Farmington Weekly Bits and Bites

6/15/2022

The Four Corners Airport is $7.5 million closer to re-opening for passenger jet service, and San Juan Region Medical Center welcomes a new Chief Nursing Officer. Also, Father’s Day events are coming up! By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and Three Rivers Brewing

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A grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will fund much-needed improvements to the Four Corners Regional Airport Center, paving the way to the return of passenger flights. San Juan Regional Medical Center announces a new Chief Nursing Officer. And if you haven't figured out Father's Day plans yet, the Rio del Sol Kiwanis Club will host its Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. You're watching the Local NEWS Network, brought to you by CMIT Solutions and Three Rivers Brewing. I'm Hailey Upsel. San Juan Regional Medical Center announced a new Chief Nursing Officer. Kammie Monarch will assume the post from Suzane Smith, who retired in May after 38 years with San Juan Regional. Monarch is from Oklahoma City, where she was the Chief Nursing Officer at Oklahoma Medical University Center for 10 years. In the news release, Monarch said, "I look forward to having the honor to earn trust on our legacy and create new excitement and momentum to elevate SJRMC for the future." Monarch's first day will be June 20th. For more information about San Juan Regional Medical Center, visit sanjuanregional.com. The Four Corners Regional Airport received a $7.5 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The money will be used to replace one of the taxiways at the airport. Airport Manager Mike Lewis said the grant will cover about 94% of the cost of the replacement, with city and state revenues covering the rest. The taxiway runs parallel to the takeoff and landing runways with a northwest to southwest trajectory. The taxiway needs to be moved several feet to the south to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The improvements will allow the airport to handle larger aircraft. The project will begin later this summer. The return of passenger jet service is still ways off, but the upcoming taxiway project is a big step in the right direction. Looking for a tasty way to celebrate Father's Day weekend? The Rio del Sol Kiwanis Club will serve its annual Pancake Breakfast on June 18th. The full Pancake Breakfast, including pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee, milk, and juice, will be at Outback Steakhouse from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Purchase tickets online, at Outback, or from a Kiwanis member for $10. All proceeds from the Pancake Breakfast will support Kiwanis Clothes for Kids. Tickets are available online at riodelsolkiwanis.com. Thank you for watching this week's Local NEWS Roundup. I'm Hailey Upsel.

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PAST FARMINGTON LOCAL NEWS STORIES

December 20, 2024

Christmas Trees for Conservation  

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December 13, 2024

Four Corners Writers Launch First Anthology

Four Corners Writers hosted their inaugural kick-off event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Cortez Public Library to celebrate the upcoming anthology, Four Corners Voices, featuring writers from across the region. Look forward to a collection of regional stories, essays, and poetry, arriving soon at local bookstores. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Big O Tires and Hospice of Montezuma.
December 11, 2024

Filling Up Your Events Calendar

San Juan College has a full list of events this month with music and play festivals - there’s bound to be something for everyone. With events featuring students and community members, find your next weekend activity. The American Red Cross warns of increased fire risk during the holiday season, so keep homes safe from fire with a few safety precautions. Especially with people visiting and more indoor activities, it’s always a good idea to review your safety precautions, especially with holiday decorations. The City of Farmington and the Farmington Noon Day Citivan Club invite you to compete in this year’s Christmas Lighting Contest. The deadline for entry is Dec. 14, and the judging date is Dec. 17 - light up Farmington with your favorite Christmas decorations. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and SunRay Park and Casino.
December 6, 2024

Housing for Teachers

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December 4, 2024

Lighting Up the Holidays

San Juan College’s 46th Luminarias display will light up Farmington Saturday, Dec. 7. The annual thank-you event will feature hundreds of luminarias with both a walking tour and a driving tour. Red Apple Transit will offer a Park-n-Ride service from Piedra Vista High School to reduce parking strain at the college. Enjoy an evening walk around Berg Park Friday, Dec. 6. A live nativity, local carolers, Santa, and the Grinch will all be there for the luminaria display. Bring along the whole family for lights, hot cocoa, and holiday spirit. Aztec Ruins National Monument invites you to a melding of old and new with its luminaria display at the Aztec West Great House. Bring your flashlight and warm layers for the Friday, Dec. 13 event, free to all starting at 6:00 p.m. And this month’s First Friday event, called “Welcome to My Navajo Code Talker”, features local author Danielle Burbank and historical stories about the impact of the Navajo Code Talker program during World War II. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by M&R Plumbing and Durango Motor Company.
December 4, 2024

Helping Hands: Kiwanis Brings Essentials to Kids

The Rio Del Sol Kiwanis Club is dedicated to supporting children in San Juan County. Through their fundraising efforts, they provide essentials such as coats, shoes and school supplies to kids in need. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Home2Suites and Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College.
December 4, 2024

Kicking Off the Holiday Season

Celebrate Small Business Saturday this November in Downtown Farmington! A cookie crawl, holiday decorations, an art market, and more! Find the perfect holiday gift for everyone in your family - and support your local businesses at the same time. It’s a win-win for everyone! Light up the holidays with the Sycamore Park Community Center Monday, Dec. 2nd. Join in the fun with a snowball fight, countdown to lighting, and other activities for the whole family. The beloved Festival of Trees benefiting the Presbyterian Medical Serivces returns Dec. 3-7. With a variety of activities - free and ticketed - there’s bound to be something for everyone. Don’t forget to check out the trees and pick your favorite for the tree drawing on the seventh. For anyone planning on traveling out of the Durango La Plata County Airport this holiday week, be aware of the new remote parking program that is new this year for Thanksgiving Week. Annually the busiest week for the airport, a new shuttled remote parking set-up is meant to help reduce parking angst in the airport’s current lots. Make sure to leave plenty of time for your travels to accommodate finding space for parking and increased traffic overall. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Distill Beer Wine Spirits and Northern Edge Casino.
December 4, 2024

Snowy Days and School Delays

Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village invites you to make new Black Friday traditions this year, with a special one-day-only deal - “If they’re your kin, $5 gets everyone in!” Invite the whole family and explore the exhibits between second and third helpings of leftovers, just $5 for everyone, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29th. With winter weather moving in, make sure to refamiliarize yourself with the inclement weather policies at local schools. Farmington Municipal School District updated its policy for the 2024-25 school year, approved in March 2024. Under the updated policy, in the event school buildings are closed due to winter weather, classes and all school district-related activities will be canceled. Notification of a delay or closure will go out as early as 5:00 a.m. on the day of on local media stations, on the FMS website, through texts and calls, and via the FMS app. Aztec Municipal School District also updated its snow day policy for the 2024-25 school year. The district will either open schools on a two-hour delay or call a remote learning day depending on road conditions and the weather forecast. Notifications of a delay and whether there will be a shift to remote learning will go out as early as 5:30 a.m. on local media stations and the school district website to give parents and guardians time to make the necessary arrangements to keep their students safe in the winter weather. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College.
December 4, 2024

Small Business Saturday Cookie Crawl

Farmington Public Library is encouraging children to learn about finances and money management at its Smart Money Junior Market on Thursday, November 21st from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M. The Farmington Museum invites you to celebrate Native American Heritage Month on Saturday, November 16th with the grand opening of the Dibé Bíghaa exhibit. The City of Farmington is holding a Cookie Crawl on Saturday, November 30th from 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Small Business Saturday. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park & Casino and Ace Hardware of Farmington.
November 6, 2024

Local Writers Win Awards

Writing, for many, is a way to transcribe experiences lived or imagined - and for three San Juan County writers, their writing received recognition in a recent Southwest Writers Contest. Roberta Summers, Kathleen Holmes, and Terry Nichols all received awards for their word in the short story, poetry, and travel categories. Summers will be signing her books at Feat of Clay on Saturday, Nov. 23. More good news for the freight line project - San Juan County and the Navajo Nation received $4 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Rail Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement through the infrastructure law for the planning and development of a freight rail line connecting Farmington and Gallup. The funding will help complete the planning part of the freight rail line project. November is Native American Heritage Month - and Farmington Museum invites you to come celebrate and learn all month long with activities ranging from music to gallery openings to arts and crafts. All activities are free and open to the public. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Boon's Family Thai BBQ and Home2Suites.
October 30, 2024

Arts and Culture Opportunities in the Southwest

The Fall Student Art Exhibit at San Juan College opens Friday, Nov. 1st. The exhibit features art from students and art instructors and will run through December 9th at the Henderson Fine Arts Center Art Gallery. Piedra Vista High School ceramics teacher Travis Jensen is the 2025 President’s Award of Distinction recipient from the New Mexico Art Education Association. The award honors Jensen’s dedication to his students and his contributions to art education. An open call to artists in the Four Corners from the Durango-La Plata County Airport went out last week for three installations in the new baggage claim area. The selection committee will be looking for artwork featuring the Four Corners region's cultural, geographical, and historical diversity. Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. Dec. 17. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Distill Beer Wine Spirits and Durango Motor Company.
October 30, 2024

Halloween Fun for Everyone!

Activities abound about San Juan County for Halloween. From Masquerade Carnivals to a variety of Trunk or Treat options, there’s bound to be something - or many things - for everyone starting the week of Oct 27th. Stay safe and have fun this spooky season. Aztec Municipal Schools will start rolling out a new school safety and pickup platform over the next couple of months. The program will have staggered starts across all three elementary schools, so keep an eye out for communications from your child’s school with instructions on how to sign up for the PikMyKid program. San Juan Regional Medical Center has welcomed a new member to its cleaning team - the Tru-D IQ System will aid SJRMC in its mission to provide high-quality care for patients and visitors. The first of its kind in New Mexico hospitals, Tru-D uses UVC light to break down microbes at a cellular level to provide the highest level of hygiene possible. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Traegers Bar.
October 17, 2024

New Foundation Focused on Tribal & Rural Communities

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October 17, 2024

Get Outside and Help San Juan County’s Outdoors!

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October 4, 2024

Legends on the Animas 

Professional boxing is making its return to Durango with the Legends on the Animas event on Saturday, Oct. 18. Many of us recognize the mural of heavyweight boxer Jack Dempsey on the side of El Rancho Tavern, where he fought back in 1915. Durango’s wild western history is well-known, but this will be the first professional boxing event since Dempsey’s time. On October 12th at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, professional boxers Hector 'Macho' Camacho Jr. and Andrew 'Hurricane' Hernandez will fight for the Legends Boxing Foundation world championship. The day will be packed with food, fights, and family-friendly entertainment. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts and San Juan Regional Medical Center SJRMC.
October 3, 2024

Family-Friendly Fall Festivities

Aztec Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at the Fall Festival and Car Show Oct. 12 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Minium Park. With over 70 vendors showcasing food, drink, art, and more, there’s something for everyone. Don’t forget to pick up your big raffle tickets before the final drawing at the end of the day! Three Rivers Estate is hosting Trunk or Treat again this year on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. If you have a company vehicle and would like to participate in the event, make sure to dress to impress (the vehicle, and you!) for the Best Decorated Vehicle contest. Three Rivers Estate is also looking for candy donations - drop off any time before the event. Sneezes and snuffles here, there, everywhere! Cold and flu season is back - protect yourself, friends, and family with two free drive-through vaccine clinics from San Juan Regional Medical Center. The drive-through clinics are Saturday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 2nd at the north visitor parking lot, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until all vaccines are gone. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Boon's Family Thai BBQ.
October 3, 2024

Kicking Off Weekend Fun with Games, Music, Stomping

Celebrate where the Southwest meets the Scottish Highlands at the Aztec Highland Games and Celtic Festival. From Saturday, Sept. 28 through Sunday, Sept. 29, pack your kilt and participate in a variety of games, listen to live music, and find your clan tartan at the fair. Join the River Reach Foundation at the Anima River Jam, Saturday, Sept. 28 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Farmington Museum Terrace and All Veterans Park. Featuring live music and a Free Fishing Derby, there will be something for everyone at the event. Wines of the San Juan invites you to the Great Grape Stomp at its Harvest Festival this weekend, Sept. 28-29. Sign up in teams of two to compete who can stomp the most juice out of 30 lbs of grapes, and enjoy live music, food, and drink from local farms and breweries. San Juan Regional Medical Center has moved its Health Information Management Department (HIM) to a new location at 300 West Arrington Street, Suite 101. The move enables patients to access both billing and their medical records in the same place, facilitating a better patient experience. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Durango Motor Company and SunRay Park and Casino.
September 18, 2024

Navajo Dam’s Lost Communities Panel at Aztec Museum

Four Hispano communities were uprooted and displaced during the construction of Navajo Dam and almost lost to history. Farmington historian Patricia Bobby Tharp made sure the families were remembered, and you are invited to learn about their history at the Aztec Museum and Pioneer Village Free Smithsonian Day on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the 2:00 p.m. special panel. Build back up that TBR at the Farmington Public Library Foundation book sale Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21 from 9:oo a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With books starting at $1, there’s sure to be a great find (or several!). What better way to enjoy a weekend than with grit in your teeth and a bike below you? Aztec Adventure’s Holy Grit trail ride Saturday, Sept. 21 offers three rides along the Old Spanish Trail, with music, food, and cycling camaraderie to round out the event. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Traegers Bar.
October 3, 2024

Indigenous Arts Festival Returns

The 2024 Aztec Indigenous Arts Festival features local Indigenous artists, performers and culture on Saturday, September 14. This version of the festival features the largest variety of entertainment in its history. With headlining acts scheduled throughout the day, the 2024 Aztec Ruins Cultural Indigenous Arts Festival plans to move attendees in all manner of motif. Featured performers include renowned hoop dancer JaiP’o Harvier, musician Levi Platero and Diné storyteller Sunny Dooley, among others. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine Spirit and M&R Plumbing.
September 11, 2024

Freight Rail Study Coming to an End

San Juan County and the Navajo Nation hosted public input meetings to kick off the final months of the Freight Rail Feasibility Study, which will look to extend a spur of the U.S. Freight Rail service to San Juan County. Join Rio Del Sol Kiwanis and the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Juan County for the 8th annual Shoes for Kids Project. And sign-ups are open for the fall Rattlesnake Avoidance clinic, hosted by the Durango Kennel Club. By Hannah Robertson

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