Timpas Feeders, a longstanding feedyard located in the heart of the Arkansas Valley in southern Colorado, exchanged hands this week. The feedyard was established in the 1950’s east of Rocky Ford, a highly productive agriculture area known for its mild climates, high quality livestock feed, and live cattle marketing and sales in La Junta.
Drought conditions remain virtually unchanged from a week ago, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. Most of the Arkansas River Basin is abnormally dry or drought-free with a few areas of moderate drought.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns John Martin Reservoir, is planning to do routine maintenance work on its dam starting on Sept.
The Bent County Historical Society, a non-profit in rural southeast Colorado, is seeking a grant writer to assist with grant writing for the Rawlings Museum & Heritage Center and Boggsville National Historical Site, both located in Bent County.
Governor Polis and the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS) announced last Tuesday an increase to Colorado’s minimum wage, which is currently $12.56 per hour for 2022, and will increase to $13.65 per hour in 2023, an 8.68% increase. Annually adjusting the minimum wage for inflation is a voter-approved mandate in the Colorado Constitution. The new minimum wage will take effect on January 1, 2023.
The Las Animas School District HECTOR of the Week award winners include, from left, Junior High - Bria Gardner - Bria has been extremely helpful in all of her classes by doing all of her work with good quality, and she often helps out other students when they need it; Staff - Harry Marlow - Mr. Harry Marlow has been an excellent addition to our school building! He is optimistic and dedicated to his craft and keeping students engaged. Students are also really enjoying his classes. Thanks for being here, Mr. Marlow!; High School - Bryan Aguilar - Bryan is an excellent senior and does what he can to help out.
An Otero County jury convicted a Garden City, Kansas man of First Degree Murder of a La Junta man last Tuesday, bringing justice to a case that went unsolved for over one year. Matthew Perez, 39, was sentenced sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole September 7 for the murder of Ernesto Apodaca in May 2021.
Recently, there have been Facebook users posting about suspicious activity of people they believe may have tagged them or marked them as potential victims of human trafficking. One recent post garnered over a hundred likes and a staggering 90 shares before it was removed. The people of Bent County appear to be concerned about the risks and dangers of human traffickers. They also may simply have questions as to what human trafficking is and how to spot victims or indicators of threats. The Bent County Democrat contacted the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), who answered a few concerning questions, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who provided public safety information.
“Home for the Season” will be the theme scattered across Las Animas School District next week in celebration of Homecoming week for the Trojans. Activities begin as early as Sunday, when high school students will be decorating the school’s halls from 1-4 p.m., which will be judged Wednesday, along with Homecoming royalty candidates.