Will the Sit/Lie Ban Pass Constitutional Muster?

Community groups and school organizations shared the spotlight in a Homecoming parade on Main Ave. It was the first Homecoming parade in Durango in more than a decade. Groups like the Demons Marching Band, youth football and the DHS Black Students Alliance took part. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and the law firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowen, and Foley

One of the ballot measures on this year’s November ballot, Proposition FF, seeks to address the issue of student hunger in schools across the state of Colorado by bring farm-fresh, healthy meals to the school table. The initiative, Healthy School Meals for All, intends to make school meals free regardless of economic income level, raise the wages for school cafeteria workers, and support local farmers by buying fresh produce directly from local farms. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett and Associates and Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

Aztec Adventures, a start-up by Neil Hannum and Will Farmer, wants to help fill the gap with tourism cycling in San Juan County. With all the cycling trails in and around Aztec and Farmington, Hannum and Farmer hope to bring attention to some of the great and unique trails in San Juan County while promoting education and cultural awareness of the area. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Service Master Restore

After a two-year hiatus, the Northern Navajo Fair came roaring back to life. Considered one of the nation’s oldest and most traditional fair gatherings, it celebrates 109 years. Most of the events were back, including a carnival, rodeo, Indian Market, and the traditional song and dance “roll call”. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine Spirits and Traegers Bar

With a cooling of the air comes a cooling of the real estate market, but that’s not all bad as we’ll discuss more in depth in this episode. Interest rates reached the highest they've been in 20 years and the month’s supply of homes has more than doubled. This story is sponsored by Alpenglow Properties LLC and the Local News Network

Durango’s Housing Innovation Division is leading a pilot program addressing a shortage of affordable housing for local workers. The City Council has allocated $80,000, which will be paid to ten applicants who build or legalize an A.D.U. on their property and agree to rent it to a local worker for at least two years. This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck and RV and the Norm Phillips Team at Draper and Kramer

September 24th, 2022 marked 10 years since Chimney Rock received National Monument designation. To acknowledge the occasion, Chimney Rock offered free admission to the monument, offered games, activities, and guided hikes, and invited several different groups to dance and perform on Saturday. The monument, located just south of Pagosa Springs, is part of the Chacoan architectural group and is a sacred site today to tribes descended from the Ancestral Puebloans. This story is sponsored by StoneAge and Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado

Paving of two new northbound lanes on US Highway 550 is completed, and from October 7th drivers will be directed onto the new traffic lanes for the rest of the project, slated to be finished in fall 2023. The Durango Community Recreation Center will be closed for its annual maintenance week from October 16-22, the Aquatics Center will be closed from October 9-31 to accommodate the replacement of pool equipment and resurfacing. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ

The Stillwater Foundation has been teaching music since 2005. Now the non-profit is fundraising to add a two-thousand square foot performance space for the community. This story is sponsored by Alpine Bank

After an accident when Dexter Dog Ouray was a puppy left him with three legs, the industrious pup decided he wanted to get back to moving as fast as he could, by teaching himself to walk on his back legs. Living in Ouray, he has amassed a large fan base across the world through social media, and took a little jaunt down to Durango during the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering to bring some light, laughter, and smiles to the town. This story is sponsored by the Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings

After ten tons of red and white grapes are picked, it’s time to party at Wines of the San Juan’s annual Harvest Festival. Visitors arrived by the thousands for the two-day event to enjoy wine, art, food, live music, and the celebrated Great Grape Stomp. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ

The Durango High School boys soccer team started this season undefeated, now prepares for stretch run as the region’s top team. The Colorado High School Activities Association has ranked DHS as one of Colorado’s top teams this season. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and 2180 Lighting & Design

The City of Durango has announced the schedule for the fall clean-up, make sure your lawn debris is set out for clean-up. Early Bird pass deals for the Durango Independent Film Festival end at the end of the month, and the City of Durango won a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health to increase the accessibility of secure bicycle parking around town. This story is sponsored by Kroeger Ace Hardware and TBK Bank

After over a decade, hot air balloons returned to the Farmington skies for the first annual Four Corners Balloon Rally, September 23rd - 25th. 18 balloons representing the Four Corners states managed mud and wind to jump-start what looks to be a yearly festival in Farmington. From candlestick balloon glows to actual flights, concerts and chilly mornings, the rally was deemed a success by organizers and participants alike. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College

Bond Issue 4A provided a boost of funds for schools in Durango, including Mountain Middle School. Through funding provided in part by the bond, Mountain Middle School added an additional 12,000 square feet of classroom space - including an outdoor classroom, a digital Makerspace, and more. The new construction finished just in time to welcome the 300 students, staff, and teachers for the 2022-2023 school year. This story is sponsored by Serious Texas BBQ and 2180 Lighting and Design

Durango High School announced the start of construction for the new IMPACT Career Center with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 19th. The new center will provide new space for career and technical exploration at the high school. The building, funded by Bond 4A funds, will provide new spaces for CTE classes, breakout spaces, and more. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and The Norm Phillips Team, at Draper & Kramer Mortgage

Dial-A-Ride, a part of RoadRunner transit, has announced expanded service areas to better serve rural La Plata Residents. Table to Farm Compost is offering three months of free compost service in exchange for filling out a short survey, and LPEA is looking for area builders to partner with. Watch this story again and more at www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/dial-a-ride-expands-service-fall-balloon-glows. This story is sponsored by Tafoya & Barrett & Associates and the Man Cave Barber

Get ready to celebrate all things bicycle with the inaugural Spoketober celebration, a month-long series of citizens tours, jump-jamming, and more that highlights Durango's reputation as a top cycling destination in the nation. This story is sponsored by Ute Mountain Casino Hotel and the law firm of Downs, McDonough, Cowan and Foley

The Four Corners Professional Women’s Summit returns for its fourth year with a new theme: Reinventing Yourself. The Summit, a conference for and by women in the four corners region, is a unique opportunity for professional networking and relationship-building. The theme for this year is purposefully open - allowing every attendee to choose their own definition of what it means to reinvent themselves. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and Boon's Family Thai Barbecue

Chimney Rock National Monument will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a day of educational events and tours. Purgatory Resort announces its 2022-23 season opening date. And get your work done at the La Plata County Clerk and Reporter's Office before Fridays. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and TBK Bank