The north and south roads leading to the park are impassable, creating hazardous driving conditions for visitors attempting to reach the park. The park will re-open to visitors on July 27 at 12:00 p.m.
July 26, 2021
From Chaco Canyon National Historical Park
Effective immediately, Chaco Culture National Historical Park is closed for 24 hours because of severe and repeated flash floods on the afternoons of July 24 and 25. The north and south roads leading to the park are impassable, creating hazardous driving conditions for visitors attempting to reach the park. The park will re-open to visitors on July 27 at 12:00 p.m.
The Gallo Campground has also experienced flooding. Reservations in the campground will be canceled for July 26and 27. Camping in the Gallo Campground will begin again on Wednesday, July 28.
Road conditions into the park may still be treacherous even after the park has re-opened. Check local road conditions before driving to Chaco. Do not drive into standing water on roadways.
Flash flooding commonly occurs in the desert southwest. The arid, sparsely vegetated environment has little capacity to absorb rainfall, resulting in runoff moving rapidly across the landscape. Even small storms, or storms in nearby areas, can cause flash floods. Plan ahead and be prepared. Be aware that flash floods could occur anytime rainfall is forecast. According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms are possible in the afternoons and evenings for the next few days in the area.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.
The $2.2 million Student Health Center spans 2,652 square feet and is designed to provide accessible healthcare services on campus.
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Reports indicated the child had been locked in a chicken coop for extended periods and exposed to extreme weather conditions. Detectives immediately responded, removed the child from the home, and gathered evidence corroborating the allegations.