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Pirates Homecoming Royalty

Sasha DuPont and Jacob Pacheco are the Monte Vista High School Homecoming Queen and King for 2024.
Community
Park Ranger Patrick Myers (left) in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve on Oct. 9.  
Ranger-led activities abound in national park
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE — On a stunning recent fall afternoon, Park Ranger Patrick Myers conducted a nature walk with park visitors along the Mountville Nature Trail. Myers spoke of the human history of Native Americans, Spanish settlers, Buffalo Soldiers, Japanese-Americans, and World War II soldiers who all used the surrounding areas. 
Center hosting Dia de los  Muertos Brewfest on Nov. 2
CENTER – The Town of Center is hosting its first-ever Dia de los Muertos Brewfest on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 10 p.m., at the Old Ford Garage at 295 E. 3rd St.  The 21-and-old event is expected to have live music and beer from breweries all over Colorado. Entrance is $30 per person.  
Uma Jolicoeur, the Acquisitions and Children’s Programming Director of the Baca Grande Library, said a grant was used to purchase Citizen’s Science Kits. 
Baca Grande Library hosts Science Open House
CRESTONE – On Oct. 5, the Baca Grande Library hosted a Science Open House.  The open house featured new scientific kits that were purchased with a grant for the library. Library users will be able to check the kits in and out of the library. 
More local news
Photo of Harris-Walz sign vandalized along Highway 160.

Political signs stolen, vandalized 

SAN LUIS VALLEY — “I’ve been with the Democratic Party for 18 years, and I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this.” That was part of a statement made by a spokesman for the Alamosa Democratic Party in response to numerous reports of Harris/Walz yard signs being vandalized or stolen off people’s private property. 

Sears wants to serve community at RGC commissioner

MONTE VISTA – Kenny Sears, a member of the Monte Vista community since 1991, is running for Rio Grande County commissioner as a write in candidate. He is attempting to unseat incumbent Scott Deacon.  Sears is running because he wants to support his community, and he wants to help serve the people in the community. 

Deacon enjoys helping community as RGC commissioner

MONTE VISTA – Rio Grande County Commissioner Scott Deacon has enjoyed his time as commissioner. Deacon is a Monte Vista native and has worn many hats over the years, but being a commissioner has been one of his favorite positions, because he loves his community and the people in it.  Deacon is running for commissioner again, because he enjoys serving his community. 

Maestas gives presentation on Attainment Network at URGED meeting

MONTE VISTA – The Upper Rio Grande Economic Development monthly meeting was on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista and featured keynote speaker and Pathway Director Ashley Maestas, who gave a presentation on the Attainment Network program here in the Valley. 
Sports

Mean Moose start slow, but go on to 44-15 win over Gunnison

Alamosa High School's Dyson Woodward (6) prepares to launch a 92-yard touchdown pass as Josh Gonzalez (52) blcoks Gunnison's Tate Taramarcaz (9). The Mean Moose defeated the Cowboys 44-15 Friday at the AHS stadium.
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School football team hosted its annual Homecoming game on Friday with winless Gunnison coming to town. The Mean Moose had a slow start but picked up the pace in …
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School boys soccer team hosted its Homecoming contest on Thursday as it faced Gunnison at the AHS stadium. However, an unfortunate goal proved to be the …
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School softball team defeated La Junta 12-11 in 10 innings in the regular season finale Tuesday at the Adams State University softball field. The Lady Tigers …
ALAMOSA – It was another typical match between Alamosa and Centauri as the fourth-ranked Lady Mean Moose defeated the Lady Falcons in three straight sets Tuesday at the AHS gym. The scores were …
Obituaries
Debra Ann (Puzick) Hallisy 
Debra Ann (Puzick) Hallisy passed away on Sept. 24, 2024, at her home in Del Norte, Colo. She was 70 years old.  Deb was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 26, 1953. She graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs in 1971.  
Wilma Grace Lewis 
Wilma Grace Lewis, 77 passed peacefully on the evening of Sept. 16, 2024, in Salida, Colo.  Soon after completing high school in Fairplay, Colo., Wilma married Wilbur G. Lewis in 1965 in Hartsel, Colo. They had two children, Stephanie S. Lewis in 1969 and Jack H. Lewis (Jenny J. Sherburne) in 1972. The family moved to Saguache, Colo., in 1972. 
Kenneth Lee Kane 
Kenneth Lee Kane, 84, departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. He was born Oct. 31, 1939, in Doniphan, Mo., to the late Earl and Lora (Hayes) Kane. 
Doris Lucile Hathaway 
Doris Lucile Hathaway has left her earthly journey to celebrate her eternal destination. Doris was born on June 30, 1938, in Monte Vista, Colo., and entered into her eternal rest on Sept. 8, 2024, at Pikes Peak Hospice Care in Colorado Springs. Doris lived at the Tri County Senior Center in Monte Vista, for the past 5 years.  
Richard Earl Baker 
Richard Earl Baker, a cherished husband, brother, and friend, passed away on September 6, 2024, at the age of 80, at the Rio Grande Hospital, in the peaceful town of Del Norte, Colo. Born on May 4, 1944, in Muscatine, Iowa, Richard grew up with a spirit of adventure and a heart full of kindness that would define his entire life. 
Opinion
    • Glen Canyon Dam faces dead pool 

      In 1998, when I was in fourth grade, I joined a class field trip to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. But when we got to Cortez, the road …

    • Alvin and The Chipmunks

      Ol’ Dutch has spent a lot of time lately up in the forests in pursuit of the elusive elk. In doing so, I have been able to see a lot of …

    • I love a good story 

      Because I spent a week in Kansas helping to take care of my Dad, I missed out on the first week of archery elk season. Before he passed away, …

    • Volunteers power the Colorado Trail 

      The Colorado Trail, an iconic 567-mile high-elevation trail that crosses the Rockies, owes its existence largely to Gudy Gaskill, a charismatic, …

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