Columnists - The Journal

Sniff for the unexpected

Young Rudolf the reindeer surprised Santa with his red nose. Santa first thought Rudolf had a bad cold, but then saw his nose emitted a light so bright. The rest went down in history. Like ...

DATE: Dec 8, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Coming together in a time of need: A ‘thank you’ to our community

Over the past four weeks, Montezuma and Dolores counties have shown our region – and the state – what true community looks like. When the SNAP funding freeze left many of our neighbors sudde...

DATE: Dec 5, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Aesop’s chess fable

Black to move and win a pawn

DATE: Dec 1, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Where have the CDOT cameras on Highway 550 to Silverton gone?

Dear Action Line, Based on COTrip.org, CDOT has apparently removed its road cameras from Purgatory to Silverton that livestream video of road conditions. Instead, we have seven in t...

DATE: Dec 1, 2025 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Lawmakers outline budget crisis, SNAP impacts and immigration concerns at LWV forums

In November, the Montezuma County League of Women Voters hosted two programs to update the community about important issues. Sen. Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa) and Rep. Katie Stewart (D-Durango...

DATE: Nov 28, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

An unlikely place for tight-knit friendship: The professional gravel peloton

Shared passion, competitiveness lead to close bonds

DATE: Nov 23, 2025 | CATEGORY: Columnists

Keeping Montezuma County clean begins with each one of us

Montezuma County is known for its stunning landscapes, rural charm and strong sense of community pride. From the open vistas to the quiet country roads, the county’s natural beauty is one of...

DATE: Nov 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

The cup is half-full

White to move and win DIAG 1 The World Cup in India this November is one of the most important chess tournaments of the year. That’s because the top three finishers qualify for three of...

DATE: Nov 17, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Colorado River crisis demands leadership before Washington takes the reins

On Nov. 11, the seven states that share the Colorado River missed a critical deadline. The Department of the Interior asked them to agree on the bones of a post-2026 management plan – the ru...

DATE: Nov 16, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Funding for Healthy School Meals for All means active kids and business for local farmers

I’m proud to say that Election Day was a win for Colorado families with the passage of Propositions LL and MM, which will extend the Healthy School Meals for All program and boost SNAP assis...

DATE: Nov 14, 2025 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

The power of looking for the good

Gratitude isn’t just a feeling – it’s a lens that changes everything you see.

DATE: Nov 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

Pseudo pins

DIAG 1 Lions use teamwork to hunt bigger prey like water buffalo and giraffes. In chess, black’s bishop and knight use teamwork to take down bigger prey – namely, white’s queen. White’s...

DATE: Nov 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner