Tougher rules to protect water users from contamination in wells will be considered Monday by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. Monte Vista and Manassa were ordered to chlorinate water in February as part of the process. There are still 37 waivers that have been retained, including for the towns of La Jara, Romeo, Sanford, Blanca, Fort Garland and the San Luis Water and Sanitation District in the San Luis Valley.

Zebulon Pike’s 1806-07 journey to Colorado is a historical comedy of errors – he lost most of his party, got captured by the Spanish and never climbed the peak that bears his name. But a group of historians, Pike enthusiasts and others say his journey was just as important as that of Lewis and Clark, and it deserves similar recognition. They are seeking to develop the Pike National Historic Trail, a network of markers and signs in seven states and Mexico, commemorating the explorer’s travels.

A 10-year-old Sanford boy died Saturday after he was crushed by a falling boulder while on a camping trip with family and friends southwest of Monte Vista.

The Sanford Mormon Pioneer Days celebration was held Thursday, July 23, with the Pioneer Days Parade, Quilt Show, and barbeque. Sanford also offered church pageants during the week as part of their annual summer celebration. No one is exactly sure how many times the town has staged its festival, but it goes back to the late 1800s, to the time when Sanford was founded.

The Colorado Historical Society will delay the opening of Pike's Stockade because of recent runoff and high water tables in the area.

Fourth graders from Sanford, Antonito, and La Jara joined 500 of their classmates from across the San Luis Valley for the Colorado History Rendezvous held Thursday, May 14 at the Fort Garland Museum.

The 20 schools in Friday’s Class 2A Region 3 Championships at Adams State College’s Rex Stadium, the state qualifying meet for the region, enjoyed excellent weather for almost the first time this season and the results showed--Sanford girls, Sargent boys win Region 3 titles.

The Sanford girls' basketball team poses with their Dist. I championsip trophy, beating the Thunderbirds, 51-43 and the Sanford boys use freethrow to take 55-54 win.

Dairies being milked in the San Luis Valley -- rising feed prices are hurting the small local dairies.

There were about 30 dairies here in the San Luis Valley when we moved here. Now there are five.

Sweet older female Cocker Spaniel mix found wandering east of Sanford on 6/8/08. Call: 719-580-5204

The doors were locked, the lights were out, and the yard was empty at the Sanford School District on Thursday, May 22 as school officials cancelled the last day of classes at Sanford following an altercation at the school Wednesday afternoon.

The Sanford Board of Education met Thursday night and was joined by a crowd of community members and students objecting to the termination of teacher and coach Joe Garcia.

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

The Seagraves fire engine that has called Golden home since it was purchased by the Golden Fire Department in 1982, headed to its new home in Sanford, Colo. on April 24.

Eight girls’ teams and eight boys’ teams (and their devoted fans) gathered at the Class 2A State Championships in CSU-Pueblo’s recently remodeled state-of-the-art Massari Arena this weekend to determine the state champions for 2008. The remaining top seeded teams to include the Sanford Indians, the only top 3 seeded boys’ team to win their opening round game. Meanwhile, the Sangre de Cristo girls came back with an impressive consolation semifinal win over Hoehne, 53-43, thus advancing to this morning’s 10 a.m. consolation championship game against the Holyoke Dragons.

Utilizing a stifling defense and a grinding offense, Sanford ousted Holyoke 53-42 in a Class 2A state quarterfinal game at Massari Arena.

Erma Hensley’s front yard is covered in treated sewage water that backed up onto her property from a frozen ditch. Hensley’s home is located between La Jara and Sanford on County Road 18

A team of economic development and industry experts from across Colorado will be in Conejos County for five days this month to conduct an economic assessment of the county. The forums begin at 3:00 pm and will be held the following days and locations:

• South Conejos forum will be held in Conejos on Monday, Feb. 11 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Parish Hall

• Central Conejos forum will be held in Manassa on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the LDS Church

• Northwest Conejos forum will be held in La Jara on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at the Fire Department Hall

• Northeast Conejos forum will be held in Sanford on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Community Center

Each day will follow the same timeline: infrastructure and community development from 3:30 to 4:45; reception and program overview at 5; community dinner at 5:30; business development from 6:15 to 7:30; and tourism and marketing from 7:45 to 9. The public is asked to participate in part or all of any forum in any or all of the communities. Those planning to stay for dinner at any forum are asked to RSVP or requesting further information should contact Conejos County Economic Development at (719)376-6746 or julie@co.conejos.co.us

Some stories from the latest online edition:

• Precinct caucuses will be held earlier than usual next year -- February 5, 2008.
• Ambrose Garcia tells Alamosa High School students what it's like for him at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
• SLV Counselors win awards from the Colorado School Counselor Association.
• Annual toy drive is underway.

[T]he disparity between the richest and poorest schools in Colorado is tremendous. Aspen School District in Pitkin County, the wealthiest district, has an assessed real estate value per student of $1.1 million, 8,000 times that of Sanford School District in Conejos County, whose assessed value per student is about $14,000.

Despite the fact that Aspen may be 8,000 times richer, it's quite likely that Sanford residents are 8,000 times happier.