Newsletter Lead

Colorado

‘Horrific’ high-speed crash kills two men in road rally west of Norwood

and passenger were part of Crown Rally auto tour across West

June 21, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Crime

Car theft suspects appear in Montezuma and La Plata courts

led law enforcement agencies on chase from New Mexico to Mancos

June 7, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Election

Gloves come off in first debate between congressional candidates Don Coram and Lauren Boebert

Republican primary opponents offered voters a glimpse of their different approaches to legislating

May 27, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Death and dying

One killed, five injured in head-on crash near Hesperus on U.S. Highway 160

and EMS captain of Pleasant View Fire Department suffered serious injuries

May 24, 2022 • Shane Benjamin — Herald Staff Writer

Headlines

Bikers test their endurance at 12 Hours of Mesa Verde race

continues to benefit local youths

May 10, 2022 • Cody Olivas — Tri-City Record

Local News

Wildlife at home among Mesa Verde National Park’s ancient dwellings

cameras capture a variety of species in and around ancient dwellings

May 10, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Cortez

Woman gets two years for Cortez police chase and crash that injured 3 people

Collision on South Broadway occurred after a high-speed chase from Mancos through Cortez

May 4, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Cortez

Three deaths at Cortez motel blamed on fentanyl use

Alcohol was a contributing factor; triple fatality is one of many group deaths cited in DEA warning

April 26, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Local News

Montezuma-Cortez leaves superintendent position open

planned to appoint a superintendent for the 2022-23 school year at Tuesday’s meeting

April 20, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Air quality

Spring winds kick up dust, exacerbate allergies across Southwest Colorado

Juan Basin Public Health reports hazardous air quality through Tuesday morning

April 13, 2022 • Nicholas A. Johnson — Herald Staff Writer

Cortez

Brush fires ignite around Montezuma County

Largest was 4-acre uncontrolled burn; others started by welding spark, kids playing with matches, sheriff says

April 9, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Local News

Montezuma-Cortez schools make pay strides

Proposed salary schedule would give significant pay increases amid shorter four-day weeks

April 7, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Local News

Montezuma-Cortez cancels meeting to re-create ‘lost’ recording of executive session

board planned special meeting to re-create session in which superintendent was asked to resign

March 29, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Local News

Pagosa Springs lawyer files suit against Montezuma-Cortez school board

seeks invalidation of board’s actions in VanderWey’s ouster, seeks injunction against secret meetings

March 25, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Education

New Mexico approves free college tuition for all residents; Utes included

includes eligibility for Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute and Navajo tribes; 29 colleges participate

March 21, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Cortez

Cortez woman faces murder charge in uncle’s slaying

Latonya Laura Ahasteen faces charge of second-degree homicide, is held on $750,000 bond

March 18, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Animas River

Snowstorms help to replenish water supplies in Southwest Colorado

A storm Wednesday will bring more snow, but water managers remain cautious about another dry year

March 9, 2022 • Aedan Hannon — Herald Staff Writer

Local News

Four Corners Prayer Run advocates for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Runners and advocates soldiered through Cortez Friday and Saturday

February 27, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Local News

Missing person dies in crash in river near Dolores

Helicopter spotted vehicle Thursday afternoon; occupant found dead

February 25, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Education

Montezuma-Cortez board’s evaluation of VanderWey shows lags in performance

Montezuma-Cortez School District evaluated former superintendent in six categories, with mostly substandard ratings

February 4, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Education

Update: Montezuma-Cortez Superintendent VanderWey formally resigns

Release cites differences between school board and superintendent

January 31, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Local News

Montezuma-Cortez superintendent VanderWey placed on leave

Announcement comes nearly a week after executive session

January 24, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Montezuma County Commissioner Joel ‘Joe’ Stevenson dies

Commissioner from Mancos had been hospitalized with COVID-related illness

January 20, 2022 • Jim Mimiaga — Journal staff writer

Dolores

Officials weary of Dolores mill’s fire prevention plan

Monthslong grapple continues as Montezuma County Commissioners reject fire mitigation plan; county attorney raises possibility of civil litigation

January 13, 2022 • Kala Parkinson — Journal staff writer