Locally owned Bayfield Gardens is the preeminent place to buy the ginormous hanging baskets you see gracing finer establishments along Main Street in Durango, Farmington and as far away as Santa Fe. But there’s a catch: you must reserve the flower baskets one year in advance. For walk-ins, there’s still plenty to choose from: first-rate veggies, annuals, and perennials. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ
The Local NEWS Network stands in solidarity with the community of the City of Farmington and the families of those impacted as a result of the shooting on May 15th. Desert View Family Counseling, Totah Behavioral Health and Farmington Community Health have offered their services if you or someone you know are in need of help. Desert View Family Counseling: 505-326-7878 (Press Option 1) Totah Behavioral Health: 505-564-4804 Farmington Community Health: 505-326-4796 Highway 173 will finally see some much-needed repair work thanks to an $8 million fund by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The Grand Canyon Trust is offering 18 fully-funded spots on the second annual Grand Canyon Regional Intertribal Intergeneration Stewardship Expedition for native youths from the associated tribes of the Grand Canyon, and the City of Aztec invites you to come kick off the summer with a block party. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Advocates for victims of child abuse gathered at Orchard Park in Downtown Farmington, to bring light to the magnitude of child abuse in San Juan County. The “Save Jane” event, hosted by Childhaven, gives a voice to the thousand or so abused children who come forward yearly. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Distil Beer Wine and Spirits and Pop’s Truck & RV Center
The Colorado Grain Chain is awarding four grants statewide to brewers or distillers who craft a beverage using exclusively Colorado grown grain. One grant will be awarded to businesses in each of Colorado’s major watersheds. The non-profit hopes the microgrant improves awareness for Colorado’s grain community. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ
Three students from local schools are headed to represent Farmington and Aztec as part of the National Civics Bee competition. San Juan Regional Medical Center welcomes its new CEO and president, and two local elementary schools have received $50,000 grants to help plan community school concepts. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and Boons Family Thai BBQ
The Strater Hotel has recognized the Blue Moon Ramblers for working as the hotel's Sunday house band for over thirty years. Room 223 is now dedicated to the band. The suite includes a plaque on the door with the band's name, and portraits of the band and its founding members inside the room. The Blue Moon Ramblers are the first musical act to join more than 40 individuals or entities who have rooms dedicated at the Strater. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and The Payroll Department
Durango’s Shimmy Mob belly dance troupe is ready to showcase its new choreography for National Belly Dance Day. On Saturday May 13th, the group will dance at multiple stops in downtown Durango. The team's mission is to raise awareness and money for Alternative Horizons, a local non-profit that provides resources for domestic violence victims. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Kroegers Ace Hardware and Serious Texas BBQ
At the first vintage jewelry trunk show hosted by J.A. Jewelers in Farmington, a gemologist explained what terms like vintage, retro, and antique mean in the world of fine jewelry. The collection included items from the Victorian era to modern vintage pieces from the 1980s and ‘90s. Prices ranged from a couple hundred dollars to $30,000. If you missed this event, don’t worry! It will return next year as an annual staple of J.A. Jewelers’ events. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and Northern Edge Casino
RiverFest, organized by the RiverReach Foundation returns for its 35th year - complete with wiener dog races, rafting, and live music and events. Rafting should be excellent this year, with the higher-than-average snowpack, but runoff concerns mean some low-lying areas of Farmington should be prepared. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and SunRay Park and Casino
SunRay Park & Casino has unveiled its 24th annual racing season with a national assembly of young, majestic horses. Ten races are held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until May 21st. SunRay Park also offers year-round simulcast horse racing, and over modern 400 slots. Margaritas and Tex-Mex are popular, as are the large-hearted staff. By Donna K. Hewett.
The Aztec Boys and Girls Club is hosting a spring craft fair on April 29th featuring local artists and craftsmen. San Juan College has received a $1.1 million federal appropriation secured by U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez for the construction of a new student health facility, and access to McPhee Reservoir in Southwest Colorado is increasing as summer approaches. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Wolves, in their haunting beauty and untamed wildness, are both a source of adoration and fear among people. At WolfWood Refuge, Paula Woerner and her team of volunteers provide experiences and opportunities for people to get up close with the animals that call the sanctuary home - ranging from full wolves and coyotes to animals that had to be surrendered due to inhumane conditions. One such educational event takes place annually at Purgatory Mountain Resort. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Happy Pappy’s Pizza and Wings
April is National Pickleball Month. Inexpensive, easy to play, and incredibly addictive, it’s the fastest growing sport in Farmington--with plenty of outside and inside courts available. Pickleball is sure-fire local fun for everyone—no matter age or gender. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Pop’s Truck & RV Center and Distil Beer Wine Spirits
An employee thank-you turned event, the second annual Pagosa Triathlon organized by Pagosa Adventure advertised hot-air balloon rides, spring skiing competitions, and a rafting event. And then Mother Nature arrived, and the weekend event became a case study in changing plans. Although snowy fields and windy weather thwarted a few of the events, the triathlon teams still managed to find some fun, sun, and clear blue skies. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ
Staffers at the Durango-based Adaptive Sports Association are reflecting on a memorable winter as the organization readies for its summer season. The association, which provides outdoor experiences for people with disabilities, hosted about 600 lessons this winter, as it trends back to pre-pandemic demand. Upcoming summer programming includes river trips, cycling tours, camping trips and more. The Adaptive Sports Association also offers programming that caters to disabled military veterans such as Team River Runner. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings and Kroegers Ace Hardware
Author Mark Stevens makes his first foray into the world of baseball with his latest release: The Fireballer. The Fireballer is a novel about Frank Ryder, a tortured hero who grapples with talent, change and loneliness. Ultimately Ryder must come to terms with his circumstances to find peace off the diamond. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by the Lor Foundation and Big O Tires
Leadership San Juan has opened applications for this year’s class. The City of Farmington is asking for community input for the Animas District and Healthcare Hub, asking residents to fill out a short survey to assess priorities for development. And just this month, San Juan County has launched a new program called Septic Safe San Juan County to better educate the county about the dangers of unsecured septic tank lids. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and SunRay Park and Casino
A Farmington musical theatre director has been asked to submit his Celebrate Sondheim Revue for a chance at touring nationally. Randy West, director of Four Corners Musical Theatre Company, produced a two-hour Sondheim extravaganza, with eight professional singers and a nine-piece orchestra. Presented as a workshop at the Farmington Civic Center, the final production will be recorded in the next few weeks and submitted to a Florida-based agency that books national tours. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewery and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College
Gardening in Southwest Colorado takes more patience and preparation than in many other warmer and wetter states. The area is susceptible to unpredictable frosts, drought, smoke, and a shorter growing window, yet it is still possible to have a highly productive garden. Mountain Roots Food Project has a spring gardening guide to help better understand the challenges and planning needed to succeed in our gardens this summer. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by The Payroll Department and Serious Texas BBQ
During inclement weather, Strike Zone in Farmington is a godsend for baseball and softball players looking for a practice and training facility. It houses seven roomy batting cages and a large turf area for pitching practice. Helmets, balls, bats, and one-hour lessons are offered six days a week to perfect that home run swing. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and Pop’s Truck & RV Center
