Both Chase Powell and Joe Schmidt worked for the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department at the Piñon Hills Golf Course. The two men were traveling home from an irrigation workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado when the accident occurred. At this time the incident is being investigated under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police.
From the City of Farmington:
Two City of Farmington employees were involved in a fatal accident last night at approximately 10:30 pm on US 491, north of Shiprock. City Manager, Rob Mayes stated, “First and foremost, I want to express on behalf of our entire employee family our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family and loved ones of Chase Powell and Joe Schmidt. I also want to acknowledge the remarkable impact this terrible event is having on those employees who worked closely with these men, our employee family here at the City of Farmington, and to our Farmington community as a whole. There is simply no good way to express how we feel and the depth of pain this news caused to so many.”
Both Powell and Schmidt worked for the City’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department at the Piñon Hills Golf Course. The two men were traveling home from an irrigation workshop in Grand Junction, Colorado when the accident occurred. At this time the incident is being investigated under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police.
The City of Farmington will have grief counseling available for employees through the employee assistance program. The City would like to express our appreciation for the many messages of support we have received from community leaders and community members during this very difficult time for the victims’ families and for our employees.
The move will not affect the 2026 racing season in San Juan County. Live racing is scheduled for April 17 – May 24, 2026.
San Juan County has previously said that McGee Park and the San Juan County Fairgrounds would not be impacted by any changes at the casino and horse racing track.
The suspect, John Hannon, the child’s father, was arrested on 2/9/26 on unrelated charges. He was served with the following charges while at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center:
The rescue effort also received substantial financial support, from various donors. This outside support significantly reduced the financial impact on local resources and ensured the operation did not place a major burden on San Juan County taxpayers.
Crews arrived to find a structure on fire and the occupant inside. Despite a quick response from fire crews and efforts by San Juan County Sheriff’s Deputies, one occupant was removed from the structure by firefighters and transported to the hospital by San Juan Regional Medical Center EMS. The occupant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Music in the Mountains will partner with Durango Snowdown to present a dazzling 500-drone aerial show during the Snowdown Light Parade on Friday, January 30, at 6:00 PM sharp.
This will be the largest drone show Durango has ever presented, transforming the winter night into a spectacular canvas of light, artistry, and imagination.
Dr. Jackson-Dennison, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Diné), brings nearly four decades of experience in educational leadership, with a career dedicated to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, self-determination, and academic excellence. Her leadership reflects a unique ability to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems with Western academic frameworks, a hallmark of her scholarship and professional practice.