Molly K Ottman

NAVAJO COUNTY — A fatal early-morning accident that killed Glen Collins, a firefighter with the Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District, was addressed in court on Jan. 29, where Judge Clark ordered the woman accused in the collision held without bond. Collins was riding his motorcycle to work on Oct. 3, 2025, when he was struck on Lone Pine Dam Road near milepost 7.5 and died at the scene.

SNOWFLAKE — A 75-year-old Snowflake tradition, started by the Flake family, continued as residents gathered for the annual Ground “Hog” Breakfast. An event that began as a small family gathering and has grown into one of the town’s most enduring celebrations.

HEBER — Nine federally protected wild horses were recently shot and killed on the Black Mesa Ranger District, according to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Investigators are offering a $5,000 reward, and Friends of the Heber Wild Horses are contributing an additional $5,000.

HOLBROOK — The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both criminal and administrative investigations are underway following the Dec. 13 deputy-involved shooting death of Kevin Peloso. Deputies involved remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

For generations, 1935 has been cited as the year Arizona’s last grizzly bear was killed. Bob Housholder, in The Grizzly Bear in Arizona, was careful with his wording, writing that “Arizona’s last reported kill was in 1935.” That distinction matters because it marks the end of official documentation, not the end of the silvertip grizzly bear in Arizona.

The FBI Phoenix Field Office, working with the Navajo Nation Police Department, is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the death of 8-year-old Maleeka “Mollie” Boone.

ROUND VALLEY-Authorities have identified Brandon Ulibarri, 39, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the man killed in last week’s officer-involved shooting at the Round Valley Police Department in Springerville.