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SLV 4-H Livestock Judging Teams compete at Arizona nationals 

The San Luis Valley 4-H Livestock Judging Team competed at the Arizona National Livestock Judging Contest earlier this month. Making the trip from the Valley were back row: Toni Wells, Darian Vance, Rorie Tillamn, Emily Seger, Elly Etnz, Durae Naranjo, Tynnley Buhr, and Janae Naranjo; and front row: Syrie Tillman, Macklie Sims, Ashley Entz, Mackenna Shawcroft, and Rachel Seger. 
Over New Year’s weekend, San Luis Valley Valley 4-H members traveled to Arizona to participate in the prestigious Arizona National Livestock Judging Contest. The event challenged participants to evaluate eight classes of livestock: Market Steers, Breeding Heifers, Market Lambs, Breeding Ewes, Market Goats, Wether Dam Does, Breeding Gilts, and Market Hogs. 

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Community

Sutherland Company Ranch: Conserving a legacy in the San Luis Valley

DEL NORTE — The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) proudly announces the successful conservation of the historic Sutherland Company Ranch, marking our 60th conservation easement and a major milestone of over 35,000 acres conserved across the San Luis Valley. 

Great Sand Dunes bird count shows diversity

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE — The results of the annual Christmas Bird Count have been compiled, showing a remarkable diversity of species for winter and an unexpected abundance of some species. 

Two Adams State scholarships named in honor of graduate, Amalia Dorion

ALAMOSA – A collegiate distance runner, artist, and social media influencer, Amalia Dorion inspires entire communities. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting from Adams State University in the spring of 2024. 

Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes KOA earns Award for Excellence

BILLINGS, MONT. — Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), the largest system of privately owned campgrounds in the world, is proud to announce that Alamosa/Great Sand Dunes KOA Journey has been recognized with the prestigious KOA ICON Award. This recognition highlights campgrounds that demonstrate exceptional operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and a commitment to the KOA brand. 

Arts are alive and well in Alamosa

ALAMOSA — Only one year after it was formed, Alamosa’s Creative District Committee – now renamed as “Alamosa Creates”- has made significant progress in the city being officially designated by the state as a Colorado Creative District. Alamosa Creates intends to apply for the designation in late 2025. 

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From left to right are Commissioner Arlan VanRy, employees, Shelly Rodman, Veronica Knecht, and Elizabeth Sumner, Commissioner Lori Laske, and Commissioner Vern Heersink. 

Alamosa County celebrates dedicated employees

In recognition of employees who go above and beyond their expected job duties, Alamosa County presented its 2025 Employee of the Quarter winners at the January 22 meeting of the Alamosa County …

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Lawmakers take a stand for land and people

ALAMOSA – A bi-partisan coalition of lawmakers along with former Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar held a press conference on the first floor of the state Capitol Friday morning, Jan. 24, where they expressed their strong support for a bill that empowers local government by strengthening laws governing fence construction in the San Luis Valley.  

Corral expected to plead not guilty

ALAMOSA — Henry Corral, 44, appeared in court this week in connection to his alleged involvement in the murder of two men – Aurelio Piña, 61, and his son Gabriel Piña, 37 - and attempted murder of a third – Manuel Flores, 43 - at the Sunset Inn in Alamosa during the early morning hours of June 23, 2024.  

Creede School District hears workforce housing proposal

CREEDE – After receiving a grant through the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), the Creede School District is working with the University of Denver Architecture Program to consider a workforce housing project on property west of the school.  
Sports

Alamosa wrestlers defeat Monte Vista in final match of the night

Alamosa High School’s Uriah Martine (back) takes down Monte Vista’s Elijah Baumgardner in Thursday’s dual meet at the MVHS gym. Martinez won the match by a 7-1 decision, and the Mean Moose defeated the Pirates 42-34.
MONTE VISTA – It all came down to the final match when the Monte Vista High School wrestling team, ranked seventh in Class 2A, hosted Alamosa, ranked second in 3A, Thursday at the MVHS gym. …

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Alamosa High School’s Leah Pintor (left) and Monte Vista’s Temperance Douglas look for an advantage in Thursday’s dual meet at the MVHS gym. Pintor won the match and the Lady Mean Moose won 30-24.
MONTE VISTA – The 10th-ranked Alamosa High School girls wrestling team defeated Monte Vista 30-24 Thursday at the MVHS gym. “I was happy to see that they wrestled well,” said …
Monte Vista High School’s Kevin Cisneros (right) takes down Alamosa’s Ryan Cordova in Thursday’s dual meet at the MVHS gym. Both wrestlers are currently in Week 6 of Tim Yount’s On the Mat rankings which were released on Thursday.
ALAMOSA – Tim Yount released his sixth On the Mat rankings of the season on Thursday with several local competitors being recognized. Class 3A Alamosa returned to the No. 2 position …
Alamosa High School’s Jaidyn Burciaga directs traffic in Tuesday’s game against Taos (N.M.) at the AHS gym. Burciaga scored 18 points, all of 3-point baskets, but the Mean Moose lost 76-62.
ALAMOSA – Both teams were shooting a lot from beyond the arc when the Alamosa High School boys basketball team hosted Taos (N.M.) Tuesday at the AHS gym. Both made 10 3-point baskets. …
Classifieds
Obituaries
 Mary Patricia Karr
Mary Patricia Karr, 76, of Creede, Colo., passed away in peace on Dec. 16, 2024.  Mary was born April 27, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of John E. Crowley, Sr. and Delores "Pat" Patricia Conley. 
Robin Medina
Robin Medina passed away Dec. 14, 2024, at the age of 58, at Parkview Medical Center, in Pueblo, Colo. 
Joseph ‘Joey’ Michael Salazar
It is with great sorrow the we share the news that our beloved dad, grandfather, son and brother Joseph “Joey” Michael Salazar, 70 of Albuquerque, NM has passed away after a short and difficult battle with cancer. 
Wilma Jean Flaspohler
Wilma Jean Flaspohler, beloved wife, mother, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on Oct. 7, 1935, in Vinita, Okla., Wilma's warm spirit and gentle nature touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. 
Mary Ann (Tootie) Mickelsen
Mary Ann Mickelsen passed away Nov. 22, 2024, in Alamosa, Colo., at the age of 91. She was born on March 25, 1933, in Lamar, Colo., to Mable (Ramsdale) and Charles Grett. 

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Opinion
    • My wife broke her tailbone

      First of all, let's stop the rumors before they get started. No, me and Miss Trixie are not married. And no, I am not married to someone else. …

    • Time to get real about plastic recycling

      Writer Karen Mockler was thrilled when her city of Tucson, Ariz., announced it was starting a pilot program to deal with hard-to-recycle …

    • Testing 1, 2, 3…58

      Anyone alive who has ever been to a venue where a microphone is needed has heard someone testing out the equipment prior to starting. It happens …

    • How do you Extension

      SAN LUIS VALLEY — Colorado State University Extension believes every person from every walk of life can experience their healthiest, happiest, …

    • Living like a heathen

      Having been raised in church and especially having a father who was a pastor, I thought that I had a pretty good idea what a heathen was. To …

    • Savoring the darkness in Alaska

      Northern Lights, silence, calm and the brilliant stars of dark nights — these are just a few of the benefits of winter darkness in Alaska, …

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