Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – October 2004 – Colorado Central Magazine
‘Tis Better
Some residents of South Fork have joined to create the Greater South Fork Community Foundation. The philanthropic endeavor will collect funds to benefit causes in the community. The effort is spearheaded by Ernie Bjorkman, Channel 2 news anchor and new South Fork resident. The foundation also aims to enhance a sense of community in the area.
Double Duty
The San Luis Valley Medical P.C. merged with the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center. Now known as the Integrated Delivery System, the for-profit P.C. got slammed by the rural economy and asked the hospital for a life-saving merger. The merger has already meant cuts in staff, but both entities hope this move will mean being able to keep medical specialists in the Valley.
No Go
The Gateway Center in Alamosa is still a theory. The city government refused to kick in money to purchase the old Kmart for the center. The envisioned facility would include a museum, tourist info center and convention center. The building’s owners are pursuing other buyers since the funding fell through, and the city’s tourism board is searching for another, cheaper site for the center.
Anxiety in Antonito
The perlite manufacturing plant, Dicaperl, shut its doors and sent some employees home early one day last month. The plant reopened the next day, but worries are high among Antonito residents. In addition to being one of the largest employees in Conejos County, the plant pays one of the highest wages. Plant officials refused to comment as to the reason for the closure.
Brief Briefs
* There’s a new visitors information center in Fort Garland. The Entrada Center is at the intersection of U.S. 160 and Colorado 159.
* The Selters family of Center marked 100 years of farming. The clan, now mostly named Boyce, grows potatoes and wheat.
* The 12th Judicial District now requires e-filing of court documents. All briefs, motions, and other paperwork must be sent electronically.
* Weed control is harder because of the drought. It seems the “good” plants are dying of thirst while many weeds are thriving. Weed war is under way.
* Mail carriers Felix Mestas and Kathi Smith were honored by the Alamosa post office for their rescues. Two elderly residents in trouble were helped by the postal workers, demonstrating another advantage to home mail delivery.
* Reclamation work is under way at the Outlet Dump Mine near Creede. Goals include protecting East Willow Creek from metals dump.
* The aquaculture program at Trinidad State Junior College – Valley Campus garnered $189,000 in grant money from the U.S.D.A. The funds will be used for scholarships and work-study programs for fish-farming students.
* Former Alamosa city councilor Eddie Garcia was badly beaten and left in critical condition. The beating reportedly stemmed from an altercation on a city street.
* Former SLV resident Tony Dunn started as a Denver Bronco in a preseason game. Dunn attended Centauri High School near La Jara. Another ex-Valleyite, musician Josette Urioste, performed at the state fair in Pueblo.
* Retiring Alamosa County Commissioner Charlotte Bobicki was recognized by U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, who read praise of her work into the U.S. Congressional Record.
* Susie Paulson is the new vice principal of Ortega Middle School, after 18 years as a teacher there.
* Adams State College, a dry campus, wants an exemption to the no booze rule when entertaining adult guests. The issue is before the Alamosa City Council.