The 2021 infrastructure bill earmarked more money for broadband internet access than ever before. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe is one beneficiary, getting nearly $44 million to connect nearly 1,800 Native American households to high speed internet. Funds will be deployed locally to help close the digital divide faced by Tribal communities. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Southwest Health System and Big O Tires
Prepare for the summer farmers market season with a vendors training hosted by the Northwest New Mexico Growers Market. The city of Aztec received a $39,999 grant to develop a plan for public space and trails in and around the city, and Lake Nighthorse will open for the summer season on March 31st. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will visit Durango for the first time Saturday, April 1. Two screenings will be hosted by the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton at 5 pm and 8 pm. Tickets are available online through Five Rivers Trout Unlimited or in-person at Duranglers for $20. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Pops Truck & RV Center and The Payroll Department
When Robert Holmes noticed a need for sober housing in La Plata County, Colorado, and San Juan County, New Mexico, he decided to do something about it, founding a nonprofit organization called Pura Vida for Good. Holmes, who is the owner of the river resort Tico Time on the Colorado/New Mexico border, plans to turn the resort festivals into benefits to fund the construction of and upkeep of sober housing and recovery homes in the two counties. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Volunteers from Turquoise Paw Rescue in Shiprock travel the expanse of the Navajo Nation to trap loose dogs and shelter them until they’re released to shelters across the country. Volunteers for Turquoise Paw Rescue normally travel hundreds of miles with traps, blankets, and “smelly foods,” to save mostly female “rez dogs” and their plentiful offspring. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Distill Beer Wine Spirits and Northern Edge Casino
The annual spring hazardous waste collection event for San Juan County is scheduled for March 25th. San Juan College has been selected as one of ten community colleges across the nation to be a part of a cohort designed to reduce barriers to higher education for minority and low-income college students and come find a job at San Juan Regional Medical Center’s regional career fair. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by SunRay Park and Casino and Ace Hardware of Farmington
The Lor Foundation is awarding rural farmers and ranchers in Colorado and New Mexico grants to implement innovative water solutions. LOR believes those closest to a problem—Western farmers and ranchers in this case—have the best solutions. Through the Field Work initiative, farmers and ranchers in rural parts of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming are eligible for up to $10,000 to implement innovative water projects. The goal is to find the best solutions for using water to grow food in the West. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Southwest Health System and TruWest Auto
Ballantine Events is hosting the annual Farmington Regional Career Fair, bring your resume and business dress to impress. Aztec Museum announced special spring break hours from March 14-25, and the February storms have helped push Farmington and San Juan County out of severe drought designations according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Boon's Family Thai BBQ and Pop's Truck & RV Center
Hail to the chief! San Juan County Fire & Rescue named Dave Vega as its new Fire Chief. The Pagosa Springs native beat out five other candidates in a nationwide search to fill the job. The former deputy chief will face lots of challenges, including rebuilding volunteer ranks. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and SunRay Park and Casino
Calling themselves Team Guardian, three men from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge to fund their non-profit organization, called Guardian Initiatives, dedicated to raising awareness and support for mental health for first responders in the Four Corners. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Boon’s Family Thai BBQ and Ace Hardware in Farmington
Delbert Anderson, Navajo trumpeter and front man for the jazz ensemble D’DAT, was just awarded a $10,000 thousand-dollar grant from Cultural Capital to mentor a local tour for The Third Hour, a band made up of eight Farmington High School, he fellowship was presented by the First People’s Fund, a national organization that supports indigenous arts. It marks Anderson’s ninth endowment in a single year. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware in Farmington and Traegers Bar
The Farmington Theater Ensemble Arts opens its 25th Season with the beloved classic “Steel Magnolias”, Team Guardian Initiatives celebrates its return from the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge, and San Juan Regional Medical Center announces a new CEO. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Distill Beer Wine and Spirits
After an impressive run through the regular season and district play, the Farmington Scorpions High School girls basketball team has cemented itself as one of the state’s top 5A State Championship contenders. The State Tournament begins March 3rd and Farmington hopes it ends at The University of New Mexico, which plays host to the final rounds, including the Championship game on March 11. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & R.V. Center and Three Rivers Brewery
Crumbl Cookies the four-year-old viral cookie brand, has over 6 million followers on TikTok alone, and seven hundred locations across the country. And currently, there’s one nearby on East Main Street in Farmington. Six types of cookies are made from scratch daily. They’re made in the front of the house so customers can watch the process in real time. Crumbl stays open late and delivers by Door Dash. By Donna K Hewett. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and CMIT Solutions
Tres Rios Habitat for Humanity will likely delay the beginning of their construction season, as none of the applicants in the previous round qualified for a new home. Come and check out the new Tyrannosaurus - Meet the Family exhibit at the Farmington Museum and enjoy renditions of your favorite Broadway musicals at the Caliente Chorus annual fundraiser brunch. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Centura Health committed four million dollars to Fort Lewis College for a renovation of the Aquatics Center into a state-of-the-art performance, rehab, and wellness center for student-athletes and students. The Centura Sports Performance Center will include training and recovery guided by Mercy Sports Medicine trainers. By Connor Shreve This story is sponsored by the Man Cave Barbers and The Payroll Department
Two hundred gymnasts from New Mexico and Colorado participated in the first-ever Four Corners Invitational at Farmington’s McGee Park Convention Center. Twelve teams competed, ages 6 to 17, in the all-day event presented by Farmington Gymnastic Academy. Events included balance beam, floor exercises, vault and the uneven parallel bars in all levels of competition—including components of the Junior Olympic program. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
The Farmington Chamber of Commerce recognized Nancy Shephard for Citizen of the Year and M & R Plumbing Service for Business of the Year at its annual banquet. The Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments wants more small businesses to know about loan opportunities, and a free Narcan training by Ideal Option and San Juan County Partnership will be offered this weekend. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Boon's Family Thai BBQ
The Farmington Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be host to the second annual National Civics Bee in an effort to encourage more students to take an active interest in local government. Open to all middle-school students in Farmington, Bloomfield, Aztec, and Kirtland, the first round is an essay, due February 24th. The Farmington Chamber of Commerce is hoping for at least 100 essay submissions to better introduce the world of local business and government to area schools. The prompt and information about the contest is available online for anyone interested in applying. By Hannah Robertson This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Boon's Family Thai BBQ
Blood supply is at its lowest level in about nine hundred hospitals across the nation. Vitalant, a nonprofit national blood bank with locations in Farmington, declared a blood supply emergency in January. Your blood is vital: It saves lives. Donations are essential for trauma patients, those undergoing surgeries and transplants, and those with chronic illnesses and blood disorders. By Donna K. Hewett This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & RV Center and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ
