Cortez looks different in 2018. There are new medians on Main Street, the city launched a new website, and Cortez hired a new city manager.

And there are more changes in store. The city has long been at work to plan and build a new south-side park at the site of the old Montezuma-Cortez High School. The project could take up to six years.

In education news, the Children’s Kiva Montessori School has struggled in 2018. The charter school has recorded a drop in enrollment, it currently has no permanent facility, and its budget is not sustainable. The school could close at the end of the school year unless the school’s board of directors shows enrollment commitments and a balanced budget by February. Montezuma-Cortez High School, on the other hand, received high marks from the state in 2018.

On the crime beat, 22nd Judicial District Chief Judge Douglas Walker said last week that the criminal docket has recently picked up substantially. There were several high-profile crime stories in 2018, notably a raid on several properties suspected of being involved in a large illegal marijuana grow operation. The raided properties were connected to Chinese restaurants in Cortez.

Preparing for a park: In March, Cortez received a $170,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado to help purchase land for a new city park on the site of the old Montezuma-Cortez High School. The project is expected to cost $3.75 million. Proposed amenities include a $421,000 inclusive playground, a $250,000 skate park, $250,000 for two restrooms, $200,000 for five shelters, $324,500 for concrete walkways and a tree bosque area and $300,000 for a concrete fitness path on the perimeter of the park. The park will likely be built in three, two-year phases. The city is applying for several grants.Change of leadership: City Manager Shane Hale announced his resignation in March to accept a job as town manager of Windsor, Colorado. He served as city manager of Cortez since 2011. The City Council in June hired John Dougherty to replace Hale. Dougherty is the former city manager of Kingman, Arizona. He has served as city manager in five previous towns, three of which fired him or failed to renew his contract. Dougherty said he is “fiscally conservative” and has left each town where he’s worked in better economic shape than he found it.Municipal election: Voters in April re-elected City Council members Orly Lucero and Jill Carlson. Michael Lavey, Gary Noyes and Sue Betts were elected to their first terms. Voters also approved a measure to extend and reduce the sales tax that funds the Cortez Recreation Center.No more pot: In a 7-0 vote, the City Council in September shot down a proposal for a sixth marijuana dispensary in city limits. Council members heard from residents who are opposed to more recreational marijuana shops and marijuana use in general.Slowing capital expenses: Finance Director Kathi Moss in October urged the City Council to cut back on capital expenses for the fiber-optic program called the Cortez Community Network. The adopted 2019 budget slashes all capital expenses for fiber. The city will spend money on capital projects for water infrastructure and at the airport. Moss, who will retire in January, said the Cortez Community Network keeps going farther into debt, and there is no plan for how to repay that debt. The city in 2018 spent $1.15 million on downtown improvements, including the addition of medians on Main Street, and $420,000 on street improvements. The 2019 budget cuts street capital expenses by $360,000 compared with 2018.

A new look: The city unveiled a new website design in January. Cortez Marketing and Events Coordinator Jon Brooks informed City Council members that the site is easy to use, includes a prominent search bar and features professional photography throughout the city.

A new look: The city unveiled a new website design in January. Cortez Marketing and Events Coordinator Jon Brooks informed City Council members that the site is easy to use, includes a prominent search bar and features professional photography throughout the city.Chinese pot bust: A multiagency investigation and raid led to the August arrest of eight people suspected of illegally growing thousands of marijuana plants at several properties in Montezuma County. The Cortez-area operation was considered to be the major supplier in a network that extended north to Rifle and east to Denver. The raided properties were connected to the Ocean Pearl Chinese Restaurant and Hong Kong Restaurant in Cortez.Four suspects currently face indictments in federal court. District Attorney Will Furse dismissed charges against five other people who were believed to have been involved in the grow operation.

Drug trafficking: In May, five people were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in Cortez after an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Three Cortez residents were arrested for allegedly distributing meth and heroin.Repeated burglary: Six individuals were arrested in connection in a case of repeated burglaries at an home just east of Cortez in June. Several defendants have now reached plea agreements with the district attorney. The stolen items, valued at $7,720, include minibikes, power tools, a gas turkey fryer and a snowmobile.

Drug trafficking: In May, five people were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in Cortez after an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Three Cortez residents were arrested for allegedly distributing meth and heroin.Repeated burglary: Six individuals were arrested in connection in a case of repeated burglaries at an home just east of Cortez in June. Several defendants have now reached plea agreements with the district attorney. The stolen items, valued at $7,720, include minibikes, power tools, a gas turkey fryer and a snowmobile.Emergency shelter under construction: The Bridge homeless shelter broke ground in September on a $2.1 million facility in Cortez. The new shelter will include an overnight shelter, a sobering space and transitional apartments. During construction, a temporary shelter is under operation at the Grace Fellowship Church in Cortez this winter.Trio of new businesses: Three new businesses moved into the former location of the Main Street Emporium. Nicki Krob opened Centennial Gifts in the front side of the building in June. A few weeks later, Margaret Tevault opened Main Street Salon and Spa in the back. Later, Sonya Marsell opened Electrolysis by Sonya in a small side room at the building on 15 W. Main St.New restaurant: A food truck moved into a permanent home on Main Street. The Wigglin’ Pig opened a brick-and-mortar location on Main Street in Cortez. They serve barbecue and “gourmet comfort food” like macaroni and cheese, pulled pork tacos, smothered fries and grilled cheese.

Drug trafficking: In May, five people were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in Cortez after an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Three Cortez residents were arrested for allegedly distributing meth and heroin.Repeated burglary: Six individuals were arrested in connection in a case of repeated burglaries at an home just east of Cortez in June. Several defendants have now reached plea agreements with the district attorney. The stolen items, valued at $7,720, include minibikes, power tools, a gas turkey fryer and a snowmobile.Emergency shelter under construction: The Bridge homeless shelter broke ground in September on a $2.1 million facility in Cortez. The new shelter will include an overnight shelter, a sobering space and transitional apartments. During construction, a temporary shelter is under operation at the Grace Fellowship Church in Cortez this winter.Trio of new businesses: Three new businesses moved into the former location of the Main Street Emporium. Nicki Krob opened Centennial Gifts in the front side of the building in June. A few weeks later, Margaret Tevault opened Main Street Salon and Spa in the back. Later, Sonya Marsell opened Electrolysis by Sonya in a small side room at the building on 15 W. Main St.New restaurant: A food truck moved into a permanent home on Main Street. The Wigglin’ Pig opened a brick-and-mortar location on Main Street in Cortez. They serve barbecue and “gourmet comfort food” like macaroni and cheese, pulled pork tacos, smothered fries and grilled cheese.High school shines: Montezuma-Cortez High School in 2018 joined 68 percent of Colorado schools in attaining the highest rating of Performance Plan for the first time. Superintendent Lori Haukeness said administrators and teachers have recently focused on decreasing the dropout rate and improving the graduation rate.In 2018, 89.8 percent of students graduated, compared with 88.5 percent in 2017 and 80.7 percent win 2016.Kiva Montessori struggles: Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 issued a breach of contract letter to the Children’s Kiva Montessori School Board of Directors because of its low enrollment, struggling academics and unsustainable budget. The charter school’s board of directors has until February to show enrollment commitments for the 2019-2020 school year or RE-1 could move to revoke its charter, possibly causing the school to close at the end of the current school year.

Drug trafficking: In May, five people were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in Cortez after an investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies. Three Cortez residents were arrested for allegedly distributing meth and heroin.Repeated burglary: Six individuals were arrested in connection in a case of repeated burglaries at an home just east of Cortez in June. Several defendants have now reached plea agreements with the district attorney. The stolen items, valued at $7,720, include minibikes, power tools, a gas turkey fryer and a snowmobile.Emergency shelter under construction: The Bridge homeless shelter broke ground in September on a $2.1 million facility in Cortez. The new shelter will include an overnight shelter, a sobering space and transitional apartments. During construction, a temporary shelter is under operation at the Grace Fellowship Church in Cortez this winter.Trio of new businesses: Three new businesses moved into the former location of the Main Street Emporium. Nicki Krob opened Centennial Gifts in the front side of the building in June. A few weeks later, Margaret Tevault opened Main Street Salon and Spa in the back. Later, Sonya Marsell opened Electrolysis by Sonya in a small side room at the building on 15 W. Main St.New restaurant: A food truck moved into a permanent home on Main Street. The Wigglin’ Pig opened a brick-and-mortar location on Main Street in Cortez. They serve barbecue and “gourmet comfort food” like macaroni and cheese, pulled pork tacos, smothered fries and grilled cheese.High school shines: Montezuma-Cortez High School in 2018 joined 68 percent of Colorado schools in attaining the highest rating of Performance Plan for the first time. Superintendent Lori Haukeness said administrators and teachers have recently focused on decreasing the dropout rate and improving the graduation rate.In 2018, 89.8 percent of students graduated, compared with 88.5 percent in 2017 and 80.7 percent win 2016.Kiva Montessori struggles: Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 issued a breach of contract letter to the Children’s Kiva Montessori School Board of Directors because of its low enrollment, struggling academics and unsustainable budget. The charter school’s board of directors has until February to show enrollment commitments for the 2019-2020 school year or RE-1 could move to revoke its charter, possibly causing the school to close at the end of the current school year.Woman dies in crash: In one of The Journal’s most-read stories of the year, Holly Lynn Buffington-Yake died in a car crash in rural Archuleta County on Dec. 16. She was well-known in Cortez and a strong supporter of youth wrestling. Hundreds of community members attended a celebration of life on Dec. 22.Woman dies in fire: South of Cortez, a woman went back inside a burning home in November in an attempt to rescue her pets. She suffered injuries and died the next morning at the UCHealth Burn Clinic in Denver. With three fires in eight days in November attributed to improperly installed wood-burning stoves, fire authorities urge residents to hire professionals to install and inspect stoves.