Celebrating Teachers Across the County

February 8, 2024

Celebrate the exceptional contributions of your favorite teachers through the inaugural Golden Apple of La Plata County Award! If your child is eligible for early access to kindergarten or first grade for Ignacio School District 11-JT, make sure your application is in by April 1st. Ignacio Youth Services offers a variety of programs designed to connect middle and high school students with their community and the outdoors. And we have your back for last-minute Super Bowl snacks. By Hannah. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and The Payroll Department.

Learn More...

Golden Apple of La Plata County - https://us20.list-manage.com/survey?u=97153b30ec234da5ef3460f51&id=a402328842&attribution=false

Colorado Property Group RE/MAX Pinnacle - https://www.remax.com/real-estate-teams/

Ignacio School District 11-JT - https://www.ignacioschools.org/

Ignacio Youth Services - https://sococaa.org/youth-services/

Superbowl Snacks - https://www.gambling.com/us/news/america-s-favorite-super-bowl-snacks

‍

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers - https://www.freddys.com/location/durango-co

The Payroll Department - https://payrolldept.biz/

Read the Full Transcript

Celebrate your favorite teachers with the first Golden Apple of La Plata County Award. If your child is eligible for early access for kindergarten or first grade, make sure you get your application ready by April 1st. Ignacio Youth Services has several programs designed for middle and high school-aged youths designed to curate connections with the community and the outdoors. And we've got you covered for those last minute Super Bowl snacks. You're watching the "Local News Roundup", brought to you by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and The Payroll Department. I'm Connor Shreve. Nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple of La Plata, a new award celebrating the teachers in La Plata County. The winning teacher will take home a cash prize of 750 bucks, and their school will receive a cash donation of a thousand dollars, courtesy of the Colorado Property Group at RE/MAX Pinnacle. Follow the link in the description to nominate those who have made lasting impacts on their communities before February 15th. Ignacio's School District 11JT and the state of Colorado have a process for early access to kindergarten and first grade for advanced children. Early access is early entrance to kindergarten for children at age four, or early entrance to first grade at age five for children who have been formally ID'ed as gifted and who meet the requirements for accelerated placement. Contact Nisia Patalan, the San Juan BOCES Gifted Education Coordinator, for more information and applications. Any applications for early access for the '24/'25 school year are due April 1st of 2024. Looking for after afterschool activities for pre-teens and teens? Ignacio Youth Services offers free high-quality programming and activities for middle and high school youth in Ignacio. Club Venture is an outdoor adventure-based program that aims to strengthen community and relationships among peers, family, and the natural world. The program offers year-round opportunities, and during the school year meets Wednesdays from 4:15 to 6:00 PM, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. CONNECT is an extension of Club Venture and is designed to foster and grow leadership skills. Individuals who participate in CONNECT will help lead Club Venture activities and take part in trainings with the opportunity to gain certifications through those trainings. You can follow Ignacio Youth Services on Facebook for up-to-date event happenings and programs. Getting prepped for your Super Bowl party this Sunday but find yourself a few snacks short, or wondering what else to get? According to the website gambling.com, the top picks for snacks in Colorado are chili, subs, and chips and dip. Of course, that leaves you guessing what dips to get. But if you do want to keep with the rest of the Colorado Super Bowl watchers, make sure to pick up some salsa, hummus, and seven-layer dip. Nationally, watchers tend to go for chicken wings and fries in addition to chips and dip, and the top dips include ranch, salsa, and hummus. Watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, February 11th at 4:30. Learn more about these and other stories online at durangolocal.news. Thanks for watching this edition of the "Local News Network". I'm Connor Shreve.

PAST DURANGO LOCAL NEWS STORIES

December 4, 2024

Festival of Trees and Wreaths Spreads Holiday Cheer

Get into the holiday spirit with the 21st Annual Festival of Trees & Wreaths Dec. 6th through 8th! Put on by Community Connections and Our Own Lives, it’s a family-friendly fundraiser you can bring the whole family to. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.
November 29, 2024

Shop Local for the Holidays

A beloved Durango tradition, Noel Night, returns on Friday, Dec. 6, in downtown Durango. Sponsored by 1st Southwest Bank and hosted by Local First, the event promises a day of fun with live music, s’more roasting, local shops and more! Find your holiday gifts and support local businesses this holiday season. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Durango Gelato, Coffee, & Tea and Crystal Mart.
November 27, 2024

FLC Cyclists Podium at MTB National Championship

Despite delay, uncertainty, Skyhawks racers rallied to win multiple medals. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Fatsigns Durango and Crystal Mart.
November 26, 2024

Giving Thanks In and Around Durango

For anyone planning on traveling out of the Durango La Plata County Airport this holiday week, be aware of the new remote parking program that is new this year for Thanksgiving Week. Annually the busiest week for the airport, a new shuttled remote parking set-up is meant to help reduce parking angst in the airport’s current lots. Make sure to leave plenty of time for your travels to accommodate finding space for parking and increased traffic overall. For nearly 30 years, people have got their pre-turkey gobble on at the annual Turkey Trot, held Thursday morning at Fort Lewis College. The event, presented by Animas Surgical Hospital, offers a 1-mile fun run and a 5-mile option to get the blood pumping and the community starting. Sign-ups are available online and on the day of, and volunteers are always welcome! The Manna Soup Kitchen’s Community Meal will be offered between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day with both to-go and delivery available - courtesy of the Vineyard Church. Enjoy a menu full of Thanksgiving favorites with the rest of the community on Thursday. Santa’s reindeer have gotten loose! Children 12 and under are invited to help find Santa’s reindeer at participating downtown businesses before the annual Singing with Santa event on Friday, Nov. 29. The first 50 to find six of reindeer will receive a free mug for hot chocolate at Buckley Park before singing in Santa and the lighting of the community Christmas Tree. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and M&R Plumbing.
November 22, 2024

Local Food & Farms Investment

The Good Food Collective helped 16 local food producers earn business-improving grants from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Local retailers are using the funds for infrastructure improvements to help provide fresh food to underserved areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Blondie’s Trophy Room and Choice Building Supply.
November 21, 2024

Stay Snow Safe and Smart This Winter

Do you have some art that’s “Good Enough to Eat”? Ignacio Community Library wants to showcase you with its newest exhibit, opening Dec. 2. Submit your art between Nov. 23-30 for inclusion in the show - all mediums are welcome, and there’s space for everyone! Show off your work for the community to enjoy. The IDEA LAB, Ignacio’s very own makerspace, is gearing up for a year of making and exploring in 2025. Each month will feature a new project, with build sessions every Friday and Saturday. Engineer and code robots, create a stop-motion masterpiece, film a YouTube video, and more! There’s something for everyone next year, check the calendar so you don’t miss a session! Winter weather may be beautiful, but it also comes with a fair bit of danger on those slippery roads. Brush up on winter driving safety with tips from the National Safety Council. With the recent snowfall, brush off your school snow day FAQs with Ignacio School District 11-JT and make sure that all contact information is up to date in the event of a snow-relate delay or cancellation. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and FASTSIGNS Durango.
November 20, 2024

Snow and Holiday Season Settling In

Come walkin’ in a winter wonderland during Noel Night Friday, Dec. 6 in Downtown Durango. The beloved tradition kicks off the holiday shopping season with a day and evening full of activities, special events, and sales from local artists, vendors, organizations, and more. The Durango Business Improvement District’s Holiday Rewards program also kicks off the same night - your holiday shopping has never been so rewarding! Fort Lewis College is the recipient of two grants totaling $6.7 million to support the development of a diverse teacher workforce and multilingual education. One of the grants will fund Project BLOOM - Building Language and Opening Opportunities for Multilingualism - to help reverse the decline in native language speakers. The other grant will help establish the CEDAR Initiative - Center for Educator Diversity, Achievement, and Responsiveness - to help prepare Indigenous educators and educators of color to serve students in rural, charter, and Tribal schools. With the recent snowfall, brush off your school snow day FAQs with Durango School District 9-R and re-familiarize yourself with the snow day decision process. The school district coordinates with multiple local and regional organizations to decide if and when to close schools or delay the start to keep students, staff, and the community safe during inclement weather. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy's Pizza & Wings and Durango Gelato, Coffee & Tea.
November 15, 2024

Fort Lewis College Golfers Wrap Historic Season

Skyhawks golf waited nine years for a single win. It now has three in one season. Traejan Andrews, Tyler Tyson and Dimery Plewe all earned individual medalist honors in 2024. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Dunkin Donuts.
November 14, 2024

Strengthening Durango’s Economy

Ever wondered how small towns like Durango keep their economy thriving? Much of it comes down to local organizations like the Economic Development Alliance of La Plata County. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.
November 13, 2024

Kick Off Your Holiday Season with Song 

Kick off the holiday season with Singing with Santa on Friday, November 29th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Buckley Park, presented by the Durango Business Improvement District. The Blue Star Moms of Durango is seeking sponsors for the Wreaths across America campaign to honor fallen military veterans. Southwest Colorado’s America 250 - Colorado 150 launch party will begin on Wednesday, November 20th at 5:30 p.m. at the Durango and Silverton Railroad Museum. The La Plata Family Centers Coalitions’ Project Merry Christmas, formerly called the Holly Jolly Toy Drive, has begun and is now accepting donations. By Rachel Hughes. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Dunkin Donuts.
November 12, 2024

Esoterra Ciderworks expands into Winemaking

Exciting news for wine lovers in Durango! Following the success of their ciders, Esoterra Ciderworks is expanding into winemaking with the Arboretum—a groundbreaking venue that will transform a 70-acre property into a unique blend of vineyards and apple orchards. From wine tastings and live music to motorboats on the pond for the kids, this venue promises something for the whole family to enjoy. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Crystal Mart and Denise Elliott, State Farm Agent.
November 8, 2024

Scrums, Rucks & Locks: Ready to Try Rugby?

Durango local Charlie Newton grew up playing rugby in Missouri. Now he’s starting a rugby club of his own in Durango. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino Resort and Durango Gelato, Coffee, and Tea.
November 6, 2024

Colorado Gives Day Kick-Off Month

Durango Transit has seen yet another record-setting year, and is on track to exceed the all-time record number of rides set in 2023. However, without new grants or other sources of funding, the local transportation organization will go into the negative in 2026, and will need to start cutting back services. The Multimodal Advisory Board has come up with possible solutions, and will continue to do so to keep the Durango Transit running. While school is solidly back in session, that doesn’t mean kids are out of options for activities! Durango Parks and Recreation have recently doubled scholarship allotments for qualifying youths 17 years and younger - scholarships can be used for Parks and Recreation activities or for facility passes. Looking for a good cause to support this holiday season? Southwest Colorado Gives through the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado has a full list of local nonprofits across all five counties it serves. Kick off the giving event Friday, Nov. 1, and watch the fun all the way until Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 10. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and M&R Plumbing.
November 5, 2024

Maria’s Bookshop Launches New Nonprofit 

Everyone deserves a good book! Maria’s Bookshop is marking its 40th anniversary by launching Maria’s Literary Foundation, a new nonprofit dedicated to expanding book access across the community and Southwest Colorado. The foundation will focus on donating brand-new books to underserved communities. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett & Associates and M&R Plumbing.
November 1, 2024

Election Week Rally with Adam Frisch 

There’s still time to cast your vote! At a rally in Durango on Oct. 30, Adam Frisch rallied support for his campaign as he emphasized the importance of unity among voters. Frisch, the Democratic candidate for Colorado's Third Congressional District, called for collaboration between parties to elevate rural voices in Washington. With Election Day approaching, he urged everyone to make their voices heard at the polls. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and FLC Center for Innovation.
October 30, 2024

Road Closures and Delays as Intersection Improvements are Underway

Colorado Department of Transportation and Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are continuing work on the US Highway 550, Main Street, and 14th Street intersection. As of Oct. 27, the intersection will be closed for about 11 days while D&SNGRR replaces the railroad tracks as part of overall safety improvements to the intersection, so be prepared to take alternative routes during the closure. An open call to artists in the Four Corners from the Durango-La Plata County Airport went out last week for three installations in the new baggage claim area. The selection committee will be looking for artwork featuring the Four Corners region's cultural, geographical, and historical diversity. Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. Dec. 17. The City of Durango will begin construction on a new trail at Twin Buttes to create more accessible routes to two trails. The new trail will expand the terrain available for Class 1 E-Bikes and provide an alternative to the current challenging route connecting the Cliffrock Loop and Upper Twin Buttes Trail. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by FASTSIGNS Durango and San Juan Regional Medical Center.
October 28, 2024

Miller Middle School Grand Opening Postponed

The Oct. 25 grand opening of the newly finished Miller Middle School building has been indefinitely postponed following the death of a Durango School District 9-R student on Oct. 24. Considering the circumstances, Durango School District 9-R felt the celebratory nature of the grand opening was not appropriate, and will set a new time for the opening event at a later date. Crisis teams and counselors are available to staff, students, and families affected by the events. By Hannah Robertson.
October 25, 2024

Mary Monroe Brown’s Legacy: 19 Years of Trailblazing with Durango Trails

After nearly two decades of building and maintaining world-class trails in Durango, Mary Monroe Brown is stepping away as executive director of Durango Trails. Find out how her leadership has transformed outdoor recreation in the region, the impact she’s had on volunteers and the community, and what her legacy means for the future of Durango’s trails. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Payroll Department.
October 24, 2024

Leaves, Halloween, and Grand Openings

If the tree in your yard likes to hold onto leaves past the Annual Fall Clean-Up, never fear! The City of Durango has partnered with Table to Farm Compost to offer free curbside pick-up of leaves through Nov. 29th. The 21st Annual Festivals of Trees and Wreaths is on the lookout for sponsors for the holiday event. This year, the festival will benefit both Community Connections and the new non-profit Our Own Lives, which was previously the direct services part of Community Connections before the reorganization earlier this year. If you would like to sponsor a wreath or a tree, sign-ups are available online. School is back in session, in school, for Miller Middle School students, but the community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of the school Friday, Oct. 25th. The celebration will include performances by students, prizes, a scavenger hunt, and more! Looking for a safe, fun way to celebrate Halloween? Downtown Durango’s Children’s Halloween is back Thursday, Oct. 31st with over 75 participating merchants. Trick or Treat up and down Main Avenue, and don’t forget to stop by the Trunk or Treat event hosted by TBK Bank. A carnival with free activities benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County helps round out the night! By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and FLC Center for Innovation.
October 23, 2024

Lodgers’ Tax: Arts and Culture 

Durango’s arts and culture scene is growing stronger, thanks to the support of the Lodgers' Tax. Funding from the tax has brought new murals and sculptures to public spaces, supported events like the Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and provided financial backing for local artists, non-profits, and businesses. It’s not just about adding visual appeal—this tax is driving professional training, economic development, and creative opportunities that weren’t available before. The result is a thriving cultural community that enriches the city and supports its long-term growth. By Sadie Smith. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank.

Need more  Local DURANGO News?

Click here for past stories
News for Locals. By Locals.
Editorial Policy | Copyright © Local News Network Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy