By Patty LaTaille
Waste Not …
Lawsuits have been filed against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in regards to the transfer of nuclear waste in onto railroad cars in Antonito, within 100 yards from a tributary to the Rio Grande River.
The Conejos County Clean Water, Inc., and San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council, along with Santa Fe-based Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety are requesting a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) study.
“A Dream Come True” Airport Expansion
The new runway at the Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport in Del Norte is being celebrated as a lifesaver for patients at the Rio Grande Hospital. The access to airlift and emergency care is a great asset to the Del Norte community.
Center’s P.D. Controversy Continues
Criminal charges were filed against Center Police Chief LeRoy Torres and Officer Carlos Dean Heredia. Heredia has been charged with one count of retaliation against a witness, assault in the first degree (with a taser) against Jaime Aguilar, first degree official misconduct, one count of intimidating a witness, harassment and reckless endangerment.
Chief Torres has been charged with two counts of second degree official misconduct.
Lieutenant Duane Oakes from Alamosa Police Department is standing in as acting police chief in Center.
State Focuses on “Suspicious” Saguache Election
An official investigation into the reversal of the Nov. 2 election results which resulted in major party “do-overs” has been announced by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. The investigation will be focused on the discovery of mail-in ballots not counted on election night, which led to the reversal of the results of the commissioner’s race between Democrat Linda Joseph and Republican Steve Carlson, with Joseph winning by nine votes. The county clerk’s race showed Democrat Melinda Myers winning by 56 votes over Republican Carla Gomez. The majority of the votes electing Myers were recorded on mail-in ballots.
TSJ : Alert & Aware
The Alamosa Police Department held a simulated invasion of armed invaders at Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC).
The APD SWAT team responded to the drill to test the TSJC plans on how to react to an emergency like a shooter in the school. According to the Valley Courier, “The hallway by the Bell Street entrance was littered with casualties, dead and wounded. The injured were processed by EMTs as the captured perpetrators were handcuffed. After securing the building and making sure there were no more “bad guys” hidden around, the officers went to the locked classrooms, knocking and telling the people inside that it was safe to come out. The students said the simulation was “all too real, and more than a little scary.”
AHS Rocks the Rio
An advanced placement project based on the Rio Grande River led to regional honors for Alamosa High School students.
Sixty schools from Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico tested the river for 11 different parameters on the same day and at the same time, to help create a representative baseline of data of the Rio from the headwaters into Mexico.
This history of data will be analyzed by scientists, now and and in the future.
Chris Gydesen, owner of the Ute Theatre, and ScSEED are partnering to bring Community Cinema movies to Saguache and Alamosa once a month, which began in October. This is a PBS series called “The Independent Lens” and is sponsored by local businesses. Admission is free.
There will be a panel discussion at the site of the film after the screening of each movie.
