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Holidays in Creede pair well with Chocolate Festival

Creede's Chocolate Festival kicks off on Friday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event stretches into Saturday with a Parade of Lights, bonfires, carolers and more. 
CREEDE – It’s time to mark the calendar and make plans for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving and head on up to Creede for the annual Chocolate Festival and Holiday Market.  Residents, business owners and the City of Creede have all partnered to bring the holiday spirit to the forefront and to celebrate the season with giving. Starting on Friday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. businesses along the historic Main Street in downtown Creede will be offering delectable treats to all who venture that way with the annual Creede Chocolate Festival.  
Community
Snowy sunrise on Mt. Herard 
A snowy sunrise scene on the morning of Dec. 10 in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. This early morning photo includes pine trees in the foreground, dunes, and 13,345-ft Mt. Herard in the background surrounded by clouds.
Pictured, Colorado Representative Shannon Bird will deliver the Adams State 2024 Fall Commencement address. 
ASU Fall Commencement speaker is Colorado Rep. Bird
ALAMOSA – The Adams State University 2024 Fall Commencement Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in Plachy Hall. Colorado Representative Shannon Bird is the commencement speaker.  
Judith Boyd
Boyd to speak at citizens center on Dec. 10
ALAMOSA — Spark the Change Colorado, a leading volunteer nonprofit dedicated to service and community health invites the public to its monthly speaker series, “Spark Speaker Series: Empowering Aging in Colorado.” 
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More Local News
The Great Outdoor Fund recently secured funding from Great Outdoors Colorado and the Colorado Water Conservation Board to begin construction of educational and recreational enhancements to the Lobatos Bridge area in Costilla and Conejos counties.  
Lobatos Bridge outdoor classroom and recreation project funded
SAN LUIS VALLEY — A collaborative effort between public and private partners is financing an educational and recreational plan for the area in Conejos and Costilla counties near the historic Lobatos Bridge, which will soon begin construction. 
Konnie Martin, CEO of San Luis Valley Health, appointed as trustee of Colorado Hospital Board.  
SLVH CEO Martin joins CHA Board
ALAMOSA — The Colorado Hospital Association Board has named Konnie Martin as one of its newly appointed trustees and she will begin her term in January 2025. She is a trusted leader, especially advocating for and representing rural hospitals. She has been the CEO at San Luis Valley Health since 2013 and serves as a leader in a variety of local, state, and national roles. Konnie has previously served on the CHA board, including serving as a former chair of the association. 
Sandra Hostetter, Alamosa County Assessor 
Longtime Alamosa County Assessor set to retire at end of year
ALAMOSA — Sandra Hostetter, Alamosa County Assessor, is retiring at the end of 2024. She has served as the Alamosa County Assessor since 2003.  Prior to being elected, she worked as an appraiser in the office. In all, Hostetter has served the citizens of Alamosa County for 32 years. 
Firefighters battle a structure fire Thursday night. The incident is being investigated as a
Fire destroys structure in Alamosa County
Firefighters and deputies with Alamosa County Sheriff's Office responded to a structure fire Thursday night. The incident is currently being investigated as possible case of arson.
Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman and City Manager Heather Sanchez join in the holiday fun at Alamosa's Celebration of Lights in 2023.  
Holiday season in the Valley
ALAMOSA — The holiday season always signals an abundance of fun stuff going on, and 2024 in the San Luis Valley is no exception. What follows is a glimpse of some of the happenings coming up this weekend. 
Sports
Alamosa High School’s Morgan ortega drives to the basket in Saturday’s Erik Melgoza Shootout game against Buena Vista at the AHS Gym. Ortega scored 16 points including three 3-point baskets as the Lady Mean Moose defeated the Lady Demons 50-21.
Lady Moose defeat Buena Vista in blowout
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School girls basketball team concluded its time at the Erik Melgoza Shootout on Saturday as the Lady Mean Moose scored a 50-21 win over Buena Vista at the AHS gym. …
Alamosa High School’s Jaidyn Burciaga dribbles the ball upcourt in Saturday’s Erik Melgoza Shootout game against Buena Vista at the AHS Gym. Burciaga scored 12 points in the Mean Moose’s 54-40 loss.
Mean Moose lose in foul-plagued game
ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School boys basketball team was dealt its first loss of the season on Saturday as it was defeated by Buena Vista 54-40 in the Erik Melgoza Shootout at the AHS gym. …
Del Norte High School’s Noah Bailey (13) drives down the baseline as Lake County’s Jaren Peters (21) plays defense in Saturday’s Erik Melgoza Shootout at the Alamosa High School gym. Bailey scored 22 points as the Tigers defeated the Panthers 54-52.
Tigers edge Lake County, 54-52
ALAMOSA – The Del Norte High School boys basketball team came back from Friday night’s loss to Buena Vista with a 54-52 win over Lake County in the final day of the Erik Melgoza Shootout …
Opinion
The writers Edward Abbey, Gary Snyder and Norman McLean all staffed high-elevation fire lookouts in the West—their experiences rich fuel for their work. But Jack Kerouac’s reaction makes me smile. 
Obituaries
Obituaries
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick
Irene S. Monter-Chadwick passed away on Oct. 10, 2024, in Arvada, Colo. Irene was born to William Ziebell and Sophia Esslinger Ziebell on July 23, 1922, in Arapahoe, Neb. 
Meledy Story
"It's M-E-L-E-D-Y, because my parents just had to be different." Perhaps Jack and Helen knew exactly what they were doing when they named their youngest child, as her sweet southern drawl was musical even when she was angry (which wasn't often). I could give you all the ordinary details of Meledy's life- where she was born, graduated high school, worked, etc. but I am not sure this captures her extraordinary nature. It also feels too final, like there is only a beginning and an end instead of a song that continues to live in everything she loved. Instead, I would like to tell you where I believe you will still find her. 
Martha Jane (Morley) Sales
Martha passed at the River Valley Rehabilitation Care Center in Del Norte, Colo., where she had resided since March 2019. There she developed many close/loving relationships. She was 73 years old when she went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She loved her Jesus! She fought a long, hard battle against diabetes and dementia.  
Doris Almeda Golden
Doris Almeda Golden, 89, passed away peacefully with her loving family at her side in the Rock Creek Rehabilitation Healthcare Center in Monte Vista, Colo. Born Feb. 2, 1935, at home in Milburn, Neb., to Clarence Herman and Lydia Almeda (Petet) Dye. 
Nancy Ruby Warren
Nancy Ruby Warren, 80, died Oct. 22, 2024, peacefully in her sleep at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. Nancy was currently living with her daughter Brenda and son in law Randy in Battlement Mesa. Born Jan. 27, 1944, in Pilar, N.M., she was the daughter of the late Jose and Adonilia Suazo.
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The Christmas tree is a tradition older than Christmas
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