things," said Gallup coach Earl Diddle. "Our effort was good enough to win a game like this, but we just didn't play smart enough in certain areas to win this game."

Gallup and Rio Rancho fought throughout the first quarter of the game fighting for control of the game.

The Bengals recovered from an early 3-0 deficit with a six point run.

Drew Money connected on a jump shot, Daniel Guliford had on offensive putback and Chris Vicente made a drive to the basket, giving Gallup a 6-3 lead.

Nato Echerivel answered right back with an assist to Richard Anaya for the Rams, but Money made a drive to the basket to keep the Bengals on top 8-5.

A steal from White for a basket and a jump shot from Joel Lund, allowed Rio Rancho to take a brief 9-8 lead until Money sank a trey to regain an 11-9 lead. However, Preston Wilhite hit a three-pointer, putting the Rams up 12-11.

A trey from Bengal E.J. Patterson and an offensive rebound for a score by Ram Ryan Gibson left the two teams still neck-and-neck after the first quarter of action.

In the second quarter, a lay-up from Bengal Maurice Guliford and an assist from Wilhite to Lund, left the game still tied at 16-16.

Patterson then assisted Vicente, but Lund scored off an offensive rebound and Sal Stefensen added a jump shot which gave Rio Rancho a 20-18 lead.

Maurice Guliford retied the game at 20-20 on a basket assisted by Robb Erickson.

Ram Echerivel sank a jump and Wilhite with a pair of free throws, allowed the Rams to go into half-time leading 28-24.

The Rams were able to widen their lead in the third quarter outscoring the Bengals 13 to 10, starting the quarter with a six point
run to take a 34-24 lead.

With the Bengals trailing 41-30, Money scored four straight points before ending the quarter with a drive to the basket and
another basket off a steal.

Maurice Guliford opened the fourth quarter by connecting on a jumper, but Wilhite answered back with a three-pointer. Gallup
continued the see-saw battle with a drive from Money only to have While answer with a trey, as Gallup fell behind 47-38.

Money then grabbed a steal for a basket and Maurice Guliford sank a pair of free throws, closing the Rams' lead to 47-42.

A pair of free throws from Ryan Gibson was countered with a trey from Daniel Guliford. After a jump shot from White, the
Bengal scoring continued with a basket from B.J. Begay assisted by Patterson, making the score 51-47.

That was as close as the Bengals got.

"I thought this was a game that was going to be a tight game over here," Diddle said. "I thought our win the night before might
propel us, but we weren't emotionally ready to play. We just aren't smart enough right now to win a game like this right now."
Money led the Gallup effort with 17 points and two steals. Maurice Guliford tallied 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds, three
steals and had a blocked shot.

Ram Wilhite led Rio Rancho with 15 points. Lund added 14 points, six rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot.

"I thought we were in the game almost the whole way. I was really, really disappointed in this loss and the way the kids were
coming on they were playing pretty good. I am just real disappointed in this loss," Diddle concluded.

The Bengals (3-13 overall) will play at Valley Thursday.


Lady Cards celebrate title

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

WINDOW ROCK — The boys 1A North Regional Tournament ended with a bang Saturday evening.

A pair of three-pointers in the final minute by all-conference player Chris Holgate forced overtime, but the St. Michael boys lost to Joe City 61-59.

In the girls finals, tournament MVP Natashia Begay led the St. Michael Lady Cardinals past the Seligman Lady Lopes.

"I am really pleased with both teams," said St. Michael coach Joey Rollings, who was named the boys 1A North conference Coach of the Year. "They both played really well."

Omar Benally was also named to the 1A North all tourney team.

In other boy games played earlier Saturday, top-seeded Joseph City beat No. 4 Seligman 78-68 and the Cardinals eliminated No. 3 Fredonia 53-40.

In the girls' bracket, No. 4 seed Seligman beat No. 1 Joseph City 41-38 and No. 2 St. Michael beat No. 3 Fredonia 57-48.

Both St. Michael teams advance to the 1A Arizona State Tournament this week. The Cardinal boys will play at Chambliss High
School in Phoenix against the #1 seed from the Central region in the first round of the Arizona State Tournament. The Lady Cardinals will play the #2 seed from the Central Region on Thursday at America West Arena in Phoenix

Boys Joseph City 61, St. Michael 59 OT

Holgate kept the game going by hitting two three-pointers in the final 40 seconds of regulation, but did not get a chance to give the Cardinals a win in the overtime.

Holgate hit a three with the Cardinals behind 53-49. The Cardinals had to foul and Ezra Jensen put the Wildcats up 55-52. With five seconds left Holgate got the ball again and made a shot against heavy pressure.

With the game tied the scoreboard seemed to run out, but the referee made the call that Joseph City called a time-out with five second left, giving them one last chance. The Wildcats got the ball inbounds, but were called for traveling as time expired, sending it into overtime.

In the extra period, the Cardinals did not hit a field goal, scoring only four points on free throws.

Joseph City scored first in the overtime on a free throw by Jerry Miller. St. Michael answered and tied the game with Josh Thompson hitting the second of a pair from the line. Joseph City took a two-point lead on a basket by Michael Wouters, but he
was unable to complete a three-point play at the line.

The Cardinals pulled within one on a free throw from Herbert Edsitty, and then Kevin Hailstorm gave them the lead with a pair
from the line.

With 10.3 seconds remaining Joseph City called time-out and set up one last play. The Wildcats got the ball in and Matt Click
drove to the basket. The referee called a foul and said that Click's basket counted because of a continuation towards the basket.
With the game tied with under six seconds, Click sank the free throw, giving the Wildcats the lead they would leave with.

"The boys played really great," said Rollings. "They came out a ;little cold, but when we were down six with 40 seconds left we
were able to come back. Unfortunately in the overtime, some bad things happened. It was a shame that we lost this game, but I
am still proud of the kids. We are still going to state, and I would rather win state than regionals."

It looked like Joseph City was going to run away with the game early, jumping out to a 10-2 lead. Both teams pushed the ball up
the court and utilized a full court presses.

St. Michael gave up the first six points before Josh Thompson hit a jumper for the Cardinals' first points.

The Wildcats had a 14-2 lead late in the first when Holgate hit his first three and then hit a jumper to make the score 14-7.
Joseph City ended the quarter with a 21-9 lead, but ran into problems early in the second quarter.

St. Michael made up for their slow start at the beginning of the game by scoring the first nine points of the second quarter,
pulling within three, 21-18.

The Cardinals finally got the game even at 26-26 midway through the second on a three by Holgate.

Omar Benally gave the Cardinals their first lead at 28-26, but then Joseph City closed out the half by scoring the last five points.

The two teams did not slow down in the third, but the scoring did. The two teams scored a combined 13 points in the third, with
St. Michael coming out with a 37-35 lead going into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter St. Michael shot 8-of-12 from the line and only hit two field goals before Holgate's final minute three-
pointers. The Cardinals and Wildcats exchanged leads several times in the quarter, with St. Michael leading by as many as four
and Joseph City leading by as many as seven.

St. Michael was led by Chris Holgate with 14, including four threes. Omar Benally scored 12 and Kevin Hailstorm added 10,
including 8-of-9 from the line.

Joseph City was led by Michael Wouters with 20. Stratton Sullivan added 13 and Jerry Miller pitched in 11.

St. Michael 53, Fredonia 42

With a 20-point outing by Omar Benally, the Cardinals led in every quarter except the first.

St. Michael trailed 11-8 at the end of the first, but took a 23-21 lead in at the half and trailed only one more time the rest of the
game. The Cardinals pushed their lead to 40-30 at the end of the third quarter.

Benally led all scorers with 20, followed by Arash Hossini with 13.

Fredonia was led by Brett LeClair with 18 and Jacob Christensen with 13. Only two other players scored for Fredonia, Justin
Johnson with eight and Shane McCormick with three.

Joseph City 78, Seligman 68

Despite 20-point performances from C.E. Talayumptewa and Cam Querta, Seligman was unable to knock off the Wildcats.

Joseph City was led by Solomon Stratton with 16, Michael Wouters with 15 and Brennon Fish with 11.

Seligman was led by Talayumptewa with 21 followed by Querta with 20. Michael John Byrd also scored 11.

Joseph City jumped out to a 20-14 lead and held a 39-28 advantage at half-time. The Wildcats scored 17 to Seligman's 11 in the
third and even 298 points in the fourth was not enough to bring the Antelopes back.

Girls St. Michael 45, Seligman 42

St. Michael never trailed in the game and led by as many as ten at one point, but they could not celebrate a regional championship until the final buzzer.

"That was a game that could have gone either way," said Rollings. "The girls played real good. They were patient on offense and
aggressive on defense. I am really pleased with them."

The Lady Cardinals were ahead 33-23 midway through the third quarter when Seligman went on a 10-2 run to make the score
35-33 going into the final quarter.

St. Michael got the lead back up to seven early in the fourth but the Lady Lopes kept battling back, puling to 38-42 with a minute
left off a jump shot and then getting within two with a steal and lay up.

Seligman quickly fouled and Natashia Begay sank 1-of-2 from the line. Seligman lost the ball on their following possession and
had to foul, sending Carly Nez to the line to give St. Michael a 45-40 lead with under 20 seconds.

The Lady Lopes quickly got the ball in to Erica Alvarado, who put it in, standing just inside the three-point arch. St. Michael was
called for traveling, setting Seligman up under their basket with 1.2 left on the clock and behind 45-42. The Lady Lopes got the
ball in, but could not get a three off before the buzzer.

St. Michael was led by Carly Nez with 20. Natashia Begay added 10.

Seligman was led by Erica Alvarado, who was named the 1A North Region co-MVP along with Begay, with 18 followed by
Chira Birch with 13.

St. Michael 55, Fredonia 48

Free throws helped the Lady Cardinals hold off a fourth quarter rally by Fredonia.

Fredonia outscored St. Michael 22-13 in the final period, but the Lady Cardinals kept their lead by hitting 5-of-8 from the line.

Tania Navakuku hit 3-of-3 from the line and Natashia Begay scored six of her game high 14 points, including two free throws.

Fredonia fell behind 16-9 at the end of the first quarter and 30-20 at the half. St. Michael had it's biggest lead of the game at the
end of the third quarter when the Lady Cardinals were ahead 42-26, but Fredonia had one last push left in them.

Behind eight points from Sara Brownfield and seven from Jeanna Cash Fredonia kept the game within five for most of the fourth
quarter.

Fredonia missed 20 freethrows in the game, seven in the fourth quarter. The Lady Lynx shot 12-32 from the line while St.
Michael hit 7-for-10 in the game.

St. Michael was led byBegay with 14, followed by Kim Smith with 12.

Fredonia was led by Sara Brownfield with 14 and Siera Bundy with 13.

Seligman 41, Joseph City 38

Seligman led 11-7 at the end of the first quarter and never trailed at the end of any of the quarters.

Joseph City almost completed a comeback in the fourth, outscoring the Lady Lopes 18-12.

Seligman went into the final quarter ahead 30-20, and barely came out with the three-point win.

Seligman was led by Erica Alvarado with 21 points. Chira Birch added 10.

Joseph City was led by Ashley Johnson, scoring nine of her 12 points in the fourth quarter. Kristin McMaster scored 11 and
Cody Mitchell added 10, all in the first half.

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Snow helps break dry spell in mountains

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

ZUNI MOUNTAINS — These rugged mountains have more snow in them than any other time since 1993, which is good news for the thirsty soil which has seen record low amounts of moisture in the last few years.

Put simply, the Zuni Mountains have 527 percent more snow in them than at the same time last year. The high figures, from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, point to the fact that the area had exceedingly low figures last year and also low figures for the year before. For the parched countryside, the 527 percent is good news.

The part that isn't so good is the fact that the snowfall in the mountains do not have a high amount of water content. In other words, it's a very powdery snow indeed. What the Zuni Mountains and Mount Taylor need now is not only snow, but snow with a high water content...

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Dilkon, White Cone fix finances

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation Council's Budget-Finance Committee has approved correction plans for the Dilkon and White Cone chapters in answer to audits done several years ago.

The committee accepted the plans after the Auditor General's Office reviewed them late last year. But in White Cone's case, the committee wants the chapter to report back on March 19 on how well the plan is working. The committee also wants Dilkon's report in August, with a follow-up report by the Auditor General's Office in February 2002.

White Cone's 18-month audit was issued March 3, 1998, with a follow-up review issued Jan. 6, 2000, and the correction plan on Sept. 19, 2000. Dilkon's audit covered two years, ending March 31, 1996.

White Cone's plan

The audit found the tribe accounted for $197,833 on behalf of the chapter, with the chapter accounting for another $100,529...

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Deaths

Robert L. Martin

BECENTI — Services for Robert L. Martin, 62, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Gospel Light House Assembly of God, Crownpoint. Rev. Carlos Baki will officiate. Burial will follow at a private family cemetery, Coal Mine Rd., Coyote Canyon
Visitation will be at held from noon to 7 p.m. today at Rollie Mortuary.

Martin died Feb. 8 in Becenti. He was born Feb. 11, 1938 in Rehoboth into the Red House People Clan for the Bitter Water
People Clan.

Survivors include his wife, Juilette Largo of Becenti; sons, Bronson Martin of Shiprock, Dwayne Martin of Ganado, Ariz., Alan Martin and Houston Martin both of Window Rock and Gregory Martin and Rhett Martin both of Becenti; daughters, Alana Bia of Many Farms, Ariz., Cheryl Martin of Becenti, Debra Martin of Ganado, Ariz., Jenine Martin of Albuquerque and Rochelle Martin of Mesa, Ariz.; brothers, Chavez Martin of Kirtland, Chee Martin of Tohatchi, John Martin of Gallup and Thomas Martin of Crownpoint; sisters, Grance Platero of Gallup, Jennie Avery and Ethel Martin both of Coyote Canyon and 18 grandchildren.

Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Amy Martin; brothers, Charles Martin and Willis Martin.

Pallbearers will be Martin Avery, Glenson King, Alan Martin, Bronson Martin, Gregory Martin and William Martin.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Celso Tabaha

HOUCK, Ariz. — Services for Celso Tabaha, 90, will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Saint John Evangelist. Father Cormac will officiate. Burial will follow at Houck Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. at Cope Memorial.

Tabaha died Feb. 7 in Gallup. He was born Feb. 28, 1910 in Houck into the Towering House People for the Edge Water.
Tabaha served in World War II. He was a member of the Saint Michaels Mission. He was employed with the Santa Fe Railroad.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Silversmith; sons, Jim Silversmith of Lupton, Ariz., Leroy Tabaha, Leonard Tabaha and Arthur Silversmith all of Houck; daughters, Louise M. Bitsie of Mexican Springs, Nellie Frank of Farmington, Rose Avery of Querino Canyon, Ariz. and Nancy Moore of Houck; brother, Steven Yazzie of Houck; sister, Mary Todikozh of Houck; 30
grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Tabaha was preceded in death by his sons, Jimmy Tabaha, Elmer Tabaha, Herman Tabaha, and Wilbert Tabaha and daughter, Mary A. King.

Pallbearers will be family members.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Lillian Becenti

TWIN LAKES — Services for Lillian Becenti, 90, will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Becenti was a homemaker, rancher and weaver.

Becenti was born Nov. 14, 1911 in Twin Lakes into the Ute Clan for the Salt Clan.

Survivors include her sons, Edison Becenti, Raymond Becenti and Benjamin Becenti; daughters, Mary Tommy, Mae Kalleco, Florence Detsoi and Dorothy Becenti; sister, Helen K. Yazzie; including grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great
grandchildren.

Becenti was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Becenti; daughter, Irene Begay; brothers, Sam Johnson and Jack
Johnson and sister, Mary Yazzie.

A family meeting will be held at 6 p.m., tonight at the Twin Lakes Chapter House, Twin Lakes.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.