Sgt. Glen Martinez, 31 with his wife Sgt. Melissa Sue Martinez. Glen was killed May 2 by a roadside bomb in Fallujah.

The young girl was seated at a table just off the hotel lobby, picking at a cinnamon roll and sipping her milk. She looked up, a puzzled look on her face. Was I here for a business meeting, she asked earnestly, or was I here for her cousin's funeral? When I told her, her eyes grew wide and a broad smile crossed her face. "Do you think he will make the national news?" Well, I finally told her, I think he ought to make the national news.

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Practically in tears Tuesday night, Splashland Hot Springs Inc. Board President Valarie Lintott announced that the swimming pool would definitely not open this summer.

Lamancha Enterprises L.L.C. representing the citizens of Crestone and the Baca Grande has purchased the oil / gas lease Rights on BLM Parcels COC72599 and COC72600 with a total acreage of 1,556 Acres. These Parcels are immediately adjacent to the Town of Crestone.

The Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) announced the second round of “New Energy Economic Development” (NEED) grants to 13 awardees, totaling $656,000 in funding. Community Energy Systems of Crestone, received $24,170 for biomass thermal heating systems for the Homelake Veterans’ Home.

I had a lot of fun in high school. You had to have a sense of humor. Back then if anyone needed a spanking we got it. I also worked in a grocery store after school. My brother Rafael Gallegos, U.S. State Representative (southern Colorado) was a great role model for me.

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Adams State College trustees this month approved a 7.5-percent tuition rate increase for the 2008-2009 school year.

ASC Community Partnerships, CoSEIA (Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association) and the San Luis Solar Association would like to invite existing and potential solar related businesses to a solar industry workshop on May 28th & 29th, 8am to 5pm at ASC's School of Business, room 238.
Description:

Day 1: Basic PV
1. Design Analysis
2. Power saving tips and alternatives
3. P.V. module mounting
4. Balancing systems
5. Components
6. Trouble shooting
7. Tools
8. Codes

Day 2: Advanced PV and NEC codes
1. Energy use analysis
2. System sizing
3. Utility requirements
4. H.O.A.
5. Electrical permitting
6. Installation
7. NEC code and updates

Cost: $125/day for CoSEIA members, GEO Solar Program Partners and Colorado Building/Code Inspection Officials

$150/day for non-CoSEIA members.

Lunches are not included. CoSEIA CE hours per day apply to this workshop. CoSEIA, is the Colorado branch of the nationwide Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which has been in existence since 1989. Organized with the goal of promoting the use of solar energy, CoSEIA is comprised mainly of solar-focused companies providing solar products and services to both residential and commercial customers.

In its twentieth year, the San Luis Valley Women’s Conference celebrated eight women who have impacted the lives of the people around them.

For a great climbing vacation, try Penitente Canyon in the San Luis Valley. With one of the shortest and flattest approaches anywhere, great campsites and a 5.2 climb, Penitente scores high in friendliness.

Photo by RWayne

More than a thousand mourners filed into the Monte Vista High School gym for a private funeral Mass honoring Marine Sgt. Glen Martinez, who was later interred at the Colorado State Veteran's Cemetery at Homelake. [ Valley Courier | Pueblo Chieftain | 9News ]

Upon the an nouncement of the Long Term Care Unit closing down at the Conejos County Hospital, Senator Gail Schwartz attended a meeting to hopefully find funds to help the relocating residents and laid-off employees.

With funding now available for facility needs and auditors giving the college a favorable report, Adams State College trustees believe ASC’s financial situation is looking up.

The City of Alamosa budgeted $15,000 for “meals on wheels” for homebound senior citizens in the city limits by means of a contract-for-service with South Central Colorado Seniors. When the city council learned the organization might have to reduce the number of days it delivered meals to homebound seniors, the council set aside an additional $5,000 to provide meals to seniors in the city limits for the day they would otherwise not have any meals.

The Alamosa City Council this month placed the old Alamosa Post Office building at 703 Fourth Street on the City of Alamosa Registry of Historic Places.

Monte Vista Residents are urged to clear any trash or stored items out of the alleyways behind homes. City Public Works crews will begin grading alleyways in the next few days. Residents are responsible for keeping the alley space behind their homes free of accumulated garbage or discarded items, such as old appliances, mattresses or other personal property. Residents must also clear any weeds from their properties, including in the rear of the property to the centerline of the adjacent alley. No weeds may be allowed to grow higher than 8 inches. The city Code Official will begin Monday, May 19 to contact homeowners who have items or weeds blocking the alleyways. For more information regarding alleyway grading, contact Public Works Director Randy Martinez at (719) 852-2692. For more information regarding property responsibilities and city codes, contact Community Development Director Alisha Reis at (719) 852-2692.

Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night Sunday May 18th at Ventero Open Press, 316 Main St., San Luis. Come and listen to local poets or share your own poetry. Starts @ 6:00pm.

SLV Women's Health Conference

Wed May 14th is the 20th Annual SLV women's health conference. The day costs $20.00 which includes a fabulous lunch, and guys are welcome too! Healing Our Communities Through Relationships a.. To be held in Carson Auditorium (Student Union Building of ASC campus.) b.. Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 8am to 3:30pm c.. Presenters: Rhonda Ashhurst-"Honing your Intuition", Elizabeth Galles-"Three Cornerstones of Happiness", Diane Medina-"Life Patterns/Life Choices", Tracy and James Doyle-Lunchtime music entertainment. For those of you interested in: more details, reservations and BOOTH information-please contact Charlotte Ledonne at 589-4087 For those of you interested in: more details and nominations for Woman of the year-please contact Lois Booth, 589-9019

Angler's Roundtable

Anglers in the San Luis Valley are invited to a Colorado Division of Wildlife Angler's Roundtable, 7-9 p.m., May 20 at the Inn of the Rio Grande, 333 Santa Fe Ave. U.S. Highway 160 in Alamosa. John Alves, aquatic biologist for the DOW in the San Luis Valley will discuss a variety of topics, including: new concerns about zebra mussels, water levels in area reservoirs and rivers, and the fishing forecast for the area. The public is also invited to discuss any concern regarding fishing issues at the meeting.

...i think it's sooo organic what you did, and uh... living the dream bro...

Students from Sanford Schools began protesting Monday morning after the announcement that the district was letting go of Coach Joe Garcia.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Pueblo, Colo. has issued a winter weather advisory in effect for much of the central and southwestern part of the state through 6 p.m. today. The advisory area includes the eastern San Juan Mountains including Cumbres and Wolf Creek Passes. The NWS said the snow and blowing snow advisory are due to a cold front moving into the state from the West on Monday, Monday night and into today. Forecasters say snow accumulations of three to 10 inches in the advisory area’s higher elevations may be possible. Little to no snow accumulation is expected on the Valley floor today or tonight although some areas, especially Lake County and the eastern San Juan Mountains above 10,000 feet are expected to experience some snowfall. Mike Sullivan, an engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources, says nighttime temperatures are still dipping below freezing this spring, which helps keep the runoff in check.