Dancing with the Durango Stars is an annual fundraiser for the Durango Derailers’ Patient Assistance Fund. This couple’s dance competition is choreographed by Leslie Carlson and is one of Durango Derailers biggest fundraising events and a whole lot of fun! In the fund's 17-year history, they have fund-raised over $1 MILLION in aggregate support. This fund is available to children and families living in SW Colorado to help with travel expenses when they need to go to a pediatric hospital or pediatric specialist for a higher level of pediatric specialty care (outpatient or inpatient). The fund provides gas cards and hotel assistance. By Kristi Dean and Andy Wingerd. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware
This past September, Pueblo Community College Southwest moved back into the Commons Building in Durango from its Durango High School location. The move will provide more opportunities for community involvement between the school and Durango, as well as provide opportunities to expand existing programs and add new programs. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the move, PCC staff and administrators expressed excitement about the move and the opportunities now available to the school and its students. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Tafoya Barrett & Associates
San Juan County has announced the return of Dumpster Days with a grant extended the day to two days this year to help more folks clean out in preparation for the winter. This Fire Prevention Month, the county is urging folks to “Cook with Caution” to better prevent cooking-related fires, and help your city earn the Mr. Potato Head Trophy with the ECHO Food Drive this month and next. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Northern Edge Casino
Merely Players brings Shakespeare to life for modern audiences and contributes to a thriving local theatre scene in Durango. Talented actors, artists, and technicians in the local community come together to create collective art that celebrates imagination, innovation, and creativity. Merely Players has a diverse and interesting season ahead in 2023-24, kicking off with a Shakespearean classic, the Bard’s final play, The Tempest, showing from October 6th - October 15th at the Merely Underground in the Durango Tech Center. By Jessica McCallum. This story is sponsored by Tafoya, Barrett & Associates and Kroegers Ace Hardware
On the first day of autumn, local families had the chance to fall into history at the Farmington Museum’s annul “Real Night at the Museum” spectacular, where old-time Bluegrass music played while biscuits baked beneath live coals, and local apples were pressed by children for a taste of juice at its best. Kids also had a blast building a log cabin and washing clothes on an old-fashioned washboard. Farmington became very populated in the 1860’s and 1870’s. It’s a quaint time period of the town before all the oil booms. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
The Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village invites you to join them for the museum fall market, across the street from the Aztec Chamber of Commerce and the annual fall festival. Help save a life and donate blood with the San Juan Regional Medical Center and Farmington Rotary Club’s blood donation drive this month, and San Juan County received a grant for the creation of a long-term outdoor recreation plan. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Not everyone can visit the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum up close and personal, so one was flown into Four Corners Regional Airport for static tours and rides. The Flying Legends Victory Tour began in June and ends this October. Three of the seven flying veterans from the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum travel to 50 cities each year. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & RV Center and Sunray Park & Casino
This year’s full-scale drill, a joint operation with San Juan County will be at San Juan College October 7th - while the campus will remain open there will be parts that are closed or restricted access during the drill. Enjoy the fruits of fall with the Southwest Apple and Chili Fest, and Aztec Municipal Schools celebrates Lydia Rippey Elementary School’s recognition as a National Blue Ribbon school. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Boon’s Family Thai BBQ and Northern Edge Casino
On a sunny fall Saturday, 140 dogs and their owners took part in a rattlesnake avoidance training course, hosted by Durango Kennel Club. Professional Trainer Terry Chandler (Rugerheim Kennels) has over 35 years of experience training field dogs, and he brings that expertise from Las Cruces, New Mexico to help keep dogs and their owners safe while hiking in the southwest. The aim of the training is to replace curiosity with founded fear, and keep dogs from getting bit by rattlesnakes. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and Serious Texas BBQ
“Stained Glass Expressions” is an impressive exhibition of glass artwork by San Juan Encore students at the Henderson Fine Art Gallery on campus in Farmington. It showcases the myriad skills one can learn from taking glass art classes at San Juan College, and displays the versatility of glass as an artistic medium, exemplified by the various types of objects on display through September. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine and Spirits and CMIT Solutions
The third supermoon of 2023 will grace the night sky September 29th. It’s not the only astronomical event happening this fall - an annular solar eclipse will take place October 14th, it’s path taking it over Farmington according to NOAA San Juan County and the Navajo Nation have announced a new county commission district map to better address representation in the Navajo Nation, and the Four Corners Balloon Rally for another long weekend of community and family-friendly fun. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware in Farmington and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Did you know you can report illegal dumping in San Juan County? It’s as easy as downloading the app, snapping a picture, and submitting it! Traffic has switched once again on the US Highway 550 project as construction to connect the highway with the existing US Highway 160 interchange, and Durango Kennel Club invites you to sign up for its Rattlesnake Avoidance training this Saturday to keep your furry furiends safe. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Home2Suites
We Are Water hopes to inspire conversations about what water means to communities within the Four Corners region. The exhibit has partnered with Ignacio Community Library, which is serving as the place to meet and share, explore and learn about water in our community. The exhibit runs through October 29th. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings
The Supreme Court’s June 29th ruling that race-based affirmative action in admissions is unconstitutional was disappointing for many educators, but not necessarily a surprise. But the rulings don’t impact how local institutions such as Fort Lewis College operate. Additionally, the rulings don’t impact how schools conduct outreach or recruit. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and Sky Ute Casino
The ARNIA Foundation is offering grants of up to $2,500 for local educators through the enrichED Classroom Grant Program. Chili in Octoberfest returns again this year - there are still vendor spots available to kick off October. And close out the summer with Sunday evenings at Wines of the San Juan. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ
The City of Farmington invites you to join the National Day of Service next weekend, with a variety of volunteer opportunities for everyone. Dining with the Dead by the Rio Del Sol Kiwanis Club is back for the 10th year, and the Aztec Highland Games celebrates the first weekend of October. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traeger’s Bar and Pop’s Truck & RV Center
Lots of bunnies battled it out for best of show at the San Juan County Fair this year. Area youth and adults cuddled and coddled their show breeds during the recent open rabbit show. Due to a deadly rabbit virus, the rabbit barn has gone from holding 300 does and bucks five years ago to 108 this summer. It’s by extreme hygienic measures that fair officials have opened the rabbit show at all in the last few years. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Distill Beer Wine and Spirits and Home2 Suites
Documentarian Christi Bode is used to filming the aftermath of a wildfire - but when the Plumtaw Fire broke out within eyesight of her home, there was a new story to tell. In the American Southwest, so often stories of wildfires end in tales of destruction and loss, though that was not the case with the Plumtaw Fire. Bode, with her film company Moxicran Media, collaborated with several other local organizations to highlight the success of fire mitigation and education efforts, resulting in the short documentary film: “Plumtaw” A Future with Fire”. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ
A proposal by San Juan County officials have offered a plan to alleviate the concerns of county residents impacted by the 5-Mile Bridge closure, improvements for the immediate timeframe and plans for the future. A feasibility study for raising the dam at Lake Farmington may now come to fruition with a proposed plan to cover costs, and Durango’s Merely Players is proud to present the premiere of “A Slow Crawl Towards Heaven”, catch the show before it leaves after this weekend. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware in Farmington and Northern Edge Casino
It took nearly a year, but new cement cart paths, new Yamaha golf carts, and most importantly, a wall-to-wall replacement of the irrigation system, are complete at Piñon Hills Golf Course. Along with a refurbished clubhouse, pro shop, bathrooms, and the Grill on the Hill restaurant. Old bunkers and water features have also been repaired. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Boons Family Thai BBQ
On your mark, get set, go! Join the fun with the Road Apple Rally, registration is now open. If you or someone you know is interested in running for one of the many open elected positions in San Juan County, the deadline for filing is approaching. And Fort Lewis College and the La Plata Economic Development Alliance have announced a new program for high-priority jobs in the La Plata region. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College and CMIT Solutions
2023 marks the fifty-eighth year Farmington has played host to the wildly popular Connie Mack World Series at Ricketts Park. It’s the largest event in Northern New Mexico. Connie Mack regular season play allows highly talented young men ages 16 to 18 to participate. Twelves teams come from across the United States and Canada to compete in the championship as pro scouts and college officials take note. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and Northern Edge Casino
This story was previously posted on April 4, 2022 The Sherman Dugan Museum of Geology showcases an array of beautiful minerals, a breathtaking amethyst geode and unique fossils from around the world—including a 35-million-year-old Megacerops skull. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Service Master Restore
San Juan County has a map for that - whatever it may be! San Juan Symphony season tickets for “New Horizons” are now on sale, and although summer is coming to an end, the heat is still on. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Pop’s Truck and RV Center
There is a subtle excitement hearing the tuning note as a symphony is about to start, and San Juan Symphony wants to bring that excitement to everyone, performer or concert-goer. Through community-based programs, working within local schools, and supporting other local music groups, San Juan Symphony is bringing professional-grade music to the small towns and communities, breaking down barriers to access. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank
