The McKinley County Roads Department opened a newly completed section of Superman Canyon Road (CR43A) this week. The 2-mile stretch replaces a badly eroded section that could not be improved because of archaeological sites in the area. Funding for the project was provided through the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s Transportation Improvement Program.
News Release
Media Contact: Anthony Dimas Jr.
505-863-1400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, March. 25
GALLUP, New Mexico – The McKinley County Board of Commissioners announced today that it is postponing consideration of a proposed ordinance that would have increased local taxes to support economic development efforts.
Ordinance 2026-MAR-001 would have implemented a 0.4375% increase in Gross Receipts Tax, with revenue designated for economic development initiatives in McKinley County.
“After strong feedback from the public, we have decided to hold off on considering the tax increase until we can solicit more input,” said McKinley County Commission Chair Robert Baca.
In recent years, McKinley County has experienced a significant decline in revenue following the closures of Marathon Petroleum and Escalante Generating Station, which were the county’s largest and third-largest taxpayers, respectively.
County officials said the ordinance may be brought forward again next calendar year to allow additional time for public discussion and input.
Construction crews pour concrete at Red Rock Park on Friday morning for new restrooms being built on the east side of the main arena. As part of McKinley County’s commitment to improving the park, crews are working to complete the new facility in time for the summer event season. The building will replace outdated restrooms previously located at the site and provide increased capacity for visitors. Funding for the project was provided through the Regional Recreation Centers & Quality of Life grant from State of New Mexico.
GALLUP, New Mexico – The McKinley County Sheriff’s Department will open to the public in its newly renovated building on Tuesday, Feb. 17, following the completion of construction.
Located at 1000 E. Aztec Avenue, the new 14,000-square-foot facility replaces the department’s former 8,000-square-foot building. The expanded space provides room for additional offices and storage, a new workout facility, and an on-site specialized training simulator program.
“We are excited to move into our new building,” said Sheriff James Mariano. “This facility represents a significant upgrade from our previous location, which had numerous structural and space limitations.”
The former building required extensive repairs and was ultimately deemed too costly to rehabilitate. The primary issue involved foundation settling and shifting, which caused significant structural problems in the portion of the building occupied by the Sheriff’s Department.
An open house for the public will be scheduled once the department is fully settled into the new facility. Additional details will be announced at a later date.
The McKinley County Courthouse Rotunda recently saw the installation of a new work of art as part of the Art in Public Places project. Tim Washburns sculpture, titled “Spirit of the Ceremonial”, was installed over the course of several days and took a team of workers to move the large blocks of limestone into place. His piece is the second in a series of three commissioned by McKinley County and brought to life with the help of Gallup Arts, the Rotunda Art Project Committee and the staff of New Mexico Arts. The work is available to view during regular courthouse business hours. The third and final art installation is expected in June of 2026.
Scenes from the 44th Annual Red Rock Balloon Rally
On Wednesday, Nov. 5th, the City of Gallup and McKinley County unveiled a Route 66 art installation in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. The monument is located at the George Galanis Multicultural Center on Route 66 in Gallup, New Mexico. Route 66 isn’t just a road; it’s a story of our history, our resilience, and our community spirit. We’re truly fortunate to be part of this history and to have the opportunity to tell our story and show how we fit into the big picture of Route 66’s legacy.
The 2nd Annual Joy Ride and Run drew about 160 participants from around the region to the High Desert Trail System. The event featured both running and mountain biking events with one and 5-mile options for runners and five and 15-mile options for mountain bikers. Additionally, the event featured a fun walk and ride for kids and families on a 1-mile short loop.