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SLV 4-H Livestock Judging Teams competes at Arizona nationals 

The San Luis Valley 4-H Livestock Judging Team competed at the Arizona National Livestock Judging Contest earlier this month. Making the trip from the Valley were back row: Toni Wells, Darian Vance, Rorie Tillamn, Emily Seger, Elly Etnz, Durae Naranjo, Tynnley Buhr, and Janae Naranjo; and front row: Syrie Tillman, Macklie Sims, Ashley Entz, Mackenna Shawcroft, and Rachel Seger. 
Over New Year’s weekend, San Luis Valley Valley 4-H members traveled to Arizona to participate in the prestigious Arizona National Livestock Judging Contest. The event challenged participants to evaluate eight classes of livestock: Market Steers, Breeding Heifers, Market Lambs, Breeding Ewes, Market Goats, Wether Dam Does, Breeding Gilts, and Market Hogs. 
More local news

Good stewardship yields good tax credits

ALAMOSA — During his time in office, State Representative Matt Martinez (D-62) has consistently expressed his support for farmers and ranchers. That support was clearly demonstrated by passage of a bill related to agriculture and pertaining to stewardship of the land.  
The photo shows trees uprooted, and vegetation damaged.  

Martinez, Simpson bill supports local govt in fence fight

ALAMOSA — State Representative Matt Martinez (D-62) and state Senator Cleave Simpson (R-6) introduced legislation last week in support of a group of Costilla County residents who are engaged in battle with a billionaire landowner over an issue common in Western history: the construction of a fence.  

CPW to conduct bighorn sheep collaring project in La Garita

DEL NORTE — Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) biologists will soon start a project to fit bighorn sheep with satellite GPS collars in the La Garita area.  

APD serves warrant and arrests two people on drug charges

ALAMOSA – On Jan. 14, the Alamosa Police Department arrested two people on drug charges after serving a search warrant for Saint Benedict Campsite, 2400 Old Sanford Rd., Space No. 60, in regards to illegal drug activity. 

Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program seeks participants

ALAMOSA – The Larry Holder Exercise and Cancer Survivorship program offers cancer survivors in the San Luis Valley the opportunity to participate in an individualized exercise program conducted in a group setting. All cancer survivors ages 18 years or older in the San Luis Valley are welcome regardless of gender, type, or stage of cancer. This spring’s program begins the week of Jan. 27, with appointments for individual fitness testing. 
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Community
On the afternoon of Jan. 17, the Rio Grande at the State Avenue Bridge in Alamosa is partially frozen.  
Will the Rio be Frio enough?
ALAMOSA — With an Arctic blast of cold weather set to chill large parts of the country this weekend, the outdoor enthusiast community in Alamosa and beyond who participate in the annual Rio Frio Ice Fest fun are eagerly anticipating the colder weather.  
Katie Dokson with History Colorado (center) leads a community group in nominating sites for listing on the State and National Register of Historic Places.  
Locals gather in Monte Vista for Colorado history
MONTE VISTA — On Jan. 14, about 25 people attended a meeting at the Monte Vista Church Project as part of the San Luis Valley History for All Initiative, a subset of the Colorado Heritage for All program led by History Colorado. 
Fire Noodles in Monte Vista offers takeout of Asian-themed street foods of Thailand and Vietnam. The menu also includes American-style burgers and Spam musubi.  
Fire Noodles rocks Monte Vista
MONTE VISTA — One of the best barometers of a restaurant is the number of patrons waiting to enjoy the cuisine. On my first visit to Fire Noodles, the takeout food trailer located on Monroe Street in Monte Vista, the line of six cars waiting for their food was a good sign. 
Krista Nadwodny of Del Norte brings baked goodies to the area through her Sincerely, Yours Bakery.  
Del Norte bakery brings bagels, cookies and more
DEL NORTE — Krista Nadwodny recently opened Sincerely, Yours Bakery, which brings an assortment of baked goods to the Del Norte area. 
Valley-Wide Health Systems continues to give back to its communities.
Valley-Wide Health Systems donates Heart & Eagle Mobile Unit to The Attainment Network
ALAMOSA – In effort to transform education to workforce, Valley-Wide Health Systems (Valley-Wide) is proud to announce the donation of its Heart & Eagle Mobile Unit to The Attainment Network. The fully equipped mobile unit includes one medical exam room and one dental operatory, which will now support the creation of a new Mobile Learning Lab. 
Sports
Alamosa High School’s Jeremiah DeLaCerda looks to score against Centauri’s Matthew Salazar at 106 pounds in Thursday's dual meet at the AHS gym. DeLaCerda won the match 14-10, but the Falcons defeated the Mean Moose 48-32.
Centauri bests Alamosa wrestlers, 48-32
ALAMOSA – The fourth-ranked Alamosa High School boys wrestling team competed at home for the only time this season as it hosted Centauri Thursday at the AHS gym. It turned out to be …
Alamosa High School’s Gizelle Meraz pins Antonito’s Eliza Garcia at 120 pounds in Thursday’s dual meet at the AHS gym. The Lady Trojans defeated the Lady Mean Moose 15-12.
Alamosa girl wrestlers lose a tight one with Antonito
ALAMOSA – The 11th-ranked Alamosa High School girls wrestling team had its only home match of the season on Thursday against Antonito at the AHS gym. It was a tight match with the Lady …
Sargent High Schools Kimmy Pargin makes a move to the basket in Tuesday’s game against Ignacio at the SHS gym. The Lady Farmers defeated the Lady Bobcats 56-17.
Sargent girls blow past Ignacio, 56-17
SARGENT SCHOOL – The eighth-ranked Sargent High School girls basketball team played on its home court for the first time in 2025 on Tuesday and the Lady Farmers celebrated with a 56-17 win over …
Opinion
Anyone alive who has ever been to a venue where a microphone is needed has heard someone testing out the equipment prior to starting. It happens at concerts, auctions, ball games, school functions, city council meetings and churches so we all have been exposed to the process of testing. I am not sure why people generally say, “testing 1, 2, 3” and not something worthwhile hearing but I guess it's just the way it is. 
Obituaries
Obituaries
Mary Patricia Karr
Mary Patricia Karr, 76, of Creede, Colo., passed away in peace on Dec. 16, 2024.  Mary was born April 27, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wis., the daughter of John E. Crowley, Sr. and Delores "Pat" Patricia Conley. 
Robin Medina
Robin Medina passed away Dec. 14, 2024, at the age of 58, at Parkview Medical Center, in Pueblo, Colo. 
Joseph ‘Joey’ Michael Salazar
It is with great sorrow the we share the news that our beloved dad, grandfather, son and brother Joseph “Joey” Michael Salazar, 70 of Albuquerque, NM has passed away after a short and difficult battle with cancer. 
Wilma Jean Flaspohler
Wilma Jean Flaspohler, beloved wife, mother, and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on Dec. 21, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on Oct. 7, 1935, in Vinita, Okla., Wilma's warm spirit and gentle nature touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her. 
Mary Ann (Tootie) Mickelsen
Mary Ann Mickelsen passed away Nov. 22, 2024, in Alamosa, Colo., at the age of 91. She was born on March 25, 1933, in Lamar, Colo., to Mable (Ramsdale) and Charles Grett. 
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