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Wolf Creek gets late-season snow in time for Spring Break 

Wolf Creek Ski Area was pleased to receive a 30-inch spring storm over the past week bringing much-needed moisture to the area and fresh powder as they continue celebrating their 85th anniversary. 
WOLF CREEK – Several spring snowstorms battered the San Juans over the past week, bringing a much-needed 30 inches to the slopes of Wolf Creek Ski Area.  
Community

How do you Extension

SAN LUIS VALLEY — CSU Extension believes every person from every walk of life can experience their healthiest, happiest, most productive life if they continually engage in lifelong learning. At SLV Area Extension, everything we do is designed to foster healthy youth and families, prosperous farms, ranches, and businesses, and strong, resilient, proud communities. We offer a myriad of educational opportunities to SLV citizens, where they live, work, and socialize. 

SLV Trout Unlimited meeting is March 27 

ALAMOSA — San Luis Valley Trout Unlimited would like to invite all interested individuals to join us at our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, at the Alamosa Senior Center, 92 Colorado Ave., Alamosa.

Great Sand Dunes recruiting volunteers

GREAT SAND DUNES — The National Park Service at Great Sand Dunes is starting annual recruitment for volunteers for the 2025 spring, summer and fall season to assist with visitor safety, orientation, and information in the capacity of Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) duties. 

Author Anderson will be at the Baca Grande Library

CRESTONE – The Baca Grande Library is excited to announce that Peter Anderson will be reading from his newest book “Riding the Wheel,” a book of prose and poems, on Saturday April 5, beginning at 12 p.m. at the library, 67581 County Road T, Crestone.  

VanWalleghans talk about their daughter’s crash, recovery

CRESTONE – Haley VanWalleghan is a bright 19-year-old girl who graduated from Crestone Charter Schools in May of 2024.  VanWalleghan was in a single-person car accident on Feb. 18. VanWalleghan’s injuries were devastating. According to her parents, VanWalleghan was flown to UC Health Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs and immediately put in the Intensive Care Unit. VanWalleghan is recovering but has a long road ahead of her. 

Eclectic folk band Stillhouse Junkies at Society Hall

ALAMOSA — Society Hall is excited to feature Stillhouse Junkies on March 21.  Acoustic adventurers Stillhouse Junkies explore the worlds between roots, bluegrass, Texas swing, blues and rock.
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More Local News
The Saguache County Planning Commission will discuss this cell tower near downtown Villa Grove on March 27. The commission will hold a work session at 2 p.m. and a meeting at 5 p.m. at the Saguache County Road and Bridge Meeting Room.  
Villa Grove cell tower punts back to the county
SAGUACHE COUNTY — Villa Grove is a small town of about 30 residents on Highway 285 in northern Saguache County. In 2024, after the Saguache County Board of County Commissioners approved a land use application from Mountain Tower and Land LLC and Tower West LLC (Viaero) to construct a 195-foot cell tower near the center of this small hamlet, many residents were outraged.  
The Blanca Massif as seen from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge. Under consideration is the Closed Basin Canal Trail which would connect the refuge to the San Luis State Wildlife Area, and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.  
Grant boosts outdoor recreation planning in the San Luis Valley
DENVER — The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board awarded the City of Monte Vista, in partnership with San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!), a $125,000 planning grant supporting five recreational infrastructure projects in the San Luis Valley (SLV). The projects aim to increase community access to outdoor recreation while benefiting the local economy.  
Humane Colorado located on Airport Road in Alamosa continues the long tradition of offering adoptions and shelter for homeless dogs and cats. The animal welfare group also offers lost and found services. The organization can be reached at 719-212-6500.  
Humane Colorado is new name for animal welfare group
ALAMOSA –  For 115 years, Humane Colorado, formerly known as the Dumb Friends League, has been a national leader in animal welfare. The organization has unveiled a new name that better reflects its commitment to advocacy, education, and compassionate care for animals, their people, and the communities they serve. While the name has changed, Humane Colorado’s mission to end pet homelessness and animal suffering remains steadfast. 
SLV Aquatics answers MV council questions during work session
MONTE VISTA – A week after getting no official support from the Monte Vista City Council, the SLV Aquatics group was back before the same governing body for a work session on March 13. 
EMT student Scott Lamb is encased in a whole-body vacuum splint to help stabilize a simulated midshaft femur fracture immobilized with a traction splint. Onlookers include the remainder of the EMT students and assistant lab instructors Amy Wetherill and Charles Miller. 
Mineral County Ambulance hosts EMT class
MINERAL COUNTY – Mineral County Ambulance, in conjunction with UC Health in Denver, is conducting an EMT class in Creede. 
Sports
Sanford High School’s Brooklynn Reynolds makes a move to the basket in Saturday’s Class 2A State Tournament game against Akron at the Blue FCU Arena in Loveland. Reynolds scored 10 points as the Lady Mustangs defeated the Lady Rams, 43-38, to finish in third place.
Sanford girls defeat Akron to finish third
LOVELAND – The Sanford High School girls basketball team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat Akron, 43-38, to finish third in the Class 2A State Tournament Saturday at the Blue FCU Arena. …
Centauri High School’s Carson Bagwell (12) dribbles the ball in Saturday’s Class 3A State Tournament game against Windsor Charter Academy at the University of Denver’s Hamilton Gymnasium. The Falcons lost to the Firebirds 71-54 to finish in fourth place.
Centauri boys finish fourth in 3A Tournament
DENVER – The Centauri High School boys basketball team finished in fourth place at the Class 3A State Tournament after a 71-54 loss to Windsor Charter Academy Saturday at the University of …
Alamosa High School’s Elizabeth McQuitty crosses the finish line at the state cross country meet in November. McQuitty is currently ranked second in the 3,200-meter run and fourth in the 1,600 in the latest MaxPrep track and field rankings.
Several locals in MaxPreps track rankings
ALAMOSA – After just two weeks of the 2025 track and field season, several athletes from the San Luis Valley are already listed in the MaxPreps rankings. The Top 18 athletes in each event …
Opinion
Ol’ Dutch and Miss Trixie are trying our hardest to get into the new house before leaving for our Colorado adventures in May. It's not been easy. I am not sure if it's our age or just the magnitude of the chore after 13 years together as we have accumulated quite the menagerie of stuff. 
Obituaries
Obituaries
Alfred Laverne Pierce
Alfred Laverne Pierce, affectionately known as Al to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, in South Fork, Colo. Born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Cottonwood Falls, Kan., Al's journey through life was marked by his friendly demeanor, captivating presence, and a lifetime of dedicated service to his community. 
Joyce G. Pacheco
Joyce G. Pacheco, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in Brighton, Colo., after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 84 years old. 
Alex Juan Martinez
Alex Juan Martinez, a man known for his loving heart and unwavering passion for life, departed this world on Feb. 16, 2025, in Center, Colo., with his loving family by his side. Leaving a legacy of warmth and wisdom. Born on Sept. 26, 1945, in Pueblo, Colo., Alex's life was a testament to his intelligent mind and his dedication to his faith and family. 
Anna Reid Pubins
Anna Reid Pubins, born on April 21, 2024, brought immeasurable joy and love to all who knew her before she was called home on February 12, 2025, after a brief illness. Though her time on this earth was brief, Anna’s life was filled with warmth, laughter, and a radiant light that will forever shine in the hearts of her family. 
Charlotte June Sheely
Charlotte June Sheely slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God on Feb. 12, 2025. 
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