MacDonald speaks



Peter MacDonald speaks before the New Mexico Senate in Santa Fe on Thursday as his cousin Big Jim Atcitty, left, looks on. The man at far right is unidentified.



Chinle Elementary School fourth grader Brandon Guinn faces off against spelling bee judges as he correctly spells the word ``axle'' to take the Navajo Nation Gallup Independent spelling bee championship Thursday.

Photos by Jeff Jones

 

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Gallup seniors move graduation to park

Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — How do you put 10,000 people in a 5,000-seat stadium?

That was the problem facing senior class officers at Gallup High School at the beginning of this school year.

Their solution: change the site of this year's senior class graduation from the Public School Stadium to Red Rock State Park, where the seating capacity is about 7,500.

While not totally solving the problem, senior class officials said it will allow each of the 500 or so graduating seniors more tickets to this year's event.

"If we had held it at the stadium, we would be able to allocate each graduate nine tickets, but by going to Red Rock, we can increase it to 15," said Bayo Falase, co-vice-president of the class.

That may not appease every senior, since class officials had been fielding requests for a great deal more than that one senior asked for 270 tickets for friends and relatives, said Sandy Rodriguez, the other co-president of the class.

Mike Butkovich, the school's principal, said the problem has been getting worse and worse over the past few years as the number of graduates has been increasing.

Last year, the demand for tickets was so great that the Public School Stadium was jammed with some people sitting in the aisles and alongside the grandstands, a situation that no one, including the town's fire marshal, liked.

"We knew there was no solution that would appease everyone but I have to congratulate these senior class officers for tackling the problem. They were not afraid to take a stand and try to make things better," Butkovich said.

The plan now is to distribute to each graduate a maximum of 15 tickets. Since not every senior will need all 15, Rodriguez said that those seniors who are requesting more will probably be able to get a few more tickets.

Emily Gomez, the class treasurer, said provisions have also been made to provide tickets to any sophomore or junior who wants to attend.

"We expect that, at the most, only about 100 will want to attend the event," she said. Seating will also be made available to the 50 to 60 high school teachers who plan to attend.

By shifting the event from the stadium to the park, class officers are also hoping to cut down on the rowdiness that has plagued past graduations when graduates would have friends or relatives pass them shaving cream and beach balls from outside the stadium.

The seniors would bounce the beach balls in the air during speeches and cream each other as well as spectators with the shaving cream after the ceremonies were over.

Another major plus for having the event at the park is that parking is available at the site, unlike at the stadium where some people had to park blocks away.

Class officials have also looked at the possibility of someone trying to forge the tickets, thus creating chaos at this year's event,
To solve this problem, Rodriguez said, the tickets will be printed on paper that can't be reproduced on a copying machine.

Bukovich said that by having the event at Red Rock, which has the largest seating capacity of any facility in the area, the class officials have done as good a job as possible to arrive at a solution that will appease as many people as possible.

"At the same time, they have taken actions that will result in a nice, solemn occasion and not a joke," he said.

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MacDonald: 'You saved my life'
Ex-leader thanks lawmakers

Walter Howerton Jr.
Managing Editor

SANTA FE — Peter MacDonald came to the state Capitol on Thursday to thank New Mexico lawmakers for their help in having him released from prison.

The former Navajo tribal chairman visited both the Senate and House chambers and was applauded by both Democrat and Republican lawmakers.

In the Senate, he was honored with moving tributes from Sen. John Pinto, D-McKinley and San Juan, Sen. Leonard Tsosie, D-Bernalillo, Los Alamos, McKinley, Rio Arriba and Sandoval, and others.

In the House, MacDonald was presented with a letter welcoming him on his "return to your ancestral homeland."

Picking up on the theme of healing that MacDonald has used since his release from federal prison in January, the House letter said, "We stand with you as you move beyond the wounds of the past into the honor and beauty of the future ... Today we see evidence that there can be a restoration of the balance and harmony so needed in our world."

The letter was signed by Rep. Ray Begaye, D-San Juan; Rep. Leo Watchman Jr., D-McKinley and San Juan; Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-McKinley; Rep. W. Ken Martinez, D-Cibola, McKinley and Sandoval; Rep. George Hanosh, D-Cibola and McKinley; Rep. James Roger Madalena, D-Bernalillo, Cibola and Sandoval; and Rep. Nick Salazar, D-Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos.

MacDonald was supposed to be honored by the Legislature on Indian Day earlier in the session, but poor health kept him from attending that event.

Begaye said that in recent days, MacDonald had contacted several lawmakers to say that he wanted to come and thank the Legislature personally for what they had done for him.

A joint memorial was passed by the House and Senate in 1997 supporting MacDonald's release, which finally was granted by President Bill Clinton this year.

MacDonald was joined by his daughter, Linda MacDonald Dailleboust, and her two young children. MacDonald introduced them as he rose to address the House and said his granddaughter was "looking at me to see if I still remember her name."

MacDonald walked with a cane, but looked trim and spoke firmly.

"Today I'm here as living evidence of the power of your words and your prayers," he told the lawmakers. He thanked them for his freedom and for "drying the tears and healing the hearts of my family and my people."

He told legislators that they had"saved my life," citing the heart problems he had in prison and saying that he was scheduled for surgery again in two weeks.

He called New Mexico "the land of enchantment and the land of compassion."

MacDonald, a Republican, recalled a visit he made to the state Democratic convention in Utah years ago, where he said he was the only Republican and the only Baptist in a room full of Mormon Democrats.

When they asked him whom the Navajos would support, MacDonald said he answered: "Navajos have many friends who are Democrats and many who are Republicans. I am going to vote for my friends."

Then he said to the New Mexico House members, "I consider you all my friends."

He recalled another meeting where he was the only Republican in a room full of Democrats and someone else asked: "Chief, how does it feel to sit among Democrats as the only Republican and be shot with arrows all night?"

MacDonald chuckled and said he told the man, "I know how Gen. Custer felt."

But MacDonald said the feeling he has since being freed from prison Jan. 20 is something different and much more serious.

"Now I know how the prodigal son felt," he said. "I am enjoying the feast of love you have given me, my family and my people."

After the brief speech a number of lawmakers stepped to the podium to shake MacDonald's hand. As MacDonald embraced House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe, Sen. Leonard Tsosie stood nearby snapping photographs.

Tribal changes

In the hallway outside the House chamber after the speech, Ray Begaye, who was a college student when MacDonald was at the height of his power, used the aging former tribal chairman as a yardstick to measure what has become of the Navajo Nation since MacDonald went to prison. Tribal government came up short.

Begaye remembers things as being much more efficient and professional under MacDonald, right down to Navajo students getting money from the tribe on time when they were away at college.

"We would have settled our water rights by now," Begaye said. "We would have dams, reservoirs, water, creative choices. We would have more say now in things like power lines and power plants."

And without MacDonald?

"There's not a lot of intelligence coming out of the (Navajo Nation) Council these days," Begaye said.

Patty rules

Gallup Rep. Patty Lundstrom was beside herself with excitement on Thursday afternoon. The freshman (or would that be freshperson?) House member got the chance to move from her seat in the back row and take over the speaker's chair for a while.

Speaker Ben Lujan better watch out. She seemed to like the feel of it.

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Man indicted on sex charge

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — The Cibola County grand jury indicted a 34-year-old man who allegedly wanted to have sexual contact with a child less than 13 years old.

On Nov. 10, 2000, Martin Molina, 34, of Grants, is alleged to have touched the private parts of a child less than 13, or intentionally caused the child to touch Molina's intimate parts.

The case came before the grand jury Wednesday and the jury charged Molina with criminal sexual contact of a minor in the third degree. A third-degree felony, if it results in conviction and sentencing to the maximum allowed by the law, would mean Molina faces up to three years in prison and/or a fine up to $3,000.

Others indicted

Elliot Curley, 40, of Albuquerque, was driving through Cibola County when he was stopped by State Police Officer Scott Merrill originally for speeding on Dec. 8, 2000.

After stopping Curley the officer discovered that he allegedly was driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that he had no driver license and that he had an open container of alcohol within reach of him inside the vehicle. All of the crimes are misdemeanors.

The case of Raymond Najar, 51, of Grants, also came before the grand jury and he was indicted on several charges.

Grants Police spotted Najar weaving in a traffic lane and tried to stop him on Jan. 27. Police said Najar refused to bring his vehicle to a stop when the officer gave him a visual command, so he was charged with resisting, and evading or obstructing an officer.

Najar reportedly refused to take a chemical test to find out how much, if any, alcohol he had in his blood. Because of the refusal, Najar was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It was then police began to find out more about Najar. He also was allegedly driving while his license was suspended or revoked, he did not have any proof of financial responsibility (no insurance) and he was not wearing a seat belt.

The six crimes are all misdemeanors.

Jimmy Etcitty, 37, of Crownpoint, who apparently was spotted by state police weaving in a traffic lane on Jan. 26, 2001. After hearing the evidence against Etcitty, the grand jury charged him with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving while his license was suspended or revoked, possession of an alcoholic beverage in an open container in a motor
vehicle, failure to maintain a traffic lane and possession of one ounce or less of marijuana. Once again, all the crimes are
misdemeanors.

Daniel Martinez, 18, of Grants, for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.

The charges stem from a Feb. 18 case investigated by the Grants Police. The possession of a controlled substance case is a fourth-degree felony and the possession of paraphernalia charge is a misdemeanor. Martinez faces up to two years behind bars and/or a fine up to $3,000.

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Thoreau gets win against Laguna JV

Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer

THOREAU — The Thoreau Hawks were able to pick up a pair of wins against the Laguna Acoma Hawk JV teams 17-6 and then 10-2 in a shortened game Thursday afternoon at Thoreau High School.

Thoreau (1-0) used a four run third inning to pull away and added seven in the bottom of the sixth to hold on to the first game, and then scored 10 runs in the top of the first in the second game before the game was called because of darkness.

Laguna JV (2-1) was only able to get five hits in both games combined, getting three in the first game and two in the second.

Game 1 Thoreau 17, Laguna Acoma JV 6

Laguna jumped out to an early lead, scoring their first two batters of the game. Barry Sarracino started the game by reaching first on a Thoreau error and advanced to second when the next batter, Aaron Sarracino was walked.

Jason Mariacino reached first on a fielding error to load the bases and the next batter, Darvin Sarracino was walked, scoring Barry Sarracino. The next batter, Brandi Kie grounded out to third base for the second out of the game, but Aaron Sarracino scored on the play giving Laguna a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning Thoreau took the lead scoring three runs on two Laguna errors and a pair of walks.

The Laguna Hawks tied the score in the top of the second, scoring one run. Todd Douma led the inning off reaching first on a throwing error and ended up at third after the ball went into right field. Douma was able to score when the Thoreau catcher attempted to pick him off but the ball got away from the third baseman.

Going into the bottom of the second Thoreau doubled their score, adding three more runs on two hits and three walks. Thoreau stranded two runners and had one picked off in their at bat in the second.

Thoreau worked a quick top of the third, getting the Laguna batters to go down in order, all three grounding out.

Back up to bat, Thoreau added four runs to their lead, making the score 10-3. With one out Kevin Yazzie walked and was advanced on a single by Rowdy Aragon. Both players scored when the next batter, Jeremy Mazon hit the ball to deep center, getting a triple out of the hit. Mazon scored on a single by Virdell Brown, and Brown later scored on a passed ball.

Thoreau worked another 1-2-3 inning in the fourth and came up to bat again, but could not get anything, going down in order as well.

Laguna finally got their first hit of the game in the top of the fourth, a single to right-center by Barry Sarracino. Laguna scored their last three runs of the game in the fourth, scoring them on three hits, a pair of errors and one walk.

Thoreau got a runner on in the bottom of the inning, but could not get him in, stranding him at third. Laguna could not get anything in the top of the sixth, Barry Sarracino received a walk but was stranded at second.

Thoreau added seven more runs to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, three of the runs coming off a bases loaded triple by Mazon. Thoreau went around the lineup in the sixth, getting 11 players up to bat in the inning.

Thoreau Hawk George Yesslith (1-0) picked up the win, going the distance giving up six runs, one earned in six innings on three hits and five walks while striking out five.

Ending the game with the loss was Ben Chavez (0-1) who started the game and went 2 1/3 innings giving up 10 runs, two earned on six hits and eight walks while striking out four. Zac Carillo came in for relief and went 4 2/3 innings giving up seven runs, three earned while striking out five.

Thoreau 10, Laguna Acoma 4 (2 Innings)

The second game started with Laguna again scoring the first two batters in a similar way as the first game.

Barry Sandoval reached first to lead off the game and advanced to third on two passed balls. Aaron Sarracino reached first on a walk and both scored on passed balls. Thoreau got out of the inning by striking out one Laguna batter and throwing two out in attempts to steal bases.

Up to bat, Thoreau scored 10 runs, going 14 batters deep in the top of the first, getting seven runs off Laguna pitchers Shane Sandoval and Zac Carillo.

Mazon and Brown both went 2-for-2 in the inning and scored twice, and Yesslith went 1-for-2 with a single and reached on an error, while getting four RBIs.

When Laguna finally got the third out, there was only enough time for one more inning.

Laguna scored two runs on doubles from Aaron Sarracino and Douma and a pair of walks, but the two would not be enough. Thoreau got the third out and the game was called because there was not enough light to continue and there are no stadium lights at the Thoreau baseball field.

Picking up the win was Virdell Brown, going two innings giving up four runs, none earned on two hits and five walks while striking out three.

Ending with the loss was Zac Carillo, going 1/3 of an inning giving up five runs, none earned, on two hits and two walks, while striking out one. Finishing the game was Shane Sandoval, going 2/3 of an inning giving up five runs, four earned on five hits and one walk.

Thoreau will play again on Saturday against Valley-Sanders in a double header with the first game starting at 11 a.m. at Thoreau High School.

Bengals strand seven base runners in loss

Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor

FARMINGTON — The Gallup Bengals stranded seven baserunners in a 10-1 loss to Vernal, Utah during the first round of the Farmington Scorpion Invitational Baseball Tournament Thursday morning at Worley Park.

"We're not getting the clutch hit, when we need the clutch hit,"Gallup coach Robert Erp said."I don't know what it's going to take to get that. We worked hard on situational hitting this week, putting men on third, men on second, trying to learn how to get the run home. Til we figure that out, one run is not going to win games up here. Especially with the competition that's up here.

"It's going to be a tough road, we're going to have to learn to hit the ball. Til we do we're going to struggle."

The loss was the third straight for the Bengals which dropped them to 2-4 on the season.

The Bengals will have played Cobre this morning in the consolation bracket of the eight-team tournament. A win would move Gallup into the fifth place game Saturday morning at 11:30. If they lose today, they will play at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The Bengals had only a pair of singles off Vernal's 6'0"senior pitcher Kendal Hacking. However, Hacking, who struck out nine, did struggle with his control at times, hitting four Bengals.

Hacking hit lead-off batter Ricky Luna in the back to start the game. Luna stole second then advanced to third on a groundout by Andrew Christiansen. But he was stranded there after Jared Montano flew out to rightfield.

Hacking again hit a batter to lead off the second inning, nailing Bengal pitcher Justin Munoz in the head. Will Silva came in as the courtesy runner and moved over to third on groundouts by Robbie Bunch and Trevor Thomas. Silva then scored on a throwing error by Vernal second baseman Trevor Ashdown. The Bengals ran themselves out of the inning when Bo Sanchez was thrown out at second trying to advance on the overthrow.

Hacking hit Montano in the third, but Montano was thrown out on a fielder's choice. With two outs and Munoz on second and Bunch on first after a walk, Thomas struck out to leave the pair stranded.

Silva and Luna each singled with one out in the fifth inning, but neither scored as Hacking registered another strikeout and Christiansen flew out to Ashdown.

After walking Montano to start the sixth inning, Hacking again hit another batter, Bunch, to put Bengals on first and second with one out. But again the Bengals failed to capitalize and Hacking topped off the complete game victory by retiring five straight Bengal hitters.

Meanwhile, the Utes scored all the runs they needed in the first inning as Bengal starter Justin Munoz struggled.

"Part of our problem is I don't think we know how to get ready for the game, we've come out and first innings have killed us,"Erp said.

Munoz walked the lead-off batter before coming back with his first strikeout. But then Hacking doubled in the game's first run and B.J. Hadlock tagged the first of his two homers to put Vernal up 3-0. Hadlock added a solo shot to lead off the sixth inning.

Munoz gave up another double in the first before retiring the side with his second of eight strikeouts. The Bengal lefty, who returned after getting hit in the bottom of the second, then settled down and retired 11 of the next 14 hitters he faced, five on strike outs. But then he ran out of steam in the top of the sixth, giving up three straight hits including the second homer to Hadlock as Vernal begin to put the game away.

"He competed real well after that,"Erp said of Munoz' turnaround."I think he came out and battled, he found the old Justin, the way he had been throwing some last year for us. That's the guy we need to go out there for us. The guy who threw his curve ball for strikes, was able to spot his fastball. He got hurt big time by getting his fastball up right around the belt and the good teams are going to be able to hit that. He doesn't throw hard enough to throw it past them all the time so he's gonna have to spot his fastball and throw his curve for strikes. Once he started doing that it was good, then he kind of ran out of gas the fifth inning."

Munoz (1-2) gave up six runs on 10 hits and one walk. He finished with eight strikeouts.

Bengal sophomore Fermin Gallegos relieved Munoz in the seventh inning and Vernal greeted him with a five-hit scoring parade highlighted by a two-run double by Alan Blecher and an RBI double from Dan Davis.

Derrick Sutton led Vernal's 15-hit attack going 4-for-4 with a pair of singles, a double, a triple and 2 RBIs. Hadlock and Belcher each hit 2-for-4.

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Shiprock cops report bomb calls
Teen arrested

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — Two bomb threats kept Shiprock Police District officers and detectives busy last Friday and Monday, resulting in the arrest of an 18-year-old Shiprock area man in one of the incidents.

Arrested Monday was Erick Singer, who lives on Fifth Lane in the NAPI mesa farm area. Navajo police charged him with possession of liquor and threatening.

Singer told investigators that he was only joking when he commented about what he might do at Shiprock High School.

Police received the school's call about the student at 7:22 a.m. Monday, and took the suspect into custody a short time later...

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2 students suspended for 'hazing'

Tara Drolma
Staff Writer

GRANTS — An alleged hazing incident on a Grants High School baseball team bus trip may have been more serious than Grants/Cibola County School District officials are portraying it.

The school district issued a press release Thursday saying two Grants High students were suspended last week following a hazing incident on a baseball team trip out of the district on March 6. The suspension will remain in effect until a hearing on March 19.

The release quotes Joe Dominguez as saying the students have been removed from the baseball team and any other school activities for the rest of the school year and a hearing committee will decide what the punishment will be for the infraction. Dominguez said the boys could be expelled from school...

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Deaths

Jack Cadman

TWIN LAKES — Services for Jack Cadman, 80, will be held at noon Saturday, March 17, at Cope Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery.

Cadman died March 12 in Gallup. He was born April 2, 1920, in Wild Cat into the Towering House People for the Red Running into the Water People Clan.

Cadman was employed with and retired from the Santa Fe Railroad. He enjoyed sheepherding, carpentry and art. He was a member of the Native American Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lillie Mae Cadman; sons, Ernest Y. Cadman, Lester Cadman, Kennth Cadman, Everett Cadman, Anthony Cadman and Timothy Cadman; daughters, Marjorie C. Jones, Isabelle R. Sleuth, Joann C. Damon and Julia C. Agoodie; 29 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

Cadman was preceded in death by his sister, Jane Begay.

The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Donna Thomas residence.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Joe Nelson

ROCK SPRINGS — Services for Joe Nelson, 70, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Established in the Word Church. The Rev. Howard McCormick will officiate. Burial will follow in Rock Springs.

Nelson died March 12 in Tuba City, Ariz. He was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Rehoboth into the Mountain Cove People Clan for the Mescalero Clan.

Nelson was employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Fort Wingate, as a sheepheader, the railroad in Colorado, T.L.
Watson, CETA Program and Tuba City Unified School District as maintenance worker. He was an official with the Rock Springs Chapter House. He served as school board member with Fort Wingate, Navajo Area School Board Association and McKinley County Sheriff Posse Office.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma Jean Nelson; sons, Steven Nelson of Crownpoint, Delvin Nelson of Scottsdale, Ariz., Eddie Nelson, Irving Nelson and Melvin Nelson, all of Rock Springs; daughters, Debra Hallowhorn of Gallup, Nancy Nelson of St. Johns, Ariz., Gevern Nelson and Brianna Nelson, both of Tuba City, Ariz., and Clarene Nelson and Julia Nelson, both of Rock Springs; brothers, Anthony Nelson of Oakland, Calif., and Leslie Nelson of Fort Defiance, Ariz.; sisters, Rhoda Nelson of Oakland, Calif., Erma May Nelson and Ethel Nelson, both of Phoenix, Dorothy Long and Helen Jones, both of Rock Springs; 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Nelson was preceded in death by his sons, Durrell J. Nelson and Larry Nelson.

Pallbearers will be the Rock Springs Veterans Association.

The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Rock Springs Chapter House.

Eric Tyson Manning

RED ROCK — Services for Eric Manning, 21, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Red Rock Church of God. Sister Terry Goodin will officiate. Burial will follow at Gallup City Cemetery.

Visitation will be 1-6 p.m. today at Cope Memorial Chapel.

Manning died March 10 in Gallup. He was born Feb. 19, 1980, in Gallup into the Salt Water People Clanfor the Mexican People.

Manning attended Gallup Central High School and Gallup High School. He was employed with Flowserve in Albuquerque and Gallup Regional Supply Service Center.

Survivors include his mother Bessie Manning of Red Rock; brothers, Nelson Chee of Red Rock and Nelvin Chee of Albuquerque; sisters, Lydia Keedah of Coyote Canyon and Alisha Manning of Red Rock; and grandmother, Lula Manning of Red Rock.

Manning was preceded in death by his father, Victor Sanchez, and grandfather, George Manning.

Pallbearers will be Nelson Chee, Nelvin Chee, Brentt Curley, Raymond Morgan Jr., Jerrick Padilla and Carlos Rascon.

The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services at Sacred Heart Cathedral Family Center, 415 E. Green Ave.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Lorenzo Yazzie

SPRINGSTEAD — Services for Lorenzo Yazzie, 36, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Rollie Mortuary-Palm Chapel. Pastor Mike Kleeberger will officiate. Burial will follow at Rehoboth Mission Cemetery.

Yazzie died March 12 in Gallup. He was born June 25, 1964, in Gallup into the Black Streak People Clan for the Bitterwater People Clan.

Yazzie attended Riverside High School, Anardako, Okla., and Pima Welding Trade School, Phoenix. He was employed with Union Pacific as a mechanic helper.

Survivors include his son, Loando O'Brian Yazzie of Forest Lake, Ariz.; daughter, Charmayne Yazzie of Forest Lake; mother, Wilhelmina A. Yazzie of Church Rock; brothers, Ernest D. Yazzie of Sanders, Ariz., and Wayne Yazzie of Littlewater; and sisters, Judy Houston of Breadsprings, Maggie Lee of Church Rock, Dolly Roy of Lupton, Ariz., Marjorie Yazzie of Phoenix, and Ernestine Yazzie and Betty Estrada, both of Gallup.

Yazzie was preceded in death by his father, Ernest D. Yazzie Sr.; brothers, Leonard Yazzie and Melvin Yazzie; and sister,
Mildred Yazzie.

Pallbearers will be Kee Armstrong, Henry "Bob" Hood, Lindy Morgan, Jimmy Yazzie and Maynard Yazzie.

Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Larry Lee Benally

ROUGH ROCK, Ariz. — Services for Larry Benally, 43, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at Friends Church, Rough Rock. Mel Harold will officiate. Burial will follow in family plot, Rough Rock.

Benally died March 13 in Chinle, Ariz. He was born Oct. 2, 1957, in Crownpoint into the Sage Brush Hill for the One Walks Around You People Clan.

Benally attended Rough Rock Elementary School, Holbrook High and Chinle High School, Institute of American Indian Arts, post graduate school, U.S. Army Illustrator School, Yavapai Junior College.

He was self-employed artist and educator. He served on the school board, Rough Rock Veterans Association and Parent Advisory Committee, and was council delegate for Rough Rock Chapter. He was a member of the Rough Rock School Board, AIRCA, and Navajo Veterans Association.

His hobbies were rodeos, writing poetry and painting. He received many awards, Navajo Nation PowWow Poster, Navajo Veterans Appreciation, Outstanding School Board Member for Rough Rock, and Who's Who's Rodeo Awards.

Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Benally of Rough Rock; daughters, Valissa Scott and Sahvanna Benally, both of Rough Rock; brothers, Anderson Benally of Rough Rock, Leo Benally Jr. of Portland, Ore., and Alexander Benally of Washington; sisters, Carol Benally, Marilyn Benally, Lorretta Tallas, and Ragana Begay, all of Rough Rock, Judith James of Gallup and Rolinda Benally of Ashburn, Va.; and grandparents, Tom and Mary Barbone and Bah Tsinajinnie.

Benally was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Isabelle Benally.

Pallbearers will be his nephews.

A family meeting will be held at 7 p.m. tonight at Rough Rock Chapter House.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Josephine Lopez

GRANTS — Services for Josephine Lopez, 67, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at St. Teresa Catholic Church.

Father Godfrey Blank, OFM, will officiate. Burial will follow at Grants Memorial Park.

A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. tonight at Grants Mortuary Chapel.

Lopez died March 14 in Albuquerque. She was born March 19, 1933, in Mexico.

Survivors include her husband, Fermin D. Lopez of Grants; son, Xavier Lopez of Grants; daughters, Clara Waldon of Grants, Irene Lopez and Barbara Lopez, both of Albuquerque, and Rose Mary Levitt of Horn Lake, Miss.; brothers, Francisco Magana of Mexico and Ismael Magana of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Teresa Martinez of Nogales, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Lopez was preceded in death by her mother, Maria Gonzales Magana.

Harrison Barton

SHIPROCK — Services for Harrison Barton, 45, will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 17 at the Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home Chapel, Shiprock. Apostolic Faith will officiate. Burial will follow at Shiprock Community Cemetery.

Visitation will be at held from 1-4 p.m., today at Brewer, Lee and Larkin.

Barton died March 13 in Farmington. He was born June 1, 1955 in Shiprock.

Barton had been employed with various resorts as a cook.

Survivors include his brother, Calvin Barton of Denver; sisters, Lorraine Barton, Ellen Yabeny and Edith Yellowhorse all of Shiprock and Amy Allen of Lukachukai, Ariz.

Barton was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Mildred Barton.

Pallbearers will be Herbert Yellowhorse, Herbert Yellowhorse Jr., Calvin Barton, Lorenzo Watchman, Andy Begay and Mildred Ruth Allen.

Doris Aitson

GALLUP — In Thursday's edition, the time of the services for Doris Aitson was omitted. Services will be held at United Methodist Church, Sat., March 17 at 1 p.m.