I-40 claims more life, property
Wrong way driver in I-40 crash ID'd
Andrea Egger
Staff Writer
GALLUP — A 33-year-old man is dead after driving east in
the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 early this morning and colliding
head-on with a semi-truck.
The driver was Cal Bradley, 33, who had a Colorado Springs, Colo.,
address but a California driver's license, said state police Capt.
Tim Baughman.
The man remained in the pickup truck and was pronounced dead at
the scene.
Baughman said state officers received a telephone call at 3:45
a.m. that a pickup was traveling the wrong way on the west lanes
of I-40.
"Our officers tried diligently to get there, but before they
got to the area, the accident occurred," he said.
The accident occurred at the 30 mile marker, just west of the
Fort Wingate exit. Impact caused the semi to drive off into the
median and the front of the semi caught fire and burned the truck
to a total loss.
"The driver of the semi didn't see the pickup until probably
when it was right upon it," Baughman said.
Semi driver Ramandeep Mangat, 23, of Ontario, Can., and his co-driver
and passenger, Jassal Balljindr, 35, also of Ontario,
complained of minor injuries and were treated and released from
Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital.
The semi belongs to Ontario Inc. They were hauling household personal
hygiene items, such as shampoo.
State police don't suspect alcohol was involved on the part of
the pickup driver. "At that hour, it could have been fatigue
and that he just took a wrong turn," Baughman said.
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Chavez joins mayor's race
Bill Donovan
Staff writer
GALLUP — City Councilor Charlie Chavez says he is definitely
tossing his hat in the ring next year for city mayor.
The idea has been running through his head for the past several years,
he said, adding that he almost decided to run three years ago.
Although the election is still a year away, the race began early this
year with two others — William Armijo and Robert Rosebrough —
also having begun to campaign.
Chavez said that with 14 years on the city council, he has a lot of
experience in city affairs and has a good working relationship with
other members of the council and the various mayors during those years.
"We haven't cut any services during those years and have done
our best to improve services to the Gallup people during those years,"
he said.
The city's current mayor, John Pena, has already announced that he
will not be a candidate next year and at least four other people have
indicated that they are also looking at the possibility of throwing
their hats in the ring later this year.
Chavez's council seat is also up for election next year which means
that his decision to run for mayor will open up that positions as
well...
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BIA driver to plead guilty in I-40 crash
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A Crownpoint man accused of killing four people
in a drunken-driving traffic crash on Interstate 40 has reached a
plea deal with prosecutors.
Lloyd Larson, 39, was scheduled to go to trial Tuesday. But the plan
now is for him to plead guilty to four counts of second-degree murder
on April 23, said Greg Fouratt, assistant U.S. attorney.
Larson, a U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs employee, is accused of driving
his BIA work truck the wrong way on Interstate 40 and colliding with
an eastbound car carrying two Nebraska couples returning home from
vacation.
Killed in the Jan. 25 crash were Larry Beller, 63; his wife, Rita
Beller, 59, both of Lindsay, Neb.; and Edward Ramaekers, 61, and his
wife, Alice Ramaekers, 60, both of Norfolk, Neb.
Larson, who was off duty at the time of the crash, had a blood alcohol
content well above the legal limit of 0.08 percent, the FBI has said.
Alonzo Padilla, a public defender who is representing Larson, said
the plea agreement does not involve a pre-arranged sentence. A second-degree
murder conviction in federal court carries a maximum sentence of life
in prison.
Larson, who has nine prior drunken-driving arrests or incidents, suffered
several broken bones and other injuries. He was treated at University
of New Mexico Hospital and was released afterward into the custody
of federal marshals.
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Panel to tackle residential set backs
Bill Donovan
Staff Writer
GALLUP — The city's Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled
to revisit the issue of set backs for residential dwellings at its
meeting Wednesday
The commission is being asked to consider changing the current requirements
for residences in a Single Family Residential District by reducing
the minimum rear yard requirement from 30 feet to 25 feet with a further
reduction to 20 feet for an open porch.
This is somewhat of a controversial issue within the city planning
area, said City Planner Lisa Baca Diaz.
In 1999, the city zoning commission considered reducing the set backs
for both the RS-1 and RS-2 single zoning districts in the city but
while it went through for the RS-2 district, the commission felt the
RS-1 requirements should stay in place.
This decision, said Diaz, was "being driven (at that time) by
neighborhood opposition to development of the Country Club subdivision
along Susan."
But things have changed since then which is why the commission is
being asked to reconsider their earlier change.
For one thing, construction of new houses is down 41.4 percent over
the past two years while the alteration and renovation of existing
homes is up 19.6 percent.
Diaz attributes the change to "unstable economic factors"
and the increasing popularity of manufactured homes, which are generally
cheaper than site constructed homes.
"With an increase in both real property and construction costs,
it appears that homeowners have resorted to adding additional living
area to their present homes rather than purchasing new ones,"
she said.
But the city's planning and zoning department staff have had to turn
down a number of requests for proposed additions because they do not
meet the minimum set back requirements.
This apparently has not stopped a lot of people in town from going
ahead and building the additions anyway.
A drive-by survey of some of the 460 single family lots in the town's
RS-1 district revealed that roughly half of houses were in violation
of the city's current set back requirements, mostly because of the
addition of covered patios.
"Typically, the construction activity tales place over the weekend
and is difficult to enforce, unless there is a private complaint,"
she said. "With the small amount of complaints received, it can
be presumed that these porches into the rear yard set back are not
opposed by adjacent property owners."
Then there is the decision by the planning and zoning commission back
in December, 2001 to give a variance to the set back requirements
to a resident in the Martinelli subdivision since commission members
felt that the small addition would not have a negative impact on the
privacy and views of adjacent properties.
But this decision will cause problems if the commission denies other
property owners in the same situation the same variance, which, said
Diaz, renders the current ordinance invalid.
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Area Sports
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
FARMINGTON — Led by freshman Glynnis Price who grabbed top individual
honors, defending Class A-AAA state champion Shiprock captured its
third tournament win in a row.
The Lady Chieftains, last year's surprise state champions in their
first year as a team, edged out Class 4A Farmington for top team honors,
384 to 386, in the girls division Monday afternoon during the Piedra
Vista Panther Invitational at Pinon Hills Golf Course.
Price fashioned an impressive 78 score on the par-72 course, winning
first place by five strokes over Piedra Vista's Rebekah Berve who
carded an 83.
"We have three returning back from last year's state championship
team," said Shiprock coach Steve Williams whose team has won
five of seven tournaments this year. "We come in with more experience.
The three returning are good. They've got a legitimate shot at state."
Williams feels that his No. 1 girls golfer, Price, should be contending
at state.
"That 78 — that's a phenomenal run," Williams said.
"That's about as good as it gets."
Price said that her 78 round was her best on the Pinon Hills course.
"I was happy and pleased," said Price whose older brother
Kevin was the boys golf state champion in 1996.
Price, who finished sixth at state as an eighth-grader last year,
posted three birdies, one on the front nine and two on the back nine
on the Pinon Hills course.
Like her coach, Price feels that the Lady Chieftains have a good shot
at repeating at state.
"I think we have a chance," said Price who was the No. 2
golfer last year behind Deanna Harvey who graduated. "We lost
only one player to graduation. I want to take first in the tournaments
I play in. And I want to take first at state and give the team back-to-back
state titles."
Host Piedra Vista placed third in the team standings with 396 points
followed by Kirtland Central 411 and Aztec 413.
In the boys division, Ruidoso walked off with top honors with a team
score of 323. Farmington was close behind with 326 points followed
by Piedra Vista third with 328. Other team scores were Kirtland Central
336, Aztec 349, Grants 374, Shiprock 392 and Gallup 400.
In the team scoring, the top four individual scores count towards
a team's total. Qualifications for individual state legs were 79 for
boys and 96 for girls. Team legs were 1A-3A boys 336 and girls 414;
4A boys 326 and girls 404; 5A boys 316 and girls 394.
In the girls division, following Price was Berve of Piedra Vista with
a score of 83, Stephanie Heikkinen of Farmington 87, Janessa Wright
of Kirtland 89, Maggie Cole of Aztec 89, Perla Valdez of Kirtland
96, Christian Curry of Farmington 98, Allicon Bird of Piedra Vista
98, Dosha Dial of Farmington 98 and Lisa Begaye of Shiprock 99.
Shiprock's state championship girls golf team is featured in the March-April
issue of Golf Journal.
In the boys division, Colton English of Ruidoso edged out Kevin Brack
of Farmington, 77 to 78 for top individual honors.
Ryan Franklin of Kirtland took third with a 79, followed by Craig
Boyer of Piedra Vista 79, Ryan Shaver of Ruidoso 79, Daniel Duncan
of Ruidoso 79, Eddy Spencer of Farmington 80, Kris Runung of Aztec
80, Stanford Teller of Kirtland 81 and Marc Gangliff of Piedra Vista
82.
Price was the only girls golfer on Shiprock's team able to be under
the state qualifying score of 96 with rounds of 38 on the front nine
and 40 on the back nine. Sophomore Lisa Begaye just missed with a
99. Senior Tish Begaye finished with a 101, followed by senior Crystal
Frazier 106 and sophomore Alex Nez 117.
"Lisa (Begaye) had a migraine," Williams said. "She
didn't shoot her typical round and Tish has been struggling with her
new irons."
Shiprock, which finished first at Aztec and Kirtland earlier this
spring, easily picked up its seventh leg for state, more than the
required three legs.
Farmington also gained a leg towards state with its 386 score. Its
top three golfers each gained an individual leg. Stephanie Heikkinen
led the team with an 87, followed by Christian Curry 98, Doshua Dial
98 and Cassie Ulrich 103.
Kirtland's Janessa Wright earned a state leg with an 89 score. Perla
Valdez was next with a 96, Princess Benally 113, Halie Edwards 113
and Lauren Benally 125.
After Berve's 83, host Piedra Vista had Allicon Bird with a 98, Nerissa
Shelton 102, Marisha Tyler 113 and Nicole Prather 121.
Ruidoso edged out Farmington for the boys' first place team trophy
with its top three golfers shooting under 80.
Colton English led the way with a 77, followed by Ryan Shaver and
Daniel Duncan with 79s. Cody Sisson shot an 88 with Colby Gibson with
a 90.
Farmington had four golfers shooting in the 70's and 80's.
Kevin Brack led the Scorpions with a solid 78, followed by Spencer
Eddy 80, Chris Compton 83 and Luke Tanner 85.
Piedra Vista had only one golfer in the 70's with Craig Boyer finishing
with a 79, earning a leg. Josiah Kurley and Marc
Gangloff had 82's, followed by Shea Dawson and Kevin Elliots with
85's.
Kirtland was led by Ryan Franklin, who picked up a leg with a 79 score.
Stanford Teller was next with an 81, followed by Joel Atson 87, Alfred
Hatch 89 and Brent Harrison 91.
Grants' top finisher was Anthony Sarracino, the lone returnee off
last year's state runnerup team, who carded an 85. Other Pirate finishers
were Karl Gottlich 92, Justin Grider 98, Joseph Leyba 99 and Rory
Roberts 114.
Shiprock's top finisher was Tommy Begay who carded a 90 with Darryn
Ben with a 92. Bryan Ben posted a 98, with Justin Johnson 112 and
Paden Avery 125.
Rehoboth had two golfers playing unattached.
Cody Thomalson turned in a 90 which earned him a state leg with Justin
Clifford with a 105. Thoreau's Marque Sampson finished with a 102.
The Gallup Bengals did not have a good day with Josh Stall the lone
Bengal shooting under 100 with an 86 score. Sean Clark finished with
a 103, with Jeff Provenza 105, Bryan Riley 106 and Steven Waudley
127. Doty Zant did not turn in a scorecard.
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'Achoo ... I did it again'
Tess Schaller
Staff Writer
I arrived at work, just in the nick of time, walked over to my desk
and sat down to begin my daily tasks before I realized there were
more empty desks than full ones. Considering the impeccable work
ethics of my comrades ... I found this absenteeism quite odd. I
leaned over to an existing co-worker and asked where everyone was.
He squinted his eyes, crinkled his nose and replied, "Achoo!"
This raised an even more important question: Was it that sniffling,
sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy-head, can't get out of bed time
of the year again? I guess his answer was yes.
That was last week...I woke up yesterday in my usual fashion, only
instead of having a cup of coffee, I had a dose of "Achoo"
too. A series of seven to be exact. Then I did it again, and again,
and again. This was not good. I have always heard that the only
cure for the all too common cold was time. But I didn't have time
to be sick. So, I did what I always do when I have questions, I
went to the public library.
Between the infinite number of resourceful webpages and the enormous
selection of health related literature, I began to compile the much
needed data. My conclusion: The facts are quite contrary to popular
belief.
According to a report published by the National College of Naturopathic
Medicine in Portland, Ore. there were several natural options for
relief. These "remedies" bring the body into its proper
state of balance ... by actually training the body to heal itself,
as opposed to the conventional over the counter medications, which
merely cloak the symptoms, while ignoring their cause.
Take sage for instance, while this aromatic herb is best known for
its culinary contributions, its healing properties must not be ignored.
Dried, crushed sage leaves, when held under the nose, will clear
up stuffiness almost instantly. A well diluted decoction (method
for extracting the active ingredients) can be used as a gargle to
soothe a sore throat and treat minor throat infections. Sage tea,
sweetened with honey, gently eases away a pounding headache. It's
no wonder sage has been referred to as the "Miracle herb".
Moving right along ... the immune system is the body's first line
of defense against colds and flu. Loading up on fruits and vegetables,
such as carrots, squash and tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries
and strawberries, is a great way of giving the body that well deserved
boost, not to mention they're also pleasing to the tastebuds.
And while it may not be useful in warding off that pesky vampire,
garlic, another carotenoid (immune booster), certainly has the ability
to chase away a cold. It possesses chemicals which act as an expectorant
... loosening congestion in chests and noses.
Now that I have mentioned the beneficial intakes, I need to go over
some items to avoid. Although vitamin C has many positive attributes
to the body, when taken in excess, it may be as equally harmful.
A study conducted at the University of California - San Francisco
states that an amount in excess of 5,000 mg per day may put an unnecessary
strain on the liver, reducing its ability to function properly.
Dairy products are also to be ingested in moderation during the
down-time. Milk coats the throat and largely contributes to the
increased need for expectorant usage.
Instead of drinking cold beverages, try warmer ones. Colder beverages
lower the body's temperature leaving it more susceptible to the
increase of infection.
Lastly, yet most importantly, rest ... and plenty of it. While the
body sleeps, virus-damaged cells recuperate. In a study preformed
by the University of Arizona - Tuscon subjects loosing just two
hours of their normal sleep time, while suffering from a cold, showed
significantly lower rates of cell healing.
So, in summation, while eating tasty foods, sipping soothing teas
and simply lounging around for a few days sounds more like a resort
vacation than medicine ... it is exactly what this patient's going
to do.
Who said you have to starve a cold, anyway? No, I'm serious, who
said that?
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South Narrows offering new campsites for enthusiasts
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
SOUTH NARROWS — Outdoor enthusiasts looking for a perfect spot
to pitch a tent, picnic and enjoy life need look no further than
the South Narrows Picnic Area.
It isn't a large area, perhaps a half-acre large, but there are
five camping spots available and the area's owner — the Bureau
of Land Management — just Thursday finished installing new
pit toilets to replace the porta-poties which were part of the landscape.
El Malpais National Conservation Area Park Ranger and Supervisor
Ken Jones said the bureau likes to call the area a picnic area,
but camping is allowed. "We've started to get quite a bit of
use down there," Jones said...
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School funds bilingual, biliterate students
Staci Matlock
The Santa Fe New Mexican
PECOS, N.M. (AP) — In three generations, a language can be
lost.
Lost along with it are the traditions, the cultural nuances and
the unique mannerisms that go with a language, says Adela Holder,
director of curriculum and bilingual programs at the Pecos Independent
School District.
Sadder still, Holder said, is the loss of communication between
generations...
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Trial testimony begins for Farmington man
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A Farmington man on trial for murder was
drinking and looking for trouble the night a Shiprock woman was
beaten to death with a sledge hammer, a prosecutor told jurors in
opening statements Monday.
Robert Fry, 28, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping
and attempted criminal sexual penetration in the June 9, 2000, death
of Betty Lee, 36.
Prosecutors have said they'll pursue the death penalty...
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Hopi High students preform first play
Stan Bindell
Special to the Independent
POLACCA, Ariz. — Drama students at Hopi High School recently
performed the school's first play, "The Locker Stalker."
The full-play performance was preceded by monologues performed by
18 of the students in the drama class. The monologues were picked
by the students and reflected school humor.
Kristin Foss, drama teacher, said the student performances were
outstanding as the audience was amazed and genuinely entertained...
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Deaths
Susie Ross
LAS CRUCES — Services for Susie Ross, 81, will be held at 1
p.m., Wednesday, April 10 at St. Francis Catholic Church. Father
Deigo Mazon will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial
Park.
Ross died April 7. She was born Sept. 21, 1920 at Springerville,
Ariz.
Ross was a lifelong resident of Gallup until moving to Las Cruces
a year ago.
Survivors include her son, Danny Ross of Las Cruces; sisters, Mary
Butkovic of Gallup, Stella McWhorter of Carlsbad and Martha Sarracino
of Albuquerque; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Ross was preceded in death by her husband, Joe D. Ross; parents,
Susie Diaz Lopez and Senito Gonzales; three brothers and three sisters.
Pallbearers will be Edward Lucero III, Richard Rangel Jr., Robert
Rosales Sr., Robert Rosales Jr., Robert Rosales III, and Daniel
Ross Jr.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Jake Abraham
GRANTS — Memorial services for Jake Abraham, 74, will be held
at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 10 at Presbyterian Church, 400 Nimitz
Dr., Grants.
Abraham died April 6. He was born May 3, 1927.
Abraham graduated from Grants High School and attended Northern
Arizona University, Flagstaff, where he received a degree. He served
in the Navy and the New Mexico State Police in Santa Fe. He served
with the Grants City Council, Laguna Tribal Budget and Education
Committees and the Bi-County Fair.
Survivors include his wife, Birdye Hawkinson Abraham; son, Dr. Ken
Abraham of Grants; daughters, Terri of Albuquerque, and Randi of
Springeville, Utah; sister, Ruth Sarracino of Laguna; two grandchildren.
Abraham was preceded in death by his parents, Siegfried and Jessie
Gunn Abraham; son, Jacob (Moe) Abraham and sister, Rebecca Fernandez.
Russell Adam Patrick Platero
ALBUQUERQUE — Services for Russel Platero, 21, will be held
at 9 a.m., Thursday, April 11 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Mary Catholic Church. Burial will follow after services at Sunset
Memorial Park.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Chapel
of Alameda Mortuary, with a rosary to be recited at 6 p.m.
Platero died April 7, 2002. He was born in Albuquerque and was a
resident of Canoncito. He graduated from West Mesa High School and
was attending UNM. His hobbies included hunting and fishing.
Survivors include parents Lawrence and Cornelia Platero of Canoncito;
brother Wesley Platero; granparents Mr. and Mrs. Perry Joe Sr. of
Sanders, Ariz., Mr. and Mrs. Edward Tsosie of Crownpoint, Rose Platero
of Canoncito and Marie Trujillo of Taos.
Pallbearers will be Milton Pettus, Michael Platero, Ray Smith, Roman
Parada, Norman Tsosie and Melvin Foster, Jr.
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