COVID-19 claimed the lives of three Cibola County residents in February. The last month proved that the disease is still deadly and remains very prevalent in Cibola County. Even as the disease remains deadly and is actively killing New Mexicans, reports suggest that both the federal and state governments are both considering ending the COVID-19 Public Health emergency, which will make tracking the disease much harder, while making COVID-19 tests and treatment more expensive.

Spring is the time of the year when you should do about 95% of the landscape pruning maintenance. It isn’t the most glamorous job of gardening but when done correctly it leads to a more beautiful yard.

GRANTS, N.M. – The meeting on February 23 started with citizen comments. A resident of Cibola County brought attention to an issue concerning a nuisance business filled with unsightly junk and clutter. Although there are ordinances in place for keeping properties clean, there may be a need for developing an approach to tackle the problems brought to light concerning problem properties.

MILAN, NM – In the hours following the publication of last week’s story “Closing CCCC / How ‘Dignity Not Detention’ Could Close Local Jail”, the Cibola Citizen heard from CoreCivic, the company that runs the Cibola County Correctional Center in the Village of Milan.

Grants Police Department February 6 Andrew Lucario, born in 1987: Drunk or disorderly Michael Donald. born in 1974: Warrants – Magistrate Courts John Martine, born in 1970: Drunk or disorderly February 7 Paul Ration, born in 1968: Drunk or disorderly February 8 Esiquel Gonzales, born in 1995: Warrant-District Courts February 9 Shawn Tsosie, born in 1984: Warrant-Municipal Kenneth Barbone, born in 1973: Drunk or disorderly February 10 Sherrion Thomson, born in 1992: Battery against a household member Packard Shorty, born in 1990: Obstructing a police officer February 11 Isaac Carbajal, born in 2001: Aggravated assault February 12 Herman Garcia, born in 1967 Aggravated DUI/DWI February 13 Kenneth Bardone, born in 1973: Information report only February 20 Jared Garoutte, born in 1962: Warrants- Magistrate Courts February 22 Randell Willie, born in 1987: Assault and battery February 23 Ezekiel Armijo, born in 2008: Warrant JPPO Joel Moreno, born in 1971: Warrant – Municipal Court February 24 Isidro Chaves, born in 1980: Warrant – Magistrate Courts Charles Royalty, born in 1978: Warrant – Magistrate Courts Glenn Kelsey Jr., born in 1976 – Aggravated Battery (Dangerous Manner) February 25 Keith Hechilay, born in 1990: Trespassing Julia Romero, born in 1980: Warrant – Magistrate Courts Irene Thompson, Born in 1993: DUI/DWI Nanette Nunley, born in 1967: Criminal trespass David Loley, born in 1995: Assault and battery February 28 Darris Peters.

NEW LAGUNA, N.M. – Lynette Chavez, a 26-year-old from New Laguna has pleaded guilty to assaulting a Laguna Police officer, who has the legal distinction of a federal police officer, in 2018. Chavez had been arraigned in a federal court for assaulting a federal police officer in 2021. Chavez will remain in prison until sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

On Friday March 3, Cibola County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the Pine Meadows Ranch community in reference to an unattended death. The dispatch included that a body had been found outside in a wooded area. Deputies responded, along with the office of the medical investigator, and determined that the death was suspicious in nature. As a result, CCSO initiated a Homicide Investigation. The victim has been identified, but their identity will not be released pending next of kin notification. The case is active and ongoing. CCSO is requesting that anyone with information contact Detective Gardner. You can remain anonymous. A reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest. At this time, CCSO has no reason to believe that the community is at risk and this appears to be an isolated incident.

ZUNI PUEBLO – Two Zuni men have been charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury in the Zuni Pueblo. Both Christopher Hannaweekee Sr., 48, and his son Christopher Hannaweekee Jr., 29, were charged for a January 27 assault that allegedly took place in Zuni Pueblo. Both Hannaweekee Sr. and Jr. are enrolled members of the Zuni Pueblo.