The latest coverage from our team of reporters and correspondents in Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, Colo., and Colfax County, N.M.
Trinidad City Council approves COVID-19 emergency assistance for local businesses
by Bill KnowlesTRINIDAD — Trinidad City Council passed the second reading of an emergency ordinance with a 7-0 vote during their regular meeting last Tuesday. The ordinance allows the city to give out financial assistance to local businesses and residents who are dealing with the flattened economy brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the
COVID-plagued 2020 crawls to a close: The dawning new year looks much like the daunting old year
by Mark CraddockOUR WORLD — As a brutal year crawls to a close, the COVID-19 pandemic is proving once again that it defies borders, beliefs and ideology — and it has little respect for anniversaries. The dawning new year looks much like the waning old year, with national case counts and deaths continuing to rise; some
Filling a need by filling our pantries: Food insecurity was a problem before the COVID-19 pandemic; Now it’s much worse
by Mark CraddockOUR WORLD — Mittens, stocking caps, and masks were the uniform of the day as a handful of La Veta Village volunteers gathered in the brisk early-morning of Dec. 12 to prepare boxes of food for distribution to area residents. By 9 a.m. cars began arriving at La Veta Village to receive an assortment
County approves COVID payments, accepts grants and approves CUP
by E.E. MullensWALSENBURG — The Huerfano Board of Commissioners Tuesday commented on the pending retirement of county chief financial officer M. Kristy Johnson, with chairman Ray Garcia saying, “We salute you for your service and thank you for doing an extremely fine job for Huerfano County.”Commissioner Gerald Cisneros noted Johnson has worked for the county for
The Five Star Program is supposed to save local economies, but is it really safe?
by Todd BrogowskiCOLORADO — Frustrated with the impact that COVID-19 has had on local economies, many Colorado counties are looking to an experimental program run out of Mesa County called the “Five Star Program” for a solution that would allow for indoor dining and increased business capacity. Currently, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
New Mexico grants small businesses $100 Million; 40% promised to rural communities
by Sharon NiedermanNEW MEXICO — To grant New Mexicans a measure of economic relief, the legislature held a one-day Special Session Nov. 24, 2020. With strong bipartisan support, the legislature spelled out several measures to disburse $360 million in federal CARES funds directly to citizens.Of the $100 million set aside for small business grants, 40%
Local COVID-19 case counts, deaths continue to climb, but vaccine approval is imminent: Two more Veterans Center residents die; Colorado places vaccine order
by Mark Craddock OUR WORLD — For those seeking to make sense of the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, to perhaps grasp at a ray of hope amid the grim statistics and sullen predictions, there are the clichés: It’s darkest before the dawn. There is light at the end of the tunnel. And then there
(updated) Fourth veterans’ home resident dies Tuesday; Huerfano will move to “red” on COVID-19 dial Friday
by Mark CraddockWALSENBURG — For longtime members of the Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center staff, a call of “code love” has a specific and profound meaning. It means a resident of the Veterans’ Community Living Center has died. Their casket is wheeled through the facility so fellow residents can say their last goodbyes. Staff members, many
Fauci to Colorado: Coming months will bring precarious risk followed by hope
by Mark CraddockOUR WORLD — It was a rather surprising press conference even by COVID-19 pandemic standards.Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, in isolation after receiving a positive COVID-19 test Saturday, jacked in from somewhere in the governor’s residence. He was joined by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the
Adjusting the Lockdown: NM Gov announces three-tiered system to encourage COVID safe practices
by Sharon NiedermanNEW MEXICO — In a press conference Nov. 30, 2020, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham described the latest round of pandemic restrictions. These public health orders, are in effect from Dec. 2 through Dec. 30, 2020. The most significant change in this revised set of orders is the creation of a three-tiered, color-coded system