After ten tons of red and white grapes are picked, it’s time to party at Wines of the San Juan’s annual Harvest Festival. Visitors arrived by the thousands for the two-day event to enjoy wine, art, food, live music, and the celebrated Great Grape Stomp. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Service Master Restore and Boon’s Family Thai BBQ

San Juan County announced the schedule for early voting at the County Clerk’s office, beginning October 11th and running through November 5th. The annual household hazardous waste collection for unincorporated San Juan County will be October 15th. And the grant application deadline for projects addressing the aftermath of the Gold King Mill spill has been extended to October 28th. This story is sponsored by Ace Hardware of Farmington and SunRay Park and Casino

After over a decade, hot air balloons returned to the Farmington skies for the first annual Four Corners Balloon Rally, September 23rd - 25th. 18 balloons representing the Four Corners states managed mud and wind to jump-start what looks to be a yearly festival in Farmington. From candlestick balloon glows to actual flights, concerts and chilly mornings, the rally was deemed a success by organizers and participants alike. This story is sponsored by Traegers Bar and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College

The Four Corners Freight Rail Study Team held two public meetings about a new feasibility study for a freight rail project through San Juan County, connecting the county to an interstate rail corridor. Childhaven, Inc. will hold classes for new Court Assigned Special Advocates for children in need this October, and don your kilt and dust off your bagpipes for the Aztec Highland Games and Celtic Festival. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewing and Ute Mountain Casino Hotel

Future chefs sharpened their skills in Farmington Municipal School’s first ever Jr. Chef Competition. Students, mostly mid-schoolers, used their own recipes to create a dish that merged with the competition’s theme: New Mexico Proud. Ten teams created one dish to be judged by four professional chefs. By Donna K. Hewett. This story is sponsored by Northern Edge Casino and Distill Beer, Wine, Spirits