All incoming freshmen and their families may attend an orientation at Montezuma-Cortez High School on Tuesday, March 24, 6–8 p.m.
The program is designed to provide information and assistance to make a smooth transition from middle school to high school. Explore elective classes, clubs, activities, and programs available to M-CHS students. Meet the coaches and get information about boys and girls basketball, football, baseball, softball, wrestling, tennis, volleyball, dance/cheer, track and cross-country.
Counselors Ms. Slagle and Ms. Rightley will present information about graduation and college requirements, tips for choosing classes and how to be a successful student, as well as tips for parents to support students in this transition.
A representative from the science department will explain and answer questions concerning the “flipped mastery” instructional method used in science classes. School nurse Ms. Ciccia has information concerning the new school-based health clinic available to M-CHS students next year.
Road work on U.S. 491 to start Monday
Roadwork on U.S. 491 south of Towaoc to the New Mexico state line is slated to resume starting Monday.
The $13.7 million Colorado Department of Transportation project to rehabilitate and make safety improvements were suspended earlier in the winter. Skanska is performing the work.
During the second and final phase, crews expect to complete curb and gutter work, bridge expansion repairs at Indian Creek and Mancos River and final paving of asphalt
Expected to last through August, construction will result in single-lane, alternating traffic. Speed reductions are expected between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Sheriff reports drug deals at schools
Sheriff Nowlin reported that a marijuana bust was made involving students from Dolores and Cortez schools. Five students were involved, he said. The pot was being sold and possessed on school grounds, and an arrest was made after a three-week investigation. The case was turned over to the District Attorney’s Office. Nowlin attributes juvenile use of marijuana to legalization of the drug in 2012. He plans more unannounced canine drug searches in area schools.
Sheriff’s office offers course on water law
The Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Division of Water Resource, Montezuma Valley Irrigation, the Mancos Water Conservancy District, and the Dolores Water Conservancy District will host a three-hour course titled Water Law 101 on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Montezuma County Fair Grounds, 30100 U.S. 160, Cortez.
The course is intended for all community members involved with irrigation water and who desire knowledge on their rights and responsibilities.
Areas covered include civil and criminal ramifications pertaining to water law and water usage.
To reserve a spot, call Wanda Martin at wmartin@so.montezuma.co.us or 970-564-4960.
Anglers Roundtable set for Dolores
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials will hold an Anglers Roundtable next week in Dolores.
The meeting is aimed to gain insight from local anglers regarding fishing in the Four Corners region. Held Thursday, March 19, at the Dolores Public Lands Center, the meeting starts at 5 p.m.
With high-mountain lakes, small streams, big reservoirs to grand rivers, the Four Corners area offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Jim White, CPW aquatic biologist, will discuss the status of these various waters and their future outlook.
At the meeting, anglers will also be asked to talk about their recent experiences and make suggestions regarding CPW’s fishing regulations.
The public lands center is located on Colorado Highway 184 just south of Dolores.
FireWise essay contest announced
FireWise of Southwest Colorado invites middle school students in Montezuma County to participate in an essay contest, due March 27.
Write an essay of 500 words or fewer on Why Your Home Needs a FireWise Makeover. Essays will be judged based on how well you write and express the wildfire risk at your home, your family’s need for assistance with fuel reduction, and creativity.
Prizes include a free Home Wildfire Risk Assessment with parental or property owner where they live (limit 20 assessments). A first-place winner from sixth, seventh and eighth grades will each receive $50, and one will be selected for the grand prize. The grand prize winner will receive a FireWise Makeover on May 2, National Wildfire Preparedness Day.
For Official entry form and more tips and considerations, contact Becca Samulski at 970-564-7860 or email montezumafirewise@gmail.com.
Learn to prune fruit trees, grape vines
Join Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project for a hands-on pruning workshop in a heritage orchard on Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Sara Miller’s orchard in Mancos.
Her orchard dates to the 1890s and contains about 22 varieties of heirloom apples with many rare and unusual kinds. Dress warm, wear gloves and boots, bring water and a snack, and pruning equipment if you have it.
The address is 41324 Road G, Mancos.
Call Let It Grow 565-3099 or Sara 533-1782 for detailed directions. The cost is $10 for MORP members (those of you who have donated $30 or more to the project in the last 12 months) and $20 for non-members.
There will be a grafting workshop on April 11 and a MORP booth at the AG EXPO March 19-21.
Guy Drew offering vine workshop
Guy Drew is offering a grape pruning workshop with Dr. Horst Caspari on March 14. The workshop will be held in Cortez at The Box Bar Ranch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The cost is $25/person, and pre-registration is required (call 970-434-1035), and a minimum of 10 people are necessary to hold the workshop.
Location: Box Bar Ranch, 2997 Road 20.5.
FLC to stream talk on spruce beetle
Fort Lewis College is hosting a San Juan National Forest presentation on the spruce beetle epidemic and its impact on Colorado forests. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Vallecito Room at FLC.
The Colorado State Forest Service’s 2014 Report on the Health of Colorado’s Forests cited the spruce beetle as the state’s most widespread insect threat. An estimated 485,000 acres of forest were impacted by the beetle in 2014.
Tom Eager from the U.S. Forest Service’s Gunnison Research Center will share his expertise on the spruce beetle and lead a discussion with other experts
The presentation will be on FLC’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/FLCDurango) and can be viewed directly at http://youtu.be/DXHZcybbQQo.
Montelores hosts ‘WestWind Connection’
Montelores Baptist Church will again host the band “WestWind Connection” for a concert on Saturday, April 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The “WestWind Connection” is a Country Gospel band from Northern Colorado. The evening is free to all and includes a complimentary barbecue dinner with the free concert. Donations for the dinner and concert will be received.
The church is at 18735 CR 23.5 off Colorado 184 and across from Narraguinnep Reservoir.
Contact Pastor Paul Gleason for more information at 970-882-2418.
