News

Gov. Polis declares Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado

February 17, 2022

LA JUNTA — For a second year in a row, Governor Polis declared the third week of February as “Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado” today to encourage more students to take tuition-free college courses in high school. The largest provider of Concurrent Enrollment in the state, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is once again coordinating a month-long awareness campaign to showcase the benefits of the program and encourage students to sign up as they plan for fall semester. Concurrent Enrollment, launched by

February 17, 2022

The Arkansas Valley Conduit has been an idea in the works since the Frying Pan/Arkansas project started in the 60’s under John F. Kennedy. Chris Woodka of the Southeast Water Conservancy District has been working on it in one way or another for twenty years. Well water in Southeast Colorado contains radionucleides, since radium and uranium are naturally occurring minerals. Add to that nitrates (agriculture uses fertilizer), bacteria, selenium and iron in the alluvial aquifer. There’s a limit to what even a good water system with reverse osmosis will take out.

February 17, 2022

The Las Animas High School girls’ basketball team played just two games last week, splitting the slate against Swallows Charter Academy and Swink. On Thursday.

Lindauer inducted into Dugout Hall of Fame

February 10, 2022

Longtime Las Animas High School head baseball coach Carl Lindauer earned the prestigious honor of being selected to the Colorado Dugout Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2020 on January 22. The Dugout Hall of Fame honors baseball coaches in the State of Colorado who exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character.

23rd annual Girls in the Middle Conference registration now open

February 10, 2022

LA JUNTA — We are back! After taking 2021off to ensure the safety of our girls during the pandemic, the Girls in the Middle conference returns with flare for our 23rd year. The annual Girls in the Middle Conference will be held on Saturday, March 5, at Otero College from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is “Ignite Your Future “ and will encourage middle school aged girls to traverse the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).

February 10, 2022

In this particular-ly pertinent era of heightened politics, TEA FOR THREE humanizes the politi-cal scene with stories both whimsical and deeply moving – a be-hindthe-scenes look at Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford.

AV Children’s Chorale performs at Educator’s Conference

February 10, 2022

The Ark-Valley Children’s Chorale was an honored group asked to sing at the Colorado Music Educators Association Clinic/ Conference held at the Broadmoor Hotel on January 28. The Chorale (homeschoolers and public students from around the Arkansas Valley) wowed the audience with their vocal talents and their musical venue.

Ashby denied relief for 2014 shooting

February 10, 2022

Former Rocky Ford Police Officer James Ashby, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the 2014 murder of 27-year-old Jack Jaquez, was denied relief last Monday by a district court judge. Ashby’s attorneys filed a 35C, argueing that Ashby’s sentence should be adjusted or his guilty verdict overturned.

LA Schools celebrate National Counselor Week

February 10, 2022

Jody Sniff - Las Animas Elementary School Counselor Austin Coy - School-based Mental Health Counselor Jenn Pointon - Las Animas Junior / Senior High School Counselor .

66th Otero Arts Festival Announces Categories and Dates

February 10, 2022

LA JUNTA — The 66th Otero Arts Festival is pleased to announce the 2022 contest categories and dates. The annual festival plans to host the public viewing of the visual arts and creative writing from Tuesday, March 29 through Thursday, March 31 in the McDivitt Center Gym on the Otero College campus. Area students’ grade 7-12 will be able to compete in several categories: Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Music and Theatrical Contests. Ribbons will be awarded at each level of the competition with Otero Scholarships being awarded to the top senior (grade 12 graduating high school senior) competitor in each category.