Local News - The Journal

Bayfield School District, facing $1 million deficit, plans layoffs

At least 10 full-time positions expected to be cut

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Mercy Regional Medical Center cuts back nonessential surgeries after discovering cleaning issue

Sterilization issue is discovered with equipment

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

KSUT expands programming after move into larger building

Public radio station grows statewide, Indigenous partnerships

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Quick-moving storm blankets high country in new snow

System has mostly moved out of region, meteorologist says

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ute Mountain Ute tribe offers free COVID vaccinations today

Moderna doses open to anyone age 18 and over

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and longtime partner, Marlon Reis, are engaged

Polis popped question at a tense moment

DATE: Mar 4, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Montezuma County drops to coronavirus Level Blue

Officials say decreased COVID cases qualifies county

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Montezuma-Cortez schools look to broaden career paths for students

Seeks to provide students internships, experiences with local businesses

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Durango-area schools hit hard by COVID-19 outbreaks

State records also show cases involving a youth team and social gathering

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Adult Education Center to offer spring ESL, GED classes

The Journal Durango and Cortez Adult Education Center will offer session IV English as a second language and GED/high school equivalency classes beginning March 22. Al...

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

New Mexico Legislature seeks reforms to spur internet access

SANTA FE – New Mexico legislators are advancing bills that modernize efforts to expand access to high-speed internet service, as remote work and schooling exposes infrastructure gaps during ...

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

New Mexico’s Spaceport America names new executive director

SIERRA COUNTY, N.M. – Spaceport America has named New Mexico native Scott A. McLaughlin as its new executive director. The company announced the appointment on Tuesday. ...

DATE: Mar 3, 2021 | CATEGORY: Local News

Photos: Ben Nighthorse Campbell memorial

Photos: A very welcome spring stormA spring storm Tuesday and Wednesday brought 1 to 2 feet of snow to the San Juan Mountains, including about 17 inches in Silverton, 19 inches at Wolf Creek Pass and 11 inches in Telluride. Meanwhile, the moisture arrived in the form of rain in lower elevations such as Durango, which received more than eight-tenths of an inch of precipitation.

A spring storm Tuesday and Wednesday brought 1 to 2 feet of snow to the San Juan Mountains, includin...

Skier narrowly avoids landing on child while skiing at Purgatory ResortVideo of close-call stunt goes viral; resort reminds patrons to follow safety etiquette

Durango skier Dave Sugnet has been thanking his guardian angels for the past week after a close call while skiing at Purgatory Resort.In a video that has since gone viral, Sugnet was captured March 21 performing a series of tricks in Purgatory’s Pitchfork terrain park by his friend, Ned Daly. ABC affiliates in Los Angles, Chicago and Houston picked up the story, as did CBS’s “Inside Edition,” which said the video had more than 3 million views.After clearing a rail and a jump in the freestyle section of the mountain, Sugnet performed a flatspin 360 – a trick combining a 360-degree rotation with an off-axis flip. Just as he took off from the jump, a child riding a snowboard passed beneath the jump – right where the airborne Sugnet was about to land. With a combination of lightning-fast reflexes and dumb luck, Sugnet was able to spread his legs and straddle the young snowboarder midair. Sugnet landed safely, narrowly avoiding severe injury to both parties.“As I’m taking off, I saw a flash of red,” Sugnet said. “At the very last split second, somehow I was able to react quickly, spread and twist my legs so that the tail of my ski didn’t clip him. It was just a miracle and a bit of luck and timing that we didn’t collide.”

Sugnet – a lifelong competitive freestyle skier and former ski coach – said the close call was a result of him and the snowboarder not paying attention to their surroundings.“We had already done a few successful runs through the terrain park and did some tricks off the jumps,” Sugnet said. “We didn’t see (the snowboarder) until I was in the air.”The general safety consensus at ski resorts is that the downhill skier has the right of way. However, in the terrain park Sugnet said that right-of-way goes to the skier or snowboarder performing tricks – particularly jumps – because it is extremely difficult to avoid obstacles and people while flying through the air. “They say ... that the flowing rider has more of the right of way,” Sugnet said. “But it’s not like the flowing rider should be entitled to do whatever they want and endanger people, of course. So there should be awareness on both sides.”Sugnet said looking uphill, especially in a terrain park, is key to keeping everyone safe. “Just taking a quick look uphill before you cross into a dangerous path is always going to keep you a little more safe,” Sugnet said. “I’m hoping this can be a big safety lesson for everyone, including myself.”In a statement regarding the incident, Purgatory Resort spokesman Matt Ericksen said the resort is grateful no one was hurt. “We do not have any information about this incident,” Ericksen said. “We’re grateful that no one was injured.”Ericksen said safety is a top priority at Purgatory, which is why skiers and snowboarders are responsible for understanding and following the mountain’s safety rules, remaining aware of their surroundings, and using terrain park and natural features appropriate for their ability.“Terrain parks are designated areas accessed through marked entrances,” Ericksen said. “At each entrance, signage outlines the SMART approach.”SMART stands for “Start small, Make a plan, Always look, Respect and Take it easy,” and is a set of safety tips for safe, fun progression in a terrain park, according to Ski Safety U.S.’s website. Sugnet said he is thankful neither him nor the child was injured in the incident, and said nobody was at fault. “Both mine and the kid’s guardian angels were looking out for us,” Sugnet said. “I’m so grateful nobody was hurt.”sedmondson@durangoherald.com

Video of close-call stunt goes viral; resort reminds patrons to follow safety etiquette

Tina Peters found not guilty of assaulting inmate in January scuffleVideo footage shows former county clerk grabbing toward another inmate's neck

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year sentence for her role in tampering with Mesa County’s election equipment in search of election fraud, was found not guilty of assault after shoving another inmate last January in state prison.She was found guilty for the lesser charge of “unauthorized absence” after being in a restricted area where she was not assigned, Corrections Department spokeswoman Alondra Gonzalez-Garcia said. It’s not a criminal charge, but instead an internal process used to address behavior.Gonzalez-Garcia said the determination was made after reviewing evidence, including video footage, medical anatomical forms for both inmates involved, and witness testimony.One of Peter’s attorneys, John Case, said Peters was acting in self-defense, after the “initial punch” was thrown by the other inmate.Peters has appealed the charge of “unauthorized absence,” according to Case. He claimed that Peters believed inmates were allowed in that area to fill the swamp cooler.“They were wrong because it was authorized for inmates to go over there,” Case said. “It was common knowledge. And Tina presented a witness who testified to that.” The Department of Corrections disagreed.Peters had previously received at least four negative write-ups from prison officials for minor offenses, The Denver Post reported.In surveillance video footage of the incident obtained by CPR News, Peters grabbed another inmate’s neck. The video shows Peters dragging a cart across the room toward a closet. Another inmate walks toward the closet and appears to move the cart away from the closet door. Peters then emerges from the closet, grabs the inmate by her neck, and pushes her. The two appear to exchange words before Peters lets her go and leaves the room.

Case claims that Peters did not grab the inmate’s neck, and that what appears in the video is her hand pushing against the other inmate’s collarbone. “She didn’t grab her by the throat and choke her.”Peters’ case has made national headlines, as President Donald Trump has frequently called for her release and Peters has asked Democratic Gov. Jared Polis for clemency. Last week, Democratic Colorado state lawmakers signed a letter urging Polis to stay out of it.To read more stories from Colorado Public Radio, visit www.cpr.org.

Video footage shows former county clerk grabbing toward another inmate's neck

Dynasty at the Pit: Kirtland Central captures 22nd state titleBehind 17 points from sophomore Allyson Tsosie and a relentless defense, the top-seeded Broncos pull away from Gallup in Class 4A championship game

ALBUQUERQUE – The Kirtland Central girls basketball team added another chapter to its storied history Friday night before a capacity crowd at the University of New Mexico’s Pit, earning its 22nd state championship with a 52-33 victory over Gallup in the Class 4A final.Led by sophomore Allyson Tsosie’s game-high 17 points and junior Elaina Claini’s 15 points, the top-seeded Broncos finished the season 29-3, including three wins in four games over their District 1-4A rival Bengals.Gallup, the No. 2 seed, had never lost to Kirtland Central in three prior championship meetings. The most recent of those losses occurred last year when the Bengals topped the Broncos 51-41. The Bengals, seeking a second straight state title, were outscored 44-24 in the final three quarters.“It means a lot to get this one because it’s good to get the first one out of the way against a team like Gallup,” Kirtland Central head coach Devon Manning said. “Gallup is a tough team and they’re tough to beat, and we have so much respect for that program.”With 22 state championships and 36 title game appearances since 1979, Kirtland Central is ranked fourth nationally for the most girls basketball state titles, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The opening quarter was tightly contested, with the lead changing hands four times before the Bengals’ Marie Nez hit two free throws to provide a 9-8 lead heading into the second.Despite a slow start from the field in the second period, Kirtland Central finished the half strong. 3-pointers from Haylee Nocki and Tsosie put the Broncos ahead as they outscored Gallup 16-8 in the frame for a 24-17 halftime lead.From there, the Broncos dominated both ends of the floor, pairing offensive execution with a relentless press.The Bengals committed 25 turnovers, which Kirtland Central turned into 19 points. In addition to her scoring, Tsosie recorded six of the Broncos' 14 steals and 10 rebounds.Gallup’s shooting struggled in the second half, as the Bengals converted only 5 of 21 shots from the floor. They finished the night shooting 26% from the field. Kirtland Central remained efficient, shooting 40% for the game.

Senior Krista Tsingine-Yazzie finished her Broncos career with nine rebounds and two steals. For senior teammates Nocki, Kaylyn Cadman, Alana Sanders and Bahozhoni Crosby, the win was a definitive final act.“The rides with the girls, the practices and the opportunities to play here have been great,” Tsingine-Yazzie said.Manning pulled his seniors in the final seconds to recognize their contributions.“It was to tell them that they’re leaving this program better than when they found it,” Manning said. “The hard work and the yelling and screaming was worth it in the end.”Gallup was led by Mykeia Vicenti’s 11 points as well as nine points and nine rebounds from Kayden Tsosie. The Bengals season comes to an end with a record of 27-5.

Behind 17 points from sophomore Allyson Tsosie and a relentless defense, the top-seeded Broncos pull away from Gallup in Class 4A championship game

Aztec High wrestling captures 22nd state team championshipA total of five Tiger wrestlers brought home individual titles, Bloomfield’s Caylee Miller captures back-to-back state titles in girls wrestling tourney

RIO RANCHO – The Aztec High School boys wrestling team turned the state championship tournament into a showcase last weekend at the Rio Rancho Events Center, crowning five individual champions and rolling to its second straight Class A-4A team title.As a team, the Tigers dominated their competition, winning by a score of 241-156 over Belen. West Las Vegas, St. Pius and Silver rounded out the top five teams in the 37-team tournament.For Aztec, the team victory is the 22nd in the history of the program, making the Tigers by far the most prized prep wrestling team in the state of New Mexico. Last year, the Tigers earned the state team title despite just claiming one individual championship. This year, the team sent five to the top of the podium with five other wrestlers finishing in the top four in their respective weight classes.“It was really just small improvements from last year,” said Aztec head coach Levi Stout. “They just united and decided to get each other’s backs and really embraced the family atmosphere and they really bought in.”

Leading the charge for Aztec were individual state champions senior Ethan Vigil (120 pounds), junior James Moore (126), senior Taner Olguin (132), junior Cory Douglas (165) and senior Aiden Trujillo (215).Trujillo, who finished his prep career with an emphatic 9-3 decision over Isaiah Rivera of Albuquerque Academy, was emotional about being a part of such a historic wrestling program.“I’m so proud to call these guys my brothers,” Trujillo said. “Knowing I’m a part of this legacy and what this team has done in the past and what they’ll continue to do means so much to me.”

Vigil provided the quickest highlight of the finals, needing only 31 seconds to pin St. Pius X’s Dane Padilla to claim the 120-pound crown. Moore followed suit at 126, grinding out a 4-0 decision over Miyamura’s Austin Lopez. Olguin kept the momentum rolling at 132, securing a 6-2 decision against Santiago Medrano of West Las Vegas, earning his second individual state title. Olguin began his prep wrestling career winning a state title as an eighth-grader in 2022 at 106 lbs.“Getting that second state title has eluded him ever since his eighth-grade year and it’s a long story for him but he’s such a special and deserving champion,” said Stout after the tournament. Douglas pinned Kirtland Central’s Todd Robinson at the 2:32 mark to take the 165-pound title, capping off a remarkable season with a record of 44-5.

“We pushed each other all season long in that room to make each other better,” Douglas said after his win. “I came into this match a little flat I thought and I didn’t take the opportunity to win as soon as I saw it, but it means a lot to be here.”Podium FinishersWhile the five champions stole the spotlight, the Tigers’ depth was on full display with several other wrestlers earning guaranteed places:Nathan Hare (106): Took second place after falling to Valencia’s Dominik Suarez in the final.Baylon Black (144): Earned a hard-fought third-place finish with a 7-6 decision over Silver’s Cruz Burrola.Delano Black (157): Secured third place by pinning Jule May of Chaparral in 1:51.Ian Vigil (138): Finished fourth after a 7-1 decision loss in the third-place match.CJ Saiz (113): Placed fourth overall.Local RivalriesThe tournament also featured strong showings from neighboring Bloomfield and Kirtland Central. Bloomfield’s Kellan Ray captured the 150-pound state title with a dominant 19-3 technical fall over Zachary Katz of St. Pius X, earning Ray a second straight individual gold medal. Bloomfield's Bryce Lance (113) and Kirtland Central's Todd Robinson (165) and Chance Aspaas (175) all earned runner-up finishes.

Miller captures back-to-back state championshipsThe Bloomfield High School wrestling program has a new standard-bearer at the top of the podium.Sophomore Caylee Miller capped off a perfect season by pinning her way to the 235-pound title at the state wrestling championships. Miller defeated Goddard’s Vanessa Martinez in the first-place match, securing the fall at the 2:29 mark.Miller’s victory assured a top-10 finish for the Bobcat girls wrestling team, which finished eighth overall. Cleveland High took the overall state girls team title, ahead of Las Cruces, with Miyamura, Volcano Vista and Atrisco Heritage rounding out the top five in the 53-team event.The victory kept Miller’s unblemished record intact, as she finished the year 25-0. Martinez, also a sophomore, ended her impressive campaign with a 26-4 record.

A total of five Tiger wrestlers brought home individual titles, Bloomfield’s Caylee Miller captures back-to-back state titles in girls wrestling tourney

Photos/video: Silverton Skijoring

Durango City Council shows unanimous support for electric fencing, bear matsProposed rules include $50 fee, safety and placement standards

Durango City Council is poised to approve a permitting process for electric fences and bear “unwelcome” mats within city limits.Councilors voted unanimously to approve two ordinances establishing standards and a permit process for the wildlife deterrence equipment and are scheduled to take a final vote at their Feb. 17 meeting.Daniel Murray, development services manager for the city’s Community Development Department, said city staff members propose “medium allowance” regulations for electric fences and bear mats.Electric fences would require barrier fences around them to prevent accidental contact by people unaware they are electrified, Murray said. They would be permitted in side yards and backyards but not front yards, he said. The same restrictions would apply to bear mats; however, bear mats would be allowed on front porches so long as the porch is more than 20 feet from the street or sidewalk.The city will permit only commercially available electric fences and bear mats with up to 10,000 volts of electricity and up to 2 joules of energy, Murray said.A $50 permit application fee was proposed, and applicants would be able to file online. He said he anticipates Community Development would be able to grant permits within 24 hours after receiving applications.Community Development and Durango Police Department would share enforcement and regulation responsibilities, he said.Murray said Community Development consulted Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Bear Smart Durango in developing the proposed standards, and both organizations are willing to support the city implementing permitting for electric fences and bear mats.

Bear Smart Durango will aid the city in creating educational brochures with explainers about the permit process.“Electric fences are an effective and humane deterrent for wildlife,” Murray said. “They create a negative association with human spaces. The goal is to keep wildlife wild and a safer environment where there are fewer interactions between humans and wildlife.”Table to Farm Compost co-owner Monique DiGiorgio and Bayfield resident Sandhya Atkinson, who said she was a professional facilitator for the La Plata County Bear Working Group for six years, spoke in favor of removing the prohibition of electric fences and bear mats in city limits.CUT FOR PRINTDiGiorgio said Table to Farm Compost dealt with bears getting into bags of compost at its county facility for years before it installed an electric fence around its 4-acre facility. Once the fence was up, bears quickly learned easy meals were no longer available at Table to Farm Compost.“We installed the fence and they started to come to the northwest corner of the fence. We actually have lots of interesting videos showing them trying to get in,” he said. “After a couple of months of them not being able to get in, we started to see that decline. And now I can say it’s been over a year if not more, the bears are just ignoring the facility altogether.”She said electric fences are efficient and effective at reducing human and bear conflict. They are also safe for pets and people and have been implemented successfully in other Colorado communities.Atkinson said the La Plata County Bear Working Group consisted of city staff, law enforcement, Bear Smart Durango, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as well as others.It tracked bear activity, provided public education and responded to bear incidents.Education alone isn’t enough, said Bayfield resident Sandhya Atkinson. “The most effective way to prevent conflict is physical prevention. If bears can’t access the food, they don’t return,” Atkinson said. “ ... That protects people and it protects bears.”She said wildlife-resistant trash containers in Durango are one example of that concept. Electric fences and bear mats are the next step.They are safe, temporary, affordable and highly effective. They deliver a brief deterrent shock that teaches a bear to stay away without harming the animal or posing risk to people or pets, she said.She said 30% of all bear reports in Colorado for 2025 were in La Plata County. More than 750 trash-related incidents were reported, and 17 black bears in the region were euthanized.“In my own neighborhood here in Bayfield, a bear broke into a compost bin last fall. After Bear Smart helped install local fencing, the problem stopped immediately,” Atkinson said. “There were no further conflicts, escalation or harm, and children and dogs in our community are safer now than they were before.”cburney@durangoherald.com

Proposed rules include $50 fee, safety and placement standards

Photos: Snowdown Light Parade 2026

Snowdown Light Parade offers a journey back in timeDinosaurs, prospectors and chain saws, oh my!

Main Avenue was transformed Friday into a menagerie of whimsy during this year’s Snowdown Light Parade.Dinosaurs, prospectors, yards of flannel, covered wagons, a yeti, humanoid trees, a healthy dose of Victorian garb, Jazzercise cowboys, chain saws, bubbles, bears, horses, rams, chickens and motorcycles all helped paradegoers get into a party mood and go back in time for this year’s Snowdown theme: Uniquely Colorado – Then and Wow!The parade, hosted once again by Purgatory Resort, gave participants the opportunity to time travel to celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary and all that makes the state special.Some floats leaned heavily into the theme of celebrating Colorado’s history and quirks – one with an intricately decorated Victorian room, another featuring a mega-sized miner working a steaming rock pile, and one sporting the infamous Denver International Airport mustang, Blucifer, among others.

Others – like a mobile boxing ring and pickleball court, a drivable airport luggage cart filled with suitcases and a vintage Barbie car – gained attention through their eye-catching presentations and quirky energy.Though many themed floats leaned into 19th and 20th century Durango and Colorado history, some – including the La Plata Electric Association float – brought paradegoers back millions of years to the age of the dinosaurs.Purgatory has hosted the light parade for more than eight years, said company spokesperson James Graven.Purgatory Marketing Director Matt Ericksen told The Durango Herald that hosting Snowdown is a way for the company to show its support for the festival and the community.“Hosting the Snowdown parade is a way for us to support a long-standing Durango tradition and the community that has supported Purgatory for so many years,” Ericksen said. “Especially as we mark our 60th season, it feels important to stay connected to the events that make this place special.”

Durango resident Emma Tomlinson has attended the parade for more than 30 years. Her 4-year-old son, Axel, has been coming to the parade since he was born.“People just love it – it’s a tradition,” Tomlinson said. “I think during the winter, we’re all at our low, you know? It’s a great pick-me-up. You get out and you see your friends and you invite your family, and people are just happy. It’s a great time to just celebrate and be with each other.”

Axel said his favorite part of the parade was the fire-breathing propane tanks released from hot air balloon baskets ferried on trucks.The parade concluded with a drone show depicting images from Colorado’s history – a new addition this year – and an impromptu appearance from anti-ICE protesters.

The protesters, a smaller cohort than one that filled Main Avenue only hours earlier, filed into the parade route just as the procession was coming to a close with homemade signs in tow, chanting, “stop deportation.” epond@durangoherald.com

Dinosaurs, prospectors and chain saws, oh my!