MONTE VISTA - On May 23, “Pomp and Circumstance” was heard through the Monte Vista High School gymnasium. Approximately 500 people stood as Monte Vista’s graduating seniors took their final walk as students before graduating.  

ALAMOSA — A call reporting a violent assault led to a suspect being arrested by the Regional Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team on Sunday evening. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Alamosa County Detention Center where he was booked on numerous charges. 

MONTE VISTA – Approximately 200 people attended a beautiful solemn Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at the Homelake Cemetery.  

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Governor Jared Polis, in a collaborative effort with State Representative Matt Martinez and State Senator Cleave Simpson, signed into law, HB25-1023-Local Government Review of Fencing Projects, HB25-1288-Support for Federally Qualified Health Centers, and HB25-11222-Preserving Access to Rural Independent Pharmacies. 

CONEJOS COUNTY — A routine traffic stop by Conejos County Sheriff’s Office deputies near La Jara late in the evening on Wednesday, May 21, resulted in the arrest of two individuals who are now facing multiple charges. 

CONEJOS COUNTY — Each year, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) honor officers from around the state for their efforts related to enforcing laws that prohibit impaired driving, preserving occupant protection, and protecting victim services. 

SAN LUIS — The historic R&R Market in San Luis, now rebranded as the San Luis Peoples Market, has reopened its doors after a transformative 20-month renovation. This unique market, which first opened in 1857, offers a full-service grocery store experience, a strong commitment to community health, and a vision of becoming a community food co-op. 

ALAMOSA —  Under a bright blue sky, Aaron Miltenberger, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley, stood on the patio outside 516 San Juan and addressed a crowd of elected officials, community leaders and longtime supporters on Friday afternoon in celebration of the ribbon cutting that officially marked the opening of The Hub, “the San Luis Valley’s first nonprofit coworking and innovation center”. 

After searching for a 12-year-old girl believed to have been kidnapped, Center Police Department located the girl Thursday night.

The Rio Grande County Weed District recently announced that the Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners reclassified Puncture Vine (Goatheads) from List C to List B on the Noxious Weed List on April 16. The weed district has noticed an outbreak significant enough to take more control, instead of allowing the results of the situation to expand beyond its reach. 

ALAMOSA – Adams State students Ivy Evanson and Edwin Kroschel, along with alumnus Andrew Leonard, can attest to the accuracy of the university’s recent designation as a Military Friendly® School, ranked “Gold” in the category of Small Public Institutions. They are among 72 current students who are military veterans, active duty, or dependents. 

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE — Medano Creek in the national park will be a favorite local destination for many San Luis Valley residents and tourists this summer.  On a recent visit, the creek was running about 20 feet wide and very shallow, at only an inch or two.

MONTE VISTA – Monte Vista Police Department Interim Chief Tyler Harford promoted Robert Pino and Anthony Chacon to sergeant during Thursday’s, May 1, city council meeting

MONTE VISTA – Monte Vista High School sent seven competitors to the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference on April 9-11, at the Pueblo Convention Center in Pueblo. 

DEL NORTE – Rio Grande Hospital recently announced the facility has been recognized by the Colorado Rural Health Center as a Top 5 Rural Hospital for Overall Performance. Presented during the Colorado Rural Healthcare Conference, this new award honors performance excellence among the state’s Critical Access Hospitals.  

RIO GRANDE COUNTY - The Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners again unanimously denied, 3-0, a request to put a $24 million aquatics center before voters on a special election ballot in the fall.  

APD is on the scene in the area of 8th and Denver following a reported shooting. There is an active investigation under way with details to be released as they become available. The community is not at risk.

ALAMOSA — On April 25, the Trump Administration abruptly announced deep cuts to AmeriCorps staff and grant funding totaling $400 million, 41% of funding allocated by Congress for 2024 to 2025. Organizations received notice of this administration’s actions at 6 p.m. on that Friday night. Members were told that their services would be terminated on April 30 – five days later – and they would only be paid through that time. 

ALAMOSA — Dave Crews, principal of Sangre de Cristo High School, recently announced that, out of the 18 graduating seniors that make up the class of 2025, two students – Haylee Freel and Jamie Damewood - were awarded the Daniels Scholarship.  

ALAMOSA —  A $1.8 million grant awarded in 2019 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) is expanding research opportunities and providing mentoring for Adams State University studying STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). The NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions grant (NSF STEM IUSE HSI) aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation of students who are historically underrepresented in STEM, and expand students’ pathways to continued STEM education and careers.