ACSO issues statement about inmate death

ALAMOSA — Officials with the Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon regarding the death of an inmate who was being held in the Alamosa County Detention Center. 

APD Capt. Spangler is FBI National Academy grad

ALAMOSA — Chief George Dingfelder announced on Tuesday that Alamosa Police Department Capt. Joey Spangler has graduated as a member of the 294th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation took place at the National Academy in Quantico, Va., on June 5.   

Immigrant support meeting held in Alamosa

ALAMOSA — The Saguache County Immigrant Protection Team and Crestone/Baca Grande Indivisible held a town hall on immigration at Society Hall in Alamosa on Sunday, June 8. The event included speakers and a question-and-answer session. 

Heredia is shaping a generation of students

ALAMOSA — When the Alamosa School District (ASD) saw historic progress this year in the number of elementary students advancing in their fluent English proficiency scores, it all pointed back to the work of Elisamaria Heredia, an English Language instructor at the Alamosa Elementary 3-5 school. 
Classifieds

Classifieds Wednesday June 18, 2025

173 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Graber Transport & Rentals LLC   Horse trailers - Enclosed trailers- Flatbeds - Rental equipment- Skid loader - Mini Hoe -Etc… We can do long or …
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Alamosa County Coroner Joe Dzuris addresses city council regarding annexation of property where his new office is being built. 
Another busy meeting for city council
ALAMOSA — Wednesday night’s meeting of Alamosa City Council was shorter than usual but no less interesting.  
The San Luis Valley, by the numbers
ALAMOSA — Recently, the San Luis Valley Resource Development Group (SLVRDG) and the San Luis Valley Council of Governments (SLVCOG) released the 2025 San Luis Valley Statistical Profile, an in-depth report examining the region’s demographic, economic, and geographic conditions. 
This fence along US 160 near Fort Garland is part of the construction of a wildlife corridor by the Colorado Department of Transportation intended to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions. 
Wildlife corridor construction on US 160 near Ft. Garland
COSTILLA COUNTY — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced it will begin traffic changes on Wednesday, June 11, at 5 p.m., to accommodate the construction of wildlife underpasses on US 160 east of Fort Garland. 
Toni Wells and her goat, Matcha. Wells sold $1,000 in raffle tickets with proceeds going to the 4-H Livestock Judging team.  
ALAMOSA — Twelve-year-old Toni Wells, longtime member of the 4-H club of the San Luis Valley, was recently announced as the top seller in a fundraiser to support the Livestock Judging Team. Donations and fundraisers are crucial to a program like the Livestock Judging Team as the program can involve traveling when not all team members may have the financial ability to participate.  
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Obituaries
Maria Alice Archuleta
Maria Alice Archuleta was called home by our Lord the morning of the 14th of June, surrounded by the love of her family.  Alice was a woman who was willing to stand beside you on any project big or small, work hard and enjoy doing it. The mountains, rivers, and lakes of Colorado were her second home. 
Esmeralda Vialpando
Chama mourns the loss of Esmeralda Vialpando, who peacefully passed away on June 12, 2025, under the compassionate care of Pikes Peak Hospice at the age of 92. Esmeralda was a deeply loving and strong woman who touched the lives of everyone around her, always ensuring that those she cared for knew they were cherished. 
Rosenaldo ‘Ross’ Duran
San Antonio resident Rosenaldo “Ross” Duran, 87, passed away June 14, 2025, surrounded by his family. Rosenaldo was born on April 9, 1938, in San Antonio, Colo., the son of Augustin and Lucia Duran. 
Larry ‘Herbie’ Ortiz
It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Larry "Herbie" Allen Ortiz, a lifelong resident of Alamosa, passed away peacefully at his home on June 10, 2025, at the age of 70. Known for his warm spirit and generous heart, Herbie touched the lives of many throughout his years. 
Dr. Rex D. Filer
Born to Amos and Violet Filer in Sioux City, Iowa, Dr. Rex Filer grew up amid polio scares and times of feast or famine. He focused on thriving in life and demonstrated ongoing kindness to all around him. His death was an unexpected blow to those who knew him.  
Community
One of the most incredible trips in the area, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is not to be missed.  
A 64-mile journey like no other
ANTONITO — With the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad season now in full swing, a little of the narrow gauge railroad’s history might be of particular interest.  About 130 years ago, in February of 1880, the railroad’s first tracks of the San Juan Extension were laid down, running from Alamosa south to Antonito.
Honor dance welcoming home Pascal Cleatus Poolaw Sr. (far right, holding the flag) after his service in the Korean War. To his right are members of the Kiowa War Mothers. Carnegie, Oklahoma. Poolaw (Kiowa, 1922 to 1967) was considered the most decorated American Indian soldier in history, earning 42 medals and two citations during three wars: World War II, Korean War and Viet Nam. First Sgt. Poolaw was killed carrying a wounded soldier to safety. Photo part of Why We Serve exhibit, which can be previewed at www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/why-we-serve. 
Smithsonian exhibit coming to Fort Garland
FORT GARLAND — Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center has announced that, starting June 21, 2025, the museum will be hosting Why We Serve: Native Americans in the United States Armed Forces. 
Hogan and Moss and the Old Weird America will be performing at Society Hall in Alamosa on Saturday, June 14. 
Hogan and Moss and Old Weird America at Society Hall on Saturday
ALAMOSA — Society Hall is excited to welcome back the deep roots-country and “torch-folk” of Hogan and Moss and the Old Weird America, in concert on Saturday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.  
Sports
More Sports
Teeka Chacon (left) smashes into Ryan Cordova in the old school class at the Alamosa Round-up demolition derby on Saturday. Chacon won this events as well as large cars, and Cordova was second.

Teeka Chacon wins twice at demo derby

ALAMOSA – The annual Alamosa Round-Up demolition derby took place Saturday with several cars entered. The story of the derby was Teeka Chacon, who won two events. Chacon started by …

MOSCA – Mosca Motorsports Park hosted its Father’s Day show, as well as the IMCA Colorado Alliance Tour, on Sunday. There were eight divisions that performed with 41 cars entered. …
ALAMOSA – The Colorado High School Activities Association released its All-State baseball teams on Monday with 15 athletes from the San Luis Valley being recognized. The All-State teams …
ALAMOSA – BST Promotions will present the Father’s Day Show and the Colorado Alliance Tour Sunday at Mosca Motorsports Park. There will be several different race car divisions …
Opinion
A Cocker Spaniel, a classified ad, and unknown singer George Strait
On a sunny afternoon in October 1977, my former husband, a graduate student at the local university, and I, extremely pregnant, responded to a classified ad for a cocker spaniel puppy.  The address was on Uhland Street, across the street from Herbert's Taco Hut in San Marcos. The ad gave a phone number and the name: “G. & N. Strait.” 
Time to address homelessness
This month, I’m rolling up my sleeves to discuss what is probably the most controversial topic I have encountered as Mayor - homelessness.  Not only is the subject controversial, but it is usually the one that is most misunderstood or couched in rumors and misinformation.  
Swerving saves our lives
One Monday morning in the summer of 2015, I almost met my maker as I was traveling east near La Vita Pass.  I was behind a slow-moving semi that was gradually climbing the mountain at about 55 mph.  e traffic had picked up behind me, and the vehicle immediately behind the crawling truck had passed at a safe pace.  
One ‘big beautiful’ grift
One-term Congressman Jeff Hurd has the distinction of casting a vote that will bring irreparable harm to the San Luis Valley. In short, he voted to give $4 trillion dollars in tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy and corporations while cutting access to healthcare, food assistance, and education for the people of our community. 
Federal firefighters are digging a fire line. 
Protect the firefighters who protect our homes and forests
You probably don’t see wildland firefighters on the job because they usually work in remote areas. But with wildfires moving from the backcountry to backyards, the public is becoming more aware of the men and women who do this dangerous work. At the same time, people probably don’t know much about the very real health risks of the job. Now, it’s getting harder for anyone to know. 
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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