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A first-grader at Center Elementary colors a portion of a poster as part of the Super Student program. 

Super Student awards students for utilizing positive life skills

CENTER – First grade teacher Lindsay Stillwagon was all smiles when talking about the Super Student program that K-5 classrooms are using in the Center Consolidated School District. 
Community

Saguache County Firewise program enters its 16th year 

In 2009, Sam Pace, then a Saguache County commissioner, asked Daniel Johnson, a local firefighter with years of wildfire experience to be involved in a new program called Firewise, to help residents living in forested county areas prepare for wildfires. Up to that point, his experience protecting houses was when a roaring fire was approaching, and we had to decide which houses might survive if we put in some quick work before the flames arrived. 

Society Hall welcomes Austin singer-songwriters O'Connor and McIntyre 

ALAMOSA – Society Hall is excited to bring two powerhouse Austin singer-songwriters, Michael O'Connor and Jason McIntyre, to the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18, at Society Hall, 400 Ross Ave., Alamosa.  

Ranger-led activities abound in national park

GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE — On a stunning recent fall afternoon, Park Ranger Patrick Myers conducted a nature walk with park visitors along the Mountville Nature Trail. Myers spoke of the human history of Native Americans, Spanish settlers, Buffalo Soldiers, Japanese-Americans, and World War II soldiers who all used the surrounding areas. 

Center hosting Dia de los  Muertos Brewfest on Nov. 2

CENTER – The Town of Center is hosting its first-ever Dia de los Muertos Brewfest on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 10 p.m., at the Old Ford Garage at 295 E. 3rd St.  The 21-and-old event is expected to have live music and beer from breweries all over Colorado. Entrance is $30 per person.  
Citizen’s Science Kits are available to Baca Grande Library users. 

Baca Grande Library hosts Science Open House

CRESTONE – On Oct. 5, the Baca Grande Library hosted a Science Open House.  The open house featured new scientific kits that were purchased with a grant for the library. Library users will be able to check the kits in and out of the library. 
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News
Saguache County Commissioner Tom McCracken accepting the 2024 American Planning Award Colorado Honor Award. 
Development group honored for protecting water resources 
SAN LUIS VALLEY — On Oct. 3, the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group and Council of Governments, was honored with the 2024 American Planning Award Colorado Honor Award in the Growing Water Smart category. Commissioner Tom McCracken of Saguache County accepted the award at the conference. 
Vandalized yard sign for Carol Riggenbach.
Political signs stolen, vandalized 
SAN LUIS VALLEY — “I’ve been with the Democratic Party for 18 years, and I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this.” That was part of a statement made by a spokesman for the Alamosa Democratic Party in response to numerous reports of Harris/Walz yard signs being vandalized or stolen off people’s private property. 
Pathways Director Ashley Maestas with Attainment Network was the keynote speaker for the Upper Rio Grande Economic Development meeting on Oct. 8 in Monte Vista. Maestas spoke about bridging the gap between employers and students wanting to pursue a medical career in the Valley and how the program will help improve the lack of medical professionals. 
Maestas gives presentation on Attainment Network at URGED meeting
MONTE VISTA – The Upper Rio Grande Economic Development monthly meeting was on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at the Ski-Hi Complex in Monte Vista and featured keynote speaker and Pathway Director Ashley Maestas, who gave a presentation on the Attainment Network program here in the Valley. 
Opinion
I am against hunting mountain lions in Colorado. Today, I join many wildlife professionals and hunters who support Colorado’s Proposition 127—Cats Aren’t Trophies, on the ballot this November.  I’ve never been much for so-called “trophy hunting,” especially when the animals are chased to exhaustion by commercial outfitters using dogs and GPS tracking. Once these lions are perched helplessly in a tree, they are shot by a so-called “hunter.” 
Classifieds

Classifieds for week of Oct. 9

01 Tickets 02 Card of Thanks 03 Memorials 04 Lost & Found 05 Notices For information on meetings for ALANON NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS AND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Please visit …

Sports
Antonito High School’s Rylan Trant (9) rolls out for a pass in Saturday’s game against La Veta at the Trojans’ field. Trant threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns, but the Trojans lost to the Redhawks 60-12.

Antonito blasted by La Veta, 60-12

ANTONITO – It was a tough day for the Antonito High School football team Saturday when it hosted La Veta at the AHS field. The Trojans had almost half of their team on the injured list and …
More sports
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School volleyball team concluded Intermountain League play this past weekend with a trip over Wolf Creek Pass and against Bayfield and Montezuma-Cortez. The Lady Mean …
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School football team hosted its annual Homecoming game on Friday with winless Gunnison coming to town. The Mean Moose had a slow start but picked up the pace in …
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School boys soccer team hosted its Homecoming contest on Thursday as it faced Gunnison at the AHS stadium. However, an unfortunate goal proved to be the …
Obituaries
Debra Ann (Puzick) Hallisy 
Debra Ann (Puzick) Hallisy passed away on Sept. 24, 2024, at her home in Del Norte, Colo. She was 70 years old.  Deb was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Nov. 26, 1953. She graduated from Wasson High School in Colorado Springs in 1971.  
Wilma Grace Lewis 
Wilma Grace Lewis, 77 passed peacefully on the evening of Sept. 16, 2024, in Salida, Colo.  Soon after completing high school in Fairplay, Colo., Wilma married Wilbur G. Lewis in 1965 in Hartsel, Colo. They had two children, Stephanie S. Lewis in 1969 and Jack H. Lewis (Jenny J. Sherburne) in 1972. The family moved to Saguache, Colo., in 1972. 
Kenneth Lee Kane 
Kenneth Lee Kane, 84, departed this life on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. He was born Oct. 31, 1939, in Doniphan, Mo., to the late Earl and Lora (Hayes) Kane. 
Doris Lucile Hathaway 
Doris Lucile Hathaway has left her earthly journey to celebrate her eternal destination. Doris was born on June 30, 1938, in Monte Vista, Colo., and entered into her eternal rest on Sept. 8, 2024, at Pikes Peak Hospice Care in Colorado Springs. Doris lived at the Tri County Senior Center in Monte Vista, for the past 5 years.  
Richard Earl Baker 
Richard Earl Baker, a cherished husband, brother, and friend, passed away on September 6, 2024, at the age of 80, at the Rio Grande Hospital, in the peaceful town of Del Norte, Colo. Born on May 4, 1944, in Muscatine, Iowa, Richard grew up with a spirit of adventure and a heart full of kindness that would define his entire life. 
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