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Monte Vista’s Annual Crane Festival will be flying in March 7-9

The 42nd Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival will take place from March 7-9. Crowds of people and thousands of Sandhill Cranes will be at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. 
MONTE VISTA – The 42nd Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival is less than a month away. This year, the festival will take place from March 7-9. Thousands of people attend this unique event.  

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Community

Eclectic folk band Stillhouse Junkies at Society Hall

ALAMOSA — Society Hall is excited to feature Stillhouse Junkies on March 21.  Acoustic adventurers Stillhouse Junkies explore the worlds between roots, bluegrass, Texas swing, blues and rock.

ASU Summer Piano Institute

The Adams State Music Department will be hosting a Summer Piano Institute for high school pianists this summer, June 8-13.

Wildlife safaris series begins March 22

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Trek with local experts to the Alamosa, Baca, and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges. Safaris are free and appropriate for novices as well as experienced adventurers.

Salida Circus fundraiser party in Crestone

CRESTONE — The Salida Circus will have an outreach fundraiser on Saturday, March 22, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 2860 Carefree Way in Crestone. 

Adams State University names Cathi Lucero Director of Financial Aid

ALAMOSA – Twenty years ago, Cathi Lucero joined the Adams State University staff as an administrative assistant. Since then, she advanced through various positions, earned her bachelor’s degree, and was recently named Director of Financial Aid. 

SOIL accepting agriculture loan applications

SAN LUIS VALLEY — SOIL Sangre de Cristo is accepting applications for their Microloan Program which awards 0% interest flexible loans to farmers and food producers who might otherwise have difficulties accessing credit. 

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Artist’s rendition of one of the housing units to be built in the Teirra Azul housing development.  

Groundbreaking ceremony for Tierra Azul housing development

ALAMOSA — The City of Alamosa will have a groundbreaking ceremony on March 24, marking the beginning of construction for the Tierra Azul project, the community’s largest new housing development. 
On March 14, this researcher with the Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies (CSAS) is measuring the amount of dust in a profile of snow at this research plot near Wolf Creek Pass.  

Dust on snow impacts spring runoff to streams and rivers

COLORADO — Colorado's high mountains are an essential water source for human and livestock consumption, fish, aquatic invertebrates, plants, animals and everything else living on our mostly blue planet. Our snow-covered mountains are a reservoir of frozen water that melts and fees our rivers, streams and us.  

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Saguache County Firewise – lessons from Calif.

CRESTONE — Daniel Johnson, a seasoned wildland firefighter with over 50  years of experience, shared his insights regarding the Palisades Fire in California at the Baca Grande POA offices in Saguache County on March 15. 

SLV Health renovations result in 5 private rooms

ALAMOSA — This may just look like an ordinary patient room in a hospital, but to the staff and patients at the San Luis Valley Health Regional Medical Center in Alamosa, these five new private rooms are an important addition to patient care in this rural setting. 
In 2021, Matt Riviere’s two sons died at the same time by taking fentanyl disguised as a pain pill. On Wednesday night, he shared his story along with some crucial information about the fentanyl crisis today. The event was sponsored by Alamosa County Public Health Department and Alamosa School District.  

Fentanyl kills – a father’s story and warning to others

ALAMOSA — Matt Riviere, a 59-year-old IT professional from Monument, Colorado addressed an audience at Ortega Middle School Wednesday night, impassioned by an experience that is every parent’s worst nightmare. 
Sports
Sanford High School’s Brooklynn Reynolds makes a move to the basket in Saturday’s Class 2A State Tournament game against Akron at the Blue FCU Arena in Loveland. Reynolds scored 10 points as the Lady Mustangs defeated the Lady Rams, 43-38, to finish in third place.

Sanford girls defeat Akron to finish third

LOVELAND – The Sanford High School girls basketball team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Akron, 43-38, to finish third in the Class 2A State Tournament Saturday at the Blue FCU Arena. …

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Centauri High School’s Carson Bagwell (12) dribbles the ball in Saturday’s Class 3A State Tournament game against Windsor Charter Academy at the University of Denver’s Hamilton Gymnasium. The Falcons lost to the Firebirds 71-54 to finish in fourth place.
DENVER – The Centauri High School boys basketball team finished in fourth place at the Class 3A State Tournament after a 71-54 loss to Windsor Charter Academy Saturday at the University of …
Alamosa High School’s Elizabeth McQuitty crosses the finish line at the state cross country meet in November. McQuitty is currently ranked second in the 3,200-meter run and fourth in the 1,600 in the latest MaxPrep track and field rankings.
ALAMOSA – After just two weeks of the 2025 track and field season, several athletes from the San Luis Valley are already listed in the MaxPreps rankings. The Top 18 athletes in each event …
Final basketball standings BOYS BASKETBALL CLASS 4A/3A INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE League Overall Team W-L W-L Centauri 12-0 26-2 Montezuma-Cortez 9-3 17-7 Bayfield 8-4 …
Classifieds
Obituaries
 Alfred Laverne Pierce
Alfred Laverne Pierce, affectionately known as Al to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, in South Fork, Colo. Born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Cottonwood Falls, Kan., Al's journey through life was marked by his friendly demeanor, captivating presence, and a lifetime of dedicated service to his community. 
Joyce G. Pacheco
Joyce G. Pacheco, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Brighton, Colo., after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. 
Alex Juan Martinez
Alex Juan Martinez, a man known for his loving heart and unwavering passion for life, departed this world on Feb. 16, 2025, in Center, Colo., with his loving family by his side. Leaving a legacy of warmth and wisdom. Born on Sept. 26, 1945, in Pueblo, Colo., Alex's life was a testament to his intelligent mind and his dedication to his faith and family. 
Anna Reid Pubins
Anna Reid Pubins, born on April 21, 2024, brought immeasurable joy and love to all who knew her before she was called home on February 12, 2025, after a brief illness. Though her time on this earth was brief, Anna’s life was filled with warmth, laughter, and a radiant light that will forever shine in the hearts of her family. 
Charlotte June Sheely
Charlotte June Sheely slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God on Feb. 12, 2025. 

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Opinion
    • Legislative update

      The First Regular Session of Colorado’s 75th General Assembly has officially passed the halfway point and I am happy to share some updates on …

    • The grifters

      Grifters, you know those people who engage in small scale swindling of others, have always been with us, I guess. 

    • Science Fair – Our bright future

      I had the honor and pleasure of teaming up, once again, with Dr. Martin Jones to judge projects in the Junior Environmental Division at the 76th …

    • The rain man

      I think when most people hear that title they probably think of the movie of the same name starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. For those of …

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Feature stories from around the web
 From catfishing to catphishing: The evolution of a romance scam
Spokeo explains how catfishing + phishing leads to catphishing, which happens when the grift goes from messing with your heart to messing with your identity, and maybe even your bank account.
Healthy Foods, Redefined – The Power of Salmon
(BPT) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated the nutrition requirements on the claim of using the word "healthy" on food packaging. This updated definition helps consumers cut …
OnCore Golf: Innovating the Game with Advanced Ball Technology
OnCore Golf: Innovating the Game with Advanced Ball Technology
(NewsUSA) - At first glance, a golf ball may seem simple, but OnCore Golf has proven there's much more to it than meets the eye. This innovative startup has revolutionized golf ball technology in ways that larger companies haven't been able to.Founded by longtime friends and business partners Bret Blakely and Steve Coulton, OnCore Golf was born out of a desire to bring innovation to golf ball design. Their proprietary perimeter-weighting technology minimizes unwanted sidespin—helping golfers achieve straighter shots, even in challenging conditions.But OnCore's journey wasn't just about physics; it was also about breaking through barriers in the traditional golf industry. As newcomers introducing cutting-edge technology, they faced resistance. However, their perseverance paid off when, after a two-year appeal, the U.S. Golf Association approved OnCore balls for use in professional tournaments."OnCore represents those who embrace their differences and use them to shape a unique vision for what golf can be," Blakely shared in an interview. "We don't just sell products; we inspire individuality and drive through our approach and messaging."A Golf Ball for Every PlayerOnCore offers a lineup of balls tailored to different skill levels:Beginner-Friendly: The Avant 55 is designed for golfers with slower swing speeds, offering a soft feel and enhanced distance.Intermediate & Advanced: The Elixr and Elixr 2020 feature a urethane blend that enhances distance and accuracy for skilled players.Tour-Level Performance:Vero X1 (85 compression) is crafted for serious golfers seeking precision.Vero X2 (95 compression) provides advanced players with exceptional control and responsiveness.Smart Tech Meets Golf: The Genius BallOnCore isn't stopping at traditional golf balls—the company is pioneering smart technology with its upcoming Genius Ball. Equipped with microelectronics and AI-driven analysis, this revolutionary ball tracks data to help golfers refine their game.Initially designed for chipping and putting, the Genius Ball provides real-time feedback to improve technique. A full-course version is also in development, though it will be a training aid rather than a tournament-legal ball.For more details, visit oncoregolf.com. 
3 Tips for Surviving Pothole Season
(BPT) - When the beauty of spring begins to blossom, roads often become ugly.That's because early spring's freeze-thaw cycle wreaks havoc on road surfaces as conditions warm, opening up potholes that …
Achieve Optimum Wellness with endermologie by LPG: Revitalize Your Body, Relieve Stress and Enhance Sleep
(BPT) - In the pursuit of holistic well-being, advanced technologies are revolutionizing the way we care for our bodies. One of the pioneers in this category is a company that was founded in the …
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