Recently, the VA clinic in La Junta and other locations such as Lamar, Salida, and Burlington have been recommended for closure. But why was the assessment made? What are the plans to serve veterans if the clinic does close? The VA ECHCS (VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System) Public Affairs office contacted the La Junta Tribune-Democrat to answer these questions and provide a broad understanding of the details surrounding the potential closure.
A three-party contract allowing for the Arkansas Valley Conduit to deliver clean drinking water to 50,000 people in 39 communities east of Pueblo was signed by the Bureau of Reclamation on March 18, 2022, following approval by the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Board and the Pueblo Board of Water Works (Pueblo Water). The contract was drafted after negotiations that began in November 2021.
The VFW #2411 Post and Auxiliary hosted a Freedom Cruise and a Flag Retirement Ceremony for the community last Friday at Fort Lyon Colorado Homeless Coalition. The Fort Lyon veterans extended an invitation to the community to hold the ceremony there.
The Museum honored our seniors March 16 with a free St. Patrick’s Day themed celebration! Seniors from the Senior Opportunity Center; the Bent County HealthCare System Nursing Home; Prairie View Village; and from all around our Bent County community enjoyed each other’s company!
Otero College is pleased to share the names of students who achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the spring semester. There were a total of 296 students named to the Fall 2021 Semester Honors List. That list is then broken down into the President’s Honor List, the Vice President’s Honor List, Institutional Recognition Honor List and Part-Time Honor List.
Recently, Michael Kilmer, Director at VA (Veterans Affairs) Eastern Colorado Healthcare System, visited specific locations to drop the bombshell that they may be closing VA clinics in certain areas, including the clinic in Lamar and La Junta.
Bent County Historical Society (BHS) held their annual meeting on March 12 with several members attending the luncheon and program. Dale Leighty offered a blessing before the meal, and the group held a moment of silence for their many members who have passed, especially former board member, Don Headlee.
In February, Otero College began developing a new five-year strategic plan. There have been meetings with focus groups and round-table discussions were held among the various campus departments, the Otero Advisory Council, the Otero Foundation Board, alumni, and current students. This planning process is taking place to help set goals for the institution as well as develop the plans to achieve those goals. The components of our strategic plan will focus on vision, mission, values, goals, strategies, and key performance indicators.
After more than 22 years with the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Terry Fankhauser will be stepping down as the association’s executive vice president. Fankhauser and his wife, Hidi, and three children, Emma, Tess, and Grant, will be returning to the family’s ranch in Kansas. “I knew from an early time in my career that I wanted to serve the beef industry and make it a better place for producers to do business”, said Fankhauser. “While there is much yet to be accomplished... now maybe more than ever, I continue to believe that member organizations are critical to the success of private industries like beef production.”
Grain, feed and fuel prices are soaring, live cattle prices are under pressure, and cost inflation is being felt by all Americans following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I am convinced it is going to be the biggest supply shock to global grain markets in my lifetime,” said Scott Irwin, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois.