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30 cats taken from shed
Woman dogged by problems

Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer

GALLUP — Gallup-McKinely Animal Control seized about 30 cats Wednesday kept by a woman who has been trying to open an animal shelter in the Mentmore subdivision.

From a shed next to a local business, officers from Animal Control brought out one small cage after another, each packed with two, three or more cats. They would not say how many cats were found.

Victoria Glenn said she had put the cats there Wednesday morning for storage until she could get them to foster homes later that day. Animal Control removed the cats that afternoon. Glenn said she has another 11 cats and dogs at home.

Glenn also got a visit from social workers Wednesday because they were asked to investigate possible mistreatment of an elderly woman. Glenn, 60, is taking care of an older woman at their house in Mentmore. The social workers came on Monday to talk to Glenn, who would not let them in because, she said, she had company. Glenn said she asked them to come back Wednesday.

This has been a tough month for Glenn. She was charged with shoplifting from Wal-Mart last week. Glenn said she was in a hurry while she was at the store and, though she paid for everything else, she had forgotten a few pet-supply items. She pleaded not guilty in municipal court Tuesday and will go to trial in a few weeks.

Pat Techathuvanan, a former volunteer at the Gallup-McKinley County Humane Society, said all of the confiscated cats usually stay in Glenn's house with her other pets. Techathuvanan used to work with Glenn, who is trying to set up an animal shelter.

Techathuvanan and other people resigned from the project in August because of a difference in "philosophy for building an animal welfare alliance" among different community agencies.

Glenn was trying to establish a no-kill shelter called Lighthouse, where stray animals would be taken care of until they were adopted or taken to a foster home, and none would be euthanized.

Glenn is worried that the cats may be put to sleep if no one adopts them out of the Animal Control shelter.

Techathuvanan, who used to volunteer at that shelter, said the Animal Control officers would not hurt the cats until they determine what is going on. Techathuvanan said Animal Protection of New Mexico will come in to make sure the cats are treated well.

Glenn said other animal control agencies may be involved in the seizure because they may not like that she wants to open a no-kill shelter.

Glenn has been searching for a building in which to put the shelter since July, but, she said, she has not found one. Glenn said she has raised $250, which has gone to veterinarian bills and pet expenses. She added that she will continue to solicit for donations and make plans to set up the shelter.

The Independent could not reach Animal Control officers Wednesday night and they would not comment as they were taking the cats away. It is not known who called about the cats and if Glenn will be charged for any violations.

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Watchman charged with battery

Jim Maniaci
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — A New Mexico legislator named one of the nation's most eligible bachelors by People magazine has been charged by Navajo police with domestic abuse of his live-in girlfriend.

State Rep. Leo Watchman Jr., 33, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Attempts to reach Watchman, who has an official New Mexico address, but apparently has been residing in Window Rock, were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Watchman now faces three tribal charges after a domestic violence incident early Friday.

Navajo police arrested Leo Watchman Jr., 33, whose official address is Asayii Road near Navajo, N.M., about 11 a.m. Friday while he was at work at the tribal Parks Department in Window Rock.

The incident happened at a Window Rock home he shares with his girlfriend.

He was booked on a battery charge at the Window Rock jail and released later that day on his own recognizance after pleading not guilty. District Court Judge T.J. Holgate issued a protection order forbidding Watchman to contact his live-in girlfriend Marion Buck, 36.

Watchman could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Watchman allegedly violated the protection order when he telephoned Buck's mobile home on Curve Pond Drive in Window Rock about 10:30 p.m. Friday the same day he was arrested on the domestic violence charge and her answering machine recorded the message, according to court records.

He allegedly called again about 10:15 p.m. the next day, Saturday, saying he would send someone to pick up some fencing tools he needed, court records show.

This past Wednesday, police filed the two additional charges of interfering with a judicial proceeding.

The pre-trial conference, which often results in a plea bargain agreement, will be held Oct. 26 in the Window Rock District Court.

Buck contacted the Window Rock Police District about 9 a.m. Friday, saying Watchman had abused her before, but this time she wanted to file a criminal complaint, according police spokesman Lt. Ivan Tsosie.

She told police they had lived together at her place in the St. Michaels subdivision in Window Rock since May.

He was waiting up for her when she came home about 12:30 a.m. Friday, according to police. She said he told her she smelled like dope and threw her against a wall. When she tried to run to the telephone to call police, he tore it off the wall, police said. She said he grabbed her three or four times and threw her against a chair, police said.

To defend herself, she told police she scratched him and kicked him. When officers arrested him, he had scratches on both cheeks, Tsosie said.

Buck told officers Watchman calmed down and apologized, leaving about 3:30 a.m. She said he didn't want her to contact police and didn't want anyone to know what had happened, Tsosie said.

Officers found she had a bruised and swollen right wrist, Tsosie said. She also didn't know if he had been drinking, but found a six-pack of Heineken beer on her porch, the police spokesman said.

Watchman, a Democrat who is unopposed in the general election, has been in the state legislature for five years, replacing his father, the late Leo Watchman Sr. He represents District 9.

In July, Watchman was included in People Magazine's list of American's 100 most eligible bachelors, joining movie stars such as George Clooney and Matt Damon.

The magazine article referred to the politician as "dapper" and listed him as the owner of a 20,000-acre ranch, which is incorrect. His ranch in the Navajo, N.M., area is on Navajo trust land.

When the announcement was made,Watchman was reluctant to give interviews to area media about the article. For one thing, he said, he was in a relationship so he was not exactly eligible as the magazine would indicate.

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96 fires in Cibola area set record

Tom Purdom
Staff Writer

GRANTS — It is official.

The Mount Taylor Ranger District of Cibola National Forest blew past the old 1996 recorded history record of 76 fires in a single fire season long ago and the new record now stands at 96 and counting. The huge Mount Taylor Ranger District covers large chunks of both Cibola and McKinley counties on Mount Taylor itself and in the Zuni Mountains.

Ordinarily the fire season begins in May and ends with the monsoon rains, usually late July or early August, but this year New Mexico had no monsoons so the fire season is still in full swing.

Mount Taylor Ranger District Fire Information Officer Erik Sleeper said Wednesday no fires have erupted in the ponderosa pine and juniper-covered mountains for the past week.

Lightning storms, accompanied by high winds but little rain, have been sparking an unusual number of fires. Of the 96 fires in the district, only five have been caused by humans.

"This is the largest number of fires we've had in this district in history," Sleeper said. "We've actually responded to 100 fires,
but four turned out to be out of our district, like the one in the Marquez Wildlife Area, which is east of Mount Taylor in McKinley County and on state-owned land."

The blaze that put the district over the top to break a record was the Dog Fire near Rice Park several weeks ago.

Blazes all over the state and the West have taxed the fire resources past the maximum. Even military troops and foreign firefighters have been on the fire line this year in the West's worst fire season in history.

In the Mount Taylor District, though, the Zuni Mountains have been the site of the majority of the fires.

Sleeper called the year 2000 an "unprecedented fire year" in the district. "With the lack of any precipitation and the occasional lightning storms the district resources do not anticipate an end to the fire season any time soon," Sleeper said.

Most fires have been small, especially the most recent blazes last week. In all, there were seven small fires, due primarily to the lower temperatures and higher humidity.

Another factor has been that conditions are still extremely dry in the woods and New Mexico is in the hunting season, with thousands of elk hunters in the woods. In the Zuni Mountains, 150 bow elk hunters were in the woods Sept. 1-20 and in Unit 9, generally known as the Mount Taylor area, 495 elk hunters were using bows to collect either-sex elk.

Muzzle loader hunters will go after elk this weekend with 250 hunting on Mount Taylor and in the Marquez Wildlife Area and Oct. 7-Dec. 13 another 880 smokepole (muzzle loader) hunters will be trying for elk in the Mount Taylor Area and 150 smokepole hunters will be trying for elk in the Zuni Mountains. During the rifle seasons from Oct. 14 through Oct. 25, another 200 hunters will be in the Zuni Mountains trying for elk and 95 rifle hunters will be trying for cow elk on Mount Taylor Nov. 25-29.

Deer hunters also will be heading for the mountains as well as other hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

What it means is a tremendous number of people in the woods at a time when conditions are very dry.

"With the current hunting season under way and the larger numbers of people using the forests, we would like to ask that everyone be very careful with campfires and smoking in the forests," Sleeper said.

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Grants looks to avenge loss

Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer

GRANTS — Guided by first-year Pirate head coach Jerry Burns, the much-improved Grants Pirates are off to a solid 3-1 start.
However, Friday night Grants will take to the road to go up against another much-improved ballclub in the Bloomfield Bobcats.
The Bobcats are 4-1 in their first five games and have already surpassed last year's win total of three.

Game time is 7 p.m. for Bloomfield's homecoming game.

Last year, Bloomfield outlasted Grants 21-20 in overtime when the Pirates failed in their bid for the game-winning two-point conversion.

Grants head coach Jerry Burns is impressed with his team's next opponent.

"They're pretty good," said Burns of Bloomfield which was picked to finish last in the District 1AAAA with Kirtland Central, Piedra Vista, Farmington and Aztec. "They have decent backs and their tight end is good. And they throw real well. They seem to get you in a different kind of game. They pull their guards and everybody. Maybe it's just position blocking and not getting after you."

Burns said that this past week the Pirates have been working on their defense.

"We have to stop their trap which they run real well," Burns said."Stopping the trap will be key. Working against their defense is tough. But the kids have worked hard and have come around since we do a lot of different things by spreading it out."

Second-year Bobcat head coach Larry Satcher says he's expecting another tough battle with the Pirates.

"They're very physical and much improved," Satcher said during a telephone interview Tuesday night. "Beating Gallup proved that. They're very impressive. They don't back off. They hit you. So I'm expecting a physical ballgame."

Limiting mistakes, Satcher feels, will be crucial for both teams.

"Turnovers and penalties will be the key," Satcher said. "Mental mistakes and even the kicking game will be crucial. I hope to cut down on mistakes."

With the Bobcats celebrating their homecoming, Satcher knows all too well about the distractions that come with the week-long festivities.

"Homecoming has its distractions," Satcher said. "The players like it. It's homecoming and it's something they'll always
remember. Sometimes it's distractive. But everybody goes through it and I hope we handle it okay."

The Bobcats, 3-7 last year, operate out of the pro-set and are led by junior starting quarterback Alex Cummins (5-10, 170), senior running back Mitch Goins (6-3, 200) and junior running back Bryan Sandoval (6-1, 180). Sandoval rushed for 135 yards and one touchdown last week against Pagosa Springs. Cummins scored a pair of touchdowns and Goins is averaging about 85 yards rushing per game.

This season Bloomfield has beaten Moab, Utah 13-7, Cortez, Colo. 7-0, Gallup 26-18 and Bayfield, Colo. 7-0. The Bobcats were beaten by Pagosa Springs, Colo. 35-19 last weekend for their first loss of the season.

Grants has beaten Shiprock 43-6, Gallup 14-13 after the Bengals missed the tying PAT in the final seconds, lost to top-ranked Las Vegas Robertson 22-10 and then bounced back to shut out Taos 40-0 last weekend.

Pirate senior quarterback Wade Pynes completed 5-of-12 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions against Taos last week. Pynes also rushed 12 times for 35 yards and a pair of scores.

Both teams have posted wins over Gallup. Bloomfield prevailed as the Bengals committed five turnovers including one in the final minute and failed to convert on all three PATs. Grants won its game with its archrivals after the Bengals failed to convert on the game-tying PAT in the final seconds.

After playing Bloomfield, the Pirates will kick off the district campaign next Saturday afternoon at Bernalillo at 1 p.m. The game was originally set for next Friday night but the Spartans still don't have any stadium lights for hosting a night game.

Holbrook beats Pinon 3-1 in soccer action

Abelita R. Freeland
Staff Sports Writer

PINON, Ariz. — The Holbrook Roadrunners evened the overall series record against Pinon with a 3-1 victory over the Eagles in prep soccer Wednesday.

"We've had four years of playing Pinon and have had two wins and two losses. There is always some good sportsmanship between the two teams," Holbrook coach Dave Wright said. "Coach Klein does an excellent job with his program. This year he lost 13 seniors, so that makes an impact on his program, and we have a young team, we're real pleased with the way things turned out,"

"We didn't score when we had our chances," said Eagle coach Rick Klein. "But my hat's off to Holbrook. They're doing a good job passing the ball and they're building a program,"

Holbrook (3-5) took a 1-0 lead when Humbert Plascencia scored 15:32 into the first half.

Eagles Randy Whitehorse had the opportunity to tie the game with an open shot at the goal, only to have a wild kick miss.

The Roadrunners gained a 2-0 advantage after Wes Hudgens scored the second goal 21 minutes into the first half.

Whitehair had another chance at scoring before the end the half with a penalty kick, but failed when the goalie blocked it.

Pinon (0-9) had 10 shots on goal during the first half alone.

The second half started with Chris Mangum kicking a goal five minutes into the half.

The Eagles next close attempt at goal would be from Charelette Lopez only to have it stopped by the goalie.

Pinon made a goal off a penalty kick by Andrew Waller, and ended the game with two final attempts by Anthony Burke and one by Waller.

Roadrunner goalie Julio Aguilera finished with four saves.

Holbrook had 14 shots on goal. Chris Mangum had six attempts and one goal. Wes Hudgens scored one goal, Humbert
Plascencia scored the other goal and had another attempt and Oscar Chairez had five attempts.

"We're hoping to finish off for a .500 season and win the rest of our games," Klein said. "Our team keeps getting better and we are improving every game and we just got to put the ball in the net, that is our biggest problem, we get shots on goal and we just can't put the ball in."

Pinon had 19 shot attempts. Andrew Waller made the only one for the Eagles, and had three attempts. Randy Whitehair had four attempts, Anthony Burke had five, Cody Begay three, Charelette Lopez had two and finishing with one attempt each were Frederick Tsosie and Nile Nelson.

Goalie Landon Johnson had seven blocks.

Klein concluded with saying, "I just wish more teams on the reservation would get high school soccer teams involved. We are the only high school soccer team on the reservation."

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Navajo Code Talker Harry Benally, 75, dies

LITTLE WATER, N.M (AP) — Harry Benally, a decorated World War II veteran and Navajo Code Talker, has died. He was 75.

Family members said Benally was cutting firewood Tuesday when he suffered complications of a heart-related condition.

Benally, who was born near Tocito, was drafted into the Marines and left for boot camp in January 1944.

In recounting his experiences to family, Benally said it was during graduation ceremonies from Camp Pendleton, Calif., that he learned the military had a special assignment for him...

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Tonalea park gets grass carpet

Special to the Independent

TONALEA, Ariz.— More than 200 attended the ceremonial dedication of the Tonalea Veteran's Memorial Park. Families and friends of the veterans honored enjoyed the newly grown grass and a feast.

The park was built piece-by-piece by Floyd Dawson, his family, and friends to honor Native American servicemen missing or killed in the Vietnam War. The grass, grown from seed to a lush green carpet in less than three weeks, is a gift to the memorial from Grow Technologies, a company based in Ireland.

Navajo tribal council delegates and chapter house officials joined Coconino County Supervisor Louise Yellowman and veterans from both the Vietnam and World War II to honor Navajo, Hopi, and other Native American servicemen who had fallen in the line of duty and are named on the Memorial.

Navajo Codetalkers, widows, and Gold Star Mothers (those who had lost sons in the war) stood together with Floyd and Mabel Dawson as they cut the ribbon for the ceremonial opening of the Memorial Park...

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Deaths

Jurina S. Wauneka

SAWMILL, Ariz. — Services for Jurina Wauneka, 75, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Our Lady of Blessed Sacrament in Fort Defiance. Burial will follow on family land in the White Clay, Ariz., area.

Wauneka died Sept. 24 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. She was born May 22, 1927, in White Clay area into the Edgewater Clan for the Black Streak of Forest People Clan.

Wauneka was a traditional rug weaver of the Pine Springs design. She also made traditional clothing, and was a seamstress and designer.

Surivors include her husband, Ernest Wauneka of Sawmill, Ariz.; daughters, Pearl Whiteshirt and Elberta Ann Wauneka, both of Fort Defiance, Ariz. and Marilyn Navarro of Church Rock; sister, Thurinna Bryant of Sawmill, Ariz.; 15 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Wauneka was preceded in death by brothers, Walter Shirley, Joe Shirley Sr. and David Morgan Sr.; three daughters; and three sons.

Pallbearers will be Jason Joe, Adrian Joe, Julius Wallace, Joe Navarro, Alex Garcia and Jeremiah Wallace.

The family will receive friends and family after the burial services at the Wauneka residence in Sawmill.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Alice Francis

COAL MINE — Services for Mary Alice Francis, 69, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Mary, Mother of Mankind Catholic Church. Father Pio O'Connor, OFM will officiate. Burial will follow at the Fort Defiance Community Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-5 p.m. today at Tse Bonito Mortuary Chapel. Rosary will be recited at 5 tonight at Tse Bonito Mortuary Chapel.

Francis died Sept. 25 in Albuquerque. She was born April 1, 1931, in Dividestone into the One Walks Around You People Clan for the Plains People Clan.

Survivors include his son, James R.Peterson Sr.; daughters, Mary J. Lee and Matilda J. Blackgoat; brother, Alfred John Sr.; sisters, Mary Esther Castro, Zonnie M. Yazzie and Joann John; grandparents, Annie King and Frank Reeder; 20 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Francis was preceded in death by his son, Harry Peterson; mother, Maggie John; brother, Edward John; and sisters, Rosemary John and Fannie John.

Pallbearers will be Davidson Blackgoat, Levi Lee, Calvin Peterson, Gene Peterson, Delbert Yazzie and Clifford Cornfield.

The family will receive friends and family after the burial services at Matilda Blackgoat's residence.

Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Nellie M. Morgan

NASCHITTI — Services for Nellie M. Morgan, 81, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Tohatchi. Burial will follow at the Naschitti Cemetery.

Morgan died Sept. 25 in Fort Defiance, Ariz. She was born Dec. 25, 1918, in Naschitti into the Towering House People Clan for the Tangle People Clan.

Morgan attended school in St. Michaels, Ariz., and later worked for St. Mary's Hospital for three years as a housekeeper. She married Frank Morgan and spent the rest of her life as a rancher and rug weaver. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking and camping.

Survivors include her son, Samuel Silversmith of Naschitti; daughter, Betty Johnson of Naschitti; sister, Edith Silversmith of Naschitti; and three grandchildren.

Morgan was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Morgan; parents, Lucky Morgan and Annie Morgan; brothers, Marcellina Morris, Alexander Morris, William Morris, Dandy Morris, and Levi T. Morris.

Pallbearers will be Maalgeney Denetclaw, Amosiah Denetclaw, LeGrand Denetclaw and George Morris.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Kee Joe Francis

Vanderwagon — Services for Kee Joe Francis, 57, will be 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at Rollie Mortuary-Palm Chapel. Father Uliric Pax, O.F.M., will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

Francis died Sept. 26 in Coyote Canyon. He was born Dec. 15, 1942, in Vanderwagen into the Bitterwater People Clan for the Folded Arms People Clan for the Bitterwater People Clan.

Francis was a resident of Coyote Canyon Rehab Center.

Survivors include parents, Joe Francis and Mary Francis both of Vanderwagen; brothers, Jones Francis and Jerry Francis both of Vanderwagen; and sisters, Millie Eskeet Irene Francis, and LouAnn Kee, both of Vanderwagen, Millie Eskeet of Church Rock, Marita Francis of Gamerco, Alice Klain of Tuba City, Ariz. and Rena Livingston of Denver, Colo.

Pallbearers will be Jerry Francis, Jones Francis, Amos Kee, Nicholas Klain, and David Trujillo.

Ricky Bourke

CIBECUE, Ariz. — Services for Ricky Bourke, 23, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Cibecue Cottonwood Gym.
Burial will follow on family in Cibecue.

Bourke died Sept. 22 in Phoenix. He was born Sept. 2, 1977, in Whiteriver, Ariz., into the Eagle and Bear Clan.

Bourke's hobbies included fishing, playing basketball, watching movies, spending time with friends and family and traveling.

Survivors include his son, Isaac Bourke of Houck, Ariz.; parents, Preston and Jolinda Bourke of Cibecue; brother, Rylan Bourke of Cibecue; and grandparents, Sam Nachu and Minnie Nachu, both of Cibecue, and Wallace Bourke and Angela Bourke, both of Corrizo, Ariz.

Ernie Skeets

TOHATCHI — Services for Ernie Skeets, 29, will be announced at a later date.

Skeets died Sept. 26 in Tohatchi. He was born Oct. 22, 1970, in Zuni.

A family meeting will be held at 6 tonight at the Chichiltah Chapter House.

Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.