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5K Turkey Trot held at Center Viking Youth Club

A Turkey Trot was held at the Center Viking Youth Club. A pie eating contest after the race was part of the event. 
CENTER – There was a slight chill in the air Saturday morning, as participants lined up excitedly, in front of the Center Viking Youth Club for its first-ever Turkey Trot on Nov. 23.  
Community

Snowy sunrise on Mt. Herard 

A snowy sunrise scene on the morning of Dec. 10 in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. This early morning photo includes pine trees in the foreground, dunes, and 13,345-ft Mt. Herard in the background surrounded by clouds.

ASU Fall Commencement speaker is Colorado Rep. Bird

ALAMOSA – The Adams State University 2024 Fall Commencement Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in Plachy Hall. Colorado Representative Shannon Bird is the commencement speaker.  
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News
The Great Outdoor Fund recently secured funding from Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to begin construction of educational and recreational enhancements to the Lobatos Bridge area in Costilla and Conejos counties.  
Lobatos Bridge outdoor classroom and recreation project funded
SAN LUIS VALLEY — A collaborative effort between public and private partners is financing an educational and recreational plan for the area in Conejos and Costilla counties near the historic Lobatos Bridge, which will soon begin construction. 
Konnie Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health, appointed as trustee of Colorado Hospital Board.  
SLVH CEO Martin joins CHA Board
ALAMOSA — The Colorado Hospital Association Board has named Konnie Martin as one of its newly appointed trustees and she will begin her term in January 2025. She is a trusted leader, especially advocating for and representing rural hospitals. She has been the CEO at San Luis Valley Health since 2013 and serves as a leader in a variety of local, state, and national roles. Konnie has previously served on the CHA board, including serving as a former chair of the association. 
Sandra Hostetter, Alamosa County Assessor 
Longtime Alamosa County Assessor set to retire at end of year
ALAMOSA — Sandra Hostetter, Alamosa County Assessor, is retiring at the end of 2024. She has served as the Alamosa County Assessor since 2003.  Prior to being elected, she worked as an appraiser in the office. In all, Hostetter has served the citizens of Alamosa County for 32 years. 
Opinion
The writers Edward Abbey, Gary Snyder and Norman McLean all staffed high-elevation fire lookouts in the West—their experiences rich fuel for their work. But Jack Kerouac’s reaction makes me smile. 
Classifieds

Classifieds for week of Nov. 20, 2024

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

Sports
Alamosa High School’s Morgan ortega drives to the basket in Saturday’s Erik Melgoza Shootout game against Buena Vista at the AHS Gym. Ortega scored 16 points including three 3-point baskets as the Lady Mean Moose defeated the Lady Demons 50-21.

Lady Moose defeat Buena Vista in blowout

ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School girls basketball team concluded its time at the Erik Melgoza Shootout on Saturday as the Lady Mean Moose scored a 50-21 win over Buena Vista at the AHS gym. …
More sports
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School boys basketball team was dealt its first loss of the season on Saturday as it was defeated by Buena Vista 54-40 in the Erik Melgoza Shootout at the AHS gym. …
ALAMOSA – The Del Norte High School boys basketball team came back from Friday night’s loss to Buena Vista with a 54-52 win over Lake County in the final day of the Erik Melgoza Shootout …
MOSCA - The schools in the San Luis Valley kicked off the 2024-25 basketball season with excitement as Sangre de Cristo hosted their annual Thunderbird Shootout tournament this past weekend; from …
Obituaries
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick passed away on Oct. 10, 2024, in Arvada, Colo. Irene was born to William Ziebell and Sophia Esslinger Ziebell on July 23, 1922, in Arapahoe, Neb. 
Meledy Story
"It's M-E-L-E-D-Y, because my parents just had to be different." Perhaps Jack and Helen knew exactly what they were doing when they named their youngest child, as her sweet southern drawl was musical even when she was angry (which wasn't often). I could give you all the ordinary details of Meledy's life- where she was born, graduated high school, worked, etc. but I am not sure this captures her extraordinary nature. It also feels too final, like there is only a beginning and an end instead of a song that continues to live in everything she loved. Instead, I would like to tell you where I believe you will still find her. 
Martha Jane (Morley) Sales
Martha passed at the River Valley Rehabilitation Care Center in Del Norte, Colo., where she had resided since March 2019. There she developed many close/loving relationships. She was 73 years old when she went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved her Jesus! She fought a long, hard battle against diabetes and dementia.  
Doris Almeda Golden
Doris Almeda Golden, 89, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side in the Rock Creek Rehabilitation Healthcare Center in Monte Vista, Colo. Born Feb. 2, 1935, at home in Milburn, Neb., to Clarence Herman and Lydia Almeda (Petet) Dye. 
Nancy Ruby Warren
Nancy Ruby Warren, 80, died Oct. 22, 2024, peacefully in her sleep at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. Nancy was currently living with her daughter Brenda and son in law Randy in Battlement Mesa. Born Jan. 27, 1944, in Pilar, N.M., she was the daughter of the late Jose and Adonilia Suazo.
Feature stories from around the web

Pearl Young, the first woman to work in a technical role at NASA, overcame barriers and ‘raised hell’ − her legacy continues today

Many of her male colleagues believed Pearl Young had an attitude problem based on her efforts to advocate for herself and her team.

Top holiday food and drink ranked via national poll, online ordering data

Instacart shares the top festive foods, treats, and drinks enjoyed by Americans ahead of and during the holidays.

How to help prevent the spread of germs this cold and flu season

(BPT) - Chilly temperatures and winter weather aren't the only burden that comes with this time of year — it's also the peak of cold and flu season. Cold and flu germs can lurk on hundreds of …