Columnists

‘Road strippers’? La Plata County draws the line

The county’s road stripers are currently helping with the paving project on East Animas Road (County Road 250) and County…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

Several bills advance, including one to establish the aerial firefighting fleet

Despite this accelerating rollercoaster, my bills continue their progress, and I have been able to move additional legislation forward. First,…

May 3, 2014

Letter from Korla

After a serene getaway, early morning panic at hotel

I had a week off of work and decided to travel north to the Tianshan Mountains. I had heard stories…

May 3, 2014

The Travel Troubleshooter

When I went on vacation, my Wi-Fi left me

And it works – except when it doesn’t. This is one of those times when it doesn’t. I’m sitting outside…

May 3, 2014

Adventures in Motherhood

Weekly hike allows us to watch life unfold in present moment

Scrapbooks of embarrassing moments fling open in my mind (Hello, elementary school!) when Col sees the snake – greenish brown…

May 3, 2014

Serving Veterans

Health care and the ACA: What veterans need to know

Veterans Affairs wants all veterans to receive health care that improves their health and well-being. If you are enrolled in…

May 3, 2014

On Real Estate

Evaluating renting versus buying a home

Renting is usually the best option when relocating is a possibility or your housing needs are likely to change in…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

Water planning: What Colorado could learn from Texas

Recently at the Infocast Colorado Water Summit held in Denver, the seminar “What Lessons Can Colorado Learn from Texas’s Approach…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

State funding caps semester of milestones

STEVE LEWIS/Herald ¬ Dene Kay Thomas, the new president of Fort Lewis College, pauses for a portrait during a gathering…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

How others looked at Durango in years past

HHH Durango telephoned about 10 o’clock last night an earthquake shock was felt in Animas Valley about 10 miles above…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

What qualifies research findings as valid, verifiable?

In explaining the difference between research methods that produce valid and verifiable results and those that do not, I have…

May 3, 2014

From our Congressman

Everyone can make a difference in Durango’s recycling program

My mother was my first teacher as a little girl to show me what recycling really meant. The Texas farm…

May 3, 2014

Neighbors

FLC gets some fundraising lovin’

When it comes to the students and faculty at Fort Lewis College, it’s the community to the rescue. About 215…

May 2, 2014

Flies & Lies

Air travel can be tricky with fly-fishing gear

I’m old. I remember when air travel was an adventure. While the food wasn’t good, at least it was served…

May 1, 2014

Downtown Lowdown

Ethel plays classical music with grace

Casual music fans who may not be interested in “classical” may feel that way only because they have not dug…

May 1, 2014

Clubhouse Porch

As we all know, the moisture, as infrequent as it has been this last winter, was a welcome sight as…

April 30, 2014

From the Extension Office

A flower for Mother’s Day

And while I have no idea who his parents were – if they were kind or stern, or if Oscar…

April 30, 2014

Bear Smart

Contrasting views on bear problem causes

A bear feeds from a bird feeder north of Durango in 2013.Courtesy of Donald Bruning For example, ranchers with elk…

April 30, 2014

Thinking Green

When it comes to energy, which camp are you in?

For the uninitiated, LPEA is our electric cooperative. Unlike residents in many parts of the country who purchase their power…

April 30, 2014

Neighbors

Jerry McCaw honored as Cattleman of the Year

Jerry McCaw celebrates being named Cattleman of the Year with his wife, Lora, at the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association’s Banquet…

April 29, 2014

Money Savvy

Don’t let your business break your budget

But Julie doesn’t want to wait four years to stop rushing off to work every morning – especially Mondays and,…

April 28, 2014

From our Congressman

Much left to be done in Legislature

House Bill 1119, my crop donation bill, passed out of the Senate Finance Committee, and HB 1313, the rabies bill,…

April 27, 2014

Action Line

Lot of gray areas concerning black bear survey

Yes, the government is conducting top-secret surveys regarding bears’ feelings toward humans. It’s a complicated and expensive process, especially given…

April 27, 2014

La Plata Health Watch

Healing heels: Take care when caring for them

Despite significant improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of calcaneus fractures during the last several decades, it may nonetheless be…

April 27, 2014