RGC Commissioners vote no on aquatic center

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.  

City council issues 5 proclamations, bans long guns and selects fine art on loan

ALAMOSA — While the future of St. Benedict was the primary issue on the mind of many who attended Wednesday night’s meeting of the Alamosa City Council, a number of other items on the agenda were addressed. 

Alamosa City Council votes to keep St. Benedict open

After significant enforcement of the rules and the numbers of people greatly reduced, public comments were unanimous in support of keeping St. Benedict open, leading to a unanimous vote by city council.

Shooting at 8th and Denver

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.
Classifieds

Classifieds: Saturday, May 17, 2025

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First responders involved in the Alamosa High School mock crash event (left to right): Fireman Josh Cline (AFD), Fireman Christian Wolfe (AFD), Lt. William Squires (ACSO), Sgt. Ryan Veneman (APD), Sgt. Tate Kindschuh (APD), Alamosa EMS Nelson Vialpando, and Officer Justin Salazar (APD).  
'Mock Prom Crash' drives message home 
ALAMOSA — This week, an annual event known as “Mock Prom Crash” was held on the campus of Alamosa High School. The event – as the name implies – is staged during the week of Alamosa High School’s prom in hopes of reminding students that drinking and driving can have damaging and sometimes deadly consequences.   
Briseida Morales was awarded Alamosa School District’s Multilingual Student of the Year. Morales was selected by a committee after being nominated by her Alamosa High School Multilingual teachers.  
The power of multilingualism
ALAMOSA — Close to 700 people – parents, students, staff, civic leaders, members of non-profit organizations and members of the public who support Alamosa School District (ASD) – were at Ortega Middle School (OMS) Tuesday night for ASD’s annual Multi-Lingual Night, Lectura en Mi Familia event. 
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.  
Longtime music educator Linwood Warwick will be honored with a tribute concert by the SLV Community Band on May 22. Warwick passed away in January 2025. 
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.   
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Obituaries
Daniel Lee Viergutz
Daniel Lee Viergutz passed away after a long illness on April 15, 2025. 
Ernie Wooten Sr.
ALAMOSA - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ernie Wooten Sr., a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who left us peacefully on May 10, 2025, at the age of 79. He was born on July 20, 1945, in Piggott, Ark., to Frank and Loletta Wooten. 
Willard E. Williams
Willard E. Williams, 73, passed away at his home on May 10, 2025. He was born in Salida, Colo., on Aug. 20, 1951, to Richard Owen and Willie “Dolly” Elizabeth (Payne) Williams.  
Marinan Keeling
Marinan Keeling, 78, of Fredericksburg, Texas, died on April 19, 2025, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. She was born on July 15, 1946, in Longmont, Colo., to LaMar and Nancy Henry.  
Lance Michael Martinez
Lance Michael Martinez was born Aug. 1, 1990, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Del Norte, Colo., to Marvin and Jill Martinez. 
Community
Spring Suite, one of four boutique rooms in the Aspen Inn, a VRBO located in Creede. 
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. 
Semillas de la Tierra performs Saturday, May 17, on the Adams State campus. 
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. Glen Martinez 
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. 
Sports
More Sports
Monte Vista High School’s Jakoby Ross (right) slides into third base before Sanford’s Tyson Miller can make the tag in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday in Sanford. The Pirates swept the Mustangs by scores of 15-0 and 15-6 to win the Southern Peaks League championship.

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. …

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 …
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 …
ALAMOSA – The 2025 season came to an end for the eighth-ranked Alamosa High School girls soccer team as it lost to Holy Family, 1-0, in the first round of the Class 3A State Tournament Thursday …
Opinion
The threat of tariffs continues to be my problem
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. 
Public lands are a national treasure and must not be sold
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.
Angels abound – where least expected
The following column is a true account that reminds me we don't have to be ugly, hostile or mean when working in service or health. If we do, as Mr. Rogers suggested, look for helpers, we may indeed find gems.) 
Radicalized
In late 2024, I had a conversation with an Alamosa, Colorado, business owner. She expressed concern over the coming election of the president of the United States. I explained to her that I had changed parties because I felt one of them had become radicalized. She proceeded to describe how she would react if the wrong person got the office.
On the left is the photo of Schroeder that was used for the painting on the right. 
Schroeder
My beautiful, charismatic and happy Schroeder walked across the rainbow bridge last week. It’s been so hard to calm the lump in my throat and chest but pecking out this column, so I could share with everyone, is helping. 
Features
Mollie Hostetter as Holly Wonderland in ‘Christmastown: A Holiday Noir’ on stage at SLV Federal Bank Main Stage Theatre on the ASU Campus.  

A hilarious play not to be missed

In the midst of sentimental Hallmark Christmas movies and those beloved holiday classics that come around every year, “Christmastime: A Holiday Noir” is a delightful and unexpected surprise, especially for those seeking a different story but one still focused on Christmas.  
The Candlelight Service will be at the Calvary Blanca Church, 607 Broadway, Blanca, on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m.  

Christmas music in candlelight 

BLANCA — The Calvary Blanca Church, 607 Broadway, Blanca, will host a unique and free Candlelight Service at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 15. 

Colorado Music Hall of Fame creates Colorado music survey

DENVER — Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall) invites residents, visitors and music and tourism stakeholders to share their vision for Colorado’s music scene through a newly launched survey. 
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What's that racket? 4 car noises you shouldn't ignore
CheapInsurance.com encourages drivers to listen for car noises that can help diagnose a potential problem before it becomes a serious emergency situation.
Two-thirds of U.S. families live with a furry or feathery friend
(BPT) - It's no surprise that people love their pets. In fact, 97 percent of pet owners consider them part of the family, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. To celebrate our …
New study: Americans rate their financial happiness a 4.9 of out 10
(BPT) - On America's financial scorecard, people rate their happiness with their overall personal finances a 4.97 out of 10 — and scores need improvement across the board, as the majority (91%) …
Cooking Up Comfort with Ease and Convenience
(Culinary.net) Checking all the boxes with family meals - convenience, nutrition and, of course, deliciousness - can be a tall task.