by Gena Akers
Have Lemons? Make $2,000
Peyton Sanchez, a 9-year-old Alamosa resident, organized his second annual lemonade stand for charity during Summerfest on the Rio in Alamosa. Last year all the proceeds he raised benefited Children’s Hospital programming and the Alamosa anti-bullying program. This year, Peyton is supporting La Puente and the PALS Children’s Program, which serves children, aged 5 to 9, who have experienced trauma. At 6 months, Peyton was diagnosed with neurofibro-mitosis and has made regular trips to Children’s Hospital since then.
Fire Forces Jail Evacuation
Three inmates set a fire in the Rio Grande County jail in Del Norte, forcing the evacuation of eight inmates. Cleanup and repair expenses are estimated at over $30,000. Deputy undersheriff of Saguache County recommended charges of arson, felony assault and criminal mischief against the men.
Valley Faced Flood Watch
The entire San Luis Valley was put under a flood watch by the National Weather Service due to rapid snowpack melt and expected heavy rains. North Crestone Creek in Crestone ran more than three times its average. Division Engineer Craig Cotton said the runoff and rain resulted in a peak on most of the streams.
Fugitive Caught in Costilla County
Lawrence Martinez, 39, was captured in Garcia. Martinez fled Taos County, New Mexico while on probation for a child abuse charge. Martinez is booked in the Costilla County jail, awaiting extradition back to New Mexico.
National Arts Names Fellow
Mary Hoffman, director of Adams State University community partnerships, was selected by the National Arts Strategies as one of 50 change makers to build projects that will lead to stronger, healthier communities. Hoffman was chosen from over 200 applicants from 34 states and 7 countries. As a fellow, Hoffman will work on a project that uses arts and culture to design solutions to community problems.
ASU Alumnus Dies in Mountaineering Accident
Adams State University 2013 alumnus Kyle Bufis died in a mountaineering incident on Washington’s Mount Rainier. Bufis, age 25, earned a Bachelor of Science in earth sciences and was among the first cohorts to complete a minor in Adventure Leadership and Programming.
Shorts
• Wolf Creek Ski Area hosted a panel discussion and tour of the 2013 West Fork Fire complex. The complex was made up of three fires: the Papoose, West Fork and Windy Pass, which burned a total of 109,000 acres. Over 1,500 firefighters fought the blazes. The West Fork fire burned to within a few miles of South Fork.
• Adams State University officially says thank you and goodbye to David Svaldi, who served as faculty since 1986 and president since 2006.
• Two individuals, a 16-year-old and a 64-year-old, were killed in a two-car accident east of Fort Garland.
• Fish have returned to the Alamosa River after years of mine-polluted runoff from the Summitville gold mine. The river used to include a 17-mile dead zone.
• Adams State University built a new greenhouse with Title V grant funding. The greenhouse will be used for biology courses and outreach opportunities to the K12 community.
