City ready to play host to leaders
Municipal group in Gallup
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Exactly what is genuine Gallup?
City Manager David Ruiz hopes the city of Gallup will be able
to answer that question this week as officials from across New
Mexico swarm into Gallup for the 44th annual Municipal League
conference.
The city will spend between $25,000 and $30,000, mostly from city
lodger's tax money, to show delegates a good time when they are
not having meetings to discuss problems such as taxation, electrical
rates and municipal.
"We're extremely ready," Ruiz said of the city's efforts
to get the town spruced up and ready for the 600 or so delegates
and their families.
Much of the city's efforts this week will be to show delegates
and their families what is unique about Gallup and to show off
the city's role in the Indian arts and crafts industry.
To show the town's uniqueness, city officials will host a range
of events beginning Tuesday, including a golf tournament, a three-mile
fun run, two-mile fun walk and a celebration of Gallup's cultural
heritage.
There will also be a "mini-rodeo," an hot air balloon
display, a fashion show as well as performances by such groups
as Fernando Celicion, the Red Rock Ramblers, Antonio Reyna and
Lusiana Lara.
The city has even prepared a "goodie" bag which will
be given to each delegate when he or she registers.The bag will
include corn necklaces, Rocky Ridge soap, informational brochures,
a pin and letter openers.
The convention will kick off with the golf tournament on Tuesday,
followed the next day by the opening general session at the Holiday
Inn.
The opening social will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at The
Inn with performances by a number of groups and dancing. The fun
run and walk will be held at 7 a.m. Thursday at the Sports Complex.
The celebration of Gallup's cultural heritage is scheduled for
6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday at Red Rock State Park.
It will include "mini" fry stand booth, a mini rodeo
that will last no longer than 45 minutes, greetings by Navajo
Code Talkers and native arts demonstrations.
This will be followed by the hot air balloon display, the fashion
show and then an evening of dancing.
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Zunis object to coal mine ruling
SANTA FE (AP) — The Zuni Pueblo and an Arizona utility both have
appealed a state Mining and Minerals Division's decision on development
of a strip mine near the western New Mexico pueblo.
In July, the state mining division granted the utility the Salt River
Project a five-year extension of its state permit to open the mine.
But the division required Salt River to do a pump test before it can
begin mining to prove that the mine won't harm the lake, which the
Zunis consider sacred.
The utility also is pursuing a federal permit to mine coal for 40
years for the Coronado Generating Station in St. Johns, Ariz., which
sends most of its electricity to Phoenix.
In an appeal filed Aug. 10, Salt River asked that the state mining
division withdraw its requirement for the pump test. The utility says
prohibiting it from using water from a particular aquifer deviates
from legal standards.
But Zuni Pueblo leaders fear the proposed mine will dry up the Zuni
Salt Lake, a sacred site on pueblo land about 12 miles from the proposed
site.
Zuni, in its appeal, said several hydrology reports already have predicted
the mine would harm the lake.
"These reports clearly demonstrate adverse impact to the hydrologic
balance and specifically injury to Zuni Salt Lake from pumping the
Dakota Aquifer for the Fence Lake Mine, and Mining and Minerals Division
should have required (Salt River) to provide alternative sources of
water," Zuni's lawyers wrote in the appeal.
The Southwest Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental organization
based in Arizona, also filed a request for a hearing on the utility's
permit.
Brian Segee, the center's lawyer, said the utility "has had years
and years to prove their claim that water pumping associated with
the Fence Lake Mine won't harm Zuni Salt Lake, and they've failed
to do so."
A hearing on the matter is set for Friday.
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Jury indicts woman for fake checks
Tara Drolma
Staff Writer
GRANTS — A Tucson, Ariz., woman who was arrested in July on charges
of forgery has been indicted by the grand jury on six counts of forgery
for allegedly making American Express Travelers Cheques.
According to court documents Ramona Janis, 37, gave six $20 American
Express Travelers Cheques to Wal-Mart "knowing it to be a forged
writing." The indictment says the checks contained portions that
were false or changed so that they was different from the genuine
travelers check that is issued by American Express. Each of the charges
is a third-degree felony.
According to the statement of probable cause, police arrested Janis,
who was living at a motel at the time, after she paid for articles
at the electronics department with the counterfeit checks.
When police searched the motel room where she was staying, they seized
19 bad American Express checks and five genuine ones, items obtained
from Wal-Mart and the Dollar Store, miscellaneous receipts and notes,
discarded and torn travelers checks, and drug paraphernalia. A computer
tower, monitor, and a HP DeskJet printer were also confiscated.
A third-degree felony is punishable by up to three years in prison
and a possible fine of up to $5000.
Other indictments
Bennie Yazzi, 48, of Prewitt was indicted for one count of great bodily
harm after he allegedly applied force or acted toward Rita Begay in
a way "that would likely result in death or great bodily harm."
Pablita Martinez, 39, of Ramah, was indicted for one count of great
bodily injury by vehicle (DWI) a third-degree felony, and one count
of failure to provide proof of insurance, a misdemeanor, for injuring
Beverly Coho while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
on July 22, 2001.
Kalene Ray, 18, of Grants was indicted on one count of criminal damage
to property greater than $1000, a fourth-degree felony, for intentionally
damaging vehicles belonging to about a dozen people.
Elmer Molina, 44, Grants, was indicted on one count of DWI, one count
of resisting or evading an officer, a misdemeanor, failure to carry
proof of insurance, a traffic misdemeanor, and failure to have operating
tail lights.
Germain Abeyta, 18, Bosque, was indicted for four counts of aggravated
assault with a deadly weapon, a fourth-degree felony, for striking
four people with her 1992 Buick on July 7.
Joe A. Walker, 31, Milan, was indicted on one count of possession
of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with the intent to distribute,
a third-degree felony; one count of tampering with evidence, a fourth-degree
felony; one count of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony;
and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, a
misdemeanor.
Judgments, sentences
Darrell Carillo, 31, of Acomita, was found guilty and sentenced to
six months in jail for battery on a household member pursuant to a
plea bargain. However, Judge Camille Olguin suspended the sentence
and placed Carillo on supervised probation for six months, ordered
him not to have contact with the victim and to attend counseling.
Tommy Roybal, 35, of Grants, was found guilty of criminal damage to
property pursuant to a plea bargain. He was sentenced to six months
in jail, but the sentence was suspended on the condition he pays restitution
of $206 to the victim, remains on supervised probation for six months,
continues counseling and AA meetings and does not possess or consume
any alcohol or enter any store that sells alcohol.
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Ramah erupts for 63-22 victory
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
RAMAH — Ramah, last year's state runnerup, erupted for 29 unanswered
fourth quarter points to wear down former 13-time state champion Roy
63-22 Saturday afternoon in six-man football action.
"We looked good except we looked horrible in the second quarter
when Roy came back," said Ramah coach Ron Stevenson whose team
is playing its final year of six-man football before having to play
11-man football next year. "We came back in the second half.
I told the team at halftime to let the seniors play their game and
told them to depend on team defense. The players need to believe in
themselves. This year we'll be competitive. We won't get blown out."
Ramah will have have this week off before traveling to defending state
champ Floyd Saturday, Sept. 8, for a rematch of last year's state
finals. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
The Mustangs, who captured the state title in 1995 after being the
state runnerups the year before, were able to take apart the Longhorns
in the second half to win convincingly.
Ramah quickly built a 34-8 lead in the first half and appeared en
route to ending the game early. But Roy, which won 11 state titles
in a row from 1975 to 1985 and again in 1997 and 1998, rallied for
two quick scores to pull to within 12 points by halftime.
The Mustangs scored on five of their first six possessions in the
first half to grab the early momentum.
Mustang senior all-state quarterback Tucker Simons, who threw for
155 yards and two touchdowns, completed a 28-yard strike to junior
receiver Clay Naha. Senior all-state running back Reginald Antonio
bullied his way for the final two yards for Ramah's first of nine
touchdowns.
An eight-yard scoring run by Mustand junior back Jace Blea made it
16-0 with 6:18 left in the first period.
Roy got on the scoreboard late in the opening period as quarterback
Craig Esquibel completed a 17-yard pass to Clayton Moore.
But the Mustangs quickly answered back with another score that was
set up by a 23-yard pass from Simons to senior all-stater Ian Andersen
and a 23-yard run by Simons. Ramah capped the drive on an 8-yard completion
from Simons to Antonio.
Simons set up Ramah's next score when he sprinted 54 yards downfield
before being tackled by Moore. Junior Adriel Benally broke through
for a 16-yard scoring jaunt that pushed Ramah's lead to 28-8 with
just over six minutes left.
Ramah capitalized on a Roy fumble on the next series and took just
two plays to score for the fifth time in the first half.
Antonio sprinted for 21 yards to the 19 on the first play. Simons
then went to the air and hit Naha for the six points for a 34-8 advantage.
But the Longhorns stormed back with two quick scores in the final
five minutes of the half to climb back into the ballgame.
Longhorn quarterback Craig Esquibel, who completed 5-of-10 passes
for 69 yards with two interceptions and two touchdowns, hit Niko Esquibel
on a 45-yard pass play. Three plays later, Roy capped the drive with
Craig Esquibel throwing a 10-yard screen pass to cousin Niko Esquibel
for the score.
Roy came right back and added another score in the final minute of
the first half that was set up by a Ramah face mask penalty
on a nice runback by Craig Esquibel. On the first play, running back
Zac Ebell, who carried 17 times for 148 yards, broke through and galloped
55 yards for the touchdown. Jose Esquibel's PAT made the halftime
score, 34-22.
Neither team was able to score in the third period but Ramah finally
exploded in the final period to pull away with four touchdowns.
The Mustangs scored early in the fourth period after a Roy turnover
on an interception by Antonio.
Simons completed successive passes to Anderson for 28 and 22 yards.
After an incomplete pass, Simons kept the ball and broke several tackles
en route to a 22-yard scoring jaunt.
The Mustangs got another quick score when Blea recovered a Longhorn
fumble in the end zone that made the score 48-22.
Ramah increased its lead on the quickly fading Longhorn team that
had 12 players suited for the game.
Simons scored his second rushing touchdown on a 10-yard run and then
completed an 18-yard pass on a PAT attempt that gave Ramah a comfortable
55-22 cushion.
The Mustangs closed out their scoring with a 37-yard run by Anderson
with less than two minutes remaining in the game as Ramah won convincingly,
63-22.
Ramah quarterback Tucker Simons completed 10-of-20 passes for 155
yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Simons also rushed
112 yards on four carries and two more scores.
Ian Anderson led the Mustangs with four catches for 81 yards, Clay
Naha had two for 47 yards and one TD, Reginald Antonio two for 17
yards and one TD, Garrett Lewis one for 7 and Marcus Myron one for
3.
The Mustangs racked up 261 yards rushing with Simons leading the way
with four carries for 112 yards and two scores, Reginald Antonio eight
for 65 yards and one TD, Jace Blea four for 23 and one TD, Adriel
Benally three for 24 and one TD and Ian Andersen one for 37 and one
TD.
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Bengals need work despite win
Michael Peretti
Staff Sports Writer
GALLUP — The Gallup Lady Bengals volleyball team has a lot to
work on according to head coach Rachel Stewart.
One of those thing is their starts. Saturday the Lady Bengals gave
Moriarty a two game lead before coming back and winning their match,
3-to-2. The Lady Bengals, (2-0) lost the first game 15-6 and the second
15-13, but then came back strong and won 15-11, 15-11 and 15-8.
"I thought we did a sloppy job," said Stewart. We started
out very slow."
The Lady Bengals did not only start slow, but in all three of the
games they won they had mental lapses that got Moriarty back in the
games...
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Tribes to get cell service
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
SHUNGOPAVI, Ariz. — Officials from Cellular One and Nokia Inc.
met with Hopi officials recently to discuss bringing discounted wireless
telephone services to the Hopi Reservation.
Brian Gilbert, service director for Cellular One, said the two companies
have combined to establish a Vision One program that will bring federally
subsidized wireless service to several reservations in Arizona including
Hopi, Navajo and White Mountain Apache, as well as the Zuni Pueblo
in New Mexico.
Gilbert said this program will make wireless phone service available
to Native Americans who otherwise couldn't afford it.
Nokia, based in Dallas, provides the equipment. Cellular One, based
in Show Low, provides the service. The federal government subsidizes
the program so customers can get discounted rates. The project is
scheduled to begin in May...
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Four families taken off map
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
MILAN — Four families whose properties were included in a Milan
map — but defied village officials to come up with any ordinance
which includes their property in the village — finally got
their wishes last week.
The families, all living on a small tract of land near the northwest
quadrant of Milan, were officially eliminated from the village map
in a 2-1 vote, which is exactly what the families wanted in the
first place.
None of the families attended the meeting Thursday when Milan Planning
and Zoning Commission Chairman Larry Carver presented their cases.
The families disputed a 1983 map that made them part of Milan and
no ordinance backing up the map could be produced. In order for
the map to be valid, an ordinance had to exist that proves the map
is right, but no such ordinance existed...
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Semi-truck crashes concern cops
Andrea Egger
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Two accidents involving semi-trucks one fatal last
week bring the total to seven serious accidents in two months.
On Wednesday, a California man was killed after being struck by
a semi while he was changing a tire on Interstate 40 near Sky City
Casino. Also Wednesday, a Window Rock woman struck the back of a
semi after the semi driver changed lanes without checking that the
lane was clear on Highway 66 near the east interchange of I-40.
The woman, Jennifer Chee, 36, was in critical condition at the Flagstaff
Medical Center in Flagstaff on Friday after she underwent surgery
Thursday.
While Wednesday's accidents didn't involve inclement weather, trucks
hydroplaning on wet roads have been the cause for many of Gallup's
recent semi-truck accidents, many of which have resulted in death...
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Milan seeks hall designs
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
MILAN — Three trustees agree with code officer Ted Tindall's
idea to build a $500,000 village hall, but Mayor Elisabeth Lopez-Rael
is skeptical and a resident said the village cannot take care of
what it has now.
By the end of the discussion Thursday, the board voted 3-0 to seek
proposals for the design of a new building.
The one the village has now is at least 50 years old and the roof
leaks, said resident Larry Killough. But rather than building a
new village hall, he said the village should take care of the one
it has now.
Tindall came to the village board of trustees with a $6,000 design
proposal from Engineer's Inc. the same company which did the design
work for the Willow Drive Project for a new $500,000 building...
Sun Dance group calls for peace
Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau
TSAILE, Ariz. — A Sun Dance group in the Tsaile-Wheatfields
Chapter has called for a peaceful healing ceremony to be held at
the former Camp Anna Mae site on Hopi Partitioned Land.
The group also called upon all Sun Dance supporters to unite in
defense of the three remaining camps in northern Arizona.
At a press conference Sunday at Camp Little Big Medicine, leaders
called upon Lakota (Sioux) Chief Crazy Bull to lead a peaceful ceremony
a religious-style ritual to the eyes of non-Sun Dancers so the spirits
can renew their sacred walks. This camp is about a mile west of
Bureau of Indian Affairs Route 12 and the local Chapter House.
The chief now lives in Albuquerque, but came to Little Big Medicine
on Sunday. The chief said the Sun Dance is a way of life, rather
than a religion...
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Deaths
Nizhoni Jean Charleston
ST. JOHNS, Ariz. — Services for Nizhoni Charleston, 21 months,
will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at Cope Memorial Chapel.
Pastor Jones Dehiya will officiate. Burial will follow on family land
at Mariano Lake.
Nizhoni died Aug. 22 in Springerville, Ariz. She was born Nov. 29,
1999, in Gallup into the Ho Chunck for the Tangle People.
Survivors include her parents, Nancy Nelson and William Dean Charleston,
both of St. Johns, and grandparents, Wilma Nelson of Albuquerque,
Glen Charleston Jr. of Riverside, Calif., and Wilhelmina James of
St. Johns.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Joe Nelson.
Pallbearers will be Hanson C. Chee, Anson C. Chee, Collins William
Largo, and LeNeil Christopher Chee.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at the Charleston residence in Mariano Lake.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Joe A. Baca
GALLUP — Services for Joe Baca, 85, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday,
Aug. 28, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Father Diego Mazon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial
Park.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Rollie Mortuary
Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., tonight at Rollie Mortuary
Chapel.
Baca died Aug. 24 in Gallup. He was born July 23, 1916, in McGaffey.
Baca was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in World War
II.
Survivors include his son, J. Anthony Baca of Flagstaff, Ariz.; daughter,
Roberta Baca of Gallup; sisters, Piedad Pettlgrew of
San Diego, Calif., and Connie Adair and Rose Chavez, both of Gallup;
four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Baca was preceded in death by his wife, Thomasita L. Baca; parents,
Benito G. and Luciana Baca; brothers, Ben Baca, David
Baca, George Baca and Urban Baca; and sister, Amalia Baca.
Pallbearers will be Chris Chavez, Don Chavez, Ron Chavez, Bill Mitchell,
Eddie Munoz Sr. and Ralph Silva.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Foy Andrew Finley Sr.
WINDOW ROCK — Servcies for Foy Finley Sr., 71, were held at 10
a.m. today, Aug. 27, at St. Michaels Catholic Church.
Finley died Aug. 18 in Albuquerque. He was born Jan. 7, 1930, in Dangerfield,
Texas.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Notah Finley of Window Rock; sons,
Foy Andrew Finley Jr. of Window Rock, Timothy Wayne Finley and Vernon
Wayne Finley, both of Eagar, Ariz.; daughters, Tema Rene Alexander
of Wurzburg, Germany, Florence Carey of Orlando, Fla., Loretta Harrison
of Farmington, Clara Marie Finley, Floretta Marie Finley, and Fama
Rene Lara, all of Albuquerque; sister, Fama Burelson of Hughes Springs,
Texas; 22 grandchildren and one great-grandchildren.
Finley was preceded in death by his mother, Jessie Finley and son,
Randy Betone.
Trinnie Medina
GRANTS — Services for Trinnie Medina, 78, will be held at 10
a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Grants.
Burial will follow at Grants Memorial Park.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. tonight.
Medina died Aug. 24. She was born Feb. 9, 1923, in McGaffey.
Medina was a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Third
Order of St. Francis and the Perpetural Adoration.
Survivors include her husband, Louis E. Medina; daughter, Theresa
Torres of Socorro; and two grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Martin Dominguez, Michael Torres, David Torres
Jr., Senovio Chavez, Gregory Gallegos and Alfred Saavedra.
Lola Marie Yazzie
GALLUP — Service for Lola Yazzie, 49, will be announced at a
later date.
Yazzie died Aug. 23 in Gallup. She was born May 15, 1952, in Tuba
City, Ariz., into the Mexican People for the Bitter Water
People.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Fawn Santee Begay
BALAKAII, Ariz. — Services for Fawn Begay, 28, will be announced
at a later date.
Begay died Aug. 23 in Albuquerque. She was born July 22, 1973, in
Nespelum, Wash., into the Tangle Clan for the Nez Pierce.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
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