by Patty LaTaille
Hot and Dry – Beware – It’s Fire Season
Due to the lack of snow on the peaks and no precipitation this winter, the SLV is scary dry. The “Green Fire” north of Alamosa in mid-April was one of the San Luis Valley’s biggest brush fires this season. 50-60 firefighters were at the scene.
In addition to the Alamosa Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters were called in from the Mosca-Hooper, Monte Vista and Costilla County departments. Crews from the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado State Forest Service also assisted with firefighting efforts, and a team from Woodland Park arrived to help fight the fire.
There Are New Chiefs in Town
The City of Alamosa announced that Craig Dodd will be heading the Police Department beginning in early June.
Dodd comes to the PD with 27 years of law enforcement experience, including Director of the Information Services Division and manager of the Communications Center, police records, property, evidence and laboratory, as well as coordinating the crime lab and photo functions.
Dodd has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University, and rose through the ranks of the Ft. Collins police department.
The new Center Police Chief is William Lucero, former Rio Grande Sheriff’s deputy. In speaking about Center’s “rough spot and a difficult transition period,” Lucero told resident she would work to get their trust back. He said enforcing the law is his personal responsibility and that his intention is to do just that, while serving the community and staying within the necessary boundaries.
Yay for Splashland!
A splash from the summer past in Alamosa; its Hot Spring community swimming pool will once again be open to the public this summer. Look for the pool to be open in mid-May or (at the latest) by Memorial Day weekend.
The American icon of a swimming pool on Highway 17 north of Alamosa was built in the 1950s and operated by the Jones family. It was then purchased by a nonprofit community organization that mismanaged the facility with two cases of embezzlement and health department mandates. The pool has been closed for three long summers
Splashland’s new owners, Scott Erickson and LeRoy Polkowske of SLV Builders, are excited about all the new improvements and opening the pool again for the community.
Hantavirus Death Confirmed in the SLV
While the Saguache County Public Health is unable to disclose the identity of a deceased Saguache County resident due to confidentiality, residents should be aware that hantavirus is a very real threat and precautions need to be taken, according to The Valley Courier. Hantavirus is carried by deer mice. For further information on preventing hantavirus, contact Saguache County Public Health at 719-655-2533.
Ski Area Fined
Wolf Creek Ski Area has been fined $17,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration who alleged “serious” workplace violations after an investigation into the death of the ski patrol director in an avalanche in November 2010.
OSHA cited lack the lack of specific training and protocols for avalanche-control work as well as a violation of state law, according to The Valley Courier.
