Top Stories
SLV 4-H Senior Livestock Judging Team from left to right: Coach Eric Hinton, Durae Naranjo, Emily Seger, Darian Vance, Tiffany LePlatt and Coach Janae Naranjo. 

SLV 4-H Judging Teams shine in Texas 

MONTE VISTA – On Friday, Sept. 20, the SLV 4-H Livestock Senior and Junior Judging Teams competed in the Tri State Fair Livestock Judging Contest in Amarillo, Texas.  The Senior Team placed eighth out of 54 teams and the Junior team placed 16th out of 42 teams, according to a press release from the Colorado State University San Luis Valley Area Extension Office. The teams were coached by Eric Hinton and Janae Naranjo. There were 121 total participants in the competition. 
More local news

La Jara names Swartz as its new police chief 

LA JARA – The Town of La Jara recently announced the hiring of three new police officers. Former Chief of Police Jerry Lujan has retired as of July after serving the town for the past 26 years, the last 7 years as chief.  The newly hired chief is Michael Swartz, originally from New York and raised in Colorado. He is a graduate of the Glenwood Springs Spring Valley Police Academy in 2014. He has several years of experience in various law enforcement roles. 
Flowers and a photo await the new owners of a house recently completed and purchased through the program. 

Front Range leaders, legislators tour SLV highlights

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Rep. Matt Martinez (D-62) brought a group of visitors from Denver to tour the San Luis Valley, including a bipartisan cohort of four fellow legislators from the State House and representatives from 40 powerhouse businesses in Colorado.   

San Luis is creating an outdoor plaza 

SAN LUIS — The community, along with workers from Baha Construction and Ayres Associates, have been actively involved in constructing a new public plaza in San Luis.  According to Teddy Leinbach, Assistant Town Manager of San Luis, "The new San Luis Town Plaza is being constructed so that we have a centrally located gathering point within our small town."
Read our E-edition

Community
Courtesy photo
At the memorial service for Sgt. C.G. Betenbough, Conejos County Veterans Service Officer Robert Lockwood presented his family with a memorial plaque. From left to right are, Vickie Winsauer, Karen Lofton, Trudy Silverman, Glen Betenbough, Jo Jordan, and Robert Lockwood.
Conejos County Veterans Service Officer pays tribute
CONEJOS COUNTY — On Veterans Day, Conejos County Veterans Service officer Robert Lockwood said these words of tribute at the memorial service for Clinton Betenbough.
The River Arkansas will be performing on Oct. 13 at Society Hall in Alamosa. 
The River Arkansas returning to Society Hall 
ALAMOSA – Society Hall is proud to welcome back the Colorado folk – Americana group The River Arkansas at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.  The River Arkansas is fronted by former Haunted Windchimes songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mike Clark. In the winter of 2014, Clark penned a collection of songs about heartbreak, love, and escaping the clutches of day-to-day society. The following spring, Clark decided to make that collection into a record. 
Senator Julie Gonzales, keynote speaker
Rio Grande Democrats annual JFK Dinner is Saturday
DEL NORTE — The Rio Grande County Democratic Party is holding its 4th Annual JFK fundraiser dinner on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Colorado Grille and Taphouse, 590 Grand Ave., Del Norte. Doors open at 6 p.m.  Each dinner has featured relevant and interesting Democrat speakers and this year is no exception. The keynote speaker will be State Senator and Senate Majority Whip Julie Gonzales (SD 34).
North Conejos School District Facebook Page
Sports
Alamosa High School’s Jaelin Garcia (right) hits the ball as Centauri’s Mikasa Gilleland (left) and Rylie McCarroll go up for the block in Tuesday’s match at the AHS gym. The Lady Mean Moose defeated the Lady Falcons in three sets.
Alamosa gets sweep in tough match with Centauri
ALAMOSA – It was another typical match between Alamosa and Centauri as the fourth-ranked Lady Mean Moose defeated the Lady Falcons in three straight sets Tuesday at the AHS gym. The scores were …
Kaden Mellott finished tied for ninth place with a 163.
Monte Vista falls two strokes short of state title
ALAMOSA – The Monte Vista High School boys golf team concluded the 2024 season at the Class 2A State Tournament Tuesday at The Club at Rolling Hills in Golden. The Pirates recorded a score …
Centauri High School’s Parker Buhr runs with the ball in last Saturday’s 53-13 win over Ignacio. The Falcons play at Center this Friday.
High school football previews – Week 7
ALAMOSA – The seventh week of the high school golf season is this weekend with all but one San Luis Valley team in action. The following are thumbnail sketches of this week’s games. …
Opinion
I am against hunting mountain lions in Colorado. Today, I join many wildlife professionals and hunters who support Colorado’s Proposition 127—Cats Aren’t Trophies, on the ballot this November.  I’ve never been much for so-called “trophy hunting,” especially when the animals are chased to exhaustion by commercial outfitters using dogs and GPS tracking. Once these lions are perched helplessly in a tree, they are shot by a so-called “hunter.” 
The past weeks have been a real hardship on Ol’ Dutch. What with the loss of Cooper the Yorkie, and then my father it's been hard. Neither was unexpected but somehow that does not make it any easier. 
Obituaries
Obituaries
Wilma Grace Lewis 
Wilma Grace Lewis, 77 passed peacefully on the evening of Sept. 16, 2024, in Salida, Colo.  Soon after completing high school in Fairplay, Colo., Wilma married Wilbur G. Lewis in 1965 in Hartsel, Colo. They had two children, Stephanie S. Lewis in 1969 and Jack H. Lewis (Jenny J. Sherburne) in 1972. The family moved to Saguache, Colo., in 1972. 
Kenneth Lee Kane 
Kenneth Lee Kane, 84, departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. He was born Oct. 31, 1939, in Doniphan, Mo., to the late Earl and Lora (Hayes) Kane. 
Doris Lucile Hathaway 
Doris Lucile Hathaway has left her earthly journey to celebrate her eternal destination. Doris was born on June 30, 1938, in Monte Vista, Colo., and entered into her eternal rest on Sept. 8, 2024, at Pikes Peak Hospice Care in Colorado Springs. Doris lived at the Tri County Senior Center in Monte Vista, for the past 5 years.  
Richard Earl Baker 
Richard Earl Baker, a cherished husband, brother, and friend, passed away on September 6, 2024, at the age of 80, at the Rio Grande Hospital, in the peaceful town of Del Norte, Colo. Born on May 4, 1944, in Muscatine, Iowa, Richard grew up with a spirit of adventure and a heart full of kindness that would define his entire life. 
William Ernest Pearcy 
William Ernest Pearcy left this earth peacefully on Aug. 27, 2024, surrounded by his daughters, in Loganville, Ga., after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for the past 10 years. William (“Bill”) was born April 27, 1940, in Pueblo, Colo., to Earl and Florence Pearcy. 
Web Extra Content
How cattle grazing protects and benefits the land
(BPT) - With cattle ranching featured front and center in America's living rooms due to the popularity of shows highlighting the western lifestyle, and with Climate Week piquing interest in …
People combating cancer can get an assist from their dental professional.
Oral Health And Cancer: A Guide On Prevention And Management
(NAPSI)—Cancer. It’s   a word no one wants to hear, but every one should be prepared for. Individuals getting cancer treatment must make many lifestyle changes. People battling cancer and …
Don’t just age, age better: 5 longevity tips for healthier aging
(BPT) - Do you know how well you’re aging? Aging well goes beyond how you look. To live a healthier, more active lifestyle as you age, it’s important to know your current health baseline …
5 simple ways to harvest your health this fall
(BPT) - Fall is here and it's time to cozy up with healthier habits! If you're looking to refresh your routine and embrace healthier habits this season, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist Dawn …
The Importance of Medicare Options for America’s Seniors
The Importance of Medicare Options for America’s Seniors
(Mark Gibbons, President/CEO of RetireSafe) - With the start of Medicare’s open enrollment period, it’s important that older Americans explore their healthcare options to make the best choice …