Johnny Mestas, Angie’s father, checking how full the water storage tanks are. If the tanks are low in water a generator has to be used through the night to power the well otherwise the well is solar powered. 

Working the Llano Sin Agua

ANTONITO — The staff at the Colorado State University (CSU) Extension office in the San Luis Valley will offer a workshop on July 10 and July 11 for ranchers.  

‘Big, beautiful bill’ not so beautiful for some

ALAMOSA — As of press time on Thursday, H.R. 1 – otherwise known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill” – had not yet been up for a final vote as Rep. Hakeem Jeffries had already been speaking on the floor of the House for almost six hours in an attempt to delay the vote.  

GOATs build trail bridge for people and horses

SANGRE de CRISTO MOUNTAINS — On a recent hike on the South Zapata Lake Trail, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a trail crew building a pedestrian and equine bridge across South Zapata Creek. This trail, located in the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains is not the popular trail to the falls, it is the more challenging 9.3-mile out-and-back hike to the lake. The bridge, strategically placed at a point where the creek can be particularly challenging to cross, will greatly enhance the hiking experience for both hikers and those on horseback. 

Work of Kaminski on display at Milagro’s

ALAMOSA — Highly talented artist Nikki Kaminski will have her work on exhibit in Milagro’s through the month of July. As she describes her work, Kaminski, who is based in Alamosa, blends soul visions (the inner landscape) with the beauty she finds in the natural world (the outer landscape). 
Classifieds

Classifieds for Saturday, June 28, 2025

099 ANNOUNCEMENTS     FIREWORKS!! For Sale, Chama, NM. We have all the good stuff. Noon-9pm. Call 505-927-4064 more info.(7/2/25)       As of June 20 …
More News
Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman (right) was the grand marshal of the Independence Day Parade on July 4th in downtown Alamosa. Seen here, Coleman cheerfully tossed out candy to the crowd on Main Street.
Alamosa celebrates Independence Day
A festive Independence Day celebration began Friday morning with a parade hosted by the Young Professionals of Alamosa. About 30 floats participated, delighting the crowd that lined Main Street.
A celebration of the life of local legend and beloved member of the community, Bob Phillips.
An extraordinary man, an extraordinary life
A celebration of the life of Bob Phillips to be held on July 13, 2:00 p.m. at Society Hall.
In this file photo, the American Legion Garcia Post 110 from Saguache, lead the annual July 4th parade in downtown Crestone.
July 4 in Crestone will feature parade, soap box derby, taiko drummers and more
Crestone will host Independence Day events throughout the day on July 4.
Packing up for another day on the Rio Grande in the Lower Canyons in Texas (river left) and Coahuila, Mexico (river right). The journey can take between 8 and 10 days. 
RIO GRANDE — Far downstream from the San Luis Valley, the Rio Grande runs through Big Bend National Park where river enthusiasts experience stunning canyons with 1,500-foot walls. Downstream, past the park and these deep canyons, the Rio flows through what is known as the Lower Canyons, a remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful area.  
Read more.
Obituaries
Ernie H. Salazar Sr.
Ernie H. Salazar Sr., a cherished husband, father, and brother, was welcomed home on July 10, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife of 52 years, Naomi Salazar. He was born on May 20, 1940, in Ortiz, Colorado, to the late Victoriano Salazar and Jesusita Garcia Salazar. 
Patsy Ann Martinez
Patsy was born on March 27, 1946, in Alamosa, Colo., to Andronico Sisneros and Ruby Gutierrez. She passed away after a brief stay at the hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo., on July 6, 2025. 
Bruce Leon Harper
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce Leon Harper, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, who peacefully died in his home on July 4, 2025, at the age of 75. Born on Dec. 31, 1949, in Shreveport, La., Bruce enriched the lives of all who knew him with his spirit of warmth and kindness. 
Elizabeth Ann Gjellum
Elizabeth "Libby" (McDowell) Gjellum was born in West Virginia on Sept. 18, 1934, to her mother, Maude McDowell. At a young age, she moved to Calhoun, Ky., where she met John Harold Gjellum while he was on active duty in the Army and stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. They married and moved to Del Norte, Colo., in 1950. 
Linda Rae Abeyta
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Linda Rae Abeyta on June 23, 2025. Linda, a cherished wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and community member, was 73 years old. 
Community
Groundbreaking for Range View affordable housing took place in Saguache County on July 9. 
New affordable housing coming to Saguache
SAGUACHE — A new affordable housing development supported by Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) will be built in Saguache.  Range View, a public-private partnership between Saguache County and Northwest Real Estate Capital Corp. celebrated its groundbreaking on July 9. 
Smart planning: How to financially prepare for your annual family vacation
Family vacations are more than just time away from work and daily routines—they are opportunities to reconnect, create lasting memories, and recharge mentally. However, the excitement of planning a getaway can quickly turn into financial stress if not approached with a solid plan. The good news? With the right strategy, you can enjoy a fulfilling vacation without breaking the bank or sacrificing your long-term financial goals. 
Mitch and Jocelyn Buhr, with Bountiful Meats and Processing. CUT: Mitch and Jocelyn Buhr, with Bountiful Meats and Processing.  
From farm to table: Bountiful Meats & Processing
CONEJOS COUNTY — Bountiful Meats & Processing is a meat processing shop in Bountiful. The shop offers custom meat processing, wild game meat processing, and meat shares to fill your freezer. Jocelyn and Mitch Buhr own the shop and processing operation, which has seven employees. 
Sports
More Sports

Unofficial draw for local competitors at NHSFR

The unofficial draw for the 2025 National High School Finals Rodeo was released last week with two locals learning when they will perform. Rivers Hill of Saguache will be …

The Intermountain League released its All-League girls soccer team in late May. League champion Alamosa led the way with six selections including four on the first team. …
AURORA – The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has unveiled its new logo, along with a branding and style guide, that the association will implement beginning with this …
ALAMOSA – Adams State football will host the inaugural 1st and Goal Banquet and Dr. Jeff Geiser Golf Tournament on Aug. 1–2, welcoming alumni, supporters, and Grizzly fans for two days of …
Opinion
Serve up some kindness in the home and yard
A few months ago, SLV Home Services assigned Chandra Sanchez as my personal care person. My life has improved because I have help twice a week with tasks I can't always do myself. Today, her kindness included vacuuming my filters for my air conditioning, air purifiers (plural) and around baseboards. Then she mopped, stacked dishes, and loaded the dishwasher.
Inmigrantes
Imagine what it must be like to move from your homeland to a new country, leaving behind familiar skies, land and climate; leaving behind familiar social customs, cuisine, family, friends, and even, in many cases, language. For migrants the journey from Latin America to the southern border of the U.S. usually includes walking hundreds of miles and the risks of hunger, illness, assault, robbery, and rape. 
The art of empathy
The year was 1970. The place was Wilson Elementary School located in a working-class neighborhood of Wichita, Kansas. I was five-years-old and a kindergartener. I didn’t know it, but my life was about to change forever. 
Keep kindness alive: oppose gutting Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and SNAP
Sometimes, the news comes at me so fast from CBS, CNN, or MSNBC that I have to grab a tall, ice-cold Diet Coke and kick my feet up, then click, click, click the remote to play digital solitaire. This Big Beautiful Bill that the admin and GOP are promoting threatens to continue the upheaval of our Big Beautiful Democratic Republic that the squirrely Muskox guillotined. 
Journalism
Journalism plays a vital role in society by informing the public, holding power accountable, and fostering informed civic participation. It acts as a watchdog, monitors government and other institutions, and facilitates public discourse. By providing accurate and timely information, journalism enables citizens to make informed decisions, participate in democratic processes, and contribute to a well-functioning society. 
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. 
Feature stories from around the web
The Tour de France is one of the most physically taxing sporting feats imaginable.
Tour de France: How many calories will the winner burn?
Riders in the 2022 Tour de France will ride more than 2,100 miles (3,400 km) over the 21 flat and mountainous stages of the race. And they will burn an incredible amount of energy while doing so.
Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar.
2026 FIFA World Cup expansion will have a big climate footprint, with matches from Mexico to Canada – here’s what fans can do
Big sports events face a sustainability conundrum: They’re under pressure to grow bigger, but at the same time, their athletes are dealing with increasingly dangerous heat and shorter snow seasons.
Cyber-safe summer: How to travel smart and stay secure
(BPT) - Summer is in full swing, and with it the thrill of travel. Whether you're chasing sunsets, road-tripping with friends or exploring new places, the last thing you want is a scam ruining the …
Former Navy SEALs are diving to save the ocean
Reasons to be Cheerful reports on Force Blue, where veterans use their skills for marine conservation, healing both ocean and themselves.
Are you covered? Why renters insurance is more important than ever
(BPT) - Renting your home? You're not alone. According to Pew Research, more than 44 million households in the U.S. were rented in 2024 — that's more than one-third of all homes. And the number …