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2024 brings health and revitalization to Del Norte

Rio Grande Hospital and the community celebrated the completion of the hospital’s Wellness Center in 2024. 
DEL NORTE – The past year in Del Norte has brought about several changes to the community, many of which have focused on health and revitalization, including the completion of several projects that have been in the works for years.  
Community

Great Sand Dunes music composition has world premiere

BOULDER — On Jan. 12, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Michael Butterman, presented the exclusive world premiere of “Wind, Water, Sand,” a musical masterpiece by the renowned composer Stephen Lias. 

Southwest Region Migrant Education Program: A heartfelt thank you to all Adopt a Family sponsors 

ALAMOSA – As the holiday season ends, the Southwest Region of Colorado’s Migrant Education Program (MEP) reflects on the incredible generosity and community spirit that makes our work possible. Each year, we are fortunate to witness the kindness of individuals, businesses, and organizations that come together to support migrant students and families, especially during the Christmas season. Sponsors and donors help us provide gifts, offer holiday meals, and create community connections. 

Worley and Chavez to speak at senior center on Jan. 14

ALAMOSA – Spark Speaker Series will host “Empowering Aging in Colorado,” at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Alamosa Senior Citizens Center. 

Annual National Western Stock Show starts Saturday

ALAMOSA — Beginning Jan. 11 and running until Jan. 26, the National Western Stock Show is in full swing in Denver, bringing to the forefront (and economy) not just an expansive event like no other but also one that, by its existence, is held in homage to the agrarian roots that run deep in Colorado and have since the state first became a territory.  
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Valley News
APD serves warrant and arrests two people on drug charges
ALAMOSA – On Jan. 14, the Alamosa Police Department arrested two people on drug charges after serving a search warrant for Saint Benedict Campsite, 2400 Old Sanford Rd., Space No. 60, in regards to illegal drug activity. 
Participants in the spring 2024 Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program working through a resistance training circuit. The Adams State Department of Kinesiology is seeking volunteers to participate in the ongoing program again this spring. 
Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program seeks participants
ALAMOSA – The Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program offers cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley the opportunity to participate in an individualized exercise program conducted in a group setting. All cancer survivors ages 18 years or older in the San Luis Valley are welcome regardless of gender, type, or stage of cancer. This spring’s program begins the week of Jan. 27, with appointments for individual fitness testing. 
Chuck Owsley establishes Owsley Family Endowment for Adams State students. 
Chuck Owsley establishes Adams State scholarship
ALAMOSA – The Owsley family name is nearly synonymous with Adams State, as the two histories intertwined from the 1930s through today. “Adams State means a lot to my family. We have four generations who have graduated from the University. It has helped us all pursue our career goals.” 
The Valley Courier has interviewed Colorado AG Phil Weiser multiple times in the past. This is the first time the Courier has interviewed Phil Weiser, the candidate running for the Democratic nomination to be the state's next chief executive officer.  His agenda is robust but so is his intention to listen to what Coloradans have to say.
A conversation with candidate for governor Weiser
ALAMOSA — During the six years he has been in office, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has made multiple trips to the San Luis Valley, some in connection with his assigned oversight of a former district attorney who ultimately resigned from office and others connected to current litigation he was spearheading that was of special relevance to Valley concerns, such as suing opioid manufacturers and stopping the merger of Kroger and Albertson’s. But, while in the Valley, Weiser’s also addressed other issues that may not yet have their roots in the courtroom but have clear impact on Coloradans’ quality of life. 
This Denver Air Connection Embraer ERJ-145 passenger jet on the tarmac of the San Luis Valley Regional Airport minutes after arriving from Denver on Jan. 9. The airport continues to see growth in passenger traffic.  
Banner year at SLV Regional Airport
ALAMOSA — The San Luis Valley Regional Airport had a remarkable year in terms of air passenger numbers, marking a significant growth trajectory. According to Will Hickman, the Airport Manager, in 2024, the airport had 12,077 enplanements, up from 10,904 in 2023 and 8,851 in 2022. 
Sports

Alamosa girls come up short twice over the weekend

ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School girls basketball team had a rough time this past weekend as it lost a pair of home games. On Friday, the Lady Mean Moose lost to Montrose 54-33, and on …

Alamosa boys drop two weekend games

ALAMOSA – It was a rough weekend for the Alamosa High School boys basketball team as it lost a pair of home game. The Mean Moose lost …

High school winter sports standings

BOYS BASKETBALL CLASS 4A/3A INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE League Overall Team W-L W-L Centauri 0-0 10-0 Montezuma-Cortez 0-0 8-2 Monte Vista 0-0 5-2 Ignacio 0-0 6-4 …

Ruybal having fantastic season

Asher Ruybal, a third grader at Bill Metz Elementary School in Monte Vista, is a two-time state champion and has won eight national tournaments. Recently, he won the RMN Monster Match Nationals in …
Opinion
SAN LUIS VALLEY — Colorado State University Extension believes every person from every walk of life can experience their healthiest, happiest, most productive life if they continually engage in lifelong learning.  
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 make sure, though, I actually Googled it to discover the official Internet meaning. Of course, the word is usually used in a disparaging way when talking about someone. In general, it means someone who is irreligious, uncivilized or uncultured. 
Obituaries
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. 
Jose Eliazar Sanchez
Jose Eliazar Sanchez, 100, known affectionately as Eli to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2024, in Del Norte, Colo. Born in Michoacan, Mexico, Eli’s journey through …
Stephen Lee Blount
Stephen Lee Blount died at his home in Del Norte under hospice care on Dec. 18, 2024. He was born in Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 1, 1952, to Herbert and Phyllis (Snyder) Blount. 
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick passed away on Oct. 10, 2024, in Arvada, Colo. Irene was born to William Ziebell and Sophia Esslinger Ziebell on July 23, 1922, in Arapahoe, Neb. 
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