Meet the Press

GALLUP — The Independent is coming out.

After several years of planning and more than a year of preparation, construction and assembly, the newspaper unveils its new high-speed GOSS Magnum press.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, The Independent, 500 N. Ninth St. in Gallup, will open its doors and give the public an opportunity to see what some $7 million buys these days.

During the three-hour open house, those in attendance to be able to watch the $4 million behemoth crank out 24 full-color pages at a rate of 40,000 an hour. Folks will also get to tour the $2 million-plus state-of-the-art building housing the press.

Attendees will also be able to speak with Independent employees and owners while enjoying snacks and beverages supplied by the newspaper. Curious about what gets in, what's left out?

Managing editor Darrel Beehner will hold a round-table disussion about editorial content in the newspaper as well as offer advice on how clubs, organizations and individuals can get announcements and news stories in the paper.

In Case You Didn't Know
The Independent publishes three editions a day, Monday through Saturday. The editions are distributed geographically.

The first edition, which is distributed in McKinley County and across Navajo, Zuni and Hopi lands. To cover those areas, The Independent devotes at least five reporters and correspondents as well photographers to ensure unparalleled coverage to readers from Ramah to Kayenta and To' Hajiillee to Tuba City. The press starts no later than 10 a.m., ensuring delivery in stands and on doorsteps by no later than 12:30 p.m. except in the most remote areas of one of the nation's largest distribution areas.

The second edition goes out to the folks in the Grants, Milan and Cibola County areas. The paper commits two full-time news reporters, one full-time sports reporter and three on-call photographers to the area.

The final, and most-updated edition, is printed for Gallup readers. In the City Edition are the most recent city, county and police matters that impact the more than 20,000 Gallup residents. This edition does not appear on racks around the city, but can be purchased at The Independent office. (Subscribers can call (505) 863-6811 to have the paper delivered to their doorstep.)

Who to talk to
Following is all staff members, beats, phone numbers, email addresses where appliciable:

COUNTY/RESERVATIONS

Jim Maniaci — (Tse Bonito) Navajo Nation Council, Navajo Nation Supreme Court, council committees, Apache, Navajo, Coconino counties. (505) 371-5443 or cell (505) 870-7775; fax (505) 371-5361.

Kathy Helms — (Fort Defiance) Environment, crime (Navajo and Hopi nations), Resources, traditional medicine, people issues, Native American Church. Phone (928) 729-2331, cell (505) 870-6666; fax (928) 729-2446; email khelms@frontiernet.net.

Brian Hassler — (Shiprock) Four Corners area, Central Consolidated Schools. Phone (505) 360-7862; email brianhassler@hotmail.com.

Pam Dempsey — (Gallup) Zuni, Navajo Nation President and Vice President, Navajo Economic Development, Navajo Nation Health and Social Services. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 223 or cell (505) 879-1707.

Stan Bindell — (Hopi correspondent) Phone (928) 738-5111.

GRANTS BUREAU

Tom Purdom — Milan and Grants city governments, Outdoors, 13th Judicial District Courts, N.M. State Police.

Jim Tiffin Milan — Grants police; Cibola County Commission; Cibola County Schools; Laguna, Acoma pueblos; Health.

GALLUP

Darrel Beehner — Managing editor. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 211

Gaye Brown de Alvarez — Copy, features editor. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 224.

Stewart Byous — Copy editor. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 219.

Andrea Howard — Editorial assistant, Obituaries, Area in Brief; Letters to the Editor, Records; Weddings and Engagements; Birth Announcements; Education (On Campus) Briefs. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 212.

Bill Donovan — McKinley County Schools, McKinley County Government; New Businesses; Columnist. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 218 or cell (505) 870-2135.

Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola — Religion; Arts and Entertainment; Calendar of Events. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 218; email ehardinburrola@yahoo.com.

Leslie Wood — Gallup Police and Fire Departments; 11th Judicial District and Magistrate courts. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 222 or cell (505) 870-1745.

Zsombor Peter — City government; City General Assignment; Reservation Schools. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 217.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jeff Jones — Senior Photographer. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 210.

John Bowersmith — Photographer. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 210.

(The Independent has just hired a third photographer who will start this week.)

SPORTS

Alan Arthur — Sports Editor. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 226.

Mike Peretti — Sports reporter. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 226.

Santiago Ramos — Sports reporter, rodeo. Phone (505) 863-6811 ext. 226.