Top Stories

RGC Commissioners vote no on aquatic center

Rio Grande County Commissioners did not approve the service plan for the proposed SLV Aquatics Center on May 7.  
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.  
Community

SLV Community Band concert in tribute to Linwood Warwick

ALAMOSA — The SLV Community Band will perform a spring concert in tribute to long-time music educator, Linwood Warwick, on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m., in ASU’s Leon Memorial Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.   

Aspen Inn located in the heart of Creede

ALAMOSA — Creede, described as “the last silver boom town in Colorado”, is well known for its spectacular surroundings, rich history and vibrant Main Street that echoes days gone by. Nestled among the authentic storefronts is a green door, flanked on either side by flowerpots and a sign overhead that reads Aspen Inn. 

Adams State Semillas de la Tierra performs May 17

ALAMOSA – Adams State University Semillas de la Tierra will celebrate their ninth annual Baile de Primavera, or Spring Dance, at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in Richardson Hall. The performance will feature two talented, local guest artists, Freddie Jaquez and Christian Santistevan. 

Sgt. Martinez annual 5K Run/Walk and Veterans Golf Tournament is May 24

The 14th annual Sgt. Glen Martinez 5K Run/Walk and Veterans Golf Tournament will be held at the Monte Vista Golf Course on Saturday, May 24. All proceeds benefit the Sgt. Glen E. Martinez Memorial Scholarship Fund, in which $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to a senior boy and senior girl of Monte Vista High School. 

Birding expedition on May 17

ALAMOSA — On Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, join the Friends of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges for a birding expedition along the Rio Grande. 

San Pedro Church receives repairs from volunteers

CENTER — The Saint Peter and Saint Paul Catholic Church in San Pedro received an upgrade of rain gutters from a 17-member group of skilled volunteers from the Knights of Columbus Council 1498 from Saint Mark's Parish in Highlands Ranch, Colo. This successful collaboration is a testament to the power of community and volunteerism. 

Moose in the Valley?

ALAMOSA — Earlier this week, a young bull moose wandered into a fenced in area at the Rio Grande Farm Park and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) staff had to assist him in finding a way out. 
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Valley News
At Adams State, Military Friendly is more than a designation. Pictured, Edwin Kroschel, far left, and Ivy Evanson, far right, appreciate the support from Adams State Veterans/Military Affairs Coordinator Kenai Douglas, center. 
Veterans and dependents appreciate ‘Military Friendly’ ASU
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. 
Visitors were seen in Medano Creek on May 3, enjoying the cool water in the shadow of 13,345-foot Mount Herard. The peak is named after Valley rancher Jean-Franciois Herard, who settled in the area in 1876.  
Medano Creek is flowing
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 Police Department promoted Robert Pino and Anthony Chacon to the rank of sergeant during a city council meeting on May 1. 
MVPD promotes two officers, honors citizen
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
Rio Grande Hospital honored for overall performance by Colorado Rural Health Center
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.  
Haylee Freel (left) and Jamie Damewood, (right), members of Sangre de Cristo High School class of 2025, were named honored recipients of the prestigious Daniels Scholarship. 
Two Sangre de Cristo seniors are Daniels Scholars
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.  
Sports

2025 SLV state track qualifiers

ALAMOSA – The Colorado High School Activities Association released its qualifiers for the 2025 state track and field meet which will take place Thursday-Saturday at Jefferson County Stadium in …

Pirates win SPL baseball championship

SANFORD – The Monte Vista High School baseball team secured the Southern Peaks League title with a sweep of Sanford Saturday at the Mustangs’ field. The scores were 15-0 and 15-6. …

Del Norte boys, Monte Vista girls win Monte Vista Last Chance Meet

MONTE VISTA – Several track and field athletes from the San Luis Valley converged on Harvey Sullivan Field on Friday for the Monte Vista Last Chance Meet. Alamosa The Alamosa boys …

Three SLV girls golfers advance to state

ALAMOSA – Three girls golfers from the San Luis Valley have advanced to the Class 2A State Tournament after qualifying at the Class 2A Region 1 Tournament Monday at Hollydot Golf Course in …
Opinion
Unless revoked or substantially reduced to what they are now, 30 percent for 90 days, President Trump’s tariffs will still wipe out the investments made in our small family business and kill our manufacturing plant, here in Boise. When I talk to my friends and neighbors about the continuing uncertainty, I hear similar expressions of frustration about the impact of tariffs on American businesses. 
Montanan Tracy Stone-Manning, former director of the Bureau of Land Management and now director of The Wilderness Society, writes with passion about our heritage of public lands. Yet selling parts of that heritage is the goal of the current administration, whose budget bill will be under consideration starting this week. Stone-Manning warns that once public lands turn into private profit centers for energy extraction or housing, wildlife will suffer, and all of us who love the still-wild outdoors will begin to lose what makes America unique in the world.
Obituaries
Lance Michael Martinez
Lance Michael Martinez was born Aug. 1, 1990, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Del Norte, Colo., to Marvin and Jill Martinez. 
Monroe Glen Mathias
Retired Brigadier General Monroe Glen Mathias, a pilot with Continental Airlines for forty years, died in his Denver home from complications of Parkinson’s disease on April 3, 2025, just shy of his 97th birthday. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Ruth Hudson Mathias, two daughters, three grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews. 
Robert ‘Cory’ Off
On Friday, April 25, Robert "Cory" Off passed away at the age of 69. Surrounded by his beloved family, he passed peacefully at his home in Del Norte, Colo. 
Steve White
Steve White was born Jan. 15, 1944, in Ohio City, Colo., to Frank and Mary White. Steve graduated from Center High School in Center, Colo., in 1963 where he was active in sports and was a State Wrestling Champion. 
Sallie June Varner-Bryning-Hibbs
She died in her home with her husband by her side.  Preceded by her mother and father Warren and Judy Varner, brother Roy Varner and mother-in-law Katherine Hibbs.  She first married in Monte Vista to Gerald Bryning. They raised 4 children.  She remarried Tom Hibbs in La Junta in 1971, and they added one more child to the family.  
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