Organizers have announced they are closing the public search for missing hiker Ian O’Brian after two weeks of searching. The City of Durango has voted how best to distribute the $361,084 in excess 2022 Lodger’s Tax. Come celebrate 100 years of one of the iconic engines from the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at the Animas Museum, and voluntary water restrictions are in place as repairs progress on the pipeline under Goeglein Gulch. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Tafoya Barrett and Associates and Happy Pappy’s Pizza & Wings

Durango Transit is halfway through its second summer of free transit, thanks to funding from Senate Bill 260 and the City of Durango. With an eye to reducing carbon usage over the summer, and removing barriers to transportation, the program so far has been an overwhelming success, with buses being full more often than not. By Hannah Robertson. The story is sponsored by Tafoya, Barrett, and Associates and Serious Texas BBQ

Fundamental Needs, a Cortez-based non-profit, began by helping out on the Navajo Reservation during the pandemic. Ultimately, the founder’s discovered water was one of the most desired resources on the reservation. It developed a program that installs water systems for individual dwellings that don't have access to clean water. In 2023, the non-profit will continue its expansion into the Farmington and Shiprock areas. By Connor Shreve. This story is sponsored by Three Rivers Brewing and The Big Idea Makerspace at San Juan College

The City of Durango has announced that parking meters in high-occupancy areas downtown will see a 25¢ price increase as of July 1st, in accordance with the comprehensive parking plan. Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites amateur sportswomen to apply for the Ladies Cast, Blast, and Fling event this August, and participate in a survey to determine the “livability” of Durango this July. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by Sky Ute Casino and Kroeger’s Ace Hardware

The Grand Canyon Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving the Grand Canyon and the Colorado Plateau, initiated the Pinyon Jay project to involve volunteers in wildlife conservation. Pinyon Jays have a symbiotic relationship with pinyon trees, making them a key marker in forest preservation for the pinyon and juniper forests dotting the Colorado Plateau. The project aims to gather data and protect the ecosystem while engaging amateur birders and outdoor enthusiasts, making the project accessible to everyone. By Hannah Robertson. This story is sponsored by CMIT Solutions and Three Rivers Brewery