Olympic torch handoff a family affair
Proud Diné take part in national moment
Larry Di Giovanni
Staff Writer
MONUMENT VALLEY — When Lucas Lucio passed a newly lighted
Olympic torch to Erik Goodsoldier, the handoff was to his nephew.
The Lucio and family's torch relay segment, performed at about
1:15 p.m. Monday in front of Three Sisters monument, was an eagerly
awaited Navajo family moment.
The Lucio-to-Goodsoldier exchange was witnessed by proud family
members from Lupton, Ariz., to Syracuse, Utah, along with a former
wrestling coach of Lucio's who is now his assistant. While at
Valley High School in Sanders during the early 1990s, Lucio was
a standout wrestler, cross-country runner and football player.
Now, he coaches cross-country and wrestling there, along with
teaching health, art and physical education.
The school has purchased the torch Lucio ran with, which costs
$335. The runners get to keep their Olympic clothing, which was
provided free.
"It felt great," Lucio said of his run, hardly a warm-up
jog at two-tenths of a mile. "The special thing about it
was that Erik was one of my (cross-country team) students, and
I also have some of my students here from the school."
Goodsoldier, a freshman at Northern Arizona University, remains
close to Lucio, whom he nominated to run with the torch.
"It's unbelievable. I can't even explain the feeling right
now," said Goodsoldier, who like all ending their torch relay
day, did so back at the Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center. "It
touched me deeply inside knowing that my uncle made the exchange."
The two almost didn't get their torch running locale right, however.
Until late last week, Goodsoldier and Lucio thought they would
be running Monday in St. George, Utah. Most Navajos living on
the reservation have post office boxes, but Olympic Relay items
— the jacket, pants, and gloves — can't be delivered
that way. Finally, Lucio got his Olympic uniform package delivered
to the school, and a letter that said "see you" at Monument
Valley, torch runner.
Schools and their students, as it turned out, got Class-A treatment
from the Navajo Nation during Monday's Olympic torch relay. Dozens
of the yellow schooners carrying youths from across the reservation
were allowed to drive to the Totem Pole formation, where the first
runner started his jog around noon. Some were lucky enough to
receive small red banners on sticks from Coca-Cola, which read
"I saw the flame."
One of the torch witnesses proudest of Lucio was his former wrestling
coach, Rick Krause, who is now Lucio's assistant wrestling coach
at Valley High.
"I tell you, this kid has a special place in my heart,"
Krause said. "He's the best wrestler, and individual, I've
had in my 25 years. Mentally, the kid is just phenomenal when
it comes to setting his mind to a goal."
Krause recalled a knee injury Lucio sustained during a football
game, which was supposed to keep him sidelined six weeks. Two
weeks later, Lucio had won a cross-country meet and set a course
record.
Lucio's wife, Cora, fellow Valley High teacher, said her husband
found out on the Internet that he would be a torch relayer, then
rushed home. "But this moment doesn't hit you till it's finally
here," she said.
While the Lucio family awaited their favorite torch relayers,
Cora took care of their children, Lucas Jr., age 15 months, and
Hannah, 3.
That's just the tip of the iceberg in family support. Lucio's
parents, Lucy and Emmett Lucio, were on hand. Penny Gooch, one
of Lucas' sisters, came with her husband, Mike, and their four
children from Syracuse, Utah, which is close to the Great Salt
Lake. Their children are Tashina, Natahni, Cheyenne and Hunter.
Another sister and Lucas' youngest, LaTanya, was on hand to cheer.
Lucas has five sisters and three brothers.
"Just looking around makes you feel good," said Tim
Goodluck, a Navajo tribal delegate from Lupton and cousin to Lucas'
mom, Lucy. Goodluck was accompanied by his wife, Lena, sons Jason
and Tim Jr., and daughter LeeAnn.
The Olympic torch relay in Monument Valley, part of the 65-day
cross-country extravaganza that will see the torch reach Salt
Lake City on Friday for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter
Olympic Games, featured about 30 runners Monday. On the last leg,
near the Visitor Center, Navajo Code Talker Wilfred Billey of
Farmington handed off to Billy Mills, the 1964
Olympic Gold Medalist in the 10,000 meter race. Other Navajo runners
were Kathy Holtsoi, Jack Anderson, Brandon Leslie, Virginia Yazzie-Ballenger,
Clara Maryboy, and Rosie Dayzie.
The day's Olympic torch relay in Monument Valley was witnessed
by thousands of spectators.
| Top |
Vehicular homicide case is reduced
Andrea Egger
Staff Writer
GALLUP — A man who pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident
will serve four months in the county jail.
Kevin Bowman, 24, of 508 Freedom Dr., entered the plea recently in
District Court, with the sentence listed as part of an agreement between
the prosecutor and Bowman's attorney, court records show. He initially
was charged with vehicular homicide, reckless driving, aggravated
driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident involving
death or great bodily harm, and failure to render aid.
Gerald Bitsilly, 21, of Yah-Ta-Hey, was either crossing the road or
was lying across the road at Barbara Street near Marguerite Street
around 2 a.m. Aug. 1. He died after at least two vehicles struck him
on the dark street.
The driver of another vehicle, Erica Torres of Gallup, testified in
the Magistrate Court hearing that around 2 a.m. as she drove on Barbara,
she saw something bulky in the road but didn't have time to avoid
hitting it. She went to a nearby motel wear she worked and had a friend
walk back to the road to see what she hit. When they discovered it
was a man, they called 911.
Blood, body tissue and fibers similar to the clothing Bitsilly wore
were found on the undercarriage of Bowman's car's and police were
able to prove that the car ran over Bitsilly.
But Bowman wouldn't have been tied to that intersection at all if
not for his car almost colliding with an ambulance not far from Barbara
on Highway 66.
The emergency medical technicians had just finished a call nearby
when the call about Bitsilly came across the police radio, the driver
testified. Just then, a car fitting the description almost crashed
into the ambulance.
The driver followed the offending car to Bowman's home and waited
until police arrived. The driver identified Bowman as the man who
got out of the car.
Police said that they couldn't determine which vehicle, Bowman's,
Torres,' or another unknown driver's, actually killed Bitsilly and
that was why the prosecution agreed to drop the more serious charges
in exchange for Bowman's plea.
The plea agreement included a sentence of 18 months in prison, all
suspended except for seven months to be served at the McKinley County
Adult Detention Center. He was given credit for 90 days already served.
Bowman will be allowed out on work release, must pay $896 in restitution
to Bitsilly's family, and go into a substance abuse program.
Bowman has already spent time in prison for the 1996 death of a man
whose throat was slit behind Super 8 Motel in Gallup. He pleaded guilty
to manslaughter in that case.
| Top
|
Court grants extension on Gonzales case
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — The New Mexico Supreme Court has granted an extension
until July 21 in the Sandra Gonzales embezzelment case.
Gonzales, 41, is accused in a 44-count grand jury indictment of stealing
more than $180,000 from the village of Milan between May 23, 1996
and April 28, 2000 while she was the village clerk. The indictment
was handed up on Nov. 2, 2000, alleging 32 counts of embezzlement
over $2,500, some 11 counts of embezzlement over $250 and one count
of destroying public records, which the indictment states was done
to cover the crimes.
While the state is limited to the five-year statute of limitations
in the case, the village's insurance company is not and paid off more
than a $225,000 settlement in stolen money.
Since the indictment Gonzales has been free on her own recognizance
awaiting trial, a date which has come and gone twice.
In April it will have been two years since state contract auditor
Gary Gaylord uncovered the massive theft during a routine audit of
village books for the 1998-99 audit.
Gaylord went to Village Manager David Jiron and Mayor Elisabeth Lopez-Rael
and the trio went to State Auditor Domingo Martinez, who told the
three for the auditor to go back as far as the statute of limitations
would allow in an extensive examination of village books. Working
under the statute of limitations Gaylord went back to May 23, 1996,
at which time $3,299.53 was reported missing.
The contract auditor worked months putting together the huge audit
dating back five years and when he completed the documents he turned
them over to Martinez and the Cibola County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff's detective Hank Goke conducted an investigation, turned the
results over to the Thirteenth Judicial District Attorney's office
and on Nov. 2, the grand jury handed up its 44-count indictment.
On May 15, 2000 the board formally suspended Gonzales from her $34,000
per year job.
It was not the first time, though, that Gonzales had been suspended.
The mayor, new at her job in July 1998, suspended Gonzales, reportedly
over matters unrelated to embezzlement, but the then sitting board
of directors, Eddie Corely Jr., Frances Waldee and Tom Ortega, reinstated
Gonzales to her job. Following the reinstatement $110,116.24 more
was allegedly stolen from the village until May 15, 2000, when the
board officially suspended Gonzales. It took the board of trustees
another 16 months before the board members finally voted to fire Gonzales.
On Jan. 17, 2002, Gonzales' attorney, Paul Kennedy, requested a six-month
extension by the supreme court for a trial to be held. He said in
court documents that the investigation involves a massive number of
documents he has not had time to review in order to properly prepare
for the case. His request, granted in late January by the supreme
court, was preceded by two trial dates, one by the district court
and the other by the supreme court.
The defendant faces up to 114 years in prison and/or fines totaling
$220,000.
She has not served one day in jail, nor was Gonzales ever arrested
in the case. She worked some 23 years for the village and presently
works at an Albuquerque discount home repair company.
Only criminal indictments charging embezzlement have taken place as
of Monday. Neither the village of Milan or the insurance company has
filed civil actions against Gonzales.
| Top |
Area sports
Carrie Loretto
Sports Editor
FARMINGTON — The Gallup Aquatics Association Gator swim team
placed fourth at the Four Corners Aquatic Invitational in Farmington
held Jan. 25-27 in Farmington.
Shane Senoski qualified for the New Mexico state finals in five events
to be held in March. Senoski swam qualifying times in the 10-and-under
50-meter breaststroke (third in 49.94) and the 50 backstroke (third
in 47.40). The nine-year-old also qualified in three 12-and-under
divisions, winning the three events: the 200 intermediate (3:33.96),
the 100 breast (1:53.80) and the 100-fly (1:50.64). Senoski also won
the 10-and-under 50 fly in 51.52, placed second in the 9-10 year old
50 free
(45.24) and the 9-10 year old 100 intermediate (1:44.39) and placed
third in the 10-and-under 200 IM (3:37.90).
Also winning events for the Gators were Drew Condrey, Megan Maguire-Marshall
and Colleen Petranovich.
Condrey won the boys 7-8 year old 25-meter backstroke in 25.30. He
was also second in the 25 breaststroke (30.34) and third in the 25
freestyle (26.01).
Maguire-Marshall won the girls 11-12 year old 50-meter breastroke
in 45.63, the 100 freestyle in 1:18.21, and the 50 backstroke in 39.84.
She placed in the top three in four of her nine events. She was third
in the 200 IM (3:13.55).
Petranovich won the girls 10-and-under 50-meter breastroke with a
time of 54.67 and the girls 9-10 100 IM in 1:45.93. She also had runner-up
finishes in three 12-and-under events: the 100 breastroke (1:59.65),
the 100 free (1:35.92) and the 100 backstroke (1:44.05).Others placing
in the top three in their events were Brittany Corley, third in the
girls 12-and-under 100 backstroke (1:44.68); David Garcia, third in
the boys 10-and-under 100 freestyle (2:10.29); Andrew Murphy, second
in the boys 7-8 year old 25 meter backstroke (31.88) and third in
the 25 breastroke (31.40); Kaitlin Petranovich, third in both the
11-12 year old 100 breastroke (1:49.95) and 50 free (38.81); and Rachael
Wilson, second in the 11-12 year old 100-meter breastroke (1:46.05),
second in the 100 free (1:22.98) and third in the 50 backstroke (43.66)
and third in the 50 free (33.35).
| Top
|
Torch crossing Utah in final relay stretch
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) — A wait of more than three decades
ended at sunrise Monday when the Olympic flame, destined for Salt
Lake City, crossed through the Delicate Arch and began its homestretch
run toward the start of the 2002 Winter Games.
After a brief American Indian ceremony, runner Frank B. Arrowchis,
a member of the Northern Ute Tribe, and his granddaughter, Stephanie
Laree Spann, blessed the torch with an eagle wing. Spann then ran
the torch around the rim of the bowl that sits next to the arch.
Arrowchis began the ceremony as the first rays of sun hit the snow
atop the La Sal Mountains to the southeast. The morning was clear
and crisp, with temperatures in the 20s...
| Top |
Medicaid cuts likely in NM budget fight
Walt Howerton Jr.
Legislative Reporter
SANTA FE — So we have a budget. And the Legislature isn't even
supposed to beover until Feb. 14. They might as well go on home
and save taxpayers that$140 a day they get to live on. As they say
in Houston since Enron collapsed: Last one out of town turn off
the lights.
Well, not exactly.
What we have are two budgets. And, of course, we have Gov. Gary
Johnson, who has his own ideas about budgets, sitting in his office
on the fourth floor of the Roundhouse just waiting for the chance
to veto something.
We have the Senate version of a budget passed on Monday. And we
have the House version of the budget passed last week.
Now Senate and House member have to sit down and hammer out their
differences before anything can be sent up to Johnson. And he already
threatened to veto the whole shebang when he saw the House version...
| Top |
House explosion from gas leak in attic
CLOUDCROFT, N.M. (AP) — A Cloudcroft house that was destroyed
by an explosion, killing two people, was laced with gas pipelines
and had old-style gaslights, the Otero County undersheriff says.
"We're 99.9 percent sure it was a gas leak in the attic (that
fueled the explosion), but that's probably something we'll never
know for positive," Dave Plotner said Tuesday.
"There's just not enough left of the house to be sure,"
he said.
The house, which blew up Sunday, belonged to Verbal and Lotie Scott,
who had retired from a propane gas business their family has owned
for three generations in Cloudcroft, Mayor Dave Venable said...
| Top |
John McCain has lesion on nose removed
Sean L. McCarthy
The Arizona Republic
PHOENIX — Sen. John McCain's ongoing battle with melanoma resumed
Monday when he underwent minor surgery at Mayo Clinic Hospital in
northeast Phoenix to remove a small lesion from the left side of
his nose. It was not malignant.
McCain, 65, will go back today for plastic surgery to repair the
affected area.
"We've got to stop meeting like this," the Arizona senator
said to reporters Monday night outside his Phoenix home.
Over the years, McCain has had numerous moles and lesions removed,
most benign...
| Top |
House OKs copper tax
SANTA FE (AP) — The House unanimously approved a proposal Saturday
to extend a tax break for the copper industry.
The measure would continue for three additional years a reduction
implemented in 1999 on the resource excise tax on copper production.
The tax incentive will expire in July unless lawmakers extend it.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Manuel Herrera, D-Bayard, said poor economic
conditions and low copper prices have lead to mine and smelter layoffs
in southwestern New Mexico...
| Top |
Girlfriend bites beau
Staff Report
GALLUP — McKinley County Sheriff's Department deputies arrested
a Crownpoint woman early Sunday after her bruised boyfriend said
she beat him up and bit him.
Deputies met with Jason Joe, 22, around 3:50 a.m. at Gallup Indian
Medical Center, where staff treated him for cuts and bruises, according
to a sheriff's report. Joe said his girlfriend, Christina Stevens,
22, also of Crownpoint, had an argument while at the Shalimar bar.
When they left and Joe began driving away, Stevens accused him of
having sex with another woman. She grabbed the steering wheel, and
Joe let her steer the pickup truck to the side of the road near
Gamerco on U.S. 666...
| Top |
Deaths
Billie Rolean Lambson
GALLUP — Services for Billie Lambson, 75, will be held at 10
a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, Gallup. Bishop Decker will officiate. Burial will follow
at Sunset Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held one hour prior services.
Lambson died Jan. 31 in Gallup. He was born July 4, 1926 in Roswell.
Lambson was a teacher at McKinley Country Schools and opened Mother
Goose Learning Center. She was a member of the Soroptimist, Delta
Kappa Gamma, Fort Canyon Senior Citizens and the New Mexico Retired
Teachers. She was a the owner of Mother Goose Day Care.
Survivors include her sons, Sherrill Kay Lambson of Levan, Utah,
Elma Howard and Monty Samuel Lambson both of Kirtland, Albert Lee
Lambson and Frank Bates Lambson II both of Ramah; daughters, Billie
Ethna Bond of Ramah and Jeraldine VanderWagen of Gallup; brother,
Bob James Melton of Amarillo, Texas; 37 grandchildren; 76 great-grandchildren
and one great-great grandchildren.
Lambson was preceded in death husband, Marion Allbert Lambson; parents,
Jerry Luther and Ollie Maude Melton; brothers, Arthur Melton and
Jerald Melton; and sister, Mildred Morris.
Pallbearers will be Dean Bond, Jeffery Bond, Kelly Bond, Christopher
Lambert, Alan VanderWagen, Greg VanderWagen and John VanderWagen.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to the Primary Children's
Hospital, Foundations, Fund, 100 North Medical Dr., Salt Lake City,
Utah, 84113.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Laverne Mae King
SHIPROCK — Services for Laverne King, 43, will be held at 10
a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Cope Memorial Chapel. Pastor Stanley
Jim will officiate. Burial will follow on family land in Peach Springs.
King died Feb. 3 in Gallup. She was born June 6, 1958 in Rehoboth
into the Zuni Clan for the Bitter Water Clan.
King was a homemaker.
Survivors include his husband, James Pettigrew of Shiprock; daughter,
Lavinia Begay of Twin Lakes; parents, Bennie and Delores T. King
of Peach Springs; brothers, Glenn King of Crownpoint and Elroy King
of Gallup; and sisters, LaRose King of Twin Lakes, Eleanor King
of Peach Springs and Caroline Hanson.
Pallbearers will be held at Ernie Chaco, Larson Chaco, Vincent Tsosie,
Vernon Tsosie, Elroy King and Glenson King.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Dolly Mae Curley
KINLICHEE, Ariz. — Services for Dolly Curley, 62, were held
at 10 a.m., today at St. Michaels Catholic Church. Burial followed
at Kinlichee Community Cemetery.
Curley died Jan. 31 in Kinlichee. She was born May 21, 1939 in Fluted
Rock, Ariz. into the Water Edge People for the Coyote Pass People.
Curley attended Brigham City, Utah and Kinlichee BIA School. She
was a homeliving assistant. She received numerous awards in supporting
education. Her hobbies include arts and craft.
Survivors include her husband, Earl G. Curley of Kinlichee; sons,
Arnold Curley, Marvin Curley, Alvin Curley, Theodore Curley, Steve
Curley and Fabian Curley all of Arizona; daughter, Donna Sam of
Kinlichee; parents, Elizabeth and Austin Albert Sr.; brothers, Eugene
Albert, Andrew Albert and Jonas Albert; sisters, Isabell Mitchell
of Navajo; Betty Holmes of Ganado, Ariz.; Mae Wallace of Summit,
Ariz. and Elizabeth Yazzie of Window Rock; 13 grandchildren and
one great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Arnold Curley, Alvin Curley, Theodore Curley, Darron
Curley, Al-logan Curley and Davidson Sam.
The family will receive friends and relatives after the burial services
at Kinlichee Chapter House.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Wallace Staley
CHINLE, Ariz. — Services for Wallace Staley, 67, will be held
at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 6 at St. Isabel Church, Lukachukai,
Ariz. Burial will follow on family land, Black Rock, Ariz.
A rosary will be held at 3-5 p.m., today at Tse Bonito Mortuary.
Staley died Feb. 2 in Chinle. He was born April 15, 1934 in Black
Rock into the Towering House for the Coyote Pass.
Staley was a railroad laborer.
Survivors include his sons, Daniel Staley, Akee Staley and Anderson
Staley all of Chinle; daughters, Eva Yazzie of Holbrook, Ariz. and
Eleanor Dale of Wide Ruins, Ariz.; brothers, Bennie Staley of Kayenta
and Benjamin Staley of Sylmar, Calif.; sisters, Susie Clark, Addie
Tsosie and Alice S. Yaaie all of Black Rock, Ariz.; 17 grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren.
Staley was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Staley; parents,
Walter and Zonnie Staley and sisters, Isabel Litson and Irene Begay.
Tse Bonito Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Gloria Ann Davis
ALBUQUERQUE — Services for Gloria Davis, were held at 10 a.m.,
Monday, Feb. 4 at French Mortuary, Albuquerque.
Pastor Ron Harvey officiated. Burial followed at Santa Fe National
Cemetery.
Davis died Feb. 1 in Albuquerque. She was born into the Towering
House for the Nakai Din.
Davis graduated nurse's school as an L.P.N. and worked for Indian
Helath Service as a mental health technician.
Survivors include her daughters, Andrea Babby of Sacramento, Calif.,
Carmen Davis-Reynoso and Yvonne M. Davis both of Albuquerque; sisters,
Marjorie Charley, Alberty Yazzie and Priscilla Begay; brother, Jerry
Tsis; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Davis was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Davis and parents,
Yazzie Roberts and Harrison Begay.
Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association of New
Mexico, 525 San Pedro NE #101, Albuquerque, NM, 87108.
Walter Alfred Kren
GALLUP — Services for Walter Kren, 73, will be announced at
a later date.
Kren died Feb. 4 in Albuquerque. He was born April 13, 1928 in Gallup.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
| Top |
Contact the Gallup Independent
Please send the Gallup Independent feedback on
this website and the paper in general.
E-mail: gallpind@cia-g.com
By mail:
The Independent
PO Box 1210 Gallup, NM 87305
500 N. 9th Gallup, NM 87301
All contents property of the Gallup
Independent.
Any duplication or republication requires consent of the Gallup
Independent.
Feel free to send any questions or comments to gallpind@cia-g.com
E-mail the webmaster at martyr_dom@hotmail.com
for problems concerning the website ONLY.
|
